Small Caliber centerfire quandry

[pikid89]

Im looking into getting my girlfriend something easier to shoot than her 30-06 her dad gave her.

She wants either a .22-250 or a .223, and we were considering the Ruger American in .22-250 for $329

however, I just stumbled upon a local guy that has a Savage Model 25 Lightweight Varminter for sale. He only wants 300 bucks for it. The pictures show the barrel to be looking pretty rough on the exterior, but I dont see any rust or real pitting, it seems like just a worn finish, but i havnt seen it in person.

Im not afraid of a rifle that needs a good clean up or maybe some duracoating, and the Savage seems like a lot of rifle for 300 bucks

what say you guys?

here is the savage in question

 

[PJSprog]

As a Savage fan, I'm all for it. However, I would be wary of this rifle pictured. That looks like more than just common wear ... as if perhaps that barrel has endured a bit of abuse. I don't believe I'd give $300 for it. $200-250? Maybe.
Caveat emptor.

 

[pikid89]

I never walk into a gun deal ready to pay the asking amount, (I love bartering).

Thats why Im questioning it. I want to like it, but im not sure

 

[Gtscotty]

Maybe I'm off base, but that looks like rust spots and pitting that has been scrubbed off with steel wool to me. I'd probably be wary.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I'm in the Ruger camp.
Its most likely lighter, easier packed around, and going to be a new gun.
After duracoating or bluing the barrel on that Savage, you are paying as much as the American, but for a used gun.
Plus, the Ruger wears a warranty.

If this is to be a "do all" rifle for her, I suggest 7/08. Its accurate, light recoiling, and has a great coefficient for longer range accuracy.
Load it heavier for deer, lighter for varmint, and tailor loads for match shooting. I've got several hundred rounds behind an American in 7/08 and '06. They're phenominal for the price.

 

[pikid89]

Girlfriend here. I dont really want to get rid of the .30-06 because it was a gift from my father and since it works so well for bigger stuff, I think Id rather go with the smaller calibers because then I can load it down for coyotes and the like.

 

[PJSprog]

Girlfriend here. I dont really want to get rid of the .30-06 because it was a gift from my father and since it works so well for bigger stuff, I think Id rather go with the smaller calibers because then I can load it down for coyotes and the like.

That's a sound theory. In fact, it's so sound that you can do the same for your .30-'06 ... not as soft as a .223 or .22-250, but reasonably so. I shoot "soft" loads in my low-serial number '03 Springfield.

However, don't let that stop you from getting another rifle. You can't have too many rifles.

 

[mdauben]

I have to say I would be concerned about that rifle. If the owner took such poor care of the outside of the barrel (and IMO the wear shown borders on abuse for a rifle less than 50-60 years old) I'd be very concerned what sort of care he took of the inside of the barrel. I suppose of you could take a good look at the bore, chamber and muzzle and they all check out it could be a worthwhile buy, but I agree the price is probably a little high, given you could buy that gun new for around $600.

 

[pikid89]

Girlfriend again. We ended up not going for the savage, guy didn't want to sell it for less than $300. He said a pawn shop offered him $250. Decided to stop by a local gun store and found a Remington 788 in .223 on consignment for $325. Offered $300 out the door and the guy took it, so I am a proud new owner of a 788, and pretty happy about the price, especially since it came with a scope. It needs a little TLC on the wood stock, but nothing I can't handle. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[clearcut]

I like my 250 savage the parent to the 22-250 but brass has been hard to get so I started to load light 30-06 for plinkin.That rust don't play favorites it's most likely inside too buyer beware

 

[Jim Watson]

The grin says you made a good purchase.
The price was pretty good, the 788 is a minor cult object, or was until the Lego Automatics took over.
My old 788 .223 is a good shooter.

 

[redneck2]

Couple things about that....223 is a great caliber in terms of low recoil and cheap to shoot with factory ammo.

That should be a good, accurate rifle.

If you don't like it, you can likely get 100% of your money back

 

[pikid89]

does anyone have a hi res schematic sheet or disassembly manual for the 788?

 

[witchhunter]

Nice choice, I would've been afraid of the damage to the Savage. Dive us a range report soon.

 

[Art Eatman]

https://www.google.com/#q=remington+788+disassembly

 

[ECVMatt]

That is a great rifle! Congrats

 

[pikid89]

thanks art, got it all figured out now

 

[Jackal]

Considering I just sold my .223 788 (like new) for $575, I think you did great. They are very accurate and a little heavy. They prefer lighter bullet, between 40-55gr weight, due to the 1/12 twist barrel.

 

[pikid89]

good to know, Ive just sat down this evening to try and find some components so that she can start working up a load or 2.

Any leads on good data that you guys use? I recently started loading and use a stick powder for my .270 that I have to trickle and weigh, but I think a ball powder that meters better would be good, since she will be doing the reloading for HER rifle

 

[DRYHUMOR]

W748 would be a good one to try.

 

[redneck2]

I read an article a number of years back in Handloader Magazine about the easiest calibers to load for. IIRC, the .223 was ranked easiest. You'll get a dozen different answers and they are likely all correct.

BLC-2 and 322 immediately comes to mind. My favorite ball powder is AA2230 (specifically made for the .223). Very fine, meters extremely well. Accurate for me with 64 grain SP's. I've got 1,000 of them loaded up for a hunt next week.

I use Varget in my AR. I individually weigh each charge on an automatic dispensing scale. Shoots true sub 1" three shot groups at 250 yards. Harder to measure since it's stick. My most accurate bullet is a Nosler BT. Something more fiscally friendly are Varmintgeddon. Guys on Varmint's Den use them and say accuracy is typically quite good. They're about 40% less than the BT's

 

[dubbleA]

Great choice, I would pick the 788 over a Savage any day. Have tried most of the ball powders acceptable for the 223 and keep going back to Varget even though it doesn't meter a well. I get all the accuracy and velocity I need running heavies.

 

[pikid89]

Well, like someone said above, the 788 is pretty much limited to 55gr bullets, so for her hunting load, I think I want to try the 55 gr SP Sierra GameKing or the Barnes TSX i think it is

 

[sarahlou]

I read an article a number of years back in Handloader Magazine about the easiest calibers to load for. IIRC, the .223 was ranked easiest. You'll get a dozen different answers and they are likely all correct.

BLC-2 and 322 immediately comes to mind. My favorite ball powder is AA2230 (specifically made for the .223). Very fine, meters extremely well. Accurate for me with 64 grain SP's. I've got 1,000 of them loaded up for a hunt next week.

I use Varget in my AR. I individually weigh each charge on an automatic dispensing scale. Shoots true sub 1" three shot groups at 250 yards. Harder to measure since it's stick. My most accurate bullet is a Nosler BT. Something more fiscally friendly are Varmintgeddon. Guys on Varmint's Den use them and say accuracy is typically quite good. They're about 40% less than the BT's

Fiscally friendly is very good. Especially since I just spent my last pennies on the rifle.

 

[PJSprog]

Congrats, sarahlou! Hope you enjoy it!