varmint rifle recommendations

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

carterbeauford

member
Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
1,046
Location
41.16N, 80.09W
If you'll review my small collection of rifles you'll realize, like I did, that there isn't a good varmint rifle among them. This will be my first really nice rifle, I will spend $500-$600 if I have to.

basic requirements:
chambered in .223REM
heavy barrel
4 round magazine
stainless action and barrel would be nice, parkerized is acceptable
synthetic stock (going for an all-weather thing here)
accuracy is more important than weight

After shooting a Savage 12 series .22-250 I am seriously considering the 12FVSS. What do you think?
 
For rhat price it's pretty hard to go wrong with the Savage. Great accurace (sp?) out of the box and I've heard only good things about the Accu trigger. My Savage in 30-06 will do 1" groups at 100 yards and that with a sporter barrel and non Accu trigger.
 
i would get that varmint rig by savage in 223, you can do it, you just gotta call around or go to a big box store, look through their catalog, and order it.
 
I'll be the odd man to vote for a Tikka. I've got a skinny-barrel 7mmMag T3-Lite with factory pillar-bedded synthetic stock that is the most unbelievably accurate rifle I own. The fit, finish, and especially the adjustable trigger are outstanding. Factory 11 degree crown as well.
 
It's hard to beat the Savage. The essense of a varmit rifle is accuracy -- and nobody makes a more accurate rifle out-of-the-box than Savage.

For years, the standard advice was, "Get the Savage and spend some of the money you save on a good aftermarket trigger." Savage, bless their hearts, actually listened to the customer (and that's something very few other companies do) and came out with the Accutrigger. For that alone, we should reward them by buying one of their rifles.

Maybe the other gun companies will wake up and take notice.
 
I use the Savage FP10 in 223 for coyote control. Mine came w/1.5# (accu)trigger from the factory and shoots in the .2's @ 100 yds w/Burris 4.5-14 FFII.

Have three Savage rifles and all shoot moa or better. The 375 h&h is only one that I have yet to get sub moa. groups.

IMO you can't do better than the Savage for accuracy out of the box.

Regards,
hps
 
I have the Savage 12LP Varmint rig in .223 and it is a tack-driver, especially with lighter bullets.
 
You won't go wrong with the Savage. Save a little and buy some good glass for it.The rifle will shoot. You won't without good optics!!
 
if you do a get any 223, get it with a 1/9 or 1/8 twist. anything slower really regulates the bullet weights you can use. with a 1/9 you can go up to 68 or 69 grns. with 1/8 you can go up to 78 or 79 grns. a 1/12 twist will max you out at 60 grns.
 
+1 on the Savage, you'll also need a decent scope, something with an adjustable objective will allow you to focus on the target and eliminate parallax. A lot of the newer scopes have side focus, you might find a discontinued front adjustable, I have both and actually think the front focus has a greater range. And now that you care about accuracy, you'll start thinking about reloading and making really accurate ammo, at least that is what I did.
 
.223 is great for plentiful and affordable ammo.

But if you reload don't overlook the Ruger .204

The .223 can be loaded for a max point blank range (1 inch high at 100 yards) of about 235 yards.

The .204 has a max point blank range of about 300 yards. It loads very similar to the .223

And you don't need anything heavier than a 50 grain bullet in a .223 so a 1 in 12 twist is just fine.
 
+1 on Savage 10 series. The 10FP meets all your requirements.

Please note that it has 1:9 twist, and shoots best with more expensive 68gr or 69gr ammo. It doesn't do as well with the common 55gr ammo.
 
I have a Savage in 223 but my favorite varmiter is a Savage in 220 Swift with a bull barrel. Have a new scope for it and cannot wait to try it out. Nothing like fine glass when the eyes no longer focus like they should. My buddy shoots dimes with his 223 w/bipod. I shoot the heads with the Swift and he just grimaces every time I pull it out. Lots of people are going to the 243 for a more versatile round. Heavy enough to deer hunt but flat shooting enough for varmits. Only trouble with light rounds is the wind pushes them too much and even leaves may "blow" the round. Putting a tapered bull onto my old '03 and will load a few 110 grain rounds for varmits. Should be a very accurate shooter. 06
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top