[jstall9]

Looking for a bolt action. maybe around a .223 or .300 cal. will be using it for dirtpigs, coyote, and mostly range/target. not sure what to look at. under $700.
Need some help here. thanks.

[Lonestar.45]

Wow, there's so many to choose from that come in under $700. If you are not going to shoot anything larger than coyotes and going to shoot it mostly at the range, then I'd suggest a .223, because ammo is cheap, recoil is light, and they are generally very accurate. A good Remington 700, Winchester M70, or Ruger 77 would do. Savage makes a good bolt gun as well. Would you want something to carry all day and shoot a little, or something to shoot a LOT and carry seldom? Because the weight factor comes into play here. Heavy long barrel varmint gun, or short barreled carbine?

Could you give us a little more info? Maybe we could narrow it down some for you.

[dakotasin]

lonestar's got the questions outlined pretty good... major thing is how much is weight a factor? if it isn't, i like the remington 700 vls. if it is a factor, a good compromise is the remington 700 lvsf. if weight is a big factor, all the companies make sporter weight guns that would satisfy your need.

for caliber - that is highly personal. i'm not a fan of the 223, so i would look elsewhere (i also handload), but lonestar is right about cost to shoot...

[rbernie]

It's funny how everybody always forgets about the Weatherby Vanguard's when the discussion turns to (relatively) low-cost production rifles. My experience has been that the Vanguard probably represents the best value out there when contrasting cost against accuracy and fit-n-finish. I'm not a push-feed kinda guy in general, but between the Rem 700 or Savage or Tikka or Vanguard - I'll take the Vanguard every time. Nice adjustable trigger, good ergonomics (if a bit heavy), excellent fit-n-finish, and in-writing-guaranteed accuracy.

For varmints up coyote and range work - 223 is a good choice, as is 243/6mm. Anything much over 6mm *can* be used in a varmint role, but starts to be a bit of overkill. if you're looking to get into something that might be useful for up to deer, I'd recommend that you look at something in a short/regular length action between 243/6mm and 308. IMO, of course.

[Swamp Yankee]

First, Welcome to THR

I'd like to ask 1 question if I might, does the $700 budget include a scope and mounts or not?

Take Care

[BuffaloBill]

I agree with rbernie. The Weatherby Vanguard is a great suggestion. You can even outfit it with a decent scope, rings and bases for under $700. Shoots great, nice trigger. I love mine in .223.
BB

[rbernie]

My Vanguard (chambered in 223), with the superb Sightron SII3x9/42 and Weaver mounts, cost about $625 out-the-door.

[308win]

Add a $100 plus tax, find a dealer who will get your a Remmy BDL with the 5R barrel and get a shooter.

Best $795 plus tax I ever spent.

[nico]

my aunt's boyfriend has a Ruger M77 Varmint in .243 that is much more accurate than ruger's reputation would have you think. He says he can shoot 3 shot groups with the holes touching at 100 yards with it. It also has a nice 2 stage trigger and the laminated stock/grey finished action and barrel look pretty good imo.

[mustanger98]

Looking for a bolt action. maybe around a .223 or .300 cal. will be using it for dirtpigs, coyote, and mostly range/target. not sure what to look at. under $700.

Okay, my $.02- I like Winchester's M70 Classic Compact, Ruger's M77Mk2, and Savage's Model 11GL (left hand).

Winchester M70 Classic Compact- Not available in .223, but is available in .243Winchester (don't bother with 80gr varmint loadings- it'll pattern like a shotgun) and other chamberings last I knew. You may find something along this line in .22-250 or something like that. It's lightweight and accurate provided you lighten up the trigger and know how to line up the scope right.

Ruger's M77Mk2- Accurate and tough. 1:12 twist rate so you'll have to stick with 55gr SP's for varmint/target work although for targets you may like FMJ's just as well. Anything over 62grains is going to keyhole at 50yds; I know because I tried it.

Savage's M11GL- available in .223 IIRC, although mine is a .243Win. I selected this on because it has sights on the barrel. I fired mine at 100yds from the bench with S&B's 100gr SPs and found it quite accurate. I was out the door with mine for $404.38, tax and all. I'm soon to add a Lyman #57 aperture rear sight (w/ target knobs) to mine and that probably won't cost more than $60-70 extra.

http://www.savagearms.com/11g.htm

[Art Eatman]

It's hard to find any bolt action that's not pretty darned accurate, these days. Fit has really become one of the more important parts of the deal: Length of pull, and sight alignment without your having to move your head around to "get it right".

Then, seems to me, it's aesthetics and weight, within your desired price range.

I picked up a used--but like new--Ruger 77 Mk II. Replaced the factory trigger with a Timney. While it was just as tight-grouping with the original Tasco, I swapped it out for a Leupold 3x9 I had lying around.

Lightweight, and reliable 3-shot, 1/2 MOA groups.

But, lots of other rifles will shoot as well. I'm guessing the Ruger is a tad lighter...

Art

[jstall9]

Thanks for the info thus far. weight is not a factor, i plan on shooting much more than carrying. i would like to include the scope setup in my $700 range.

[Art Eatman]

SAFAIK, the Savage and the Tikka are among the lower priced rifles. The Leupold VX 1 in 3x9, with Weaver bases and rings, oughta get you close to your target $$$.

I've never been afraid of good used rifles from gun shows or from individuals. As long as they're not showing signs of carelessness or abuse; as long as the bore is clean and the rifling appears clean-cut and there are no dings at the muzzle, you might well save $100 to $200 over NIB retail. Plus, they often come with scope and mounts. Even if it's a cheesy scope, you have the mounts thrown into the deal...

For instance, my .220 Swift is "good used". It's a Model 70 that was new in 1952. It still shoots inside of one MOA. Same for quite a few other rifles I've owned. Heck, "Old Pet", my well-used '06, still shoots inside one MOA at 500 yards...

Art

[ojibweindian]

Thanks for the info thus far. weight is not a factor, i plan on shooting much more than carrying. i would like to include the scope setup in my $700 range.

For a rifle and scope in the $700 range, I'd buy one of those Savage package deals that Wal Mart is selling for under $350. Then, after getting it, pitch the cheap scope that comes with the package deal into the garbage can and buy a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 for roughly $200. Use the roughly $150 you have left in your budget to figure out what load your new rifle will like.

[Nathanael_Greene]

Great suggestion...unless you're looking for a left-handed rifle.

I've also read some good things about the new Mossberg rifle that Wal-Mart sells for about $250. Choice of caliber is limited to .270 or .30-06, though.

[Kramer Krazy]

I've got a Ruger M77 Varmit, circa 1993.....which I think is now called a "Target", with the full-floating bull barrel, laminated stock, and matt grey finish. I slapped a Harris bi-pod on it, and I recently put a Simmons 6-24x50mm scope on it that was found as a close-out for $79. Haven't shot it with the new scope, but may this weekend. I've always liked Ruger's quality, price, and reliability, so I'd suggest an M77......but, my grandfather swears by his old Winchester 223 bolt-action that he uses to shoot groundhogs. :D

[jstall9]

thanks for all the good info, just have to reach in and see what comes out

[CZguy]

What about a CZ-527? Way more accurate than a Remington, or Ruger, and usually a little cheaper too. :)