California Rokslide Special & Mono Recommendations

[gunz_4l1f3]

I am very green to the small caliber center fire rifle game, however I do want to give it a shot. Partially because I enjoy shooting lower recoiling rifles, as well as being able to build a rifle that anyone can shoot. I am looking to build a lightweight chassis rifle with a barrel of about 18”-20” in 22creed or 6creed(any other recommendations?). My main target is deer , bear, and smaller game, although if it works well I could be convinced to use it on bigger animals. However, the issue I keep running into is having to use mono bullets to be legal in California, and have an impact velocity that can expand mono bullets reliably out to 700yards. Although I know my shooting capability might not be up to par with some people here I need this capability based on a very specific situation that can not be avoided in order to be successful and only occurs only in California. Anything outside of this specific use case I would ideally be 500 yards and in. Does anyone have any recommendations on good mono bullets and if there is even a possibility that I can get a 18” rifle to reach the speed needed to have good terminal ballistics out to 700yards? Any advice will help and I am open to any caliber recommendations as well! Thank you for your help!

 

[mtnbound]

I am very green to the small caliber center fire rifle game, however I do want to give it a shot. Partially because I enjoy shooting lower recoiling rifles, as well as being able to build a rifle that anyone can shoot. I am looking to build a lightweight chassis rifle with a barrel of about 18”-20” in 22creed or 6creed(any other recommendations?). My main target is deer , bear, and smaller game, although if it works well I could be convinced to use it on bigger animals. However, the issue I keep running into is having to use mono bullets to be legal in California, and have an impact velocity that can expand mono bullets reliably out to 700yards. Although I know my shooting capability might not be up to par with some people here I need this capability based on a very specific situation that can not be avoided in order to be successful and only occurs only in California. Anything outside of this specific use case I would ideally be 500 yards and in. Does anyone have any recommendations on good mono bullets and if there is even a possibility that I can get a 18” rifle to reach the speed needed to have good terminal ballistics out to 700yards? Any advice will help and I am open to any caliber recommendations as well! Thank you for your help!

First, you should check if a 22CM is even legal in California for big game. If it's not, then 6CM would be your choice. You will need to reload or buy custom-loaded ammo to achieve your velocity with a shorter barrel. Your 700-yard goal will likely be challenging and questionable because you'll need to maintain a higher impact velocity with copper to get a decent wound channel. IMO, copper bullets are best used with a max of 400 yards, slower impact velocity does not make a very good wound channel. You are stuck with copper, so do your homework and really look at what some of the copper bullet manufacturers claim and add 250fps to their minimum velocity. You might also look into the DRT bullets.

 

[Formidilosus]

I am very green to the small caliber center fire rifle game, however I do want to give it a shot. Partially because I enjoy shooting lower recoiling rifles, as well as being able to build a rifle that anyone can shoot. I am looking to build a lightweight chassis rifle with a barrel of about 18”-20” in 22creed or 6creed(any other recommendations?). My main target is deer , bear, and smaller game, although if it works well I could be convinced to use it on bigger animals. However, the issue I keep running into is having to use mono bullets to be legal in California, and have an impact velocity that can expand mono bullets reliably out to 700yards. Although I know my shooting capability might not be up to par with some people here I need this capability based on a very specific situation that can not be avoided in order to be successful and only occurs only in California. Anything outside of this specific use case I would ideally be 500 yards and in. Does anyone have any recommendations on good mono bullets and if there is even a possibility that I can get a 18” rifle to reach the speed needed to have good terminal ballistics out to 700yards? Any advice will help and I am open to any caliber recommendations as well! Thank you for your help!

DRT 79gr .224. That is your answer.

 

[benconfused]

I'm just intrigued at these specific conditions and what you're hunting.... best of luck on your search.

 

[gunz_4l1f3]

DRT 79gr .224. That is your answer.

Thanks Form! After doing more and more research and looking at velocities in the Berger ballistics calculator, the 22creed and 79gr DRT seem to be perfect for what I want to do.

 

[gunz_4l1f3]

I'm just intrigued at these specific conditions and what you're hunting.... best of luck on your search.

