Help me find a an approx $500 varmit rifle

[evil_brother]

I recently got invited to a 500 acre plot of land that has plenty of coyote and raccoon hunting on it. I was invited to a coyote hunt earlier because I didn't have the proper gun for the job and couldn't acquire one. I was told good things about the 22-50 (I think that was it), the 223, possibly the .17 HMR, and a 243. Im not too knowledgeable of all of these calibers but im looking for something with enough oomph for the job. I like the ar-15 style varmiters but they run a little more than id like unless I bought one used I assume (unless you guys know of a cheaper one) At first I was set on the 223 but ive realized I might not have the money for that. Im guessing im looking at a bolt action of some sort, possibly a savage. Anyways, if anyone has a link to a good gun for the job thats around $500 without scope or even less than let, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[alucard0822]

.223, .204 ruger and 22-250 are good mid power chamberings for small to mediun sized varmints. The rimfires (17HMR, 22mag) are a little light and .243, 7mm-08 and 308 are a little big. $500 would be near the bottom of the savage 12 series http://www.savagearms.com/12fv.htm

or
CZ527 http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=47

but near the top of these (looking at one myself in .204) the thumbhole blued rifle "really"sell for about $500-$600 locally
Howa 1500 http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_thmbsporter.html

all are solid rifles, all have the ability to group under 1MOA(some debate as to how much under each can do), top with decent glass and watch the critters explode out to a few hundred yards

 

[mwpslp]

Sent you a PM. I just posted a Howa 1500 .223 with a stainless heavy barrel and BSA Classic scope for sale in the rifle section for $400. May suit your needs. Just a thought.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

If I were buying a varmint rifle for the purpose of actual varminting - I'd skip the .223 and go .204. Is it me, or does that cartridge get nothing by praise by users? Accuracy reports are fantastic. Performance is good. Seems like a situation where progress and innovation is actually working out in the case of the .204 - pardon the pun.

 

[ec-10]

Buy one of these in 22-250 Remington and then start saving for an AR.