The .20-250 an extreme predator rifle

by Dave Affleck

The Rifle – Choosing an Action
My choice of action to use for this project was an easy one.  I had acquired a brand new Nesika Model T repeater about a year earlier that was just sitting in the safe waiting to be used.  Indeed, having a nice custom action in hand to build on was a large part of my motivation to get this project going in the first place.  This Nesika T has a Remington tang, is setup for using a Remington safety, has a Rem. 700 magazine cutout, a long “tactical” style handle and oversize knob on the fluted bolt, a thick recoil lug double pinned in place, and is setup to use Remington trigger pins.  I ordered a set of stainless finish Remington 700 BLD bottom metal, magazine box, follower and spring to go with this action.

The Rifle – Trigger
The trigger was another fairly easy decision.  While I did have a couple of Remington 700 factory triggers on the shelf that could have been used, it didn’t seem right to use anything less than the best in the superb Nesika receiver, so I ordered up a Jewel HVR with Remington style top safety.  When it arrived I fitted it to the action and adjusted it to my preferred pull for a field rifle of 28 oz. 

The Rifle – Stock
As I’ve talked about in other articles, I’ve settled onto a basic setup that I like to use on all my hunting rifles.  These rifles all have the same stocks, use the same barrel contour, use the same trigger setting and most have the same scopes.  

I’ve just found that by having these rifles all setup very close to the same, it’s much easier for me to go from one rifle to the other and not have to get “reacquainted” with the fit and feel.  The result, for me, has been better shooting in the field with a variety of calibers.  The stocks on all these rifles are the Remington Classic pattern. 

So, the stock was another no-brainer decision.  I called McMillan and ordered a Rem. Classic pattern, inletted for my Nesika T, BDL bottom metal, Lilja #4 barrel contour combination.  I made this one of their “bowling ball” marbled color stocks.  For the color marbling, I wanted to try and come up with a color combination that would make a good camo match for my typical coyote hunting habitat.  I specified 50% tan, 35% green and 15% black.  I had no idea how it was really going to look when finished, but it turned out great.  The stock actually did turn out to be a pretty good camo pattern for the sage brush and grassy areas I usually hunt.

< Previous  Next >

Why the .20-250?
Why is flat trajectory so important?
Choosing an action, trigger and stock
Choosing a barrel
The scope
The Riflesmith
Loading dies & forming cases
Load work
Bullet performance issues
Final thoughts

Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter


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