Bolt Action .223

[JoeMal]

Thanks Geno. Naturally, I was surprised with the coincidence and happily enjoyed my time with them. They also each had a Model 12 in .308 (that I was also lucky enough to shoot ) that shot great. One of the brothers was shooting dime sized groups 300 yards with his. So this also reassures the Savage brand to me. I, too, have heard great things about their firearms but never had the opportunity to handle and use one until today. I had a blast.

edit: and what do you know, Buds is selling one right now on GB for about $550 shipped

 

[eastbank]

must of been a calm day with no heat. at out varmit shoots,200-300-500yds only the first relays in the morning get close to that,when the wind kicks up and the heat rises dime size groups at 300yds go out the window reguardless of the rifle and at 500yds its bad enough to make you tear your hair out.. eastbank.

 

[JoeMal]

There was a steady, calm breeze for most of the morning/afternoon. Temps in the mid 80s, we were shooting the long range between 11-130

 

[Geno]

JoeMal:

You won't have any issues with shots to 300 yards with a .223 Rem on most varmint. The larger (coyote, etc) it might be a bit light. The greatest concern is simple accuracy. You shouldn't have any issues with that. Sounds like you're on your way. Just be sure to pay-forward the favor of letting others fire that Savage when you get it. Post pictures when you get it, and have some time.

Geno

 

[JoeMal]

Thanks again Geno for your encouragement. Now I'm onto thinking about glass....

 

[MinnMooney]

eastbank -

My favorite rifle in your pics is that 700 VS-SF II (or is it the larger caliber Sendero?). I have several and really am impressed with all of them. One has a Jewell trig replacement and it's fantastic.

 

[Geno]

JoeMal:

Glass?! Are you serious?! Now is where the homework begins. We are cursed (in America) with having dozens of great options. <<sigh>> Gooooood luck!

For the price, I like the SWFA: http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-Scopes-C1719.aspx

I have the 10X and really like it. At present, I have it on my Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special .223 Rem, and have it zeroed at 300 yards. The following is the specific model that I have: http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P499.aspx

Geno

 

[eastbank]

minnmoon, it,s a early 700 vssf-I in 22-250. eastbank.

 

[TEC]

Unless you reload, you might want to check the accuracy of the Savage with factory loads. My CZ-527 Varmint in .223 Rem (mine is older and has a 1:12 twist, the newer models, and all of the kevlar stocked models have 1:9 twist) will do sub-MOA with 0.5 in CTC groups at 100 yards with factory ammo, either Hornady 52gr BTHP or Hornady 55gr VMax. Haven't tried 60gr loads as I haven't felt the need to. The CZ-527 Varmint also comes with a single set trigger. Don't shoot at ranges over 100 yards, so I can't comment about 200 yards and beyond. Just a thought.

 

[JoeMal]

Once again thanks Geno for the recommendation. I think I would prefer a variable power scope. Midway has the Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40 on sale right now for $310. I think that would be a decent compromise in quality and price. I have heard great things about Nikon glass and don't have money for a Nightforce, USOp, etc

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=123107

TEC: I will get into reloading eventually, but right now I don't have the time to learn or money to burn on equipment and setup costs. I appreciate the feedback on your CZ; they seem like a quality rifle. I was heavily considering it until I shot the Savage yesterday. It's still on my list, but I think I would like to shoot one first. I personally didn't mind the accutrigger on the Savage.

 

[DIM]

I have same exact scope on my .223, just a word of advise, get something which is not MIL-DOT, like BDC or Nikon Plex, because their reticle is to thick compare to others. About CZ 527, just read the review here http://www.snipercentral.com/cz527.htm

 

[JoeMal]

Thanks DIM I will look into that. Do you like the scope otherwise? Is it nice and bright/clear at full magnification? How far out do you shoot with it?

 

[DIM]

Scope performs great good light and clarity, I had it before on my 308, it held zero well! I also have one with BDC and the cross section of the reticle is much thinner, on 500 yards MIL-DOT reticle will almost cover 4" target...

