Help me pick target rifle options for my wife

[19-3Ben]

Hey guys. Yes i know SHE needs to pick the rifle.
I'm just using the forum as a sounding board to figure out the options that she will then investigate.

She has decided she wants to get into rifle target shooting. We're talking about only a 100yard range, but wants to be able to shoot sub-moa consistently.

Now, she's slight, and has a minor back problem ever since a car crash 5 years ago. So nothing that's going to have anything like big recoil.

-I'd avoid calibers like .308, .30-06, .270, etc… for recoil reasons. They're probably overkill at 100yrd anyway.
-Would ideally like to be chambered for a caliber that is available in bulk inexpensive plinking ammo.
-Good accuracy to 100yards.
-No AR15 since we are in CT. Bolt gun preferred.
-Backup irons would be ideal but not a deal breaker

Budget:
If the rifle can be kept to… let's say $500 or less that would be fantastic. $600 is max.

Sounds like a 5.56, bolt gun right? My only question is that most of the bolt guns I see are listed for .223rem, and not 5.56.
I know there is all sorts of hokus pokus about loading 5.56 plinking/milsurp ammo into .223 chambers. Of course when queried, the manufacturers all say "only use ammo for which the gun is chambered."
Well all the FMJ plinking ammo i've found is all 5.56, not .223.

Ideally, I'm going to guess she'd love something like the Savage Hog Hunter. Other guns I've looked at are the typical cheap ones (Axis/American/Venture/Vanguard). I just want to make sure about this whole ammo issue, because I don't want to get stuck either reloading, or only shooting expensive .223 hunting ammo at $1.00 per shot.

Besides, any other suggestions? I have even thought about something in .17HMR, but would that shoot MOA at that distance? I'm guessing the tiny light weight bullets would just be too subject to disruption by wind.

I'm not really a "rifle guy" apart from my milsurps which are pretty easy to figure out. So any help with suggestions is appreciated.

 

[benzy2]

When you say target shooting, is there a specific competition she is looking to enter? Is it just for range time? All shooting off a bench or will position shooting be included(standing, sitting, prone)?

The Mossberg MVP is labeled as 5.56 cut.

We all have to make our own choices about 5.56 vs .223 labels. Only difference I can find is the throat length for longer 5.56 bullets. Anymore, I find even slow twist .223 labeled rifles are throated long enough to not be an issue with 5.56 cases.

 

[19-3Ben]

When you say target shooting, is there a specific competition she is looking to enter? Is it just for range time? All shooting off a bench or will position shooting be included(standing, sitting, prone)?

Most likely 99.99% of the time, this rifle will be shot on a bench with a bipod, at the range at paper targets at 100 yards. No competition. Just a fun afternoon at the range.

 

[benzy2]

In that case I'd find the MVP model that is best fitting to her. They seem to get good reviews and are listed from the factory as 5.56 chambers. No debate on if it will handle them or not. They seem to hover around1 MOA though iI'm not confident bulk 5.56 will shoot that well in most any rifle.

 

[ZGunner]

I got my wife a Rem 700 w/ 24" fluted bull barrel chamber in .223. Traded a Rem Model Seven .308 w/ Leupold VX-II for it.

We topped it with a silver Mueller 8.5-25x50. It's a 1:12 twist so we can only shoot light bullets, but it's very accurate out to 300. That's our longest range down here.

I would look around for a bolt action .223. That will be your cheapest, common centerfire cartridge. My wife finds a lot of deals on Facebook pages. I'm not into the Facebook so she finds the deals and I make them.

 

[1948CJ2A]

Years ago I built a custom Mauser 98 for my wife chambered in 250 Savage. I ended up using it more than her.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

50 or 100 post to sell..... not sure why you didn't just ask a moderator instead of disrupting this thread. And no, Obama does not preside here.

Back on topic, a good .223 will do. If I were doing this, I'd personally look at a Stevens 200. That way, when more funds come about, you could rebarrel it by yourself (vise, and wrench needed) to a heavy 5.56x45mm or .223.

