What to choose? (Varmint rifle)

Which varmint rifle would you buy?

  • CZ 550 Varmint

    Votes: 25 26.0%

  • Tikka T3 Varmint

    Votes: 49 51.0%

  • Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

    Votes: 22 22.9%
  • Total voters
    96
bellero

bellero

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I'm getting ready for coyote hunting and decided to buy a dedicated varmint rifle instead than using my Sako 308 like in the previous years.

-Calibre will be .22-250
-Wood stock preferred but synthetic is not excluded.
-Max budget $1000 for the rifle alone without scope.
-Detachable magazine preferred.

I narrowed it down to the following rifles.
Tikka T3 Varmint
CZ 550 Varmint
Winchester Mod 70 Featherweight

I had a Tikka before so I know a little bit about them but I only fired a few rounds with the CZ and Win 70 (new production) at the range to try them. I like how each rifle feel and operate but I found the CZ had the smoothest bolt.

Please enlighten me on the pros and cons of each rifle and why you would choose one over another.
 
If I were to hunt coyote/varmint inside of 100 yrds it would be my Mini 14 Ranch Rifle, it was made for the task.

That is it's reason for existence ;)

KDX said:
Why 22-250?
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Agreed, overkill. Just shot my friends 22-250 today, nice, but not what I'd take for coyotes/varmints.
A semi .223 would fit the bill perfect. Plus it's non restricted ;)
 
A .22-250 is a better coyote caliber than a .223. The .223 is a better smaller varmint gun than a .22-250. If you will shoot only coyotes with it, then the -250 is the best by quite a bit. No one I know who hunts coyotes has been able to avoid long, tempting shots on occasion. The .22-250 is just better at that.

If lots of gopher shoots are in the plan, the .223 makes more sense. It will be cheaper, but only if you shoot LOTS. In a day of coyote hunting, I seldom shoot more than 5 or 6 shots, and lots of times less. A gopher shoot can be hundreds. Volume is the only thing the .223 is better at than the .22-250.
 
bellero said:
Flat trajectory, good performance at long range and in high winds, reloading components easily available, pelt friendly. I already have a rifle in .223Rem and want something different.
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If you are looking to keep the hides then I can see using the 22-250. If you wanted a little more versatility and long range, there's almost too many choices out there.
 
Ruger 77's in 22-250 are accurate when you fix the trigger or land a good one. They come up for great prices often times and are a sturdy, well built gun. I love the 22-250!
 
cath8r said:
Ruger 77's in 22-250 are accurate when you fix the trigger or land a good one. They come up for great prices often times and are a sturdy, well built gun. I love the 22-250!
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I second that! I have a Ruger M77 varmint rifle with the adjustable 2 stage trigger and it is super accurate. Its a little heavy for long walks to the coyote stands but I just buck up and enjoy the exercise. It also doubles as a fun 500 yard gopher gun in the summer.:D
 
If I were forced to choose from the rifles you list, I'd probably go for the Tikka. In reality, though, I'd be choosing from a different list. The Tikka is a fine gun but very overpriced for what it is; maybe if I could find a good used one for a nice price... None of the CZ's I've tried have been suitabel for 'varmint' style shooting IMO, it's an excellent sporter design, but the trigger and action are just a little too industrial for precision work. The m70 is also an excellent gun, and would be a close second choice. However, I find them to be a little bit beefier than needed for a varmint action in a small caliber.

Personally, I'd be looking for an older Sako, maybe an A-1 or similar. I'd also consider a Savage, and definitely take a close look at an A-bolt
 
prosper said:
If I were forced to choose from the rifles you list, I'd probably go for the Tikka. In reality, though, I'd be choosing from a different list. The Tikka is a fine gun but very overpriced for what it is; maybe if I could find a good used one for a nice price... None of the CZ's I've tried have been suitabel for 'varmint' style shooting IMO, it's an excellent sporter design, but the trigger and action are just a little too industrial for precision work. The m70 is also an excellent gun, and would be a close second choice. However, I find them to be a little bit beefier than needed for a varmint action in a small caliber.

Personally, I'd be looking for an older Sako, maybe an A-1 or similar. I'd also consider a Savage, and definitely take a close look at an A-bolt
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Thanks for your input Prosper. I'd go the Sako way for sure but the chance of finding one in 22-250 under $1000 are pretty slim.
 
