Advice on Varmint Rifle

[42769vette]

I will not be shooting this rifle a ton so ammo cost is not that much of an issue. I cannot find many good reviews on the Remington model seven. I have no idea where i would find a Howa rifle to even look at but I think i would want to stick with a good American brand like a Savage or Remington.

Does anyone have any input on differences between the Remington Model seven (predator with a 22" fluted barrel/what is the difference between that and the regular 700) and Savage Model 10 predator (also 22 inch barrel)? I have read some things that Remington has had some recent quality control issues and that worries me.
I have the links posted right below.

Savage Arms Predator Hunter
Model Seven™ Predator

i ask the diffrences between the remington series rifles myself

remington action differences - Sniper's Hide Forums

 

[TheDude]

Savage is a good choice and so is the 22-250.

 

[bRAD]

i hate to ruin anyone's day, but i have yet to see a 22/250 that will shot flatter than a 204 ruger. The 22/250 will shoot a heavier bullet, however it definately won't shoot it flatter.

Of those mentioned, I've only fired a Remington 700 VSSF (varmint stainless synthetic fluted) in .22-250 and it was impressive. It shoots a little bit heavier bullet a little bit flatter than the .204 Ruger. Groundhogs are rather easy at 300 yards with it. It'd be plenty for coyotes. Downside is the ammo cost, but unless you're taking it out west to go shoot hundreds of prairie dogs a day it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

 

[243rem700]

You should also look at the Remington 700 varmint rifles. All of the ones I have seen have been extremely accurate out of the box.

 

[cce1302]

i hate to ruin anyone's day, but i have yet to see a 22/250 that will shot flatter than a 204 ruger. The 22/250 will shoot a heavier bullet, however it definately won't shoot it flatter.

sorry my post wasn't exactly correct. I should have said nearly as flat. here's remington's factory ammo comparison:
Remington Ballistics Information

Cartridge Type Bullet 100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Premier® AccuTip™50 ATV BT 1.7 2.1 1.6 zero -2.8 -12.8 -30.4
Premier® AccuTip™32 ATV 0.6 0.7 zero -1.5 -4.1 -13.1 -28.9
Premier® AccuTip™40 ATV BT 0.7 0.7 zero -1.6 -4.3 -13.2 -28.1

Looks like you can keep a 50 grain accutip (.22-250) within an inch and a half of a 32 grain accutip (.204) out to 500 yards, with factory ammo.

guns and ammo ballistics chart claims that a 40 gr hollowpoint (.22-250) will match the 28.9 inch drop of the 32 gr remington @ 500 yds.

I don't know what either will do with handloads, but I expect both can exceed factory ballistics.

 

[sloughfoot]

You should also look at the Remington 700 varmint rifles. All of the ones I have seen have been extremely accurate out of the box.

It actually would have been funny if you had advised a different rifle. What do you think about the 243 version of the Rem700? LOL

Actually, I own a 243Rem700 and it is probably the most versatile rifle that I own.

 

[243rem700]

It actually would have been funny if you had advised a different rifle. What do you think about the 243 version of the Rem700? LOL

Actually, I own a 243Rem700 and it is probably the most versatile rifle that I own.

I love my Rem 700s. Both of mine are incredibly accurate. The 243 actually has the edge over the 308 for now because I haven't gotten to test all of my loads in the 308. If only I had more time to shoot them.

I can't really recommend other rifles because I've only shot my Rems. But I have heard Savages are great factory rifles. I don't think you could really go wrong with either in varmint configuration.

To the OP:if you are ever up near Fort Wayne and I am not busy you would be welcome to try out my Rem 700.

 

[deadsquirrel]

Ok guys I think I have narrowed it down a bit. It seems the Savage Pretador 10 pagage is the best all around deal and i cannot find anything negative about it unlike the remington "seven." I have head ooutstanding things about the Accu-trigger and it can even be turned down to 1.5 pounds without dissasembly.

If I go with the Savage, the only real question now is...... 204 Ruger or 22-250??????
I know the 22-250 is a little more powerful, more ammo choices... etc
Does anyone recommend one over the other for any particular reason (keep in mind these will both be shot out of a 22" barrel with a 1/12 twist.

Anyone that has any experiance with either please chime in!!!!!

Thanks!

