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Rifle Advice?????
OLDCOP
Member Posts: 629 ✭✭✭✭
I'm considering buying a small caliber rifle for varmints of all sizes. I have short range stuff like .30-30, .35 Rem and .22LR, but am thinking in the .223 class...longer range for a scoped unit. I'm not opposed to good used, don't want to spend a lot since it will be a "closet warmer" for any bad times, need available and inexpensive ammo, bolt action is fine and only know Remington and Ruger products in this arena. What can you all suggest? By the way...I'm continually impressed with the Forum's knowledge and willingness to share ideas. Great job and thanks!
Comments
For something in between, I'd say check out CZ or Savage or maybe Ruger, they have some 223s that are what I'd call "walking varminter" type rifles. The CZ 527 comes in a bunch of profiles, real world prices ate less than you see on their web site. Savage makes a neat Model 25 in 223 that's supposed to be pretty accurate.
Edit: Don't want to spend another post someone else may put to use, but the Encore rifle is a really good choice. I have a few and they are extremely compact and light. You can probably get a fairly heavy barrel (good for accuracy) and still keep the gun light. And of course adding an extra barrel (used) in 243 or 25.06 can set you up for everything from rock chucks to deer. In fact, at longer distances the 243 might be a better all around varmint round than the 223.
I have a Rem 700vs (Varmint Synthetic) with heavy barrel. Its a tac driver. If you plan to carry it in the field, a lighter rifle would be the ticket.
And a much more expensive Tikka 223 heavy barrel.
They are about equal in accuracy. Most of the time I shoot the Savage. Loading the Box mag is actually easier than using the Tikka Magazine. But...even the Savages is way up in the Gunbroker Listings.
( I am replying here to the post below.) I know many guys who shoot 22-250...they are all reloaders. I only will reload the bigger calibers. But I never/rarely see bulk deals on 22-250, and you can always find 500 round selections of .223. The 22-250 is better, but not by much, so I go for the ability to get it off the shelf.
Another thought, how about one of the break action H&R handi rifles in .223 they suposed to be decent shooters.
.243win and .22-250rem are both common, easy to find, fairly inexpensive ammo available, been around a while and good choices for a wide vareity of varmits at intermediate and longer ranges. Anything from prairie dogs to deer can be taken with it.
Since .223 is pretty much the caliber you are looking at I would say you need to decide if you want to pack this thing as a walking varminter or set up and ambush from long range as a stationary varminter. The difference is the weight and length of the barrel and that corresponds to the length of the shot...Out to 800 if you want to get that good.
First, the Remington 700, Savage 10/12 series, Winchester Stealth/II's and Howa 1500's are in the stationary class. With a 1-9" twist they will normally stabilize 69-70 gr. bullets. These bullets when fired at normal velicities stay supersonic out to better than 1000 yds. Although, some have the issues of bullets going transonic before 1k and thus accuracy is pretty much cut back to 800-850. Anyhow, heavier, longer barrels is the norm for these. It makes for good long range accuracy from these rifles.
The Remington 799, CZ 527 and Savage 25 are lightweight actions (the first two are actually called 'mini-Mausers') Much better as walking varminters, lighter to pack. However, shorter, lighter barrels mean less long range precision accuracy. This is not to say they won't keep up with the bigger rifles. Some do. Most don't. But accuracy is still well within they ability to shoot out to 500 yds. If the shooter is up to it that is. These are great little lightweight rifles to take everywhere.
-Hope that helps.