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Offline Star1pup

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Which rifle?
« on: March 26, 2011, 08:46:15 AM »
I posted this in the GB Savage forum, but thought I might learn more on the varmint forum.  I have a chance to buy a Savage .223 in either Mdel 25 Walking Varminter or some other Savage model.  Any suggestions in the same price range?  Here in Ohio I doubt I will ever have a long shot over 100 yards, but maybe an occassional 200 yard shot.
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2011, 02:11:28 PM »
I don't know what the price range you refer to is but my choice is the Remington Model Seven Predator. I have two in .17 Fireball and .223 Remington. I had one in .204 Ruger but traded it unfired for the .223 as I was headed to a prairie dog shoot and had all I needed to load for the .223 but nothing for the .204. I kinda wish I'd just kept the .204 and used the other rifles I had on hand and picked up the components for it later. I still might get another .204 one day.

An AR can work well also but most of them are a bit heavy to me for a walkabout rifle. Still my 16" barrel ARs aren't very heavy and could be used easily for such.
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Offline Star1pup

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2011, 03:43:06 PM »
Graybeard:  Thanks for the info.  I'll take a look at the Remington.  I like the Accutrigger on the Savage, but I'm open to suggestions.  This will basically be my coyote gun and we don't get those 300 yard shots in my part of Ohio.
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Offline bigvarmnt

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2011, 05:04:59 PM »
You must not live in western Ohio. I think you could get 2000+yd shots there.
Savages with the accutrigger are sposed to be very accurate. I just never felt one that I liked. The Rem Predator, prob in 17 FB is near the top of my To Get List.
But today I bought an AR Lower, don't know why as I know next to nothing about them. It doesn't seem to go bang without a barrel. So since I had no other projects right now I get to start learning about ARs. ::)

I think a light weight Savage or Rem or CZ if Bolt. I like the H&R 223 Superlight.
Get what feels right to YOU! Good Luck
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Offline Dee

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2011, 05:57:43 PM »
I've been callin predators since the sixties, and over ten years ago switched to the AR platform. I was already VERY familiar with it due to my past profession, and when I learned that Bushmaster M4s came with a match grade barrel away I went. I tuned the factory trigger to about 2.5 lbs, and would not take for it. Today I mounted a reflex red dot on it, and now have a better chance at the runners. I think it will up my percentage of runners quite a bit, not to mention my hog huntin also. There's nothing like howlin in 4 at once and lookin for #2, 3, &4 in a scope. Those days are over, so Wylie needs to be wearin his vest for sure when he kicks it into 5 gear from now on.
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Offline Star1pup

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2011, 03:55:07 AM »
BigVarmint:  This hillbilly lives in Columbiana County and just over the river from West By Gosh Virginia.  Not many of those long shots for me.

As for the AR format, the new ones are really accurate, but the price is beyond the trade & cash deal I'm working on.  My budget is closer to a $700 rifle.  I'm trading a shotgun that sits in the back of my safe and using some cash from my last outdoor writing check.  I should have enough left after buying the rifle to get a decent scope.
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Offline bigvarmnt

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2011, 06:09:57 AM »
Seems like Hillbillys live in some pretty nice huntin areas ;D Bet it's pretty where you are. I shot one AR a few years ago and it seemed heavy and didn't fit like I'm used to. I have to figure short or long, heavy or light, and the stock and the distance I want it for. My sons friend and his dad just bought two new S&W Ars at a gun show for $6 something each. He is bringing it over to sight it in and I'll learn a little more.

