Fooling the rules with a 6mm

300magman · December 22, 2009, 12:11 AM

I hunt an area that mandates nothing larger than .23 caliber for varmints. (Because the rule makers want to cut down on poaching of deer and they assume limiting varmint hunting to .23 caliber or less hinders poachers)

But around here varmints can include coyotes that go up to 120lbs (yes they really can) and with heavy winds and long ranges often factored in, I would really love to be able to shoot something more like a .243 with high BC 6mm bullets.

I'm pretty confident that if I had an aftermarket barrel that didn't have caliber stamped on it, that no one would be able to eyeball the difference between a .224 and .243 diameter bullet. BUT the case head stamp would give me away if it simply said .243 on it, and the shape of the round might be a hint as well with .243 being fairly popular around here during big game season.

So here is my question, what case can I learn to form easily that will not give me away through shape or headstamp? And that will also give me performance similar to a .243 .... perhaps something in the wssm family? or something based off a .308 case
Just as an example: If my round is stamped .308 and I have a real 308 in a pocket for comparison, should anyone ask "what's that you are shooting" I simply reply its a 308 necked down to .224 see how small the bullet is compared to a real 308)

A simpler solution would be to find some .243 brass that has no head stamp and form it to .243 ackly improved so it looks a bit off to someone used to seeing 243s....but such unstamped brass doesn't exist..does it?

Tex S · December 22, 2009, 12:29 AM

Maybe you should figure how to skirt the game laws on your own.

I believe that most people here obey the law, so this might not be the best venue for that question.

Jim Watson · December 22, 2009, 12:47 AM

I'd follow the letter of the law with a big .224, fast twist, and heavy bullets.
Maybe a .22-250 IMP, Swift, .22-.243, or .22-.244.

A real rifle nut might go for a .230 Ackley, originally designed for the opposite situation where ".22 caliber rifles" were not allowed for deer hunting.

Jim243 · December 22, 2009, 01:03 AM

While I agree with Tex, you could stay within the law with a 223 WSSM or a 22-250.

Read up on 4,300 fps 223s

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.223_WSSM

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammun...per_short_mag/

Jim

Pathfinder45 · December 22, 2009, 01:39 AM

....Just look at it as a good excuse to buy a .220 swift. Load it with 60 grain Nosler Partitions; you should be good to go. And where is it that coyotes are running 120 lbs?

Scorch · December 22, 2009, 01:41 AM

Rather than trying to break the law and hoping nobody knows, how about avoiding the issue altogether? There are several ways to get around the maximum caliber designation. Here are a few:
1- 22-06- Launches 90 gr bullet at velocities that make most people call you a liar. Hard on barrels, but 4,000 fps is a rush!
2- 22-243- Fires those same 90 gr bullets at 3,600 fps.
3- 22-250 AI- 90 gr bullet at 3,100 fps.
4- 22 Savage High Power- Archaic, yes, but it fires a .228" bullet.
5- .230 Ackley, 5.6X57 RWS, 22 Newton, and on and on.

And, while I've seen some big coyotes, I've never seen a 120 lbs coyote. Wolf, yes, coyote, no. Most I have seen (in hand, dressed and naked) were between 15 and 35 lbs.

bcarver · December 22, 2009, 02:13 AM

custom barrel in .243 wssm stamped .223 wssm or wsm for that matter.
get .223 wssm brass. Neck it up to .243.
Put a flash suppesor on barrel ar style but for .243 caliber.
put a butt stock ammo holder on full of .223 wssm.

No barrel maker will mark it wrong.(liability)
you could sand it down camo cover the barrel and engrave .223 wssm.
Large letters...

Rangefinder · December 22, 2009, 02:36 AM

Man, you're playing with fire---and for no practical reason. I have to question a 120# yote claim all by itself, but I've hunted big jackrabbit-fed desert yotes very effectively with a .17HMR and taken them DRT at 200+ yds. There is absolutely no reason to risk the kind of trouble you're asking about when there are so many options in legal caliber that would do more than you could possibly need them to.

HiBC · December 22, 2009, 03:35 AM

I just do not like looking over my shoulder,and if/when you do get caught,the rules and control beasts come out.Remember,the .23 rule came because other folks were breaking rules.

Look at the heavier Hornady A-Max .They go off when they hit.You might investigate some of the heavier Berger VLD's.Ihave heard some of them will perform as game bullets(never used them)

I would think a 1 in 8 twist 22-250 loaded with 75 gr A-max's would kill about any coyote.

Some competition shooters use the .223 @ 1000 yds.

**Bud Helms** · December 22, 2009, 04:55 AM

The responses so far pretty much sum up The Firing Line's attitude on this subject as well.

Not worth it.

Subject closed. This discussion too.

