Best All Around Rifle?

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Rhyno37

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I'm looking for a rifle to plink with, and do some coyote/varmint hunting. Basically, I want a good all around rifle. First problem I have is choice of caliber. I have about $600 tops to spend on just the rifle.

For my needs stated, what would be my best caliber to go with. I'm guessing a .223, .22-250, or .243?

Then last, what rife should I go with. I have already had a Remington 700 in .22-250, and was pretty upset with the quality. I've seen that a lot of people like the Tikka T3 Lite, and I think it looks like a nice gun. Other options could be a Savage Axis or Remington Mini 14. Looking for some input here!
 
.243s are great, i took a few deers with it as a kid, although i cant recommend a platform for it with any confidence :eek:
 
I started with bolt actions, but now own none.

I'm now very much into AR-15s, for their modularity, easily replaced parts, and inexpensive ammo.

.243 is too overbore for my picky taste in cartridges. (Too much powder going down too little of a tube, wears out bores, etc.)
 
If you'll never deer hunt, go 223. The 22-250 is better on paper, but ammo prices and availability is much better on the 223 and it is close enough. Any chance of deer, go 243. I'd deer hunt with a 223, but the 243 offers a little more margin for error.

At $600, look at Vanguard, Tikka, Savage/ Stevens or look at the used racks. Almost all of my guns are bought used. I've a couple of rifles that I have less than $400 invested in that would have cost me $1,000 to buy new.
 
If you're just shooting coyotes and doing some plinking the .223 would be a nice choice with cheap and widely available ammo. However, you mentioned an "all around" rifle and if you ever think you might go after something bigger then of course the 243 would be the way to go. Too bad about your experience with Remington. I've always been a big fan of Big Green and 700's myself but I would be afraid to by one right now also. I think if I was going to buy a bolt gun right now I'd go with Savage....
 
A tikka T 3 in 7mm 08 should do it all. Of course ammo aint cheap compared to .308.
 
Well I actually I live in illinois and we can't hunt deer with rifles... So its mostly yotes and varmint.

I have a 10yr old 870 and love it to death, but my 700 I had just had some cut corners. I hate to see Remington going down that road.

Sent from my Samsung Mesmerize
 
My all time favorite rifle for "do anything" in my safe is a trusty old Savage 99 in 308 with a Nikon scope. After that, they are all more specialized. I have a custom built 22-250 for little critters far away. It's not a caliber I would try to live with in a stock factory rifle.

But, I could see a nice medium action medium barrel contour bolt gun in 243 doing a whole lotta different things from time to time. Wouldn't bother me a bit :)
 
I bought my son a Savage just before they came out with their accutrigger or accustock. It shoots great. No, it's not the "best looking" gun at the range, but if I get another bolt action it will be a savage. Caliber all depends on you. If you reload you have more options. If not, go with what you have the most choices for over the counter. Good luck
 
My favorite do all bolt gun is a Ruger Hawkeye in .308 with a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9. Looks nice in walnut too.
 
It would be to me. But, I don't know your budget, family obligations, etc.

I'm a Tikka fan and I like the bigger magazine with the varmint :)
 
I lucked out into a Tikka T3 lite stainless in 6.5 x55 a couple years ago, I love it. the spare mags are about $60 though, lots to pay for a plastic mag. this particular rifle is not easy to find right now, as far as a better caliber I would go with the 7mm-08.
 
Oh, what the heck, I'll suggest my current favorite for everything rifle - Winchester 94 in .30-30. Load it right and you can do most things you'd hope to do with a rifle, though some folks might need to practice their stalking skills a wee bit. ;)
 
Give your 'do everything' need and obvious desire for cheep ammo: the 308 is the best all round cartridge followed very closely by the 270 Win. Read Chuck Hawkes on the 270&30-06.
 
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