Dedicated Tiny 10 rifle build

[Jon Glajchen]

In South Africa the wildcat 6x45 (223 necked up to 243) is very popular, so much so that you can get factory ammo for it. It doesn’t loose out much to the 223, but you can shoot up to 100 grain conventional bullets at a mild velocity for the smaller stuff.

I have a 6x45 built on a Sako Vixen action. I built it for my grandkids to use (if I ever have any).
It has a Lothar Walther barrel and a Leopold 3.5-10 scope with custom turret and is a delight to carry due to its light weight. The load that I shoot is a 100gr Nosler Partition at 2450 fps and that should be good out to 250m. This load is exceptionally accurate averaging 0.5 MOA.

I think that this combination would make a superb dedicated “Tiny Ten” rifle.

 

[sureshot375]

Speed is not your friend. Y’all’s taxidermist are going to hate you.

.22 magnum would be my go to, or maybe a .22 hornet if I thought I needed to make longer shots.

I’ve killed impala at over 100 yards with a .22mag. Remember, they are tiny.

I really enjoyed using a .22 mag on my last Zim trip.

 

[Garciamarquez1918]

It's truly amazing to me that all of these experienced people haven't even considered what they might do if that had to follow up a wounded dik dik in the thick stuff. When your life (or shins) are on the line there's simply no substitute for that instantaneous second shot. Clearly this is the rifle:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/83/3401/westley-richards-22-hipower-double-rifle

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

It's truly amazing to me that all of these experienced people haven't even considered what they might do if that had to follow up a wounded dik dik in the thick stuff. When your life (or shins) are on the line there's simply no substitute for that instantaneous second shot. Clearly this is the rifle:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/83/3401/westley-richards-22-hipower-double-rifle

I think I know where there’s still a Churchill Double Rifle on 22 Hornet for sale if someone’s interested.

 

[Garciamarquez1918]

I think I know where there’s still a Churchill Double Rifle on 22 Hornet for sale if someone’s interested.

Even better!

 

[Red Leg]

Mine to date were taken with what I had available. That tends to be a 300 gr solid from a .375. As long as a shoulder isn't hit, it works perfectly on game as small as a Suni. My blue duiker was taken with a 170 gr Oryx from a .275. Simply centered the tiny thing at around 30-40 yards. Instant kill with a 7mm entrance wound and 7.01mm exit wound. Only negative experience was a steenbuck shot in the chest facing me with a .375 TSX. The effect on that poor creature was rather dramatic.

Were I building a dedicated rifle, it would be a .22 Hornet and I am confident a lot of PH's would chime in with a thumbs up. It is chambering that also works great for night creatures as well to expand its utility.

 

[skydiver386]

Mine to date were taken with what I had available. That tends to be a 300 gr solid from a .375. As long as a shoulder isn't hit, it works perfectly on game as small as a Suni. My blue duiker was taken with a 170 gr Oryx from a .275. Simply centered the tiny thing at around 30-40 yards. Instant kill with a 7mm entrance wound and 7.01mm exit wound. Only negative experience was a steenbuck shot in the chest facing me with a .375 TSX. The effect on that poor creature was rather dramatic.

Were I building a dedicated rifle, it would be a .22 Hornet and I am confident a lot of PH's would chime in with a thumbs up. It is chambering that also works great for night creatures as well to expand its utility.

I think the 22 Hornet would be an excellent choice, but there are very few currently in production. To my knowledge only 3 currently.

Ruger 77/22 Hornet
Savage M25
Thompson/Center Encore


These have been produced in the recent past, but I believe are no longer available. All 3 are elegant rifles.
Browning 1885 Low Wall
CZ527
Browning A-Bolt Micro

If the 22 Hornet were the choice, a factory rifle would be best. Being a rimmed round, feeding from a magazine made for rimless rounds might give the best gunsmith fits.

 

[Rimshot]

I think the 22 Hornet would be an excellent choice, but there are very few currently in production. To my knowledge only 3 currently.

Ruger 77/22 Hornet
Savage M25
Thompson/Center Encore

Lets not forget the German offerings, more common of which would be the Blaser R8, K95, or BD14.

The title of the thread "Dedicated Tiny 10 rifle build" suggests anything from rebarreling a 1885 or Ruger #1, or a Parkwest SD10, up to a bespoke rifle from Bailey Bradshaw or Ferlach Austria. However in the original post OP clarifies "semi-custom" which suggests the former.

 

[coreydb]

The 1:7 twist easily handles your heavy for caliber .223 bullets. A 1:8 twist is the sweet spot that handles a much wider range of bullet weights.

 

[Hedge774]

I got this brute out of lay a way today. Dubbed, "The Murder Hornet", she will strike fear into tiny hearts everywhere...

 

[Wheels]

If you are wanting to shoot 300-350 yards I am presuming you are considering a Vaal Reebok as part of your tiny ten.

Other than Vaal Reebok I would want a rifle/loads shooting at or under 2,000fps. Definitely under 2,500fps or you start blowing animals apart. Most of your shots will be under 100 yards. It’s not near as romantic but a 22 mag with heavy grain bullets is the direction I would probably go. A 22 hornet loaded to 2,000fps is a bit more romantic.

I have seen impala you could fit a football in with a 220 Swift. Also dik dik and duikers nearly blown in half. Speed is not your friend regarding the tiny ten.

I would rather use a 375 with solids than any rifle shooting over 2500fps with a small expanding bullet. If you’re wanting full body mounts on the tiny ten a shotgun with #4’s is probably your best friend. You can probably take over half with the shotgun.

Free advice that’s not worth anything. All the best in your endeavor.