I’m hunting blacktail deer in California at that 700yard range, but would like to shoot pigs and bears with it as well. I feel confident in harvesting those with a smaller caliber and if I have good success I will move up to mule deer and possibly elk (but would switch to TMK or ELDM for those). So far I am thinking 22creed, seems to be the only one I can get to satisfy all my requirements.

 

[RockAndSage]

I need this capability based on a very specific situation that can not be avoided in order to be successful and only occurs only in California.

If you're open to advice...

1) Don't ever take a shot that you're not certain you could do, and are only certain of it because you've already done it 10 for 10 in a vitals-sized target in nearly identical conditions and distances. That's a good definition of your own personal "ethical shot".

2) Watch all of Erik Cortina's "ethical hunter challenge" videos, along with Backfire's versions of it. Then put yourself through a similar challenge - the more realistic the better. You will be a much better hunter on the far side of it.

 

[Randue]

A bullet weight of this size is not great for long distance big game hunting. (My opinion)
Those lightweight bullets start fast then shortly later, they are loosing velocity and getting moved around due to wind.
Lots of people take elk every year using calibres such as.308-Winchester and 7-08
Long range, varies by each person.
What’s long range to one may not be to another.
Elk are large animals with thicker hide, more so than the common deer.
I’ve taken elk with smaller rounds like mentioned above, and with larger calibers up to 338-RUM. I’ve also used 06,270, and the 300 magnums.
It still boils down to shot location and a good bullet.
I built a rifle for my grandson, a 308 Winchester. He wanted me to use his rifle last year, so I did.
I shot my elk with his rifle at 460-yards.
Bullets were reloaded ammo using 168-Ttsx
It only took one round to put the elk on the ground. I watched it for a bit; raised its head so I put another into the elk. Then it came sliding down the hill.
Elk are not bullet proof, yet they have a strong will to live.
Wishing you all the best.
Take care.

 

[gunz_4l1f3]

If you're open to advice...

1) Don't ever take a shot that you're not certain you could do, and are only certain of it because you've already done it 10 for 10 in a vitals-sized target in nearly identical conditions and distances. That's a good definition of your own personal "ethical shot".

2) Watch all of Erik Cortina's "ethical hunter challenge" videos, along with Backfire's versions of it. Then put yourself through a similar challenge - the more realistic the better. You will be a much better hunter on the far side of it.

You’re absolutely correct. My goal is to be able to practice and ethically make that shot if I need to. In no case do I ever want to make a shot that far, however this specific situation may require it, hence I need my rifle to be capable. I have seen a few of Erik Cortina’s videos and it is interesting how hard it is to hit vitals even at 500yards. Similar to my archery hunting, I will only take shots that I know I can make. If I don’t like anything about the shot I am not taking it.

 

[displacedtexan]

A bullet weight of this size is not great for long distance big game hunting. (My opinion)
Those lightweight bullets start fast then shortly later, they are loosing velocity and getting moved around due to wind.
Lots of people take elk every year using calibres such as.308-Winchester and 7-08
Long range, varies by each person.
What’s long range to one may not be to another.
Elk are large animals with thicker hide, more so than the common deer.
I’ve taken elk with smaller rounds like mentioned above, and with larger calibers up to 338-RUM. I’ve also used 06,270, and the 300 magnums.
It still boils down to shot location and a good bullet.
I built a rifle for my grandson, a 308 Winchester. He wanted me to use his rifle last year, so I did.
I shot my elk with his rifle at 460-yards.
Bullets were reloaded ammo using 168-Ttsx
It only took one round to put the elk on the ground. I watched it for a bit; raised its head so I put another into the elk. Then it came sliding down the hill.
Elk are not bullet proof, yet they have a strong will to live.
Wishing you all the best.
Take care.

Lots of dead animals would disagree with you.

Well, they can't, because they're dead from small bullets.

 

[Randue]

Lots of dead animals would disagree with you.

Well, they can't, because they're dead from small bullets.

This is true.
A person needs to know their limitations with all aspects of a hunt or any other activity in life.
I never said a lesser bullet wouldn’t work.
Just saying, a person needs to use good judgement. And this is something we all need to practice no matter what the environmental are, or what rife or bow the hunter is using.
Take care.

 

[moxford]

CA has no caliber restrictions, and the 77gr LRX (0.404 G1 / 0.193 G7) is another mono option which is close to the DRTs.