My local gun club has ground hog shoots that are really a hillbilly version of Bench rest competitions. I am toying with giving the sporter /hunting rifle class a try. Weight limit is 10.5 lbs . Ranges of 100,200.300 yards Fives shots each. I am looking at a Ruger American Varmint, 223 or 6mm Creedmoor. Factory ammo abounds for both and hand loading is doable. Any advice advice/thoughts?
We used to do something like that. The distances were 300 and 600. The guy who organized it .. and won most of the matches .. shot a trued up 700 short action in 6mm BR with a 1-10" twist to launch 90 grain Bergers. The 90 had some advantage in the unknown breeze at 600.
At 100-200-300 I would go with .223 .. or maybe rechamber/set the barrel back and go with .222. Either 12 or 14 twist would be ok, 52 grain Sierras or Bergers unless you want to get real fancy.
