Thinking of a new addition.

[SimplyChad]

My collection is set up for heavy and up close hunting. Out side of a 243 and a AR in 556 I don't have anything for varmints (Everything else is 30 cal or bigger) . Now with that said where I live in E. Texas is mostly brush so its a lever action up close kinda hunting so that hasn't been a issue. However some friends keep inviting me out west for P. dog and such and I just don't have anything that works for that. Anyone want to help? Three things.

1.I want to spend less then a grand for the rifle and scope.
2. Bolt action or single shot only
3. I am a amateur reloader at best so store bought ammo is required.

Any suggestions? This isn't really time sensitive.

Last minute thought I have a Nikon Titanium 5.5 to 16.5 I picked in a trade somewhere. Would that be enough scope?

 

[swampcrawler]

I feel I need to advocate the T/C contender and/or encore at every possible oportunity lol.
Pick up used in your choice of caliber and go for it. Over here in southeast Louisiana I use a 45/70 carbine or this year a 357 max pistol (contender) for hog and deer, and if presented with your situation I'd grab a 223 carbine barrel (or if one feels adventerpus, one of JD Jones' Raptor cartridges.

Of course the contender is meant to be a pistol and is limited to fairly low pressure cartridges. The encore is mean to be a rifle and has no such limitations. Go shoot gophers with a .416 Rigbey if you so desire.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Used Rem 700 BDL Varmint Special in .223....might as well look good on your visit to prairie dog town.

 

[X-Rap]

For the budget minded I'd look for a used Savage in 223 for super cheap. Your scope will be fine. 10x will be hard in the heat of the day with mirage.
Some with more savage knowledge can chime in but if I'm not mistaken the bolt face, barrel and mag follower/block can be changed by a novice so you could potentially take any savage and rework it to your desired configuration.
One of my most accurate and heavy rifles is a LA in 223 with a 12x Burris scope, simple weaver bases and rings.

 

[SimplyChad]

anything other then 556 or 223? I kinda want a new caliber

 

[X-Rap]

Sure .17, 205, 222, 22-250, 220. The problem with the smaller cals. is that they won't hold up in wind and distance and the bigger are more costly.
223 is popular, cheap, (by comparison) has decent performance, easy to reload. If you intend to travel a great distance for a prarie dog shoot I would want 300-400 rds a day at min. Start doing the math on the 5 calibers I mentioned and the 223 will prove to be the cheapest and will reach out and touch all but the furthest dogs.

 

[swampcrawler]

For a non reloader I think you're basically limited to 223, 22-250, 220 swift, 221 fireball, 22 hornet, 218 bee, 17 hornet, 17 Remington, 17 fireball, 243, 222... I think that's about it

 

[yzguy87]

How about a 22-250? A Remington 700 sps varmint, Savage 12 varmint or something of the like...

 

[SimplyChad]

22-250 and the 220 swift have always piqued my interest. Also Im a reloader just new too it when it comes to rifles.

 

[X-Rap]

If I were to pick from the 22-250 and the 220 I would say the 22-250.
Brass and factory ammo are easier to find and cheaper and the performance is just a little south of the 220 if not equal. The 220 is harder on brass IMO.
My Swift has a longer barrel than any of the other 77V rugers I have so I will guess that it benifits from the extra length.

 

[220slow]

Your scope should be just fine. If that frees up money buy yourself a Tikka or if not try a Howa or Remington. 223 0r 22-250.

 

[Beentown]

Howa Varmint in 22-250 (I would choose 223 but you wanted a new caliber. $399 through CDNN. DNZ lightweight rings and your scope would be a great set-up. Plus you would have nearly $500 for ammo/reloading supplies. My Howa is a .52" (5 shots, in a sled, 100 yards) shooter now that I handload for it.

If you wanna get higher in your budget the Savage FP will certainly work great. That scope should be plenty no matter the rifle/distance. Mirage will beat you before the 15x will.

 

[SimplyChad]

beentown got a link to the howa?

 

[SimplyChad]

Anyone have a savage Axis in 22-250? Jg has one on sale and I don't know much about them.