SSS Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 The time has come to send off my application for FAC. I finally, after much contemplation, decided to go for a .22 rimfire (because of the price of ammunition) even though I am a bit apprehensive about rounds 'bouncing' or rebounding, and a .22-250. Only trouble is,my budget is tight and I can only afford second hand. What are your thoughts on secound hand .22-250, because I know they can be well known as barrel burners but i need some 'expert' advice from those in the know. If you think it would be a bad idea going secondhand with this calibre feel free to say and any suggestions on different calibres (no bigger than .22 centrefire) Im open to options. It will be used mainly for foxing but occasionally for long range rabbits and other vermin on the ground. I havn't sent the application yet so changing my mind isnt a problem. Cheers in advance. Sam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Hopefully this helps from another thread: Don't buy a second-hand .22-250 unless you know i) the exact history of the gun, or ii) you have access to a borescope and a professional opinion on the condition of the barrel. Honestly, trust me on this, for two reasons: i) I made the mistake of buying a too-good-to-be-true .22-250 and it cost me a fortune to remedy the various problems the rifle came eqipped with; and ii) few owners of .22-250s run their rifles with mild loads. It is not like buying a s/h .308 or 6.5x55, where bore damage is inherently less of a risk. Save up and buy new. Sound advice from Baldrick there. The 22-250 barrel can easily be worn out and it can be an expensive fix, especially as any old person can sell their "excellent quality" 22-250, which has actually had 1500 scorching hot rounds through it and is burnt to shreds. The RFD aren't exactly going to fire it to check it! I've got the Ruger in 270 and it's a great rifle, perfectly weighted. Please avoid heavy barreled rifles if you're going to use it for foxing. I rushed to buy my 22-250 and got a HV barrel and it's a heavy heavy thing to lug about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 What's your budget, by the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Sam, If your funds are tight, I would recommend that you ditch the notion of buying a .22-250 altogether, particularly a secondhand one. The fox-killing performance of a .223 Rem is just as good out to 300 yards, but the .223 is both cheaper to run and as a calibre, less prone to abuse by shooters. And how many people shoot further than 250 yards anyway? The likelihood of finding a good second-hand .223 is much higher than the chances of tracking down a .22-250 with good provenance. Balders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwizard Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Sam, If your funds are tight, I would recommend that you ditch the notion of buying a .22-250 altogether, particularly a secondhand one. The fox-killing performance of a .223 Rem is just as good out to 300 yards, but the .223 is both cheaper to run and as a calibre, less prone to abuse by shooters. And how many people shoot further than 250 yards anyway? The likelihood of finding a good second-hand .223 is much higher than the chances of tracking down a .22-250 with good provenance. Balders i second that,been there,done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Please avoid heavy barreled rifles if you're going to use it for foxing Tell that to the countless foxes I've shot with mine! unless your actively foxing on foot... I see no real issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 yup unless you can get a second hand one from someone you know bought it new and hasn't put 1000's of rounds through it don't bother, I bought a secondhand .223 and no regrets mint condition and got the gun plus timney trigger and mod for about the cost of a new gun so price was right, even better it shoots well which is the crucial bit. As Gary says if you mostly fox from a vehicle or high seat etc weight isn't that much of an issue though a heavy barrel is unlikely to be necessary unless you do much range work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Tell that to the countless foxes I've shot with mine! unless your actively foxing on foot... I see no real issue. Your barrell is thin in comparison to my HV one. Can you remember picking up my 250?! Even you said it was a clumpy thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe312 Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 get some meat on you lads HV are fine i've used my T3 heavy stainless varmint 22-250 with no issue. barrel burners? if you load em silly what do you expect. sensible loads and your fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 I have a complete .22-250 outfit (Reloading stuff too) possibly for sale in the near future due to my girl's illness. It's only had 150 or so slow rounds through it from new, and is a real tack-driver. (CZ550 with set trigger). I'm looking for £600 for the whole set up, which includes Virtually new Predator 8 mod, 8 X 56 scope, Harris bipod and reloading gear etc. PM me if you'd be interested. May have an interested party already, but think I deleted the PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 (edited) barrel burners? if you load em silly what do you expect. sensible loads and your fine it only takes 10 shots in quick succession to burn a barrel out. If some idiot decides he wants to do some rapid fire (and loss of money) without letting the barrel cool, it'll do a considerable amount of damage. Edited September 10, 2009 by harfordwmj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted September 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 (edited) humperdingle, I maybe interested in the kit you mention but as most of the advice is saying, I have been slightly put off now. £600 is top money for what I am after but as you say, complete setup seems well worth it. I wil send PM. Thanks for the advice chaps. I will see whats about and have a look around. Regards, Sam Edited September 10, 2009 by sharp_shooter_sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted September 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Just thought, I wanted to ask, is the recoil much more on a .22-250 compared to .223. I dont mind recoil, but correct me if I'm wrong, I thought it affected accuracy. Dont know how true this is but if anyone can shed some light I will be greatful. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Just thought, I wanted to ask, is the recoil much more on a .22-250 compared to .223. I dont mind recoil, but correct me if I'm wrong, I thought it affected accuracy. Dont know how true this is but if anyone can shed some light I will be greatful.Thanks again. Taking two directly comparable rifles that varied only in terms of calibre, yes, the .22-250 would recoil more, but not by a significant margin. A hard-recoiling rifle isn't inherently inaccurate - it's the anticipation of and reaction to recoil that affects accuracy. If you develop a flinch in anticipation of recoil, you'd find consistent shooting more difficult (and a lot less enjoyable). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 The CZ550 comes with the P8 mod, and this significantly helps reduce recoil. I can easily follow a target (i.e. bunny) in the scope, and it'll remain visible the whole time. it's also equipped with a set-trigger. When set, the pull is around 1 lb, which is just perfect IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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