Suggestions for a solid Varmint rifle?

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atticus

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I'm looking for a bolt action chambered in .223 that doesn't break the bank.

I did some looking online and saw some pretty positive reviews for the Savage Axis in terms of price and performance, but also heard that the Savage 111 despite being a bit more expensive, is a lot better value.

Can you guys point me in a couple directions here as to what you think is a good buy.
 
What is "break the bank". I've just picked up a remington 700 xcr tactical long range in .223 and with 69gr federal match kings I get .5moa.

To me the value is in the XCR coating for rustproofing, the full aluminum bedding and the x40 trigger. It is a lot of gun at $1200 or so.
 
curseyou said:
What is "break the bank". I've just picked up a remington 700 xcr tactical long range in .223 and with 69gr federal match kings I get .5moa.
Click to expand...

Valid question, should have specified. I'm looking for something around $500. A little more is fine, a little less is better. As I have a .308 that I use for most of my hunting, I'm only looking for a little 223 sidekick so nothing too fancy.
 
I did a mail order on an Axis at Christmas time. When it got to me I took it out of the box, handled it for 2mins, put it back in the box and sold it as quick as I could. If you want a good reliable gun and don't want to break the bank buy a model 10 or 16 Savage or better yet IMHO but a Tikka.
 
I'd recommend handling an Axis first. They're cheap, but theres a reason for that. I personally find them hideous and and not really all that comfortable. They look and feel like a cheap rifle.

Shop around enough and you can probably find a Rem 700 Varmint (used) for around 500.

Normal sporter model 700s new are around $550 IIRC. A lot better gun then the Axis too.
 
Lots of options for real accurate guns in the $500 and less price range. This link to guns of america's blog may help shed some light.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/minute-of-angle-moa-accuracy-out-of-the-box/

The Axis catches a lot of hate, but it just comes down to price and preference. Stock isn't great, but then again I took mine out of the box and shot a three shot group with all shots covered by a dime at 100 yards. For the less than $300 I paid for it new out the door, I was more than satisfied.
 
Define solid.

Cheap "solid" or expensive "solid" - both of which shooting excellent groups. I ask because everybody, including me, will list favorite rifle, which may or may not fit your bill of "solid".
 
The Axis is a good shooting and reliable gun for the cost. I had one in 22-250 and it was a great shooter. The stock is light and ugly, but I found it had a great fit and feel when shouldered.

The Savage 111 is a long action rifle, if you are looking for a short action, you would want to look at the 10, 11, 12, 14, or 16. Two numbers indicate short action, three for long ie 110, 111 etc. There are good deals to be found on Savage package deals in the Model 10 and 11.
 
Really depends if you want to spend money or get a truck gun. I picked up a stevens 223 with a scope and bipod on the ee. Put a rifle basix trigger and total out of pocket cost was 450. If you are looking for a 223 better to buy it now. They go quick once January hits because everyone needs a yote gun. For me if I were you I look at the savage series with accustock and accutrigger. Good guns for the money.
 
700 sps

Picked one of these up in 223.Adjusted tigger loaded up 4 different bullets and soon found that 25.5 grs of Benchmark and a 50 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip was shooting under .5 moa. I consider this a decent deal for $599.00
 
Get a NEF 223 of the EE, buy a cheap Tasco 6X24X40 and a cheap chinese bipod and you have a a groundhogs slayer, mine is just my go to rifle for accurate fun hunting up to 400 metres... JP.
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tell us more about 'varminting' - what style of hunting do you prefer? Jump-shooting, bench shooting, etc. What range are you looking at? What varmints are you going to be shooting? How much shooting are you planning on doing?

The perfect gun for shooting coyotes over a call is going to be different from the perfect gun for jump-shooting rabbits, and that's going to be different from a gun that you set up on a bench on a gopher patch, taking out hundreds of tiny targets a quarter mile away.
 
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