I think the Stevens, or even a cheaper Savage (same action on both by the way) would be the best route. You might could find a Remington 700 SPS Tactical for that price, especially used. Walmart will sometimes have cheap R700 ADL varmiters too.

I'm sure you know this, but try to get a heavy rifle, it will be far more pleasant to shoot from a bench or prone.

 

[TheVision]

She has decided she wants to get into rifle target shooting. We're talking about only a 100yard range, but wants to be able to shoot sub-moa consistently.

I'd recommend a .22LR Kimber 82G. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) sold out of them about a year ago, but you can find them on the used market. You can scope them, but the target sights that they come with are pretty good.

Target ammunition (Eley, SK, ...) hasn't really changed in price, and is still readily available.

 

[19-3Ben]

TheVision- with a .22LR, even with match ammo and a very accurate rifle, would it be sub-MOA capable at 100 yards consistently? I can't imagine how.

I'm really liking the idea of the Mossberg MVP. Wifey took a look and is impressed based on pictures/reviews/reports she has read. Benzy had a great suggestion with that one!
Anyone have any ideas for competitors in that price range that she should be looking at as well?

 

[TheVision]

TheVision- with a .22LR, even with match ammo and a very accurate rifle, would it be sub-MOA capable at 100 yards consistently? I can't imagine how.

In skilled hands, the Kimber (and the other target .22 martial arms, such as the Winchester 52 and Remington 40X) will do its part and do it relatively inexpensively.

Please understand that the rifle's repeatability is only one small part of the equation. The shooter's technique (position, wind reading, target acquisition, breath control, trigger squeeze, and follow-through) is going to have a much bigger impact on group size than the choice of firearm will.

Greg

 

[js8588]

A Sako or Tika (depending on budget) in 6.5 X 55

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Another vote for a quality target .22lr.....Rem 40x or 37, Winchester 52, Anschutz 54, ect....Feeding them match ammo still be less than feeding a centerfire.

 

[19-3Ben]

Please understand that the rifle's repeatability is only one small part of the equation. The shooter's technique (position, wind reading, target acquisition, breath control, trigger squeeze, and follow-through) is going to have a much bigger impact on group size than the choice of firearm will.

No doubt about that. I just don't usually think of .22LR rifles being 100 yard sub-MOA guns. If she were going to be shooting at 50 yards, no doubt they would be fine. I just wasn't thinking of them for that distance. Good to know though.

So here's a question, if we're thinking rimfire, what do you think has more potential accuracy at 100 yards. The .22lr, or a .17HMR? I know it will differ from load to load and rifle to rifle, but assuming high quality rifles and ammo are being used for both.

Thanks again for the help guys. Much appreciated.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I think the .22 has the potential to be more accurate over the .17 at 100 yards because there are far more choices of .22 ammo, especially match grade....I have never seen match .17, but I, haven't looked either.

 

[hentown]

"You only live once, but, if you do it right, it won't be in CT." I just can't imagine living under such an intrusive, tyrannical government.

I realize, however, that the OP isn't likely to immigrate to America, just so his wife can shoot some paper with an AR.

Some of you guys seem to not have noticed the financial parameters the OP set. Tikkas, etc., won't meet his criteria. For the OP's information: 5.56 reloaded is .223. There's lots of .223 ammo that's been reloaded from 5.56 brass from online sources such as GA Arms.

Hopefully, the OP isn't including the price of optics in his $500-$600 price limit. If so, then I'd suggest the Bushnell AR Series 3x9, side-focus scope on clearance @ Midway for $118, with free shipping. Using a recent AR build, I shot sub-m.o.a. using that very scope.

I'd also suggest finding just about any manufacturer's .223 bolt rifle. For the OP's purposes, I feel sure that his wife would be pleased with the results.

 

[bflee]

Savage 93 in 22 mag. Mine shoots dime sized groups at 100. Very light and easy to shoot. My six year old shoots 1 1/2 groups with it. It has a nikon bdc rimfire scope. Ammo is reasonable. More around than 22lr right now, and has more power.

