22-250 choices in my budget - which one to choose?

[Bullseye]

I have been looking at several less expensive 22-250 rifles.
I can go used or new but have found a fair number that I can put with a fairly decent scope at under $650.00
I am leaning toward a Ruger American and add a better scope.
I just want to shoot groundhogs and paper at 300 yds or so.

1. Ruger American
2. Ruger M77 Hawkeye
3. Savage Axis
5. Savage Model 12
4. Rem 700
5. Thompson Center

Any suggestions? Other rifles that might fit in here on the list?
I prefer a wood or laminated stock but if the best only comes with a decent synthetic stock, that's OK.
Thanks

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would get one of the 700 Dick's specials. They put them on sale for about 400 bucks after rebates.

 

[cfullgraf]

My prairie dog shooting partner has a Savage Model 12 in 22-250. It shoot great. (I have a Savage Model 12 in 204 Ruger).

Both Savages shot well out of the box.

I have a couple Remington 700s. They shoot great once I did some work and tune up on them.

I do not have any experience with the others on the list.

 

[bluetopper]

I've wondered if a bull or heavy barrel in the 22-250 makes all that much difference in accuracy as opposed to a pencil barrel.

 

[dvdcrr]

Here are some options for ya, I see some great ones here including a Vanguard S2, Tikka, several Savages
http://www.gunbroker.com/Firearms/B...tartingBid=285&MaxStartingBid=550&NoReserve=1

 

[Bullseye]

Well thank you all! Also thanks for the narrowed search on GB dvdcrr!

 

[Gordon]

Probably the Savage heavy barrel. .22-250s like heavier barrels generally, they heat pretty quick compared to smaller cartridges.

 

[EchoM70]

If you have a Dicks sporting goods close by. They have a distributer exclusive Savage heavy barrel in .223, .22-250, .243 and .308. I picked mine up for $500 and it comes with a "usable" cheap Bushnell scope. It has a 24in barrel and is an absolute tack driver.

 

[Bullseye]

Yeah we got a Dicks nearby. I'll have to pop in. I looked at the website.

 

[slowr1der]

Savage Model 12 out of those would be my choice. None of the others even come close. That said, I think you'd be pretty well off with any of the Savage 10's, 11's, 12's, etc. I wouldn't just limit myself to the model 12.

 

[EchoM70]

Sorry forgot the model, it's the Savage model 11VT. For the price it's a nice little package. Typical Savage accuracy and the stock has a wide forend and good barrel clearance between the barrel and stock, so mounting a bipod is no problem whatsoever.

 

[Ks5shooter]

T/C Venture hands down. I own 3 ,7mm-08,25-06 and 223. All are great shooters. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Ky Larry]

I have a Marlin X7VH heavy barrel in .22-250.I paid $350.00 OTD last year. It will shoot cloverleafs at 100yds with handloads. Only thing I don't like is the cheap stock. I'm going to replace it with a Boyds thumb hole stock.

 

[ntg]

If you're not going to be walking with it, I'd go with Ky Larry's recommendation.

I have an X7 in a 7-08 and I've been very pleased with it, and especially for the money paid.

I'd also suggest looking at Howa 1500 or it's Vanguard twin. Great rifles. My 22-350 is a Howa.

I like the American for the faster rate of twist, but for what you want, shooting 45-55 grainers will work well. I didn't like the stock on the American's...too much flex in the for end.

 

[Ar180shooter]

If you can do a Savage model 12 and a scope, go for that. The new Axis II rifles with the accutrigger are nice, but the model 12 is in your budget, and it is a far better gun than the Axis IMO.

 

[Bullseye]

Today I looked at a "plain jane" Tikka T3 and Bushnell 3x12 Trophy scope for around $800 as a package. but I could probably knock it down close to $500 with a trade in. I really liked that combo.

Then I went to Bass Pro where I looked at several types the other day and they were all sold but a Savage Axis that was $359. I talked with the guy there who knows his stuff and he really couldn't comment much about Ruger Americans or Savage Axis ( lower priced ) but was kind of happy to recommend Thompson Center.
I think I should go entry level and top it off with a decent scope. I am a Savage fan, I like that accutrigger, the Axis appeared like a better rifle than the Ruger to me.

I was not impressed with the Ruger American I saw today. I looked kind of well, inexpensively made for a rifle.

I also had a Rem 700 in hand with the 26 bull barrel and it was nice. Black stock with grey inlay forearm and grip. Definitely limits me to a bench.
I don't plan on heating anything up with a lot of shooting so it is just too much and unnecessary.
I'm the kind of shooter that could go out and have a fun afternoon with a box and come back with a quarter box of bullets left. For me it is being able to hit something at a good distance.

I have a Uberti rifle that is hopefully coming back to my favorite gun shop and when I go pick it up, maybe there will be a nice deal over there. Also, a friend of mine knows a guy who wants to get rid of a bunch of guns but I don't know what he has yet. That should be fun. Everyone has been great with input. Thanks!

 

[Bullseye]

I am considering the Bushnell 734120 Trophy 4-12x 40mm to put on my next acquisition.
http://www.bushnell.com/hunting/rifle-scopes/trophy-xlt/4-12x-40mm-matte-black-doa-600-reticle

 

[viking499]

Tikka's are awesome shooting rifles out of the box.

 

[Bullseye]

yeah ... gut feeling tells me I liked that the most. They say it's made by the Sako people. That's a good thing.

 

[sappyg]

Saturday before last I shot a Savage axis and a Ruger American side by side in 223. The Axis was straight up more accurate even without the accutrigger. It would throw 10 rounds into 2" at 100 yards no matter what it was feed with boring consistency. The RA was picky and will take more work to get it up to speed but I think it's worth it.

For the OPs use the Savage 12 should be on a very short list and stays well within the budget.

 

[joed]

I have a Remington 700 VS in .22-250 that I've had for 4 years now. I'm a Remington fan but you have to change the stock if it has the SPS version, they're junk. Next was the trigger.

Also owned 2 Savage rifles, a 10fp in .223 and a model 12VSS in .22-250. Both had issues and I sold them. The 10fp was very accurate but couldn't feed a round reliably. The model 12 would change POI as it was shot.

I never owned a Tikka but would like to take a look at them.

Had 2 Rugers but they were not accurate at all out of the box. Don't know if you can make them shooters or not.

I see you're in PA and want this for groundhogs. Go with a heavy barrel, you won't regret it. I have more rifles in my safe with heavy barrels than regular.

 

[dagger dog]

The Savage 12 is a fine shooter in most varmint calibers, the Tupperware stock that came with mine shot great, but was a plastic pig !

 

[viking499]

I call it a "poor mans Sako". I think it is the same barrel and maybe action with some cost saving measures applied elsewhere.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

There's as much Ruger in my blood as there is on my wall, but I have a buddy with a TC Venture in 308, and it is an absolute tack-driver. I've never shot the Ruger American, and I know I can't find a Hawkeye w/ scope (even used) for much under $650. The stock on the American feels cheep, and when I had the opportunity to buy one a year back, I passed.

I would go TC...but don't tell Bill

 

[ClayinAR]

TC Icon

Thompson Center Icon if you can find one. They are discontinued, can't figure out why. Integral picatinny rail, guaranteed minute of angle, pillar bedding, etc. There are still a few new ones out there.