Help me pick my first bolt action rifle please.

warrenb

warrenb

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I've been thinking about getting a bolt action for at least 6 months (more like 6 years) and would value the benefit of your experience.

I'm thinking .222 or .223. I want something that will shoot "accurately" to 200 yards, any further is a bonus. I really don't know enough about the pros/cons of the different 22 calibers so I'm open to any suggests. It will be used to shoot paper, gophers or crows.
I will reload and am concerned about the availability of brass in the future. Will the 223 brass become scarce like the 308 seems to be.
Would I be better off with a 22 Hornet or such?

I've considered every gun in my price range from Stevens 200 to Tikkas. Sadly some have dropped out of my price range since I started looking. I can go to about $900 for the gun. I'l add the scope later if necessary.

I am currently thinking about about a CZ 527 Lux or the 527 carbine (available in 223). I don't have the ability to shoot to 200 yards with irons but practice is always good.
I keep reading how great CZs are, anythings wrong with them?

Anyway, I'm still not set on nothing yet, my knowledge is limited and I'm open to any oppinions.

thanks for reading,
warren
 
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It sounds like you are a prime candidate for a 223. Don't worry about not being able to find ammo for it, it's surely the most popular 22 centerfire. You might also want to consider a 22-250.
 
The CZs are very nice but you could probably get a 223 or 22-250 SPS and a decent scope for your money. Varmit guns are no good without scopes.
 
CZ's are great rifles. I would plan on scoping the gun in the future. A Lux may not have the stock shape conducive of a scope as it is designed for irons, and therefore have the eye aligned at a much lower point above the barrel than a scope. 223 isn't hard on scopes, so you could get away with a low buck used scope to start, like a $100 tasco varmint scope. Then you will be able to hit small game at 200 yards.

My 223 bolt rifle is a Ruger 77 Mark II. Came with rings from the factory and built in bases. Equipped with a $200 Mueller 4.5-14x40 AO scope it shoots accurately at 200 yards with 45 grain bullets. Only negative was that the trigger was on the heavy side. You could buy something like this for $900 total as it includes rings and built in bases.
 
I have owned both the CZ and the Tikka and have no complaints about either. Both work excellent and have nice triggers. I sold my 527 in a moment of weakness and wish I had it back ! I'd buy another in a heartbeat
 
out to 200 yards, look for a brno ZKW 465 (most are reamed to 22 k-hornet), very nice rifles, nicer than the current 527.

failing that, get a 223, you will never run out of brass.
 
Rick Teal said:
I would never advise anyone to buy one of Satan's bolt action rifles.
Click to expand...

WTF???

I'd say that if you can spend $900 right now then you should be looking at a Savage/Stevens (extremely solid and economical platforms with great accuracy and 1-9" twist barrels which are ideal) or a Ruger (good rifles with the added bonus that they come with rings - downside is I don't know what their twist is - anyone???). Add a decent (no need to go top of the line) scope (think Leupold VX2, Burris Fullfield, Bushnell 4200) and you shoul dbe right around your $900 limit, or a hair over (welcome to the world of gun buying, where any true gun nut can talk themselves 20% over their predetermined price limit).

223 is your best choice. You'll find the most varieties of factory fodder from $10 a box American Eagle FMJ or Winchester 45 gr JHP up to $40 a box Federal Gold Medal Match. Tons of components out there if you want to handload too.

You're on the right track.
 
As others have said, you're really going to want a scope to get the most out of a varmint rifle. Another vote to go .223 - about as common as fleas and cheap. CZ makes a gorgeous rifle IMO. But there's lots of other accurate rifles out there.

If it was me with a 9 bill budget I'd be looking real hard right here on our Hunting and Sporting rifles board in the EE. You will likely find a lot of rifles with a decent scope for that kind of dough. Maybe even a CZ. :cool:
 
Sounds to me like a Stevens 200 with a decent set of leupld bases and rings and a reasonable scope would get you well under the $900 mark which would leave you with cash for ammo. Practice will lead to better accuracy than a spendy rifle, IMO. There is also lots of upgrades that can be done later with this rifle if the feeling ever comes across you. Triggers, stocks, even barrel swaps are easy with the Savage platform. Decent priced scopes include the Leupold VX1 series, Bushnell Legends and 3200s, Vortex Crossfire and Diamondbacks, Muellers and so on.

Good luck, and have fun!!
 
Guns, Scopes and Knives are something you buy for yourself.
The wives that have asked me to buy one of the above for their husband is beyond counting.
Go to the local range and hold, shoulder and test what others are using.
If you don't have a good idea what you really want you need more exposure.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys. Keep em coming.

horseman2 said:
Guns, Scopes and Knives are something you buy for yourself.
The wives that have asked me to buy one of the above for their husband is beyond counting.
Go to the local range and hold, shoulder and test what others are using.
If you don't have a good idea what you really want you need more exposure.
Click to expand...

I'm not someones wife asking for their husband. I am some dimwit who can't make their own mind up. :D. My problem might be over exposure, too much choice. But thanks.

I guess what I'm looking for are peoples experiences good and bad using their chosen rifle. I don't tend to sell stuff so I wanna make a good decision.
 
warrenb,

It's hard to imagine 223 becoming less available than 22 hornet. A nice thing about staying at 223 or or less power is that you can easily watch your hits through your scope. It possible too with a 22-250, but much more difficult with the higher recoil, and if you're not really interested in distances past 200 yards, the 223 or 22-250 don't really offer you any trajectory benefits over the 222 and barely anything over the 22 hornet.

As for the rifle itself, what about a savage model 40 22 hornet? That should leave you with money left over for a good scope. The scope isn't as fun fun as the gun itself but is probably more important than the rifle itself imo. Downside I guess is that as far as I know there isn't much you can do to upgrade the model 40 should you feel the need. I have no personal experience with the model 40, but it is a model that I pondered for myself before I got a different 22 hornet.

RG

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I really like my Stevens 200 in .223. It's an original model with the staggerfeed magazine. It's a great shooter. There is usually always one or 2 a week on the EE. The ones priced below 400.00 sell quickly.

I don't know if new ones are to be had anywhere in gunstores, it's a popular caliber in the Stevens line and they don't last long. Plus, varmint season is just starting.......;)

If you found one for around 350.00-400.00, you would have lots of room left funds wise to get nice glass and mounts....plus all the little bits a new rifle needs...sling, caps, cleaning kit.
 
horseman2 said:
Guns, Scopes and Knives are something you buy for yourself.
The wives that have asked me to buy one of the above for their husband is beyond counting.
Go to the local range and hold, shoulder and test what others are using.
If you don't have a good idea what you really want you need more exposure.
Click to expand...

You should buy for yourself, but having a wife that can buy good product, or goes out of the way to research and get you something awesome is invaluable...

"She's your girl in a knife fight." as the saying goes.
 
I have a Stevens in 22-250 and can't complain but after buying my 16FCSS I would spend the extra money and get a savage with the accutrigger. Well worth it and you will still have money for a decent scope. I like 22-250 for the velocity (3600 fps with a 55gr V-Max= Gopher goo everywhere) but I can't fault the .223 either. Still reasonably fast, very accurate and cheap like borsch.
 
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