Best value .223 varminter?

F

Freyr_255

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 97.1%
33   1   0
Location
Northern BC
So I've spent the day browsing firearms since I've been needing* a varmint rifle for some time now. I've been focusing my search on best value for a sub moa rifle as hitting what I aim at is by far the most important detail to me. Don't really care about action type either. What I've come up with is the Savage 25 Walking Varminter for about $500.

Just wanting to hear what other people think on the subject so let me know what you've found to be the best value 223 varminter.

*Note: Need wholly based on want with a minor side of rational use
 
It helps to know you're requirements for the rifle. You say you like the idea of the 'walking varminter', does this mean you'll be doing a bit of hiking with the gun? I used to like the idea of a heavy barrelled "varmint" gun. Then I got one and realized what a pain in the @ss is was to lug around. A 223 barrel does not heat up too quickly, a sporter barrel can handle most "varmint" shooting. In that case there are many options open to you. So let us know if things like heavy barrel, drop magazine, etc are requirements that you are looking for.
 
Requirements: Accurate, not a bench rifle, chambered in .223. I'm leaving it pretty open because I'm not fussy in any way shape or form. Hell I was even tossing around the Mini 14 target. The best value part was because we all know dropping $2k will get a nice gun regardless of what it is.

:cheers:
 
My requirements are similar and at age 67 I'm not terribly enthused about carting a heavy-barreled varmint cannon up and down hill.
A couple lightweight rifles in 223 came and went, neither were Savage, both shot reasonably well but had other issues like feeding problems or did not fit well. End result is that I am still looking for that little 223 thats no more than 7lbs., preferably less.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring.... at any rate please let us know Freyr_255 what you decide and more than that how your choice works and shoots when you do play with it.... best of luck in your search..
 
Kevan said:
My requirements are similar and at age 67 I'm not terribly enthused about carting a heavy-barreled varmint cannon up and down hill.
A couple lightweight rifles in 223 came and went, neither were Savage, both shot reasonably well but had other issues like feeding problems or did not fit well. End result is that I am still looking for that little 223 thats no more than 7lbs., preferably less.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring.... at any rate please let us know Freyr_255 what you decide and more than that how your choice works and shoots when you do play with it.... best of luck in your search..
Click to expand...

Trouble is with cheap rifles in my opinion that is all they will ever be. Savage Axis, Stevens 200 Mossberg 4x4, Marlin XL7 all come chambered in 223. Value is defined in many ways and for me having a nicer rifle that is worth something should I go to sell it a few years down the road. I have always liked the CZ 527 rifles. I have believed for a few years now that rifles made over seas are of better quality, Steyr, CZ, Anschutz,Tikka and Sako to name a few, than most gear made in the USA. A sporter in a tikka or the same in a CZ 527 is an accurate quality piece of gear that will have some value for many years to come. FS
 
+1 to the above post.
The CZ's are beautiful firearms and everyone I own shoots great(plus the wood is fantastic).
If you want a more "all weather" rifle, I would go for the Tikka T3. I think T3's are the best shooting rifles out of the box(personally) and the have the smoothest action you will ever lay your hands on. Dont be afraid of the "plastic" magazines. I've watched one get run over buy a dodge 1-ton and it hardly had a nick in it. They are tough.
 
My CZ 527 Varmint is accurate and has a moderately heavy barrel, yet is not too heavy to use as a "walking" varmint rifle. I consider these rifles to be a good value, as opposed to being merely inexpensive.
 
I love my model 25, but it is a awkward heavy rifle, and I find myself wishing I had got it with the thumbhole stock instead!
For what I use it for its perfect though because I only tend to walk a couple hundred yards with it to set up on a hill, and proceed to kill every gopher within 300 yards!
If I was doing more distance hikes after coyotes or something I would probably be happier with a stevens or Axis.
 
stevens 200 gets my vote, shot 3/4" out of the box. i got one in .22-250, and they're very easy to modify, a lot of options out there.
 
StevieK said:
It helps to know you're requirements for the rifle. You say you like the idea of the 'walking varminter', does this mean you'll be doing a bit of hiking with the gun? I used to like the idea of a heavy barrelled "varmint" gun. Then I got one and realized what a pain in the @ss is was to lug around. A 223 barrel does not heat up too quickly, a sporter barrel can handle most "varmint" shooting. In that case there are many options open to you. So let us know if things like heavy barrel, drop magazine, etc are requirements that you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Yes, the heavy barrels are a real pain...but my Remington Varminter in 223 is spectacular for shooting gophers and such. I can put a few more through the pipe than a lighter barrel. For the heavier varmints such as coyotes, nothing I have shot yet beats my Savage Max1 in 243 and 70 gr. noslers.

Picture001-10.jpg
 
Bought an Axis to get rid of a coyote problem. Trigger was terrible so I put a rifle basix on it. It shot anywhere from 1.5" to 2" with all the regular cheap ammo. I reload for it now and it shoots under an inch. So now I have an ugly piece of garbage that shoots better than I can and as much as I wish I had a nicer looking rifle there is no way I can part with the thing. Although I'm happy with it I also can't really recommend it as you would have to spend the extra $105 on the trigger to get it to where mine is now. I also only paid $250 plus tax for mine from WSS when they had there sale after Christmas. If you where to buy it at regular price and add the trigger you would nearly be at $500 and would be better off buying a 111.

George
 
So I went to order the savage walking varminter from the local shop and they said that their supplier had none with an unknown delivery date. Also asked about a CZ 527 with marginally better results, but couldn't get anything I'm exceptionally thrilled about spending the extra cash on as I kind of want a lux or carbine if I go that route.

Anyway...anyone know who has these in stock? Wholesale has the Savage on their website(meaning it is probably 'in stock'..at a warehouse...somewhere...maybe on this planet...), but now I'm more seriously looking into a CZ and it seems very few places have them listed at all, let alone in 223.
 
This may not help but Shooters Choice / Waterloo shows the CZ 527 American in stock and I'm thinking about either that or a T3 Lite St. because of our damp climate ( BC). Also I could be wrong but I think the Tikka has an 8" twist ?
A friend has an older Kimber 84 in 223, one of the originals and its very light to carry but does not shoot very tight groups... sub 2 " not great for a 223 in my opinion....
 
Kevan said:
This may not help but Shooters Choice / Waterloo shows the CZ 527 American in stock and I'm thinking about either that or a T3 Lite St. because of our damp climate ( BC). Also I could be wrong but I think the Tikka has an 8" twist ?
A friend has an older Kimber 84 in 223, one of the originals and its very light to carry but does not shoot very tight groups... sub 2 " not great for a 223 in my opinion....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I actually just noticed that all the CZ 527 models except for the varminter have a 1-12 twist(Varminters have 1-9, Savages 1-9). Now I have to figure out what twist I want which is new territory for me and since I've never owned a 223 I really don't know what bullets I'd be using. Well off to research mode again...even though I'm sure it's a mostly moot point all around unless bench rest shooting.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom