Here’s a $5,000 solution to someone of a practical mind. Let’s assume that you would like to have a couple of rifles that would do duty on varmints and on medium-sized game. But you’d like them to be identical in every respect but chambering, so that you would be familiar with both the action, the trigger and the shouldering thereof.
Why not, asks Steve Barnett (Merchant Of Death Extraordinaire), get these two? Here’s the Ruger M77 RSI in .22-250 Rem (which spells “death to varmints” in no uncertain terms):
…and here’s its twin, in .308 Win (which spells “death to pretty much everything else”):
Yes of course they’re identical: that’s the whole point of the exercise. And at under $2,500 each, it seems to me to be a very practical and elegant solution to the “one gun, two calibers” demand made for hunting.
Longtime Readers will also know of my inordinate fondness for the full-stocked rifle, and Ruger’s RSI line fills that to capacity, oh yes it does.
As for the boolets themselves, here’s a comparison (with ballistics):
All that remains is to mount two identical scopes with identical reticles to the above rifles, and the brief is filled, I think, pretty much to perfection:
And yes, I think the term “elegant solution” is entirely appropriate here.
I can see the reasoning, and I agree.
But.
And there’s always a but isn’t there?
I like variety. More so than continuity.
Having only limited funds, I don’t want to “waste” my coins on buying the “same” guns. I’d rather buy different ones.
Plus, if I have a Remington in .308 already why would I want to but a Ruger of the same caliber? Seems I’d rather have a Ruger (or whatever manuf I choose) in say .30-06, or maybe 7mm.
Since I am of limited funds, I am only thinking out loud here.
how is the barrel life of the .22-250? Would identical scopes be useful since each cartridge has a different purpose?
1. The .22-250 does burn barrels out, no question — I think the safe assumption is 400 (factory) rounds.
2. I picked the scope carefully. For varmints, you’re going to go more to the higher (15-20x )magnification, the .308 towards the lower end (4-12x). The key is not the scopes, but how well you sight them in.
400 rounds? So you’d need a new barrel every range day?
In my experience, accuracy in most “Barrel Burners” starts to degrade as you approach 1000 rounds. Topic brings to mind and article in the long defunct “Precision Shooting” about a couple of guys who came up with the idea to simply neck 22-250 up to 6mm. It was and still is a delightful cartridge. Some discussion–
“The 6mmx250 is also know as the 6mm International. The cartridge has morphed into the 240NMC. The 6X then 6XC is actually closer to a shortened 243 Win in dimensions (dies can be made by machining off .125″ from a 243Win die). But the easiest way to make brass for the 6XC is to fire form 22/250 brass that has been necked up. The advent of high BC small caliber bullets led to it’s development.
David Tubb developed the 6X and 6XC not for improved performance over the 243Win that he was shooting in across the course matches, but to extend barrel life. The 243Win with 107gr bullets will wear out a good barrel in 2,000 rounds. The 6XC will make about 3,000. This is significant when you look at the NRA High Power match schedule. If your a high level competitor, it’s not uncommon to shoot 2-3,000 rounds between March first and Camp Perry. If you have seasonal zeros worked up by June 1, but then have to change barrels right before Perry, it can blow your chances for the big win.
The 6XC is slightly better for the short course lines and gives up very little to the 243Win at 600 yards. Extended barrel life is why it exists, not ballistic performance.”
From here–
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/anyone-shooting-a-6mm-22-250.81490/
I think my missus and I did this 25 years ago. She got a Ruger 77/22 and I got a Ruger 77 Mk II in .30/06. The .22lr being an understudy for my .30/06
Oh my…. those Mannlicher stocks.
I may have just drooled on my laptop. I am a huge sucker for Mannlicher stocks.
As was Bill Ruger Sr.
Amen, I am not a huge Ruger rifle fan – but those two are awesome looking.
Count me in. Mannlicher stocks do catch my eye. That said, the only Mannlicher stocked (forend) gun I own is truly and odd duck these days.
My first ever gun was a gift from my aunt and uncle while I was still in grade school in the mid ’60’s. An H&R Topper single shot break open in 20 GA, full choke. I mean REALLY full choke. Hunting pheasants in grain fields was great. I could nail them almost out to the horizon.
Along about 1980, H & R began making their “Handi Rifles” in various calibers and configurations, a few with Mannlicher forends. So, I called them up and inquired about having an extra barrel in 357 mag and Mannlicher stock fitted to my gun. $50 they said. Done.
So yeah, I have a single shot, break open, Mannlicher stocked 357 mag rifle, which can switched back to 20 gauge in about two minutes.
RHT, that sounds like a wonderful set up!