[Franco2shoot]

I have a nice collection of handguns and shotguns as well as High powered rifles, but I think I need just one more Rifle.( the wife's heard that one before)

So far I have a .22 Henry w/scope, a sweet Model 7 Remington in .308 and the trusty Mosins, an M44 and a 91/30 w/scope. of course 7.62x54r . I know many will say "You need an AR" but I just don't like the looks, too Mattel like.

I want something that I could use in the wide open spaces to reach out and touch small varmits,(lets say 100 - 200 yards, beyond that I'm not that good of a shooter) and price is a bit of a concern (400-600 bucks), but I don't need NEW. I usually troll the local gun shows, but need some suggestions as to what to look for.


Thanks
KKKKFL

[snakeman]

You ,sir, need a Howa 22-250.

[valnar]

200 yards? .223 easily. A 22-250 can be a barrel burner, and if you don't need that extended range, a .223 will be much cheaper to feed.

[Michael R.]

I'd say a Mini-14 is what you need

[ball3006]

You need a medium power and a low power rifles to round out your collection.....chris3

[snakeman]

The reason I say 22-250 is because when the op gets some practice shooting varmints a that range will become 300-400 yards and further. That way op will have a rifle that's easier to shoot at that range. However, if thousands of shots are fired a 22-250 barrel will burn out where a chrome lined 223 will not.

[skoro]

"You need an AR" but I just don't like the looks, too Mattel like.

You might consider the Ruger Mini-14, then. Same caliber (which looks to be what you've described) but different platform. I really like mine.

[Franco2shoot]

I like the idea of .223 cuz I seem to have seen plenty on the store shelves. The Howa at cheaper than dirt is $680+ so its a little on the high side, but that is a NIB price. Might be a little better price used at a gunshow. Now what brands models in .223 should I look for? Anybody have some pictures? Thanks guys... love this board's ability to exchange info.

KKKKFL

[Kachok]

22-250 because life begins at 4,000fps :D Why just kill varmints when you can VAPORIZE THEM!!!

[hardluk1]

Franco take a look at the Mossberg MVP. A bolt rifle chambered for 5.56 so .223 can be used, uses AR mags and reviews have been very good . More than enought for 300 yards. Should be good for 500 yards as your skill level increases. -http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=46&section=products

[303tom]

Get a Savage Model: 25 Walking Varminter in .22 Hornet, you won`t regret it & at 450 buck great rifle for the price..............

[Arkansas Paul]

I would go with a .223 in a bolt rifle personally. You could get a Weatherby Vanguard and still have $200 to spend on glass.

[SlowFuse]

If you like the looks of a Howa but the price is a little too steep check out the Wby Vanguard. Should come in around $100 cheaper and is chambered in 223 and 22-250. They're built very similar to the Howa and have nearly identical actions.

[SlowFuse]

Paul beat me to it!

[Gregaw]

223 bolt sounds like the ticket to me too! Take a look at the Savage 12 series rifles.

[Kachok]

223 is alot easier on the wallet to shoot, easier on barrels, easier to find ammo, but the 22-250 is a hotrod, so if you are looking for a sensible varmint cartrage the 223 ownes all, but if you want hotrod performance and dramatic on target performance the 22-250 is king.

[BCRider]

Out of the rifles you have stop and consider which you enjoy operating the most.

I know that for me the fun in shooting my long guns comes from operating the action to chamber the next round. Which explains why up to now I do not have even one semi auto in any caliber but have a variety of single shot actioned rifles.

So stop and ask yourself which of your rifles you enjoy and why. I suspect this will lead you in one direction or the other. From there you can pick out something for a caliber that will do the job for what you want.

[BJ Orange]

I second the Mini-14, but make yours a target model if you want as much accuracy as you can get out of the platform and your willing to spend a little more.

[hardluk1]

slowfuse They are the same action

[scchokedaddy]

25 06 will do all you want. long distance varmit and great deer round. Light on recoil and packs a wallop on the other end.

[snakeman]

There are really only 3 bolt action brands worth their salt in my opinion, and trust me I've owned a few of the major brands. They are: Howa (check out the price of just a Howa/Hogue without the package deal, they go for $400 here), Weatherby (S2 $500), and Savage. Remington has a junky finish, Rugers have been poor shooters for me, Mossbergs have been inaccurate as well. You might also look into TC they are supposed to be excellent. If you expect decent bench accuracy don't fall for the mini-14 stories. They don't shoot well when the barrel gets even a resemblance to warm. If the howa is too expensive, consider the savage axis or stevens 200, they are accurate.

[TonyAngel]

I'll put in another plug for a .223. Long barrel life and a vast selection of ammo that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[T Bran]

Savage makes some awfully purdy varmiters in your price range if you like laminate thumbhole stocks. I have been drooling over one for a while now but have a couple other small aditions to make first. I have two Savage rifles so far and their accuracy isnt just hype.
Take a look at Buds Discount Guns but you may find a deal just as good someplace that you can handle one in person.
I favor .223 as I'm already tooled up to load for that cartridge but have been considering something more exotic like .204 or a .17 cal centerfire of some flavor.
Good hunting.