I went with a Tikka t3 lite, for a lighter load when walking out and calling yotes. Really any of the 3 you listed is a good choice. Go with what fits best. I like the 22-250 as well.
 
I've done a tonne of coyote/varmint hunting and my old Tikka T3 Varmint .204 was the most accurate killer Ive ever owned. Its heavy but makes up for that downfall with bug holes at 100 yards. If I was to buy another coyote/varmint rig Id be getting a Remington VSSF I or II in a 220 Swift. Had the the VSSF I in 220, sold it.....worst thing I ever did. Still have 100 rounds of ammo Im saving so I can buy one in the near future. The 22-250 doesnt have much over the .223 in real world hunting.
 
prosper said:
If I were forced to choose from the rifles you list, I'd probably go for the Tikka. In reality, though, I'd be choosing from a different list. The Tikka is a fine gun but very overpriced for what it is; maybe if I could find a good used one for a nice price... None of the CZ's I've tried have been suitabel for 'varmint' style shooting IMO, it's an excellent sporter design, but the trigger and action are just a little too industrial for precision work. The m70 is also an excellent gun, and would be a close second choice. However, I find them to be a little bit beefier than needed for a varmint action in a small caliber.

Personally, I'd be looking for an older Sako, maybe an A-1 or similar. I'd also consider a Savage, and definitely take a close look at an A-bolt
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X2 on prospers post. I voted M70 because I like it over the other three only.

I like the M70 FWT, and have used mine since 1992 for coyotes after deer season's over. It's a .270 so you can see it does double duty because it's my main stand rifle for deer. But to buy one as a dedicated coyote gun...........


I had an older A1 Sako Varmint in triple deuce, and they have lovely small actions and triggers for those dedicated varmint guns. Wish I had mine back. I had mine for years, but in the intial stages of our coyote infestation here in the east, centerfire was not allowed, so I beieve it ended up in NB, where it could be put to use.

Again the M70 probaly would have the MOA needed to deal with coyotes out to the effective range of the .22-250, so it would work. Good luck and happy coyote coaxin'.
 
scott_r said:
I've done a tonne of coyote/varmint hunting and my old Tikka T3 Varmint .204 was the most accurate killer Ive ever owned. Its heavy but makes up for that downfall with bug holes at 100 yards. If I was to buy another coyote/varmint rig Id be getting a Remington VSSF I or II in a 220 Swift. Had the the VSSF I in 220, sold it.....worst thing I ever did. Still have 100 rounds of ammo Im saving so I can buy one in the near future. The 22-250 doesnt have much over the .223 in real world hunting.
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There is quite a bit more of a ballistic gain going from the .223 to the .22-250 than there is going from the .22-250 to the Swift.
 
I have the M-70 featherweight in .243. I was going to up grade to the M-70 coyote light. But that was going to cost me about 500 bucks plus the featherweight.

Since the featherweight is grouping 65 gr. V-Max's into nickel size holes at 100 yds I really can't see where where Iam going to gain anything with the coyote light.

The featherweight would be my choice.
 
scott_r said:
I've done a tonne of coyote/varmint hunting and my old Tikka T3 Varmint .204 was the most accurate killer Ive ever owned. Its heavy but makes up for that downfall with bug holes at 100 yards. If I was to buy another coyote/varmint rig Id be getting a Remington VSSF I or II in a 220 Swift. Had the the VSSF I in 220, sold it.....worst thing I ever did. Still have 100 rounds of ammo Im saving so I can buy one in the near future. The 22-250 doesnt have much over the .223 in real world hunting.
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The 22-250 dosen't offer real world performance over a .223REM, and a swift does???:onCrack:



Without typing a page of real world performance between the three I'll say this;........What ever the 223 is doing to your game of choice at it's max effective range, both the 22/250 and Swift will be doing it a 100yds further out into the field.

Real world performance of the 22/250 and Swift are so close , we'll call them ugly twins, joined at the rim from birth.It's like the .308Win versus the .30-06, only important differnce however is, the swift is so "over bore", we can't really gain over the savage, like the '06 can over the 308 in heavy bullets and handloads.;)
 
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