Author Topic: looking for a varmit/ target rifle (Read 2554 times)

b23ball23 · « **on:** September 05, 2005, 02:20:12 PM »

hello all

i was looking on getting back into shooting now that i seem to have some off time after school..........

Well i was first contemplating what caliber.......and i'm definantly looking for something of a lower caliber....17hmr, 22 lr, etc

Well i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for something to shoot targets/ small varmit like squrrles and such.

And of coarse once the caliber is selected.....I must move onto the what gun?? aspect of things
I dont want to spend much over700$ for the gun/ scope/ case

Thanks for any help

ben

GOD BLESSS

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2005, 02:46:18 PM »

Get both calibers! Most here would probably steer you towards a bolt action, but I think you just might like the Ruger 10-22 semi for your purpose. Aftermarket goodies are abundant, and .17 mach ll barrels are available for the .22lr version, .17 HMR barrels are made for the .22 mag guns.

b23ball23 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2005, 03:32:16 PM »

well bolt action is a must....i just think they are cooler..............but what ranges willl the ruger (with of coarse a good shooter) be able to shoot accuratey...i've always veiwed them as something that isnt known for prescision

I'm really new to the shooting aspect of the outdoors......so i really am not well informed.........so some of you will probably confuse me.......

any help is great though

just looking for a dependable setup that i can shoot targets from a football field + away
and shoot a stray groundhog/ annoying squirrle

THANKS

BEN

GOD BLESS

poncaguy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2005, 03:52:16 PM »

Savage model 93........17 HMR...........

Norseman112 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2005, 04:17:19 PM »

I would also say 17 HMR

Norse

tuck2 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2005, 12:53:14 AM »

If you like to eat what you shoot also consider the 17 HM2 round. The 17 HM2 ( MV 2050 ft/sec) is good for small game out to 100 Yds while the 17 HMR (MV2550 ft/sec) is good out 150 Yds. The 22 LR (MV 1850 ft/sec) range is about 75 Yds. Because of the bullet curve (drop) one has to start to hold high or over the animals if you wont to shoot at longer ranges with the three rounds. The 22 LR is fun to shoot ammo $ 1.85 per box. 17 HM2 $ 5.50 per box and the 17 HMR $ 7.50 per box.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2005, 01:13:17 AM »

get a .223. ammo is cheap and abundant. range is easily 250+ yards. can be very rewarding from the bench. and it is easy to reload for if you get into that. most folks that like to shoot, shoot a lot, get into reloading as a means.

Atomic Chicken · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2005, 01:40:08 AM »

Greetings!

I can't say enough good things about the Ruger 77/22 in .22LR... I bought a stainless/synthetic all-weather version a few months ago and absolutely LOVE it so far. Very accurate, extremely well made, and just plain fun to shoot... and you just can't go wrong with the ultra-low cost of .22LR ammunition! As an added bonus, you can use CCI CB Cap ammunition and make it shoot quieter than a pellet gun... which is VERY useful for backyard pests and basement/garage practice sessions.

I topped mine with a Nikon 4X Rimfire scope in matte black, and it's rapidly become the favorite .22LR rifle I've ever owned!

Best wishes,
Bawko

b23ball23 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2005, 01:26:21 PM »

thnaks for the info.....as of now i've kinda mnarrowed it down to the 17hmr or the .223 for range reasons.........

my only concern about the .223 is the recoil.......i really dont know how much it kicks ; and if it would hurt my basketball and football arm after lots of shooting

Thanks for the help
I'm looking into different companies now...thats gunna be another hard descision

BEN

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2005, 01:36:37 PM »

223 recoil is very mild...not a worry for sure. 17HMR has none to speak of.

b23ball23 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2005, 01:50:19 PM »

alright..i like the idea of 250 yards vs 150......

so i think .223 will work..any suggestions on the gun?...really not up -to -date on the good guns out there

one thing- is it possible to buy rifles online..or strictly in stores???

sorry for the questions

but thanks for the help!!!!

BEN

poncaguy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2005, 01:55:15 PM »

I would buy a H&R Bull Barrel 223 or, better yet, the Fluted Barrel Varmit Model. You can buy them or order them through Wal Mart...cost $200 to $290. You can't buy guns online unless youare a gun dealer and have a FFL license...

mjbgalt · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:02:27 PM »

you CAN buy guns online but you will have to have them sent to an FFL dealer, basically any gunshop. you have to decide if the price is low enough that once you add an FFL fee ($25 or so) and shipping, if it still is a good deal.

budsgunshop.com and others have guns available.

