Hey all,
Wanting to get a paper punching varmint rifle (dual purpose). Will be used for yotes and other misc. critters as well as shooting at paper.
Ruger Hawkeye (LH) 204 Ruger (1:12") - $499
Savage Weather Warrior (LH) 223 (1:9") - $670
CZ 527 American (LH) 223 (1:9") - $681
Curious for my purposes if I'm gaining anything with either the Savage or CZ in quality of rifle?
Would the 204 be suitable for my needs?
Not going to shoot critters at extended range.
Posted By: Buzzsaw
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 03:37 PM
.223, just for ease and cost, personally of your 3 choices I would go the CZ, great rifles. If you want to stay low cost, I love the Ruger American, ooh just saw you're a lefty. Get the CZ, I think it will outshoot both, with Savage being 2nd choice.
just my
Posted By: Amarillo.Hunter
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 03:58 PM
Just to throw out another option...found a Ruger American 22-250 with a Brunton scope for $350. Is that a fair price?
Posted By: J.G.
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 04:00 PM
^^Agreed
Friend of mine went from a .22-250 to a .204 years ago, and had more coyotes run off than he had ever seen from a .22-250. He sold the rifle.
Posted By: 603Country
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 04:35 PM
I had a long chat with a BiL a while back, over 204 or 223. I went with 223 because of all the positives of cheap ammo, readily available brass and bullets, and what I considered a big factor, in that bullet weight range goes from 34 gr to 80 or 90 gr. You can’t get that with a 204. He went with the 204.
I have a Ruger Hawkeye that was a good shooter, but Horizon turned it into a better shooter. If I was shopping today, even though I really like the Ruger, I’d probably go with a stainless Tikka if I could get the 8 twist. I don’t even know if you can get the Tikka in LH, though.
Posted By: Amarillo.Hunter
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 04:42 PM
^^^ Have found a Tikka T3 (LH) 1:8" twist 223 stainless for $628.
Posted By: wp75169
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 04:56 PM
^^^ Have found a Tikka T3 (LH) 1:8" twist 223 stainless for $628.
Hurry up and buy it!
That’s cheap for that rifle. Best price I’ve found on a T3 LH is $758 out the door.
Posted By: Buzzsaw
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 04:57 PM
I had a long chat with a BiL a while back, over 204 or 223. I went with 223 because of all the positives of cheap ammo, readily available brass and bullets, and what I considered a big factor, in that bullet weight range goes from 34 gr to 80 or 90 gr. You can’t get that with a 204. He went with the 204.
I have a Ruger Hawkeye that was a good shooter, but Horizon turned it into a better shooter. If I was shopping today, even though I really like the Ruger, I’d probably go with a stainless Tikka if I could get the 8 twist. I don’t even know if you can get the Tikka in LH, though.
Well, if BIL said it was good, it has to be !!!!!
Posted By: Amarillo.Hunter
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 04:59 PM
^^^ Have found a Tikka T3 (LH) 1:8" twist 223 stainless for $628.
Hurry up and buy it!
That’s cheap for that rifle. Best price I’ve found on a T3 LH is $758 out the door.
Picked up a nib Tikka T3 Stainless (LH) for $570 in 300 wsm a couple weeks ago. Can also pick up a 270wsm for same price as the 300 wsm...but want something lighter.
Posted By: 603Country
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 05:02 PM
Yep, buy that 223 Tikka, scope it well, and send me a 6 pack of good beer. You will love the Tikka. My 260 is superb (don’t get to use that word a lot).
Posted By: wp75169
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/27/18 05:03 PM
I would look at the savage 10/110 in left hand. Then add a shilen or similar prefit Barrel. You will come in around the same price or cheaper than the CZ and will have your first semi-custom that starts all the dreams we can’t afford. Likely will outshoot anything you buy off the rack as well. It’s fun to build a savage. And bet someone here can loan you a go/no go gauge for the price of shipping or free. Then a little Bit later you can add a stock. All DIY stuff that you will appreciate.
Posted By: UTA_MAV
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/28/18 01:22 AM
223 Tikka would get my vote.
Posted By: P_102
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/28/18 11:08 AM
22-250 in 1:8 twist shooting 75 gr. Or .243 in 1:9 shooting the 87 gr. VLD’s, Fight the wind much better.
Posted By: duckhunter175
Re: new varmint rifle thoughts? - 01/28/18 05:39 PM
Remington SPS Varmint BDL- Left Hand for $575ish. You can always drop it into an aftermarket stock if you wanted and add a Timney for $125 in you are inclined. They are not fast twist but if you aren't shooting it at distance or for deer sized critters there is not a need for a fast twist barrel. Plus most of the factory ammo for .22-250 is 40-55gr which will be fine in a slow twist.
If you are hand loading and want to shoot hogs then you can go with a 50-55gr Barnes bullet.
