CUSTOM 22-250 THERMAL RIFLE

YouTube creator Anthony Amantine has an awesome YouTube Channel where he discusses and demonstrates the gear he uses for hunting hogs and varmints at night. In this video, Anthony showcases a very well‑thought‑out 22-250 build.

The first thing viewers notice is how quiet his suppressor sounds. The OCM5 requires a bit more gunsmithing than simply threading a can onto the standard 5/8x24 muzzle of most factory rifles, but the tradeoff is worth it: the design gains internal volume without adding much overall length because part of the suppressor sits back over the barrel. Weight was clearly not a primary concern for this build. The heavy Brux M24‑contour barrel up front and the long fore-end of the MDT ACC Elite chassis add mass where it helps: the rifle balances better on a tripod or improvised rest. Amantine also praised the MDT buttstock for its adjustability and durability — notably the cheekpiece, which adjusts fore and aft and up and down. He uses MDT 22-250–specific magazines, which fed reliably during the hunting portion of the video.

Hunting is clearly Amantine’s passion and the primary purpose for most of his rifles. Since his work centers on nuisance species and depredation, much of it is conducted at night, giving him experience that many of us lack. One useful tip he offered was mounting the thermal optic a bit higher: that extra height helps keep the optic above the suppressor’s line of sight and reduces the “halo effect” created by the radiating heat of the can.

Another neat choice was the cartridge. The 22-250 mitigates range‑uncertainty problems. Over the past decade, there’s been a trend to prioritize projectile ballistic coefficient (BC) over raw velocity for long‑range precision shooting in variable conditions; BC is valuable for maintaining performance in crosswinds and changing density altitudes. But for thermal hunting, where engagements are typically inside 300 yards and ranges can change quickly as animals approach, the ability to hold center mass with minimal drop is a real advantage.

The video is informative and satisfying to watch, showing someone performing a difficult task with clear competence, using tools chosen for a specific purpose. Amantine built this rifle around a mission: he selected components that best matched his goals. It’s a good reminder to define the task and requirements first, then choose equipment to match.