Help me choose a rifle

[TargetTerror]

I want to get a rifle for target shooting. Ranges will typically be under 200 yards, though occasionally out to 400 or 600 yards (though very rarely at 600). I want to spend ~$1000 for rifle and scope, and want it to be a caliber that is cheap (and preferably easy) to reload for. I'd also like to get as long a barrel life as I can (keeps the cost of shooting low, and lets me shoot more).

I think I've narrowed my caliber choice down to either .223 or 22-250. Bullets are cheap and plentiful for either caliber, and people shoot either up to 600 yards successfully. Cases are a bit more for the 22-250, but I should be able to reuse them so that cost doesn't worry me too much. I also like that the 22-250 is accurate at a variety of velocities and loadings. I don't mean for this to be a caliber war, but given my criteria above, can you recommend one caliber over the other? Probably my biggest concern is barrel life. Will a .223 barrel last longer than a 22-250?

For rifles, I think I've narrowed it down to the Savage 12BVSS the CZ 550, though I'm leaning towards the Savage

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/78338
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/63/products_id/22998

I like the Savage stock and the Accutrigger. Anyone have any other recommendations in or around that price range?

Also, regarding twist rates, the Savage comes with a 1 in 9 in 223, and a 1 in 12 in 22-250. Does this effectively limit me to 55 to 62 grain bullets in the 22-250? Would be able to shoot heavier bullets in the 223 make it better at longer distances?

 

[IndianaBoy]

If you aren't going to use it for hunting varmints, and only for target shooting....

Get the 223 with a 1:9 or even a 1:7 twist.

It will stabilize heavier bullets better and you will have much greater success shooting at longer ranges, and it will shoot just as accurately at close ranges.

If you aren't going to handload, but still aren't going to hunt varmints... get the 223.


This is coming from a guy who shoots a 220 Swift... so you know I love 22 centerfire with extreme velocity.

 

[Rifleman 173]

If you're target shooting you'll want a heavy barrel AR-15 that is free-floated and you'll probably want some sort of bipod on the gun to help stabilize it. Don't forget the target trigger. To start off, I'd go with a decent 20 inch or 24 inch barreled Bushmaster and then build up from there. Later on if you want, you can switch uppers and go with a higher priced and more accurate White Oaks upper assembly and even get longer barrels out to say 26 or even 28 inches of length if you want. You could make yourself one heck of a varmint gun by going with the AR-15 platform for a starting unit.

 

[rmkey]

I have a Savage in 22-250. I dont know how good I am compared to you all but I can consistently hit coke cans at 300 yards dead center. The current savage rifle cannot be beaten for accuracy and value.

 

[Essex County]

Have owned all three. All are good. The pragmatist in me keeps saying Savage, Savage, Savage...........Essex

 

[TargetTerror]

Rifleman, I'd toyed with the idea of getting an AR, but I think I want to stick with a bolt gun. I don't want to have to worry about cycling issues, and I definitely don't want to spend time picking up my brass. Also, any AR that would shoot anywhere near as good as the Savage would be a LOT more $, which I'd rather put into a scope.

 

[bensdad]

I have a Savage Mod. 12. I don't know the letters behind the number, but it has a heavy fluted stainless barrel and an Accutrigger. The barrel is 24 in. long. It's a .223.

I put a really cheap BSA Platinum 8-32x50 (I think) scope on it.

Accurate as heck. I think the twist is 1-9. It prefers medium weight bullets (like 55 or even 62 gr.). I haven't shot enough heavier bullets to say with confidence, but so far, I don't get good groups with those.

 

[2Ais4U]

Save yourself a couple hundred bucks and get a Mosin Nagant 91/30 and a couple thousand rounds of ammo.

 

[TargetTerror]

Save yourself a couple hundred bucks and get a Mosin Nagant 91/30 and a couple thousand rounds of ammo.

While I would like to do exactly that at some point, that setup would serve an entirely different purpose than what I'm looking for. I want a scoped rifle, which is more tedious to do with a Mosin, and I want to handload for accuracy and cost. Even the best surplus ammo won't shoot anywhere near a good handload, and components are more expensive with the larger calibers.

 

[2Ais4U]

my uncle handloads his 7.62x54mmr shells, Iim not sure where he gets his brass tho.

 

[Outlaws]

223 with a 1 in 8" or 1 in 7" twist. You don't want a 1 in 9" for 600 yard shooting.

You don't need a 22-250 to shoot 600 yards. People shoot 600 yards with iron sights using the 223, and they do it accurately.

If you are shooting paper, a 22-250 is just excess powder and barrel wear.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I have a Remington 700 VS in .223 and really enjoy shooting it. I don't think you can beat the economics of a .223.

 

[Savage Shooter]

I shoot a savage 12fv .223 at 100 yards I could shoot a nickle all day long at 200 I can shoot a 50 cent piece all day long I have a 1-9 twist barrel I'm not sure what it would shoot like at 400-600 yards but I did shoot a crow the other day at over 350 yards one shot in 20-25 mph winds with wolf 55gr FMJ although i wish i had my 62gr HP it would have done a better job with the wind.

 

[TargetTerror]

Thanks again for all of the advice. One question on the 1 in 7 twist of the Savage VLP in 223. Would that be able to safely/accurately shoot the bulk 55 gr FMJ bullets that are available? I'd love to be able to develop a shorter-range load with those, given that they are ~$40/500. Then I could use heavier and better bullets for more precise work farther out.