Rabbits and small game at long distances - 22-250 and .308

[Zackster]

I like to shoot rabbits and small game at long distances

What is the longest range I could expect from a 22.250

And is a 308 cal an over kill if I want to shot them at 650 yards

[bigfellascott]

Both capable of those ranges - just depends on you and your skills/knowledge to get the job done.

[Chronos]

Best look at the ballistic charts for both cartridges and see is your scope will get you out there.

While you're there you can look at comparisons between bullets, high BC will be a huge help with drop and windage

Chronos

[Jack V]

There is a lot more to it than just checking ballistic charts on certain cartridges . To hit a Rabbit at 650 yards with any kind of consistency takes an accurate rifle /cartridge combination with good optics and a good shooter . A 22-250 is a bit light on with bullets and most have a 1 in 14 twist that don't help either.
I think that heavier 6mm is a better bullet for that job , would be less effected by wind and not produce too much recoil . The 243 W with a 1 in 10 barrel in a heavier gun would be better than a 22-250 . In the right gun the 308 can do the job but it's extra recoil to try and control if the gun is not very heavy . Match grade 30 cal bullets are expensive to be throwing down range on varmints.

[Browning]

Not sure if this is a p$&@take or not?? Rabbits at 650m... Why??
Fair enough a 22-250 at 200-300m but a 308 at 600m on rabbits?? Lol

[bigfellascott]

Not sure if this is a p$&@take or not?? Rabbits at 650m... Why??
Fair enough a 22-250 at 200-300m but a 308 at 600m on rabbits?? Lol

I'd imagine its the challenge it represents - perfectly doable with the right equipment and skills etc.

[Blu333]

Rabbits at 400+ yards is fun! I was doing it yesterday. Not much left after a 168grn pill gives them a touch up. We ran out of rabbits so paper coffee cups filled with mud out at 500 where the next victims until home time.

[brett1868]

Guess some of you were expecting this....forget the 22-250, forget the .308 go buy yourself a .375 Cheytac and vaporise the furry little varmints Nothing says red mist like 350Gr of SMK at that range. And you all thought I was going to suggest buying a 50 Cal but that would be just plain silly cause we all know the 50 is for watermelons at short ranges

Seriously I love the 22-250 it's still my favourite go to rifle for hunting but as others have suggested, check your scope for the amount of elevation available or use a tactical type reticule with appropriate holdover markers. Practise and more practise at those ranges, wind, air temp and how much coffee you've had will all contribute to your success. Other then that go for it and if nothing else at least you're giving the bunnies a fighting chance while improving your shooting

On the subject of coffee and shooting I've noticed that since I've broken the caffeine habit my groups are improving...

[Aster]

.308 is overkill on a rabbit at any distance if you want anything left of it afterwards.

[Die Judicii]

Rabbits at 400+ yards is fun! I was doing it yesterday. Not much left after a 168grn pill gives them a touch up. We ran out of rabbits so paper coffee cups filled with mud out at 500 where the next victims until home time.

What's even more fun and spectacular to boot, is those fly spray size cans of Butane gas.
We used to set them up one at a time about 10 or 15 feet in front of a bonfire, and hit em with the 22/250 from 200 metres away at night.

The impact combined with the pressurized butane was quite explosive, but then the resultant cloud of gas would be ignited from the fire.
So you get this massive ball of flame.
Real good fun, as long as you are sensible while doing it.

Its impressiveness is brought home when you start gathering up the schrapnel (tins) to put in the bin afterwards.

[brett1868]

Rabbits at 400+ yards is fun! I was doing it yesterday. Not much left after a 168grn pill gives them a touch up. We ran out of rabbits so paper coffee cups filled with mud out at 500 where the next victims until home time.

What's even more fun and spectacular to boot, is those fly spray size cans of Butane gas.
We used to set them up one at a time about 10 or 15 feet in front of a bonfire, and hit em with the 22/250 from 200 metres away at night.

The impact combined with the pressurized butane was quite explosive, but then the resultant cloud of gas would be ignited from the fire.
So you get this massive ball of flame.
Real good fun, as long as you are sensible while doing it.

Its impressiveness is brought home when you start gathering up the schrapnel (tins) to put in the bin afterwards.

$7 for a 4 pack at Bunnings on special at the moment...When I read stuff like this I have to try it for myself, all in the name of science of course

[Josh Smith]

Try .25-06.

It sounds like you're wanting to do a lot like our prairie dog hunters do.

Try this:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/article ... hunt-1.php

I still have a hard time seeing wabbits as vermin, but I suppose with no natural predators... but dang, they's good eatin'!

Josh

[PaWNTANK]

Guys please, we all know .500 Nitro Express and 12g Slugs are where its at for bunny busting

[Norton]

Real good fun, as long as you are sensible while doing it.

I think the antis aren't going to accept the word 'sensible' in that story

[Josh Smith]

Guys please, we all know .500 Nitro Express and 12g Slugs are where its at for bunny busting

I'm coming from the hyper-expanding-exploding-bullet at hyper-velocity angle.

I figure you want to do to rabbits what we do to prairie dogs. You often hear of prairie dog hunters celebrating "The Red Mist".

A .25-06 with a varmint bulled would do that nicely.

Also, these varmint bullets will come apart if they so much as touch a blade of grass. Overpenetration is therefore not a problem and one reason these are used.

Regards,

Josh

[ebr love]

Barnes "varmint grenade" bullets do have a nice ring to the name