Looking for a .223 bolt action rifle for varmints

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txgolfer45

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Budget is limited. Around $400 or less for rifle before scope. Considering a Remington 700 ADL or a Savage 11G at this point. Any others to consider?

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Scott
 
The Savage is the best buy. It has a 1 in 9 twist vs the 700 1 in 12. Savages are as accurate as the 700. The 700 does have a smoother action. Byron
 
I responded to this at length on TFL, but the short version is to consider the Weatherby Vanguard.
 
That's a stainless Ruger 77Mk2. It's well (anywhere from $150-$250) above the $400 threshold of pain.

The Howa *is* the Weatherby Vanguard with a cheaper stock, and only costs $10 (street price in most places I frequent) less than the Weatherby.

For 40gr-65gr bullets, the Vanguard is probably best. For 68gr and up, get the Savage.
 
I agree that the Howa is about the best buy out there right now...

As far as I know, both the Weatherby Vanguard and the Howa use synthetic stocks from the same manufacturer (although the designs are slightly different).

My guess is that you can find a Howa Lightning discounted more than a Howa Vanguard. Keep in mind that the Vanguard is supplied with a 24inch barrel, while the Howa has a 22inch barrel (for the standard rifle, at least). You can also get a .223 Rem. heavy barrel varmint Howa with, I think, a 26inch barrel.

I have a standard Howa 1500 Lightning in .223, and it's a great rifle.

l
 
The Savage would be a great choice but if you can afford it, I would get a
CZ 527 but that may be out of your price zone. My dad has one in 7.62X39 and the quality is really very good. It just doesn't shoot the cheap stuff that great though. The way I look at it, I would get the Savage 10fp if I wanted .308 and the CZ if I wanted .223. The CZ is going to be lighter and more fit to the cartridge, plus it has detachable magazines.
 
For those who have a Savage, Howa or Weatherby, what kind of 100yd. accuracy do you get with factory ammo?

jrobb
 
So far, all I've shot with my new Vanguard is Winchester's White Box and Federal's American Eagle stuff, both in 55gr FMJ. Both would group right at about an inch @ 100 yards in a five-shot string.
 
I think I've read some of your posts before where you said you were real happy with the Weatherby. Besides the barrel length, is there much difference in the Weatherby and Howa?

jrobb
 
If you can manage to find a used Tikka T3 Lite, or put in a few more bucks for a brand new one @ $450-$475, I think you'd be doing yourself a favor.

After handling Fumbler's .308 Lite this week, I pretty much fell in love with it. It's a hair over 6lbs unscoped, and even comes with a DBM from the factory.
 
Besides the barrel length, is there much difference in the Weatherby and Howa?
The stock. The Weatherby stock is, IMO, more nicely done. That's it as far as I can tell between the two of 'em.
 
For those who have a Savage, Howa or Weatherby, what kind of 100yd. accuracy do you get with factory ammo?

my stock Savage 10FP shoots 1/2" 5 shot groups with Black Hills Match 68gr hp. (blue box ;) )

DSCN0287w.gif
 
For $400 or less I would recommend a Savage, they're the most accurate for the money.

BUT, if you go ahead and spring for a Tikka you won't be disappointed.
Fit is near perfect and accuracy is guaranteed to be 1MOA, but half of that is more typical.
Triggers can be adjusted down to 2lbs
The heavy barrel varmint models cost about $75 more ($550-600) and come with 5 round DBM's.

Here's mine, a T3 Lite in .308Win.
00310291.jpg
00349750.jpg
That's a 0.55MOA group (100 yards) with 168gr Black Hills Match BTHP.
I have shot 3 shot groups as small as 0.3MOA, but a consistent 0.5MOA is the norm. It is capable of 0.5MOA with the Black Hills Match, Win Supreme Ballistic Silvertips, and Federal Nosler Ballistic tips. I have yet to test other premium factory loads.
I'm working up some handloads but time and money are scarce.


nipprdog, is your barrel freefloated?
What are you resting your forearm on?
That would be one heck of a group if it wasn't vertically strung.
That's almost a perfect vertical line, I would take a closer look at your rifle and the way you're shooting and try to eliminate the source of the stringing.
 
nipprdog, is your barrel freefloated?What are you resting your forearm on?
That would be one heck of a group if it wasn't vertically strung.
That's almost a perfect vertical line, I would take a closer look at your rifle and the way you're shooting and try to eliminate the source of the stringing.
its freefloated, but is the factory 'tupperware' stock. ;)
going to use that $30 cabelas coupon:D today and order a Duramax stock.
I'm hoping that will tighten the groups up even more.

this pic was taken the same day.
DSCN0280crw.gif

my local range just added a 100yd lane. that bench is temporary. can't get a good 'elbow rest' on it. they're in the process of building some nice concrete benches. :D
 
I had forgotten about the Tikkas; they make me seriously rethink my penny pinching philosophy.

jrobb
 
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