Varmint rifle shopping - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Greg1459 · 07-11-2005, 11:11 AM

Hey everyone,

I recently decided to start looking around for a rifle. I was thinking of something in .223 due to the fact I can get surplus ammo cheap. I prefer something with bolt action but have not ruled out the semi autos. What do you all think would be a nice gun. I am saving up for it so I'm hoping around $500 or so, but I can always save longer if the quality is worth it.

Thanks for your input.

Greg

**loonybin** · 07-11-2005, 11:29 AM

It'll cost you more, but I'd recommend the ar15. They're every bit as accurate as bolt actions and more versatile. You can even switch to a different caliber with the switch of an upper, instead of buying a whole new rifle.

galway · 07-11-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loonybin

It'll cost you more, but I'd recommend the ar15. They're every bit as accurate as bolt actions and more versatile. You can even switch to a different caliber with the switch of an upper, instead of buying a whole new rifle.

Unless you are buying a very expensive ar15 it is not going to be as accurate as a moderately priced bolt action. The difference is small, and depending on what kind of shooter you are you probably won't notice, but to say there is no difference is a pure lie.

A quality bolt action will also cost considerably less then a quality ar15 or really any quality semi-auto.

dolanp · 07-11-2005, 12:19 PM

Check out the CZ 527. From what I read they make good bolt guns.

http://www.cz-usa.com/01.03.php

Silentknight · 07-11-2005, 12:20 PM

For an affordable bolt action rifle you can't go wrong with Tikka, If your unfamiliar, they are a Finnish made rifle with accuracy to match a Remington 700 (the Tikka's don't leave the factory without shooting a 1" group at 100 yds). Refer to the thread on mine for pics
http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic....ighlight=tikka
Savage and Ruger also have nice rifles for around $500, but the Tikka gets my vote

Silentknight · 07-11-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolanp

Check out the CZ 527. From what I read they make good bolt guns.

http://www.cz-usa.com/01.03.php

Good suggestion, the Cz is another excelent shooter

Brickboy240 · 07-11-2005, 12:22 PM

Do you want used or new?

Buying new, I'd look at the Savage and Remington 700 heavy barrel models. Both give you alot for the money.

Buying used, the field is wide open. Two years ago, I bought a custom built Mauser in 22-250 for 400 dollars. It is a 1936 Standard Modell 98 action, mated to a German made Reitz full bull barrel. Lo-Mount safety and a Jaeger custom trigger. Sits in a very nice walmut stock. THis rig weighs about 11 pounds and has no recoil at all. With the Leupold 2.5x10x50 I added, along with my old Harris bi-pod, I can get 2 inch groups at 200 yards with factory ammo. (no kidding)

Buying used can pay off, if you have the time and want to devote the effort. You can wind up with a much more expensive rig for the same money as you would pay for a basic new bolt action varmint rifle alone.

Also, if you're going to be going after varmints that are larger or shooting over 250 yards all the time, I'd step up to the 22-250 or maybe a 243. I bought a 22-250, mainly, because I run into the occaisional blbcat or coyote and like the extra punch.

The damage the Ballistic Tip 22-250 round does to the average coyote is amazing. The 243 is also a good varmint round and can double for deer - I also have a Savage 99 in 243 and love it.

-Brickboy240

Brickboy240 · 07-11-2005, 12:22 PM

oops..sorry for the double post!

Ctkelly · 07-11-2005, 02:56 PM

Savage or Remington 700. I love my Ruger M77 Mark II target grey also, nice stock and very nice trigger on it. I got mine chambered in .220 Swift, but looking back on it now I wish I would have gone with .22-250....easier to find ammo but I reload also so its not a big issue.

For 200yds + shots I would go with one of the following calibers: .220 swift, 22-250, or maybe even the new .204 Ruger.