December 22, 2009, 12:11 AM	#1
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Fooling the rules with a 6mm I hunt an area that mandates nothing larger than .23 caliber for varmints. (Because the rule makers want to cut down on poaching of deer and they assume limiting varmint hunting to .23 caliber or less hinders poachers) But around here varmints can include coyotes that go up to 120lbs (yes they really can) and with heavy winds and long ranges often factored in, I would really love to be able to shoot something more like a .243 with high BC 6mm bullets. I'm pretty confident that if I had an aftermarket barrel that didn't have caliber stamped on it, that no one would be able to eyeball the difference between a .224 and .243 diameter bullet. BUT the case head stamp would give me away if it simply said .243 on it, and the shape of the round might be a hint as well with .243 being fairly popular around here during big game season. So here is my question, what case can I learn to form easily that will not give me away through shape or headstamp? And that will also give me performance similar to a .243 .... perhaps something in the wssm family? or something based off a .308 case Just as an example: If my round is stamped .308 and I have a real 308 in a pocket for comparison, should anyone ask "what's that you are shooting" I simply reply its a 308 necked down to .224 see how small the bullet is compared to a real 308) A simpler solution would be to find some .243 brass that has no head stamp and form it to .243 ackly improved so it looks a bit off to someone used to seeing 243s....but such unstamped brass doesn't exist..does it?

December 22, 2009, 01:03 AM	#4
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	While I agree with Tex, you could stay within the law with a 223 WSSM or a 22-250. Read up on 4,300 fps 223s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.223_WSSM http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammun...per_short_mag/ Jim Last edited by Jim243; December 22, 2009 at 01:19 AM.

December 22, 2009, 01:39 AM	#5
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Don't ask..... ....Just look at it as a good excuse to buy a .220 swift. Load it with 60 grain Nosler Partitions; you should be good to go. And where is it that coyotes are running 120 lbs?

December 22, 2009, 01:41 AM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Rather than trying to break the law and hoping nobody knows, how about avoiding the issue altogether? There are several ways to get around the maximum caliber designation. Here are a few: 1- 22-06- Launches 90 gr bullet at velocities that make most people call you a liar. Hard on barrels, but 4,000 fps is a rush! 2- 22-243- Fires those same 90 gr bullets at 3,600 fps. 3- 22-250 AI- 90 gr bullet at 3,100 fps. 4- 22 Savage High Power- Archaic, yes, but it fires a .228" bullet. 5- .230 Ackley, 5.6X57 RWS, 22 Newton, and on and on. And, while I've seen some big coyotes, I've never seen a 120 lbs coyote. Wolf, yes, coyote, no. Most I have seen (in hand, dressed and naked) were between 15 and 35 lbs. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 22, 2009, 02:13 AM	#7
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	how i would do it custom barrel in .243 wssm stamped .223 wssm or wsm for that matter. get .223 wssm brass. Neck it up to .243. Put a flash suppesor on barrel ar style but for .243 caliber. put a butt stock ammo holder on full of .223 wssm. No barrel maker will mark it wrong.(liability) you could sand it down camo cover the barrel and engrave .223 wssm. Large letters...

December 22, 2009, 12:29 AM	#2
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Maybe you should figure how to skirt the game laws on your own. I believe that most people here obey the law, so this might not be the best venue for that question.

December 22, 2009, 12:47 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	I'd follow the letter of the law with a big .224, fast twist, and heavy bullets. Maybe a .22-250 IMP, Swift, .22-.243, or .22-.244. A real rifle nut might go for a .230 Ackley, originally designed for the opposite situation where ".22 caliber rifles" were not allowed for deer hunting.

December 22, 2009, 02:36 AM	#8
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	Man, you're playing with fire---and for no practical reason. I have to question a 120# yote claim all by itself, but I've hunted big jackrabbit-fed desert yotes very effectively with a .17HMR and taken them DRT at 200+ yds. There is absolutely no reason to risk the kind of trouble you're asking about when there are so many options in legal caliber that would do more than you could possibly need them to. __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

December 22, 2009, 03:35 AM	#9
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	I just do not like looking over my shoulder,and if/when you do get caught,the rules and control beasts come out.Remember,the .23 rule came because other folks were breaking rules. Look at the heavier Hornady A-Max .They go off when they hit.You might investigate some of the heavier Berger VLD's.Ihave heard some of them will perform as game bullets(never used them) I would think a 1 in 8 twist 22-250 loaded with 75 gr A-max's would kill about any coyote. Some competition shooters use the .223 @ 1000 yds.

December 22, 2009, 04:55 AM	#10
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	The responses so far pretty much sum up The Firing Line's attitude on this subject as well. Not worth it. Subject closed. This discussion too.