New build, help pick a round.

[DonE911]

Ok, I have a Lite Solus action ( same prefits as an Origin ) and I have a 223 bolt face for it( as well as a standard bolt face, but not an ARC ). I'm thinking about a build that will be a lite weight walking type varmint rifle. Barrel no longer than 22 inches and not sure about a can, but probably not.
I already own a number of 223s, a 204 ruger and a 223 that I load to 22 hornet velocities with 35gr bullets. I also have a 6gt, but I am thinking smaller.
I don't own a 17 cal ( not going 19 ) not saying it has to be 17, but that would be preferred over anything 22 cal.

Primary use will be crows in the corn, but maybe groundhogs or the occasional coyote... 250 to 300 yards max. I know I have all those things already covered, but who doesn't need something new.

What would you build? I have a huge supply of 223 brass and a nice supply of 204 ruger brass as well, but I am not against buying brass either. I don't want to have to special order dies ( 6 month wait kinda kills the fun of the project ). Something that will feed from an ASIC magazine.

 

[Robinhood21]

With that criteria & taking in consideration on what you already have, I think I'd go 17Rem, 17-223 or 17-204.... sounds like fun!

 

[surfr716]

grab a new bolt face and go 22 gt? theyre not expensive for the solus or difficult to change. feeds well from aics mags as well. id say 20 gt but youd have to get dies made.

 

[Bluefish]

If you want to go 6mm, a 6 max? Seems to be similar to the 6 arc, but feeds better and smaller bolt face. It’s one downside is it doesn’t do the heavies well as the shoulder is too far out. Not an issue with varmit bullets.

 

[Coleredding00]

grab a new bolt face and go 22 gt? theyre not expensive for the solus or difficult to change. feeds well from aics mags as well. id say 20 gt but youd have to get dies made.

You could always get 6gt bushing dies and 20 cal bushings. I’d have to check prints but I’m 99% sure headspace is the Same. I know there’s a guy on the 22GT Facebook page that did a 20 GT.

 

[surfr716]

You could always get 6gt bushing dies and 20 cal bushings. I’d have to check prints but I’m 99% sure headspace is the Same. I know there’s a guy on the 22GT Facebook page that did a 20 GT.

i feel like the 20 gt with the 55 gr berger would be pretty fantastic

 

[DonE911]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have 223 and 308 bolt faces already. I don't have an ARC bolt face.

leaning in the 17 cal direction right now. I'm going to have to look around some and see what is available for barrels and a smith to chamber and thread it.

Anything I build, will end up a hand me down to my kids ( I'm not a young fella ) so proper dies will be a consideration as well. They can reload, but aren't into swapping bushings or forming brass...

Does anyone own a 17 fireball and what are your thoughts on feeding from a 223 magazine?

 

[Aussie Dan]

Seems you want the easiest possible option.
Get an arc bolt face and go 22arc.
Factory ammo available, can obviously roll your own and everything is fairly easily available.
Then get a 17hmr tikka t1x or cz457 for the .17 itch.

 

[DonE911]

Definitely don't need easy or factory ammo. I guess I would prefer properly headstamped brass for the passing it down to my kids angle.
Whatever I do, it probably won't be 22 cal, as I have plenty of those already.

Being a long time reloader I have eliminated all rimfire. I am not against rimfire, but I like to make my own and not have to worry about shortages.