Sabo2r · 07-11-2005, 04:24 PM

Howa, a Japanese company, makes the 1500 which is also marketed in the U.S. under the Weatherby Vanguard name. For some time they were also sold under the Smith & Wesson name. They are avalable in most common sporting calibers for about $400 and I believe they also carry a 1moa guarrantee from the factory. sab

07-11-2005, 11:11 AM	#1
Greg1459 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 123	Varmint rifle shopping Hey everyone, I recently decided to start looking around for a rifle. I was thinking of something in .223 due to the fact I can get surplus ammo cheap. I prefer something with bolt action but have not ruled out the semi autos. What do you all think would be a nice gun. I am saving up for it so I'm hoping around $500 or so, but I can always save longer if the quality is worth it. Thanks for your input. Greg

07-11-2005, 11:29 AM	#2
loonybin XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: central Kansas Posts: 1,564	It'll cost you more, but I'd recommend the ar15. They're every bit as accurate as bolt actions and more versatile. You can even switch to a different caliber with the switch of an upper, instead of buying a whole new rifle. __________________ Tempus fugit. Frater, memento mori. Happy is what you make it -- always has been, always will be.

07-11-2005, 12:20 PM	#5
Silentknight XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pella, Iowa Posts: 116	For an affordable bolt action rifle you can't go wrong with Tikka, If your unfamiliar, they are a Finnish made rifle with accuracy to match a Remington 700 (the Tikka's don't leave the factory without shooting a 1" group at 100 yds). Refer to the thread on mine for pics http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic....ighlight=tikka Savage and Ruger also have nice rifles for around $500, but the Tikka gets my vote __________________ Remington 870 12 Ga. Tikka T3 .223 Marlin 1894s .44 Mag Springfield Armory XD 40 w/ Don\'s Guide Rod & Spring, Hogue Handall Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will.

07-11-2005, 12:22 PM	#7
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,960	Do you want used or new? Buying new, I'd look at the Savage and Remington 700 heavy barrel models. Both give you alot for the money. Buying used, the field is wide open. Two years ago, I bought a custom built Mauser in 22-250 for 400 dollars. It is a 1936 Standard Modell 98 action, mated to a German made Reitz full bull barrel. Lo-Mount safety and a Jaeger custom trigger. Sits in a very nice walmut stock. THis rig weighs about 11 pounds and has no recoil at all. With the Leupold 2.5x10x50 I added, along with my old Harris bi-pod, I can get 2 inch groups at 200 yards with factory ammo. (no kidding) Buying used can pay off, if you have the time and want to devote the effort. You can wind up with a much more expensive rig for the same money as you would pay for a basic new bolt action varmint rifle alone. Also, if you're going to be going after varmints that are larger or shooting over 250 yards all the time, I'd step up to the 22-250 or maybe a 243. I bought a 22-250, mainly, because I run into the occaisional blbcat or coyote and like the extra punch. The damage the Ballistic Tip 22-250 round does to the average coyote is amazing. The 243 is also a good varmint round and can double for deer - I also have a Savage 99 in 243 and love it. -Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

07-11-2005, 12:22 PM	#8
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,960	oops..sorry for the double post! __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

07-11-2005, 12:19 PM	#4
dolanp XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: N TX Posts: 784	Check out the CZ 527. From what I read they make good bolt guns. http://www.cz-usa.com/01.03.php

07-11-2005, 02:56 PM	#9
Ctkelly XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 218	Savage or Remington 700. I love my Ruger M77 Mark II target grey also, nice stock and very nice trigger on it. I got mine chambered in .220 Swift, but looking back on it now I wish I would have gone with .22-250....easier to find ammo but I reload also so its not a big issue. For 200yds + shots I would go with one of the following calibers: .220 swift, 22-250, or maybe even the new .204 Ruger. __________________ 2006 Gunlist FN Highpower S&W .41 Magnum 6\" 1911 SA WWII upgraded by Precision Gunworks

07-11-2005, 04:24 PM	#10
Sabo2r XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Neb Posts: 110	Howa, a Japanese company, makes the 1500 which is also marketed in the U.S. under the Weatherby Vanguard name. For some time they were also sold under the Smith & Wesson name. They are avalable in most common sporting calibers for about $400 and I believe they also carry a 1moa guarrantee from the factory. sab __________________ The two loudest sounds in the world are a click when it should\'ve gone bang, and a bang when it should\'ve gone click.

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