Sounds like you have a good plan for nice rifle and good scope. The Rem Preds come with the new triggers but I have no experience with them yet. I think the Rems are almost $700 at Buds so it looks like Tasco ;D If you can get a Savage with Accutrigger and a good scope and it fits you, get it. It will prob shoot very good. Sounds like you want/need a lightweight rifle.   
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Offline Catfish

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2011, 08:57:20 AM »
I also live in Oh., but where I live, in the flat lands N. of  Dayton, there are places I can shoot past 1,000 yrds. The 223 is a pretty goog round and you can go wrong with it. As for the 17 FB it would be better if you were hide hunting, other wise I would go with a larger bullet. The 243 is a better coyote killer, but hard on hides. I`m an old guy who has been playing around with guns for over 50 years now. I`m also into wildcats and have them from the 17 AH to the 411 Hawk. For long range on coyote I have a 224 TTH that is my favorite right now. It is a tack driver with the 77 and 80 gr. Sierra bullets. I also have 2 6-284`s, but have not got eather of them shooting well enough to beat the 224 TTH yet. I would recomand you hit some gun shows and find a good used gun. 223`s and 243`s are almost never shot out. I would also recomand a 3 x 9 Leupold scope, and always carry the gun with the scope set on 3X. My main up close and personal gun is an AR that I have been carring for 6 or 7 years now, and I have yet to kill a coyote with the scope set on anything other than 3X. If you ever want to get together PM me and we can set something up. If you can make the shoot in April you can meet some of the other Ohio guy that hang out here on this board, good bunch of guy`s.
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Offline Star1pup

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2011, 10:58:12 AM »
Catfish:  I have a single shot triple deuce and a .22 hornet.  I chose to go with a .223 because it's easy to find ammo and reloading equipment.  I just think it will be a good all around rifle for me and I have a pretty good deal worked out with a friend who is a dealer.  I have a shotgun he really wants so that makes it easier.  I'm just trying to decide which .223 I want and i think the Savage is a good choice since I've used a couple and they were darn accurate.  I even have a Savage model 220 slug gun in 20 gauge 3" and it shoots an unblieveable groupt 100 yards.
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Offline Oldfenderguy

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2011, 09:08:30 AM »
Most of my 'varmint hunting' consists of taking coyotes, which are out of control in my neck of the woods.  Open season year around and we still don't make a dent in their population.

Sometimes I use my very accurate pre-64 Win M70 30-06, but for the most part I just grab my custom Izhmash AK-103 that was built by Chris Butler (AK-USA).

The AK-103 has a Vortex Viper 2x7/32 scope mounted along with a Streamlight TLR-1S tactical light which allows for shooting at 100+ yards at night.  The custom AK-103 is very accurate, and will shoot groups of 1.5" or smaller all day long with low cost Barnaul Silver Bear 7.62x39 steel cased ammunition.  Probably could get better groups with handloaded or good 'commerical' ammunication, but I seldom shoot at anything over 200 yards away, and the majority of the shots around here are at distances of 125 yards or closer.




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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2011, 10:43:15 AM »
I have a few 223 rifles
My light weight bolt action is set up to shoot at 100 yards.
I did not have time to dial it into 200.
But with that said, shooting to 200 yards is not much of a drop with most ammo.
I think a 223 rifle would be perfect for Ground hogs and coyote in your rolling hills.
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2011, 11:39:48 PM »
The Savage should get it done for you just fine.   I'm not a fan of Savage, and as far away from being a fan as you get get on the "black rifles", but many use both with good success on coyotes.     Your $700 limit for a rifle, quality scope and mounts is prohibitive, but it can be done.   Nothing wrong with buying used if in good condition either to get higher quality.     
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Offline Star1pup

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2011, 01:47:55 AM »
Actually I upped my budget to $900, but the model 25 Savage is hard to find since it's new.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #13 on: April 02, 2011, 02:01:37 AM »
The standard weight Model 700SPS or ADL in .223 is pretty light and handy.  Mine will shoot sub 1/2" groups with cheap 50 grain Remington ammo.  It came with a plastic stock.  I added the wood stock.  No black rifles for me.

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Offline Star1pup

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Re: Which rifle?
« Reply #14 on: April 02, 2011, 03:44:17 AM »
Quote from: Swampman on April 02, 2011, 02:01:37 AM
The standard weight Model 700SPS or ADL in .223 is pretty light and handy.  Mine will shoot sub 1/2" groups with cheap 50 grain Remington ammo.  It came with a plastic stock.  I added the wood stock.  No black rifles for me.



I also like wood, but that synthetic is practical.  I never thought I'd say that. ;D
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