Please help with hunting rifle

[CoffeeInMe]

Im down between Stevens 200 and Tikka T3 in the .223 It will be used for hunting short range from 100 yards and closer. I could go with the Stevens which has the exact same barrel as the Savage and save 200.00 and put that toward a scope or will I be sorry I didnt buy a Tikka ? I will be shooting some 55 grain but mostly 60 to 65 grain hunting loads. I know Tikka has the 1 in 8 twist and Stevens has the 1 in 9 and I will be shooting only factory hunting ammo. Any help or suggestions ?

[Totenkopf]

 Never messed with a Stevens. The Tikka is a good rifle. You have to ask yourself what do you plan to do with it. For your hunting intention both will be more than addequate I'm sure. Will you ever get rid of them? The Tikka should hold value better. You may want to have a little chat on the handi board. May give you a third option. Most of these post turn into all I would ever buy is Remington. At 100 yards with a 223 anything will work. It is wiser to have the foresight to include optics at the start instead of an afterthought. So you are well on your way to a good setup regaurdless.Why not shop around used? May find a bargain better than what you have settled on.
Good Hunting.

[CoffeeInMe]

Thanks Totenkopf for the very thoughtful and unbiased advice. Im getting really tired of looking, comparing, pricing, etc... and I just want to buy something dependable and accurate as possible with the heavier 60 to 65 grain .223 hunting loads.

[Graybeard]

Most of these post turn into all I would ever buy is Remington.

That REALLY is what I'd buy and what I pretty much ALWAYS do buy. But unlike Swampman I realize that the rest of the world doesn't necessarily agree. Remington might not be right for you.

You fail to mention just what it is you plan to hunt for with that .223 but the mention of the heavier bullets makes me think deer. I'd sure like to discourage that plan and advise a larger bore but if you are dead set so be it it's your money and your game to kill or lose.

If I'm right and it's deer then honestly I'd say get the Stevens. I don't know if it's gonna be quite as accurate as the Tikka or not but geez if shots are within 100 yards how much accuracy do ya need? It will be accurate enough for that I'm sure.

I'd then spend the extra money getting a really good quality scope and no that doesn't mean a 6-24 or 8-32 nor a 50mm to 56mm objective. It means one with high quality glass and the best multi-coated optics. If the plan is really deer and max distance is around 100 yards I'd get a 2-7 or 3-9 range scope and the best of them at that.

[CoffeeInMe]

Thanks Graybeard and yes it is deer we are hunting. I try to avoid that because Im not hear to debate that question. You bring up some very solid points about the bottom line of seeing how most all shots will be under 100 yards that I might be just as well off with the Stevens.

[Totenkopf]

 I will respectfully honor your request not to debate the issue. I read a bit up on the stevens rifles. Just as I had thought they are what the savage line was when they were streamlining trying to turn the company around facing bankruptcy. I bought a few heavy barrels during that time, the stocks were very thin, but good rifles. No new technology, just the tried and trued methods that kept them going when the decided to stop the nonsense and start making quality firearms. The stevens has a 1-9" twist that will take you to 69 gr easily. If I may recommend, stay with a 64 gr power point winchester for deer. Just type stevens 200 review in your search engine before you make the decision.
 Graybeard I too like remington rifles. Not all fellows have the disposable income to buy them though. Not to many years ago I was in the same boat as a lot of these guys looking for a good rifle on a budget. This gent talking about quality optics to forgo a more expensive rifle is really better than I was at the time. All I could afford was tasco on a used savage. I know from experience what it's like to have x amount for a rifle then just get recommendations for twice the price. That's why I generally recommend used, a good rem used is usually not much more than a new savage. Both are good rifles, I just like rem better.

[CoffeeInMe]

Thanks for the help. Ive done some more research on the reviews and Im now 99% sure Im going to be getting a Stevens 200.

[NAM70]

I also like Remingtons. I have 3 700's now however I'm taking a good look at the Tikka T-3 lite. I understand they give excellent accuracy and also I like the light weight. If they ever chamber it in 204 I'm gonna get one

[Minnesota1]

I have 3 tikkas and one stevens.  My dad has a stevens as well.  For what you want it for the stevens should be just fine.  The trigger pull is pretty heavy but if that doesn't bother you go for it.  I think a 223 is a little light for deer but to each their own.  I prefer the feel and triggers of the Tikkas but like previously mentioned if you get the stevens you can upgrade your glass.  Good luck. btw, my 22-250 shoots about 1/2"-3/4" all day long with Remington Corelocts and my dad's 30-06 shoots the same groups, closer to 3/4" groups with the military ball ammo he was shooting-that urked me because it shot better than my 30-06 rem. 700 bdl!  Once again though the trigger pull was a little heavy.

[bhod1]

I also own both and love the Tikka. That being said.
It depends on what you are looking for in your total dollars. If you only have 500 or 600 to spend, get the stevens and a real quality scope. A 2-7  or 3-9 will be more than enough to make perfect shots at 100 yards. Spend the 200-300 on a Burris, nikon, leupold and a quality set of mounts.

For what it's worth a 243 is head & shoulders over the 223 for killing deer.  If you do go for the 223, at least use a deer quality bullet. You can get loads with the barnes x, Bear claw, nosler partition, I believe winchester makes a 63 gr power point that works real well.

Barry

[Coalminer7]

I have a Stevens 200 in .223, bought as a truck gun.  Shoots 1 1/4" groups and better all day long for what you want it will be fine.  Not to beat a dead horse if you do want it for deer, I would step up to a 22-250 at the very least.  Friend of mine has 1, I load him 63 gr. Sierra sp in it, DEADLY on whitetails thru the lungs.

[Lead Poison]

Most of these post turn into all I would ever buy is Remington.

That REALLY is what I'd buy and what I pretty much ALWAYS do buy. But unlike Swampman I realize that the rest of the world doesn't necessarily agree. Remington might not be right for you.

You fail to mention just what it is you plan to hunt for with that .223 but the mention of the heavier bullets makes me think deer. I'd sure like to discourage that plan and advise a larger bore but if you are dead set so be it it's your money and your game to kill or lose.

If I'm right and it's deer then honestly I'd say get the Stevens. I don't know if it's gonna be quite as accurate as the Tikka or not but geez if shots are within 100 yards how much accuracy do ya need? It will be accurate enough for that I'm sure.

I'd then spend the extra money getting a really good quality scope and no that doesn't mean a 6-24 or 8-32 nor a 50mm to 56mm objective. It means one with high quality glass and the best multi-coated optics. If the plan is really deer and max distance is around 100 yards I'd get a 2-7 or 3-9 range scope and the best of them at that.

I agree with Graybeard. I believe there are a lot better cartridges for deer like the 243 (minimum), 260, 7mm-08 (one of my favorites!), 308, 270, 280, 30-06...

With so many other better options choose the rifle you like best, but get a bigger cartridge is my advise.