-Matt

b23ball23 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2005, 02:49:37 PM »

thanks for the help..i'll check it out guys!!!

i guess i' should be paying about 300 or so for the gun and 200 or so for the scope....ahh theres another descision .....choosing the right scope....:shock: .....oh my

thanks for all of the suggestions!!!

BEN
gOD BLESS

mjbgalt · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2005, 04:42:03 PM »

my marlin 17hmr's scope is a tasco 3-9x40 and honestly you dont need a Leupold $499 scope for a .17 HMR.

a lot of guys say to spend more on the scope than the gun and i understand what theyre trying to say, that the gun is worthless without a quality scope and that its important to be able to count on the scope.

but i have never had a single problem with my cheaper scopes and until i do i wont be too worried about it and i will laugh all the way to the bank.

try out the bushnell banner 4-12x40. its right around 100 bucks and is a great deal and a quality scope.

-Matt

b23ball23 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:33:33 PM »

alright, thanks for the heads up......i'm looking forward

I'm gonna check everything out...one thing i forgot to mention is that i will be getting a bolt action...because this action just seems great to me...hard to explain :grin:

well as of now i really dont know of the rifle brand yet......i've heard good things and bad things about every gun

i'll do research..thanks for the help!!

BEN

b23ball23 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2005, 02:40:57 PM »

welll i've been doin research.....and it seems like a lot of people give 22-250 the nod when it comes to varmiting

I'm basically still deciding........but which is the most accurate from the bench??? 17hmr, 223, 22-250.

i will probably be doing more target, but hopefully a bunch of g-hogs at my dad's friend's farm

sorry for the annoying questions..just wanna get the first one right

BEN

gOD BLESS and thanks for the help!!!

arky65 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:17:53 PM »

i guess i will weigh in with my .02. if you do not hand load and will shoot a lot and money is of concern go with the .223. you can get good ammo cheap for the .223. if not go with the 22-250. recoil is negligible with either calibre.
as to which brand. for my money one brand is as good as the other. the best out of the box gun i have ever owned is a winchester model 70 stealth in 22-250, with my handloads, adjusted trigger, and leupold varixIII scope.
i am not saying that other brands are not as good, as i own or have owned at least one of most every one of the major american and some euro brand rifles. personally i like the old ruger m77.

jme
arky65

b23ball23 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2005, 09:15:09 AM »

well i think the .223 will be better so i'm not spending too much on ammo

I think that I am leaning towards the savage brand of guns....dont know what model yet

What else will I need to get started?

......range finder......i really dont know what you guys reccomend to start out,

agian target shooting and hunting g-hogs at a farm.

Total spending $$ about 550$ with scope, gun, 500 rounds of ammo, anything else

I think we're gunna stop at BPS or walmart after church sunday to look around and get a feel for some guns

BEN

GOD BLESS

handirifle · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2005, 12:23:47 PM »

Get the Savage 10FP

Law Enforcement Series
Model 10FP with AccuTrigger
Action Short
Caliber 223 Rem, 308 Win
Overall Length 44"
Barrel Length 24"
Weight 8.5 lbs
Magazine Capacity 4 rounds
Stock Black synthetic with positive checkering, dual pillar bedding
Sights Drilled and tapped for scope mounts
Rifling Rate of Twist 223 Rem (1 in 9")
308 Win (1 in 10")
Features AccuTrigger, matte blued barreled action, heavy free-floating and button-rifled barrel with internal box magazine and swivel stud for bipod
Suggested Retail $601.00

Usually can be had much lower, as much as $100 lower, very accurate out of the box and better stocks are available, but at a price.

7x57mm · « **Reply #20 on:** September 10, 2005, 04:56:38 PM »

