Looking for a lower caliber rifle for longer range shooting 200 yards minimum

[Control for Smilers]

I have been shooting Prairie Dogs out to 450-500 yards with .223 55 grain for 14 years. Nothing cheaper will do that AFFORDABLY. 17 HMR is great but costs .35 cents a round if you can find any and that isn't easy. I love a .204 Ruger but if you find any, it is $2.00 a round and brass is super hard to find. Similarly with .22 hornet, .22-250 (maybe the king of long range accuracy since the .222 Rem Magnum is about history). BUT.........

IF YOU RELOAD, take a serious look at the .20 Practical. Uses .223 Brass, easily necked down to .20, uses less powder than .204 only about 100 FPS slower and shoots like a laser. Low recoil, lower noise than .223 and a real joy in bolt actions. Sold my .204 cz, wish I hadn't. Rebarreling another bolt action in .20 Practical now.

love 20 practical. I use a .223 bushing die to do the necks. 1" drop or less at 200 yards depending on load/bullet combo.

 

[Timber71]

do you reload?

not yet.... but for consistent groups I know I should.

 

[fattboyzz]

223 is a great choice.

Do you own an AR ?

 

[Timber71]

Plenty of folks have given me great round selection, but a key part in my post was choosing a rifle.
I definitely want to get into reloading. I picked up a great grain scale just need the rest of the assembly. to punch, press and crimp.

How can I try out 2-3 of these calibers on the same rifle? Are there any modular options where I can easily swap barrels/bolt receivers?

So far im leaning towards .223 and 17hmr

 

[Twitch2120]

Plenty of folks have given me great round selection, but a key part in my post was choosing a rifle.
I definitely want to get into reloading. I picked up a great grain scale just need the rest of the assembly. to punch, press and crimp.

How can I try out 2-3 of these calibers on the same rifle? Are there any modular options where I can easily swap barrels/bolt receivers?

So far im leaning towards .223 and 17hmr

Someone mentioned a Thompson center. They do switch barrel for the cheapest. Only problem is they are single shot.

If you want a repeater you're gonna drop a lot of green. Accuracy International, Desert Tech, Barrett, Savage or custom action built to be a switch barrell.

 

[300_whisper]

Timber71 what’s your price range? Remember you’re going to need a nice scope too. Doesn’t make sense to get a nice rifle and put crap on it.

Easiest switch barrel is TC, as mentioned. You can go crazy though and do an ARC Nucleus, AI, Terminus, or Zermatt style receivers with different bolt heads and quick change barrels.

As far as shooting different cartridges put a call out on the forum to see if you can do a meet up and try out different firearms.

 

[keith089]

I seen this,

FS/FT Mossberg Patriot .350 Legeng

Mossberg Patriot in .350 Legend with Norico 3X9X40. 22" fluted barrel and fluted bolt. Also comes with 6.5 boxes of ammo and guns original box. This is a great caliber for young shooters, female shooter or anyone who is recoil sensitive. I have shot it consistent at 100 and 200 yards. Beyond...

www.theoutdoorstrader.com

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

350 Legend would be a HARD pass for a target round

 

[keith089]

Did he say target? I must have missed it.Just try to help a guy out

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Did he say target? I must have missed it.Just try to help a guy out

It has been more than implied. He also wants a smaller caliber rifle. A cartridge designed for hunting use in Ohio certainly misses all OP's wants.