 

[Farmritch]

1 in 12 will not allow a bullet heavier than 45 Grn
I still say go with the savage in 223 and 1 in 9
I have confirmed Prarie dog kills at 600+ yards with mine
and you can shoot from 40 grn up to 75

 

[bRAD]

if you aren't planning on reloading the clear choice would be the .204 ruger. You can buy 20 round boxes of 32 and 40 grain Hornady VMAX ammo for around $17 a box. The same ammo in 22/250 will cost you around $21 a box or more. If you reload the cost difference will be much closer. I have both guns and i will say that they are both great cartridges, however the 204 is just superior in almost every way. Just my 2 cents.

 

[PaPa 260]

I don't know if it is a fluke, but I have a Howa stainless varmint weight barrel with a thumbhole stock chambered in .223 that shoots .5 MOA or less with 50 to 60 gr. bullets. I don't see Savage, Howas or Tikas trashed on these shooting forums like I do Rem. and Win. I am 700 Rem. fan but I use the Rem. 700 action for custom builds and they are darn good stiff user friendly actionx with lots of after market toys.

PaPa 260

 

[SamW]

Look up some articles on .204 vs. .223 in varmint guns. The .223 is going to be more versatile with 45gr. screamin' varmint grenades or 75gr HBPT for yotes.

 

[bRAD]

I am curious as to what kind of information you read that says a 223 is more versatile than a .204? I haven't seen a .223 yet that would shoot as fast or flat as a 204. I can also say i haven't seen a 223 that will put coyote or any other varmint down any better than a .204. You could make the arguement that a .223 will shoot heavier bullets. However that's pretty much where it ends. You also might have a hard time finding a barrel that will stabilize a "screaming fast 45 grain bullet" as well as a "75 grain HBPT". Just my

Look up some articles on .204 vs. .223 in varmint guns. The .223 is going to be more versatile with 45gr. screamin' varmint grenades or 75gr HBPT for yotes.

 

[Buano]

Both the .204 & .223 are great rounds. I've already got a .223 Interarms MinyX Mauser that will shoot 10 factory rounds in a .4-.5 inch hole so I haven't been able to justify a .204 — yet.

I strongly recommend you buy a rifle with a stainless barrel. Stainless barrels stand up to 1.5-2 times as many rounds before the barrel loses accuracy & varmint rifles get shot a lot.

The Model 7 is a nice light gun. I bought my daughter a Model 7 youth stock version in .260 Rem & have no complaints. Then again, I've never seen a Model 7 that would outshoot a Savage accu-trigger rifle & the Savage is less expensive. If you have a larger wallet you should also check out the Kimber Montana and if you want a semi-auto check out the Rem R15.

Good shootin'
Ron

 

[Buano]

Model 7 Accuracy

I should also add that we have yet to find a load that will give us a group under 2.5" in my daughter's Model 7. It's plenty accurate for a kid's deer rifle but IT'S NO VARMINT RIFLE.

Most Model 7s will shoot some load into a 1.5" group but I would be disappointed in a varmint rifle that won't produce consistent .5" (or less) groups.

 

[deadsquirrel]

OK guys I have narrowed down my selection after a trip to gander today (just to look). I did not like the savages (due to the fact the synthetic stocks feel terrible and the wooden stocked ones are HEAVY!)

Can someone tell me the differneces between the Ruger Predator (model 77) and CZ's Varmint 527? I have to admit they both look like winners just seeing what you all think.
Links to the guns are below:

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Predator Bolt-Action Rifle Models
CZ-USA -> CZ 527 VARMINT

Thanks for all the help!

 

[42769vette]

im not a big m77 fan. they are good guns i just think there are better guns for the price tag

 

[boman]

Can someone tell me the differneces between the Ruger Predator (model 77) and CZ's Varmint 527?

Cz should be less expensive.

You can't go wrong with either one-- features are almost identical other than the Ruger being stainless---I have a m77 in 30-06 and my first varmint rifle was/is a heavy barrel m77 in 22-250. I also have two CZ 527's---an American in 204 and a Varmint in 17 Rem.

The 17 is pretty much with me in the truck all the time during hunting season so I guess that speaks for what I prefer. The 527 is a really neat little action. I like the detachable magazine, it has a set trigger and I have handloads that will get this rifle in the .5's. I will shoot it out to about 250 yds.
the 204 American is a really light rifle and if I get into calling that is what it will be used for.

I guess if I was going to buy another varmint rifle it would be another 527 varmint in 204 or 223.

Steve

 

[cce1302]

Rugers are all made in the USA.
CZs are imported.

That may not matter to you. I think it's important.

 

[42769vette]

i just saw a comercial for a free carhart jacket if you buy a new m77. a man cant have to many carhart jackets