You may want to take a look at the Stevens 200 in .223 Remington. There has been quite a bit of positive things written about them, primarily that they are very accurate. They are a stepchild of Savage Firearms. They can be bought at Wally World for $268 or so, are bolt action, pillar-bedded, synstock. You mentioned a budget of $700, so that will leave you quite a bit for a scope. In my way of thinking, spend small at first. If you find you like shooting and hunting, then you can spend more later. My preference is with the CZ 527. I have one in .223 and it is a true half minute of angle rifle at 100 yards. You can have your FFL person pick one up from Ton-80 (Phil) on the internet at GunBroker.com (go to that website and in the search window type in CZ 527 and the majority of the ones you will see on that site is being offered by Phil's CZ Connection. You can probably pick one of those up for $525 or so. They have a mini-mauser action and to me are well built little rifles. You can check out the CZ line at CZ-USA's website. On mine, I have a Simmons Whitetail Classic in 6.5x20x50 mounted. It is really too much scope up there on top of that petite little rifle, but has given me no problems and the price was and still is right at $99 plus $10 shipping from S.W.F.A. in Texas. That 50mm lens looks like a television set mounted on top of the rifle. The Simmons are on a closeout special. Good luck in your search. Tom Purdom

b23ball23 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2005, 06:32:41 PM »

thanks guys, all very helpful gunna check it out.......

BEN
GOD BLESS

auto · « **Reply #22 on:** September 14, 2005, 06:15:53 AM »

The .17hmr is a great round. Very accurate and very cost effective to shoot. I do not know if you would be interested but I have a almost new Ruger 77/17 for sale. Please PM me if you are interested. Definatley do research before you purchase. You might want to head down the rimfire route. They are fun to shoot and cheap while you concentrate on your skills and with Rugers like the 10/22, 77/22, and 77/17 there are aftermarket parts like barrels, stocks, and triggers if you are into making a great rifle better. It is nice to be able to personalize your rifle and make it better at the same time.

b23ball23 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:29:56 PM »

Thanks for the offer, but i think i'm goin the new rout........, and i'm 99% dure i want a bolt action .223...i just need to fing one in my buget.......300-400$$$ for the gun.....about 100-175 for the scope.... and a box of ammo

thanks for the offer!!

BEN
GOD BLESS

b23ball23 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 14, 2005, 02:25:52 PM »

did a little reasearch.......what about weatherby vangaurd synthetic .223 bolt action for 398$$$$.........it seems like savage is the only bolt action gun that i hear of...any thoughts about stock wetherbys compared to savage stock guns?

??

Woodchuck Sniper · « **Reply #25 on:** September 14, 2005, 04:04:52 PM »

Good suggestions, looks like your on the right track. Here are some thoughts & suggestions that may help your "target & woodchuck" shooting needs and keep you on budget.
-nothing wrong with a single shot either if it keeps you on budget
-you may want a bi-pod & padded sling
-bushnell bannor scope 6-18x40 6-24x40 with mill dot
-flip up's for scope
-don't need a range finder for out to 300 yards (count football fields, use mill dot) once use to the field no need
-varmint heavy barrel
-don't go to a walmart, go to a local gun shop and have them set you up.

One note on the caliber choice (.223), yes the ammo is cheap. But if you start shooting at the range and snipeing woodchucks at a distance you will probably go with premium factory ammo like Hornady. You don't save as much then as compared to the 22-250. Not to steer you away from the .223 which I think is a great all a round ............... :lol: round also. Just presenting what ammo grade you may likely shoot. The .223 is probably a ideal caliber for you.

auto · « **Reply #26 on:** September 15, 2005, 10:27:53 AM »

and if you like the 22-250 the .204 ruger just might be the round for you

. You can pick up a box of 50 for $12. Recoil so lite you can see the impact and tack drivin accurate.

b23ball23 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 16, 2005, 12:27:22 AM »

I always thought that the .204 bullets were alot more expensive then most ammunitions
i guess back to research.........hmm do either of the three calibers....223, 204, 22-250.......is there one that is just plain more accurate or has farther range?

thanks for all of the help

BEN

GOD BLESS

b23ball23 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 17, 2005, 01:39:47 PM »

well i've complied a list:

weatherby vangaurd in 223 or 22-50 400$
(does anyone have experience.... with this gun?

good/ bad??)

bushnell bannor 6-18x 130$

versa pod bipod 60$

wolf .223 ammo (for starters) 65$

butler creek flip open eye/ object covers- 9$ each

total: 673$ (no sling because teh bipod will take up the stud i think??)

this is a strong of what I will buy, but i really like to make sure its perfect

i really want a savage110fp or weather warrior, but it just pushes me a little too far up in the $$$$$$

anything seem out of wack?? or something to be changed/ added???

any comments and suggestions are very helpful/ wanted

BEN
GOD BLESS!!

beemanbeme · « **Reply #29 on:** September 18, 2005, 05:35:12 PM »

Harris bi pods have a place for a sling and if you're going to be trodding around the pastures looking for ghogs, a sling wil come in more handy than flip up lens covers.
Stay away from wolf ammo.