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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
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Need advice on a good varmint barrel for my pistol contender
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,486
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,486 |
That's easy, 221, 222 or 223 for small to medium critters.
25, 6mm, 6.5 or 7mm TCUs, 6.5 JDJ and you can go up in size, and maybe distance
Others I am sure have other choices to fit the bill.
Last edited by LouisB; 08/06/17.
Some spelling errors can be corrected by a vowel movement. ~ MOLON LABE ~
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,199
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,199 |
The recommendations from LouisB are good ones. For varmints up to groundhog size you could go .17 HMR or .22 Hornet as well. I have a .22 Hornet barrel on an Encore and recoil is so mild I have a 3-9x rifle scope on it and use a "Taco" grip. It groups 1" or less at 100 yd. The HMR can be just as accurate. The Hornet would be OK on fox and coyote as well.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,741
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,741 |
How do the hornet and 222 do in the shorter barrels?
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,199
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,199 |
My Hornet barrel is 15" and my .17 HMR is a 14" by MGM so I can't speak to anything shorter. I have a friend who shoots well with his 10" Contender barrel in .222. The shorter you get the louder they generally get though.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,859
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,859 |
with the 222 or 223, one can load down to 22 LR or 22 Mag velocities for plinking or tree rat removal.
Last edited by OSU_Sig; 08/07/17. Reason: had to finish my thought.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,537
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2005
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First decide on the barrel length you want. That will make choosing a cartridge easier. I first had a 10 inch .221 Fireball, but it was so loud in the short barrel. I sold it and got a 10 inch .22 Hornet that I am thinking of having K'd to match my carbine barrel. A 12 or 14 inch barrel in .221 Fireball would be cool. A friend stopped using his .22-250 rifle because he had so much fun shooting his Super 14 in .223.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2008
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I have a 223 rifle so I would probably go with 222...both to use less powder and keep noise down and to keep brass separate. Will have to find a 12 or 14
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I had a Super 14 in .223. Thing shot great and was fun. But I needed something with less oomph (wanted 14" .22 magnum) and sold it.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I had a 221 fireball, 12" and a 17 AH also in a 12" Both were quite accurate and effective on PDs
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