 

[bflee]

Btw, bought my dad the Savage 93 bull barrel combo with scope at Dick's for 260 dollars for christmas. His is just as accurate as mine.

 

[19-3Ben]

Hopefully, the OP isn't including the price of optics in his $500-$600 price limit.

Nope. That's just the budget for the rifle itself. Not the optics, nor ammo, nor other accouterments that may be needed. That's why I'm keeping the price at that limit. I'm budgeting for decent optics and other stuff. Although at only 100 yards, and using a low recoil round, I don't think I'll need to go too crazy. But I could see blowing $150 on the scope.

"You only live once, but, if you do it right, it won't be in CT."

Now that's funny. Unfortunately, I have to agree. Until April of last year, it was actually a pretty darn good state to live in. We were surrounded by MA, NY, and NJ with all of their crazy laws, but we were relatively lax. We could by ARs to our heart's content, no mag cap limits, could even buy AK's (so long as they were not in 7.62X39). It's only because Sandy Hook was our back yard, and because of the demographic of the victims that now we are saddled with this nonsense.

 

[hentown]

The scope that I recommended is normally priced in the $160-$180 range. @ $118, it's a good scope. Your wife might want a little more than 3x9 power, though. The scope referenced has drop compensation built in for .223s in 55-62grains.

The Sandy Hook incident was truly horrific. However, the knee-jerk legislation that followed just didn't/won't ever accomplish anything, as far as safety from nutcases, etc.

 

[Jim Watson]

The .17 HMR is pretty accurate.

The .223 vs 5.56 business is a dead end.
If you want sub MOA shooting to gratify your wife, she will not likely get it with FMJ econoball. Good accuracy requires good ammunition, especially good bullets.
Winchester USA (commonly known as WWB, Winchester White Box) 45 gr JHP has a good reputation in factory loads at $28/40 when available.
I don't know for sure, I handload.

"Blowing $150 on the scope?"
That is a dirt cheap scope and will take careful shopping to get anything worth having.
Your rifle budget is very low, too; but possible on the low roller Savage or Ruger.

 

[ford8nr]

I'd vote for a quality .22lr or .22 mag bolt action. Most can be had for under $500. The 10/22 LVT I just bought shot a 5/8" (edge to edge) 20 rd group at 50yds. Haven't tried it at 100 yet cause the wind was gusting 15-20mph yesterday. As for the 223/5.56 debate, any 223 rifle can have the chamber leade recut in place to the 5.56 profile. That being said the 223 ammo is probably more accurate unless you buy 5.56 match ammo $$$. As for the .22 not being accurate, I've shot mine out to 240yds and there is a group of sillouete shooters out by me that shoot 300yds off the bench.

 

[earplug]

Do you reload?

Reloading gives you plenty of options on recoil and potential accuracy.
22 center fire and various 6MM cartridges give excellent accuracy at 100 yards.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

According to Ed Matunas' formula (and some help from Rodney Dangerfield): velocity^3 in fps * bullet weight^2 in grains * 1.5x10^-12 should exceed your wife's weight in pounds

All kidding aside, stick to popular inexpensive chamberings for a casual or beginning shooter. 5.56/.223 makes a great target gun. I think any of the Mossberg MVP line (such as the Predator) would be a good choice as would the Savage you are asking about.

Mike

 

[Furncliff]

...The CZ rifles in .22LR and .17 HMR can both be MOA at 100 y. With the ammo youy rifle likes best.

CZ 452 Varmint .17HMR Thumb Hole Stock. Nikon Monarch Scope.



The new model CZ is designated 455 and features a switch barrel set up to allow you to shoot .22LR and .17HMR by switching barrels.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/455-american/

If you cheap out on a scope you're just going to buy a better one, on down the road.

 

[HOWARD J]

Ruger American bolt rifle in 223 or 243
Should be under $400-- scope extra