[MrDig]

Franco take a look at the Mossberg MVP. A bolt rifle chambered for 5.56 so .223 can be used, uses AR mags and reviews have been very good . More than enought for 300 yards. Should be good for 500 yards as your skill level increases. -http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=46&section=products
I could not be happier with mine, 5.56/.223 is cheap and easy to feed. and my MVP likes 55 gr or less, really shoots 52 gr well.
22-250 is too spendy for my wallet. If I want flat varmint vaporizing I'll step up to .243

[mnhntr]

.243

[Abel]

200 yards and under is 22 Hornet territory. Or you could go with the 223.

[Franco2shoot]

I've got two levers, 3 bolt actions, can I go .223 and get it in a reliable and accurate SemiAuto?

BTW thanks for the inputs. I'll put the names suggested on a 3x5 card and stuff it in my wallet prior to the next gun show.

KKKKFL

[Craigman]

+1 on the .243. ammo is everywhere and it's more fun than a .223 IMO. Sure .223 is cheap (military type ammo) but for quality long range stuff it costs almost as much as .243 anyway

[quartermaster]

I love my .204 for varmints. 200 yards is no problem .223 is also a good choice as many before me have mentioned. 25-06 would be a good idea if you want to go for something a bit bigger than varmints and don't mind dealing with a little more recoil. I shoot 100 grain Ballistic tips out of mine. They are devastating on oth deer and varmints.

All 3 are very accurate in most rifles. Do you think your wife would understand if you bought all 3 and told her that that would be all the rifles you will ever need?

[Craigman]

Mini-14 comes to mind for reliable semi auto. Not know for extreme accuracy that everyone strives for these days. But I can make a can bounce around at 100yds with my buddies' mini

The AR bridges those gaps

[MachIVshooter]

I'd say a Mini-14 is what you need

He said he wanted to hit small varmints, not barns.

[snakeman]

^^^^^^^+1

[EchoM70]

Why not a .17 HMR? You can get a CZ 452 in .17 HMR for around $400, Which is IMO one of the best rimfire rifles for the money. The .17 can reach out and touch small varmints in that 100-200 yard range and ammo is cheap compared to centerfire stuff. Around $14 for 50. Seems like exactly what you're looking for to me.

[ExAgoradzo]

Don't have a 22-250, so no comment.
Have the Mini 14: if you go that rout get target model as has been said.
243 is my next purchase, so that is something on my list
25-06 can be used for varmints, but if you go that high, get the 308 you'll want some day anyway.
My vote is the bolt action heavy barreled 223. Suits your needs best right now and for many years to come.
Then get the Ruger Gunsight Scout.

[Franco2shoot]

Already have .308 covered, Remington model 7 there's your bolt, also Winchester 30-30covers lever, Mosins 7.62x54r, more bolts, Henry .22 another lever... so I'm missing the in-between caliber and semi-auto.

KKKKFL

[razorback2003]

Look at a good bolt action 223. Savage is a good accurate brand with a great barrel and trigger. Put a quality scope on it and you can hunt everything up to deer if legal in your state.

[CountryUgly]

Why not a .17 HMR? You can get a CZ 452 in .17 HMR for around $400, Which is IMO one of the best rimfire rifles for the money. The .17 can reach out and touch small varmints in that 100-200 yard range and ammo is cheap compared to centerfire stuff. Around $14 for 50. Seems like exactly what you're looking for to me.
+1 on the .17HMR but I'd buy a Savage.

[R H Clark]

No Mini 14 is accurate enough for small varmints at 200+ yards. Even the target model basically sucks.

Go with a bolt action 223 or 243. Savage or Rem 700 would be my pick maby a Tikka if the budget gets larger.

[C'Thulhu]

Saiga .223

Accept no substitues.

[joeponds]

I would look at the 6.5 all types. You will surly reach out and touch someone with it..

[TexasPatriot.308]

I only have a couple firearms :) just kiddin, tough choices when I look in my safe when heading out, but next rifle for some reason I want a .257 Roberts.

[Kachok]

Wow this discussion really opened up.
1st of all the mini-14 is not a highly accurate rifle, so if poping small varmints is your game leave that one alone.
2nd the 257 Roberts and 6.5mms (aka 260 rem, 6.5x47, 6.5x55) really are that good, they are true dual purpose caliber that are just as at home blasting ground chucks as loading the freezer with venison, the only downside is that they kick harder then the .22 cals, not bad recoil by any strech of the imagination but some people would not be comfortable shooting them all day long. I have a featherweight 6.5x55 that I could shoot all day without feeling it, so that does not bother all people. I would also add the 243 to that dual purpose list, little lighter bullets then the 257/6.5 but still puts Bambi down without too much fuss.

[wlewisiii]

7x57 Mauser.

[pat701]

Just stay with 556, and 308 you need no more.

[kcshooter]

I'd say Savage or Tikka in .243

Quintessential bolt action caliber after .308



If you want it in a semiauto, look at the Remington 7400 in .243