Low Recoil Varmint Rifle

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viking499

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My wife has an interest in "varmint hunting/shooting".

So, I am in the market to buy something.:D

Looking for a low recoil varmint round. Something that she could shoot from 1 to "x" number of rounds in one sitting or one day. Something accurate and not "easily" affected by wind or other factors.

She is not a novice. She already has a Mathews bow, Benelli shotgun and a 7/08.

Currently thinking 204.......other options?

I am planning to reload whatever I get.
 
The .204 would be a great choice- I really like the CZ 527 with it's single set trigger.

Another ctg I like is the .243 with a heavy barrel. I have a Remington 700 VTR from which I launch 55gr and 58gr bullets. Yes, there's a tad bit more recoil, however, I can keep the hits inside the scope at 440yds- so it isn't all that bad at all.

I don't know who all is make a varmint type .204 now, but if you can't swing a CZ- I"d opt for the longest bbl available.
 
It doesn't necessarily need to be a heavy barreled gun, more interested in the caliber.

Another CZ would be good. Right now, I only have 10 CZ's......:D:D
 
I'll second the .204. I just picked up a Savage 12 FV for my 10 year old daughter. I dropped it in a youth stock for a better fit. She hasn't fired it yet, but I have 1000's of rounds of .204 under my belt, and she tolerates a .243, so this should be a snap
 
Nope, no 204's. Mostly rimfires, couple pistols, a 7.62x39 and my favorite cailber, 6.5x55.
 
How far do you plan to shoot?

How far out do you plan to shoot these varmints? If they are woodchucks, or the smaller prairie-dog, are you thinking of 100 yards? If further, how much further? Will you reload to find a real tack-driving load?

Do you want to be able to get all the shots in, say, a 2" diameter group, or smaller group at, say 200 yards off a bench?

Does your wife know how to hold a rifle using the sling as support? Are you thinking of a bipod for this gun? How about optics? How much money do you plan on spending on optics, scope, mount(s) and rings? Do you know the power of the scope you are planning on getting?
 
Distance - probably max at 300 yards. Mostly 100-200.

Shooting positions will vary. Not planning long shooting sessions, those ideas are why I am not worried about the bull/heavy barrel option.

Cost will be the caliber and scope I like. Hope to stay under $1000. That is my goal most times. Usually average 500-700 on the gun and 300 give or take on the scope.
 
A .204 or .223 are obvious choices, but one new cartridge really strikes me as a superb walking varminter especially suited if you might be shooting in a more urban area, the .17 Hornet. The same trajectory as a 55gr .223 to 300 yards (supposedly) with light recoil, lower muzzle blast and frangible bullets to avoid issues from ricochets. It just seems like such a handy, trim and effective rifle...
 
Manny, I have heard off that caliber, but have not looked up any info on it. People complain about the 204 and wind. Which wind will affect it, but not as much as ske think due to its speed.

Wonder if the 17 will be the same way?

Also wonder what the ammo cost will be to the 204? 223 ammo will be the cheapest when compared to most anything else.
 
I spend some time at http://www.varminthunters.com. These guys are all hard core varmint dudes. The trend seems to be going toward .22 and particularly .20 cal stuff.

I've got a .204, a .223 AR varminter, and a .22-250. If I could only take one, it would be the AR, with the .204 a close second. Actually considering selling the .222-50. Nothing it can do that the .204 can't in my world.

Unless it's a really heavy gun, anything in the 243 (6mm) size and up starts wearing on you after a while. It's not that the recoil is brutal, it's a cumulative effect. The 250 is LOUD. The .204 with the same bullet speed is considerably less. Also much slower to heat the barrel.
 
Why not a .223? I have a Rem 700 VSF, which has a 26" fluted barrel and it has less recoil than my Ruger #1 .204. And why not consider a 17 HMR? It's not a windy day gun, but on calm days my Anschutz 1517 MPR has almost no recoil and last time out I killed 300 p-dogs with it. It is pure joy to shoot and I have heard very good things about less expensive models, Savage and CZ. I am looking at a .221 Fireball, which will also have low recoil. Lately I have gravitated to low recoil, smaller caliber. I have a .243 Rem 700 VLS 26" heavy barrel and it has significant recoil. I would rather not shoot 200-300 rounds if I can shoot the .223 instead. I only use it for the 300+ yd shots.
 
223 if varmints and some targets is all that's in the plans. I have a 17 year old daughter that shoot's my 6.5 lb 243 like a champ. She's a bit of a girly girl and thinks it doesn't kick at all.
 
I bought a Ruger 77 Mk II some years back. Light sporter in .223. I replaced the tort-liability trigger with a Timney. Half-MOA with 50-55 grain bullets, and sub-MOA with round-nosed 70-grain.

Has worked quite nicely on prairie dogs to 300 yards. In general, I'd call a .223 a reliable 200-yard coyote gun.
 
For me, inside of 400yds there's no reason for anything other than .223, it's cheap, available everywhere, accurate, low recoil, there's dozens if not hundreds of different loads available, has a pretty flat trajectory without being overly harsh on barrels and, IMO, is pretty much ideal for anything up to 'yotes.

I'm really not a fan of boutique rounds. I'm too poor. LOL
 
.22-250. Low recoil, super flat shooting. And way more bullet choices then the .204. 223 is good also, But they sure do fall off after a couple hundred yards.
 
If I didn't have an AR that will already shoot the nutz off a squirrel at 200y, I'd be looking hard at a CZ 527 in 223. Its a good caliber and she can shoot all day with it. My ex-gf was a crack shot with my AR.
 
Interarms mini Mk x, Mauser action, .223. 55 gr vmax, and the coyotes will hate your old lady. It's light, packable, and non recoiling. You'll hear a bunch of nonsense of accuracy, but rifles that are bench accurate have no place in the field. She will want to carry, set up, and call in the varmints and predators. Light, accurate, reliable action, and compact to boot. Get the Mini Mk x.
 
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