Affordable Varmint Rifle

[Gunsarefun]

Hello, this is my first post here. So, here it goes
I am looking for a cheap accurate varmint rifle. I am not wanting to spend over 400 on this gun. The action doesnt matter to me. I was thinking about a 223 handi-rifle or an SKS. Thanks alot!

 

[husker]

keep your eyes open on the for sale page here

 

[GLShooter]

Save a bit of your lunch money and step up to an SPS 700 Remington. If you want a NEW rifle you will have few choices.

I bought a USED 700 BDL 243 that I got down around 1/2MOA by hand loading. Cost was $300 from Cabelas. It looked rode hard and put up wet with a bunch of surface rust but the bolt looked like it have never been run in the races or hardly any rounds fired period.

Of course what kind of varmint you are hunting might also have an influence on this. 600 yard PD's are not easy to hit. If it is 40 yard coyotes then perhaps the SKS will do it for you.


Greg

 

[JMSUN]

Check out the Stevens Model 200. They will run you a little over $300.00 Regular price, and they are good shooters. I have heard good things about them in .223, and mine in 7mm-08 so far seems to be a .5 MOA gun.

 

[Gunsarefun]

Thanks guys. Im looking for something able to do 1 to 1.5 MOA. Mainly for groundhogs and coyotes.

 

[Kendal Black]

Some Handi Rifles will do ~1.5 MOA. The thing is, break action singles are prone to vertical stringing if not fitted up just right. So it depends on the example you get.

I don't think an SKS is going to cut it, for the accuracy level you are looking for, and then there is the question how to put a scope on it.

 

[Get R Done Guns]

Find a good used one. New you better bump your price to about 500.00 if you want accuracy like you are talking.

 

[JMSUN]

I have read the Handi rifles can get down close to 1 MOA or better with a little work. Here is a link to some handi rifle information.
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,126.0.html

 

[Sock Puppet]

$400 for rifle and scope, or rifle only? Take a look at the Howa 1500 rifles.

 

[JMSUN]

Contrary to what everyone seems to think, You do not always have to spend very much to get an accurate rifle. Maybe you did a few years ago, but not anymore. Like I said, I have found a load that will shoot 1/2 MOA in my $300.00 Stevens. (I actually paid a lot less than that on sale.) I will add by way of a disclaimer that I am hand loading. I do not think I could get that accuracy with store bought ammo, though I was under the aforementioned 1.5 MOA with cheap store ammo.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Another vote for the Stevens 200, in either a .223, .22-250 or a .243 (my personal favorite caliber). It is a great rifle and with a little tweaking and an extra $200 or so can be an awesome rifle.

My only Stevens 200 is chambered in .223 and wears a Bushnell Banner 6-24X40 MD AO, also with a laminate thumhole stock. From what I have seen how this rifle performs I will get a few more in other calibers when I have time to mess with them.

 

[Gunsarefun]

the Stevens might not be a bad choice now that I think about it. and just 400 for the rifle. I was also thinking about a Remmy. but I havent been hearing the best things about them lately. And is Howa made in Japan. I'd prefer American made if possible. thanks for all the info though guys.

 

[Four_Speed]

Keep your eyes open. I picked up a Stevens 200 .223 in February for $160 from Scheels. If you can forego the coyotes for a bit, the Marlin 795 is a great deal in .22lr. Also, how about a mini 14? Saw one that was pretty beat up for $400 but still may have had some life in it.

 

[Gunsarefun]

I already have a CZ and Ruger .22. and my dad used to have a mini 14 and 30 and said he couldnt do better than 3 inches at 100?

 

[baylorattorney]

Handi-rifle bull barrel super lightweight in .22 hornet .222 or .223 with a leupold vari x gold ring.

 

[Gunsarefun]

the .22hornet ammo is so expensive now though! and any thoughts about a Howa like this one?
http://http://www.sportsmansden.com/howa-riflescope-combo-remington-inch-heavy-barrel-blue-p-53732.html[/URL]

 

[mljdeckard]

I would look in the pawn shops for just about any 22-250 or .243 bolt rifle.

 

[Art Eatman]

"Good used" in .223 or .243 would work just fine.

As far as the accuracy thing, group size beyond three shots doesn't mean much for a varmint rifle--except for prairie dogs. What's important is the reliability of the first shot going as intended, from a cold barrel.

Shots on groundhogs or coyotes are scattered over time, during any one hunt.

 

[HOOfan_1]

My dad has a .223 Handi-Rifle...it is closer to 2.5 MOA. He has had it for 3 years now and between the two of us it has killed about 10 groundhogs. I'd say the hit to miss ratio is around 5:1 Most of these kills were made over 150 yards.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Stevens 200 in a varmint caliber, tack driving ugly rifles. I love mine.

 

[snakeman]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=571397
take a look at this thread

 

[sansone]

Marlin XL7 and Stevens 200 are sub 1.5 out of the box when you find a bullet they like.
My marlin XS7 .243 shoots sub moa with handloads

 

[Gunsarefun]

Thanks amillion for all the feedback guys!

 

[acmax95]

+1 on the Marlin XL/XS7.

I love my .30-06.

I paid $320 for mine a few years ago but I see them now for less than $300 (blued w/ black synthetic stock).

 

[wingman]

I have a Savage model 25 with Laminated stock in 223 that will consistently give .500 groups or under @100 yards if I do my part, I paid little over $500, have seen used ones for $400 or less.