 

[DIM]

Last week I was shooting 500 yards with this scope and I had 2 - 3" groups not bad for a Remington ;-)

 

[JoeMal]

I think I'm going with a Savage 12 FV or the 25 LV

I'm also trying to decide between a 24" or 26", and 1 in 9" or 1 in 7" twist barrel. Would either of these affect my ability to shoot long range either positively or negatively? Effective range being 100-400 yards?

 

[DIM]

didn't know savage makes 1:7, but if you can get your hands on 1:7 I would definitely go for it, assuming you'll be reloading for it, 1:7 can push 90 grain bullets down the barrel, but the ammo would be hard to find.

 

[JoeMal]

didn't know savage makes 1:7, but if you can get your hands on 1:7 I would definitely go for it, assuming you'll be reloading for it, 1:7 can push 90 grain bullets down the barrel, but the ammo would be hard to find.

I went to a local gun shop and he claimed he could order one. I understand a 1 in 7" barrel would allow me to use heavier bullets, but doesn't that also impact accuracy on other lighter bullets to a certain degree at longer distances? Currently I don't reload so I would be buying factory ammo.

 

[rungun]

I bought Savages newest rifle the Edge in 223 a few weeks ago, got a good deal, payed $260.00 for it, bought a Burris Timberline 3x9 with Ballistic Plex reticle for 150$. I havent got to shoot it over 100 yards yet as my "range" is a field which is full of corn right now. I have shot it at 100 yards and so far does real good. Its got a 22" 1-9 barrel, it does not like 55gr soft point the only other load I have worked up is 60gr V max and it shoots 1" groups all day long. Cant wait to try it at 2 and 3 hundred yards. I would reccomend the Edge for value. Only thing I dont like so far is its not a fancy rifle and I havent found any upgrades for it yet, but I just want to whack some coyotes with it and they aint gonna care what the gun looks like.

 

[rangerruck]

I would get the 1/7 no doubt. I would not worry about it's effect on lighter rounds; about the only thing it would proly have some trouble with, would be 45 grainhollowpoints, or open tipped. These bullets would proly get twisted apart as they left the bbl, but maybe not. Anything longer/heavier, should have no probs. I have seen army Dm's , in a typical squad, using a 1/7 twist ar, shoot some pieplate or smaller sized groups at 600 yds. So I would def go with the 1/7 twist. This will give you a much wider variety of ammo that your rifle could really likey.

 

[claiborne]

I have a kimber longmaster classic .223 that I like to shoot.

 

[PawPaw]

Don't overlook Swift scopes. My extended family has a half-dozen of the 6X18 and we really like them.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=338444

I've got one on my .223. I let a buddy shoot it several weeks ago and he had never heard of the brand, thought it was a $1000.00 scope. His jaw dropped when I told him I paid less than $300.00 for it.

 

[DIM]

I went to a local gun shop and he claimed he could order one.

The only Savage with 1:7 twist I can think of would be 12 VLP model, its 200 - 300 dollars more then 12 FV. If you go with 12 VLP, than I would consider their 22-250 caliber with 1:9 twist.

 

[JoeMal]

Yeha I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I would really prefer a wood stock but to get that in a Model 12 you have to step into their higher range guns, spend closer to $1,000. Now that the Savage burn has subdued a little, I'm back to considering the CZ. They have a varmint model that seems to fit the bill.

 

[DIM]

what you can do is to get entry level varminter then with time build nice rig, you can always change stock, barrel, trigger, etc... 12 FV seems like a nice place to start, so would be 700 SPS, the CZ or Tikka would leave you not enough room if you try to do some modifications...

 

[Geno]

JoeMal:

You'll do better with a synthetic stock (fiberglass) than wood for consistent accuracy from one shooting session to the next. It is more likely that a wood-stocked rifle could experience shifts in the POI due to wood swelling. Companies like Weatherby go to a lot of work to seal their wood stocks with epoxy. Even a laminated stock can experience shift as described, but it is less likely.

Good luck on the decision.

Geno