Dedicated Tiny 10 rifle build

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.

IMG_0036.jpeg
 
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.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0542.jpeg
    IMG_0542.jpeg
    3.1 MB · Views: 26
  • IMG_0495.jpeg
    IMG_0495.jpeg
    4.5 MB · Views: 26
  • IMG_0615.jpeg
    IMG_0615.jpeg
    2.3 MB · Views: 26
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:

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

Forum statistics

Threads
70,513
Messages
1,578,443
Members
171,285
Latest member
VivienHose
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Hornedfrogbbq wrote on Rhoyland4's profile.
Do you mind me asking what auction you are referencing? I'm not in the market for any of those rifles...just curious.

Frosty in Fort Worth
Getting some culling done!

K_P wrote on Buckleyguy12's profile.
Good morning from Montana.

I'm looking at a post from 2018 where you were looking for a lefty Winchester in .375 H&H Magnum. I'm selling mine. My email is [redacted] in the event that you're still searching for a unicorn.

Best,

Kelly Palmer
Gents, if you book and pay your deposit before the end of this year , you can have the bigger cull package for the 2026 price! https://www.africahunting.com/threa...griffiths-safaris-starting-at-us-2-560.96285/
I am currently in Northern Cape scouting a hunting area, we will have lots of amazing hunting opportunities for 2027! I will post updated available dates soon!
 
Top