Help me decide on a rifle

[Star1pup]

Here is what it must do.  The rifle should be light enough to carry around easily and not a semi-auto.  Any other action okay.  Game will be groundhogs, fox & coyote.  Ranges will be mostly within 200 yards.  I eat groundhogs and will likely want the skins of fox & coyotes so don't want to blow them up.

I'll probably not buy this gun until fall so there is some time to really think it over.  By the way, an expensive custom rifle is out of my budget range.  How about some suggestions.

[lucky guy]

For what you describe you can't go wrong with a 223.  It's a very accurate round, you can buy decent factory ammo, it reloads easily, you can buy fmj rounds that won't tear up the hide, good out to 400 yds or more, short action means a lighter rifle.  204 would be a good choice too, but you won't have as many ammo choices unless you reload.

You didn't give a price range to help with what mfr of rifle.  if you're in the 500 range a CZ 527 is hard to beat; light, very accurate, great trigger, comes with rings.  You can buy H&R single shot for about 250 (been a while since I priced it). In between is savage, remington, howa, etc.  Used you'll pay less, although some (like the cz) are hard to find used.

You didn't mention a scope, but at those ranges (<200 yds) you don't need super expensive optics.  Figure on spending 125 up to 250 or more depending what features and brand you want.  I've been buying used Leupold vxII's when I can, hard to beat when you can get one for 150 - 175.

[Star1pup]

Good advice Lucky Guy and I really like the CZ rifles.  I reload so that's no problem.  Right now I have a .222, but it's a Savage 24V with a 20 gauge and it's heavy to carry.  I also have a Marlin in .357, but it's not the most accurate rifle.  The 204 Ruger is interesting.

[lucky guy]

Right now I have a .222,

If you're already set up to reload the 222, that's a good option.  You might get 100 - 200 fps more from the 223 in a 50 grain bullet for example, but at 200 yards you're not going to notice any difference in the final result on fox and coyote.  I think cz chambers the 527 in 222.

[TribReady]

I'd say for your uses, the 223 does sound the best.  Too many ammo/bullet choices available to even begin.
CZ would be a great fit.  If you really want budget, yet a good/accurate rifle, check out the posts on the Savage Stevens 223.
Very accurate, budget minded.

[prairie_boy]

Here's another vote for the CZ 527.  I have it in the carbine version and find it to be a superb carry rifle for coyotes, etc.

It's not quite as accurate as my Savage Model 12 BVSS, but the weight and trigger system are much more user friendly!

[Star1pup]

Here's another vote for the CZ 527.  I have it in the carbine version and find it to be a superb carry rifle for coyotes, etc.

It's not quite as accurate as my Savage Model 12 BVSS, but the weight and trigger system are much more user friendly!

How accurate is it?  Is it a .222 or .223?

[prairie_boy]

It is a .223, sorry...should have mentioned that!  .223 is the only choice for me, because of ammo availability and price.  Something like a .22-250 might shoot faster, but do I need it?  No...besides, my buddies have found that their .22-250s tend to chew up the coyotes a bit too much (partly bullet related, partly excessive velocity at close range) if you are interested in salvaging the pelts.

So far I've only shot the factory Federal American Eagle 50gr flat base HP, and the grouping is about 1.5" for 5 shots at 100 meters, which is more than acceptable in a lightweight carbine (5.5 lbs or so).  Maybe it's a bit unfair to comment on the accuracy at this point in time, as I have to say that the American Eagle ammo is some of the worst looking junk I've ever laid eyes on...bullet seating depth is all over the map, some of the bullets have 2-3 half-formed cannelures, and the hollow points seem to be mis-formed...noticibly longer on one side than the other.  Has anyone else noticed the slip in (at least visual) quality of this ammo lately?  I see most of the same visual inconsistencies with the cheap Remington UMC FMJ rounds on the market here.  Both brands really look terrible compared to what they used to, or compared to the current Winchester white box ammo from Walmart which I think are an awesome buy for inexpensive coyote round.

I have a feeling that once I start reloading, I should be able to shrink group sizes by 1/3 or 1/2 easily.  Even if this is as good as it gets, it's already good enough that the gun shoots better than I do, especially off-hand.

[Star1pup]

Thanks for the info Prairie Boy.  Since I reload the rifle should be plenty accurate for me.

[Inrut24/7]

Here is what it must do.  The rifle should be light enough to carry around easily and not a semi-auto.  Any other action okay.  Game will be groundhogs, fox & coyote.  Ranges will be mostly within 200 yards.  I eat groundhogs and will likely want the skins of fox & coyotes so don't want to blow them up.

I'll probably not buy this gun until fall so there is some time to really think it over.  By the way, an expensive custom rifle is out of my budget range.  How about some suggestions.

If your not shooting more than 200 yards then i think a 22 hornet would suit your needs perfectly.

[Star1pup]

Here is what it must do.  The rifle should be light enough to carry around easily and not a semi-auto.  Any other action okay.  Game will be groundhogs, fox & coyote.  Ranges will be mostly within 200 yards.  I eat groundhogs and will likely want the skins of fox & coyotes so don't want to blow them up.

I'll probably not buy this gun until fall so there is some time to really think it over.  By the way, an expensive custom rifle is out of my budget range.  How about some suggestions.

If your not shooting more than 200 yards then i think a 22 hornet would suit your needs perfectly.

Yeah.  That too.  I like the .22 Hornet also.  Too many choices.  Too little money.

[sk330lc]

You could go with  a T/C contender Carbine or an Encore in 223 rem .  Then add diff cal. Barrels as needed down the road!

[lucky guy]

...besides, my buddies have found that their .22-250s tend to chew up the coyotes a bit too much...

and barrels!

Has anyone else noticed the slip in (at least visual) quality of this ammo lately?  I see most of the same visual inconsistencies with the cheap Remington UMC FMJ rounds on the market here.  Both brands really look terrible compared to what they used to, or compared to the current Winchester white box ammo from Walmart which I think are an awesome buy for inexpensive coyote round.

The WWB shoot well for me too,especially for the price.  Have you tried the black hills or hsm?  Both shoot really well in my 527 and rem xr100

[prairie_boy]

As far as using Black Hills or HSM, I'm in Alberta, Canada and haven't seen these brands on the market here, although I've heard some decent reports.  I'm sure they are around, but they would require some looking and likely wouldn't be cost competitive.

I was really shocked at the crap quality of the Federal AE & Remington UMC ammo, as I've said...if they can't seat the bullets even close to the a consistent depth ( they vary dramatically ), it makes me wonder about their ability to meter powder consistently.  I ran into one guy in the shop who says that he runs them all through a bullet seating die to make them consistent and then touches them up with a Lee factory crimp die on them & he claims he gets slightly better accuracy out of them.

Winchester white box for me...at least when it comes to factory shells.

[iiranger]

visit eabco.com and look at his short, light single shot rifle. Availabe in .223 among dozens of others. And you could have a switch barrel if you insist. If it suits you, fine. If not, you still might learn something. luck.