ammo.crafter
New member
I'm thinking of building a single shot rifle and was wondering if any one had an idea as regards a small cailibre, ie 204 Ruger or the like. Will be using it for 100yds woodchucks.
small calibre
- Thread starter ammo.crafter
- Start date
AZGunLover
New member
You can't beat the price and performance of .223 at 100 yards.
Buckythebrewer
Moderator
Have you considered the rim fire cartridges like 17HMR(I believe that's what its called).I would love the velocity and lack of recoil in that cartridge,or one like it for what your doing.Maybe that 204?
Even though I love 223 and its all I reload and shoot in my AR,I would ALSO enjoy using a smaller cartridge for lack of recoil.I love a rifle that doesn't move when firing(One reason my rifle is 14.5lbs).
I'm not sure about the cartridge being best for woodchucks or not.Not sure on that one
Even though I love 223 and its all I reload and shoot in my AR,I would ALSO enjoy using a smaller cartridge for lack of recoil.I love a rifle that doesn't move when firing(One reason my rifle is 14.5lbs).
I'm not sure about the cartridge being best for woodchucks or not.Not sure on that one
Go with the 223 then purchase a chamber adapter in .22 or .22 mag. They cost $20 each. I have two of them for my bolt actions, have to shoot them as single shots when I plink with them in the .22 mode, but does allow me to sight them in cheaply, and if needed take small game!
Manufactured by MCA Sports
2800 west 33rd
anchorage, ak: 99517
The have a web site, which you can google!
Manufactured by MCA Sports
2800 west 33rd
anchorage, ak: 99517
The have a web site, which you can google!
I bought .22WMR and .223 from cheaperthandirt.com in bulk. I got 500 rnds of .22 WMR in Federal 30 grain hp for $70, and 1000 rnds of Wolf 62 grain hp for $130. That makes my .22 WMR $0.14 per round and my .223 $0.13 per round. I think the .223 will be cheaper than the 17 HMR any day if you buy bulk ammo in .223. I haven't seen much .17 HMR for under $8 a box of 50 rnds.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
For out to 150 yards on an animal the size of a woodchuck, I would go with .22 hornet, or maybe a tad bigger, up to .223 remington, or somewhere in between (.221 rem fireball, .222 rem, .218 bee, etc.). .223 rem is more than enough power, laser flat to 150 or more, and cheaper to shoot. But for less noise & recoil, I'd look at .22 hornet or .218 bee. Or the .222 remington also as a possible alternative - it's a very accurate cartridge, and used to be extremely popular for varmints and benchrest shooting, prior to the creation and popularization of the .223 rem. The .222 has a longer neck which allows the bullets to be very stable/straight in the chamber when they hit the rifling, which aids in good accuracy. A .17 hmr or .22 mag rimfire would work, but it's arguably a tad on the light side for woodchuck. Going with anything bigger than .223 is pointless under 200 yards.
I've been thinking about a .204 for some time now but haven't seen any at local gunshops and of course no reloading equip. (bullets) and limited reloading data. I can get all that online of course but until I see some more availability I'm going to wait. .223 sounds like it might be your best choice for cost and will do exactly what you want.
chuck rifle
Why not a 22 hornet? If you handload, there are loads that push the pill quite a bit faster than was possible in days of yore, due to powders like lil'gun. The 218 Bee can exceed 3000 fps with a light 35-40 grain bullet. Should be plenty good for chucks at 100 yds. And the rimmed cases are taylor made for the single shot rifle. No recoil, quiet, efficient, and also nostalgic. Just my 2 cents.
Many loads at www.reloadersnest.com, if your interested.
Why not a 22 hornet? If you handload, there are loads that push the pill quite a bit faster than was possible in days of yore, due to powders like lil'gun. The 218 Bee can exceed 3000 fps with a light 35-40 grain bullet. Should be plenty good for chucks at 100 yds. And the rimmed cases are taylor made for the single shot rifle. No recoil, quiet, efficient, and also nostalgic. Just my 2 cents.
Many loads at www.reloadersnest.com, if your interested.
I don't know, guys. .223 is just the real-deal-sex-appeal. Cheap. Flat. Available. Gazillion factory loads. Probably never gonna have to say, "Oh crap! I should have had a little more power in that one." 
as the varmint hustles off to its hole with a wound that won't kill it for another couple of hours. All my other critter gitters end up as safe queens. That .204 is a shiny little round though. I haven't got one yet. I personally don't think the .22lr is good for killing anything bigger than a house cat.
as the varmint hustles off to its hole with a wound that won't kill it for another couple of hours. All my other critter gitters end up as safe queens. That .204 is a shiny little round though. I haven't got one yet. I personally don't think the .22lr is good for killing anything bigger than a house cat.