I have an upper that’s in need of a new barrel and figured I would build my ultimate coyote rifle. I’m looking for the flattest cartridge to 400-500yds from a 20” barrel that would be suitable for coyotes obviously. I do all my own reloading so don’t mind something like the 6x6.8 but don’t want to fuss with a ton of fireforming steps, cutting down, neck trimming etc of some wildcats.
From my searching it seems the 204 Ruger is my best candidate followed by the 22 nosler. The 6x6.8 is intriguing to me but seems the other 2 outperform it for my particular uses.
This will not be a high volume rifle, strictly for coyote and other varmints.
22-284?
Sounds like the OP has consulted a ballistics calculator already.
Of the easy to put together options, new barrel/bolt on an existing upper the 500yd Flat Shooting options seem to be the 204, 224V, and 22N. All with appropriate twists rates for the likely coyote bullets.
If you consider 500yd velocity, energy, and wind, these seem to be valid responses especially to a reloader.
The light and fast 204 sounds good on paper, and does well with heavy for caliber bullets on pests like yotes. (I watch a lot of youtube
)
The 224V with the right twist and bullets light for caliber (52 to 62) I guess 90gr cheap factory rounds are an option here if you don't reload, does well.
The 22 Nosler (the 224V's big bother) will get you ostracized
A 20 inch barrel, handloads, and 60/62 grain bullets in the correct twist will also do the job.
Pick a bullet for each. Use a calculator to run each @ 500 yds using a realistic handload velocity.
Pick a barrel maker and work out the chamber, twist, leade that you want.
It sort of comes down to asking for the correct barrel parameters and hopefully getting what you asked for.
Wait for the barrel.
Do some load development as each barrel has a particular star alignment that needs it's own load.
