Budget 223 varmit?

TomZ

TomZ

Regular
Rating - 100%
163   0   0
Location
Eastern Ontario
Hello!

I am moving back into varmit hunting on a budget. As I have lots of 223 components I will be sticking to this caliber.

Budget is about $300 for rifle.

Thoughts on best budget .223 rifle for 'yotes?

My options so far:

- NEF/HR Handi-Rifle
- Steven 200

I believe the Handi-Rifle will be more accurate (my 30-30 HR is a tack driver) than the Stevens, but the Stevens would give me a few more quick shots.

Thoughts? Any other options that I should consider?

Tom
 
TomZ said:
Hello!

I am moving back into varmit hunting on a budget. As I have lots of 223 components I will be sticking to this caliber.

Budget is about $300 for rifle.

Thoughts on best budget .223 rifle for 'yotes?

My options so far:

- NEF/HR Handi-Rifle
- Steven 200

I believe the Handi-Rifle will be more accurate (my 30-30 HR is a tack driver) than the Stevens, but the Stevens would give me a few more quick shots.
Click to expand...

Stevens! I haven't seen new Stevens under $300 in quite a while though. $369.00 and up seems to be average prices.

The Stevens is known for its accuracy. I suspect out of the box it should shoot as good or better than your H&R.

The aftermarket parts availability for the Stevens allows you to easily customize it as money becomes available. Triggers, stocks, bolt handles, etc.
 
Stevens. No second thoughts.

One word covers it in a nutshell. Upgradeable.

Adequate as is, and capable of being built up to do anything you want to do with it.

For $300, you are shopping used, though. Can you skimp together any more loose change?

Cheers
Trev
 
Ive been wondering about an H&R rifle aswell. Im gonna go with a 22-250, for 'yotes.

Ive had a stevens 22-250. It was very accurate (1 MOA) but wouldn't throw empty casings out of the reciever when actioned. I had to pick out each round. My reloads were hard to chamber aswell.

I use a Lee Loader for my 22-250.
 
for 300 pick up any used u can find. Better yet wait a year & get something better aftert u save a bit more. Remember a good scope is worth the $$. Can get a nice scope for less than $400. Good luck.
 
For that price range I think the H&R is a good deal. I've got one in .223 with a 25 year old tasco 3x9 scope. It's not the best accuracy but for the $300 I paid it's fine. It'll group around an inch, sometimes under, with handloads or Federal 40gr ammo. It seems to hate the cheap stuff though. For instance the Rem 55gr UMC won't do much better than 3" @ 100 yards :D. The only think I don't really like about it is the trigger.

Chris.
 
This year I needed a dedicated Coyote gun, something I could really use hard and not worry about scratching up a fancy finish..
I bought the Stevens 200, still grinning. Any coyote within reasonable striking distance becomes crow bait.
Its a sub MOA gun right out of the box!
 
Marstar has theJW-105 Norinco .223 back in stock for $279.00 1in12 twist .
I have no experience with the .223 Had a Norc.bush ranger in 7.62x39 put a case of cheap shells through it and sold it off it functioned fine although the Stevens I would say is a better rifle if savage made a inexpencive bolt in 7.62x39 Iwould have bought it.
 
trevj said:
Stevens. No second thoughts.

One word covers it in a nutshell. Upgradeable.

Adequate as is, and capable of being built up to do anything you want to do with it.

For $300, you are shopping used, though. Can you skimp together any more loose change?

Cheers
Trev
Click to expand...

LOL!! If people will spend a grand upgrading a 10/22, whats a few hundred on an already good rifle like a stevens?
I was going to suggest one of the new marlin bolt guns..but they don't offer the .223 chambering
 
TomZ said:
Hello!

I am moving back into varmit hunting on a budget. As I have lots of 223 components I will be sticking to this caliber.

Budget is about $300 for rifle.

Thoughts on best budget .223 rifle for 'yotes?

My options so far:

- NEF/HR Handi-Rifle
- Steven 200

I believe the Handi-Rifle will be more accurate (my 30-30 HR is a tack driver) than the Stevens, but the Stevens would give me a few more quick shots.

Thoughts? Any other options that I should consider?

Tom
Click to expand...

Stevens 200 for sure, I just sighted in one in .223 for my brother and easily hitting consistent 1.5 inch groups at 200 meters. no mods done to the rifle yet either, strait outa the box
 
LOL!! If people will spend a grand upgrading a 10/22, whats a few hundred on an already good rifle like a stevens?
I was going to suggest one of the new marlin bolt guns..but they don't offer the .223 chambering
Click to expand...

I don't think you'd have the options with the Marlin, that you would have with the Stevens.

Rather than looking at it from a "pimp my gun" upgrade perspective, consider rather, that from starting with a basic Stevens, you have the option to change calibers within the .223 cartridge family, without anything other than a barrel swap. That gets you anything from a 17 Fireball, up to a 50 Beowolf (I'd have to see if it'd fit, but if someone wanted it, I'm sure it could be got).
With another bolt head, there are a huge variety of calibers that can be accessed.

Want a target stock? Wood? Tacticool rails? Easy. Want a Steyr SSG? Maybe the wrong place to start!:D

Anyways, all the Handi Rifles I've seen seemed cheaper and nastier than the Stevens that I have seen. Less options as far as building on the basic unit, too, though there have been some pretty good mods done, as far as rebarrels go. Those were all fairly machine shop oriented though.

I think I want one! :D A Stevens, that is!

Having a .223 barrel for one sitting in my locker, helps...

Cheers
Trev
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom