Options for new .223 Varminter

toomanyhobbies

toomanyhobbies

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I'm looking for a new .223 caliber varmint rifle, I'm fairly certain I want a tactical type with the 1:9 twist so I can do some long distance shooting with the heavier bullet weights. Today I looked at these:
Remington Police - 26 inch barrel, palm swell stock, no rail, $995
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Tikka Tactical, 24 inch barrel, 1:8 twist, adjustable stock, $1700
TK3308200.jpg


Swiss Arms SHR970, detachable mag, 5.56 not .223, McMillan stock, $1999
shrtactical.jpg


What do you think? Should I go cheap with the Remington?
 
What type of bullets do you plan on using? 1/9 is good for 55 and 62gr. but if you want to shoot the heavy stuff for long distance than 1/8 or 1/7 would be your best bet.
 
I'd go for the 700P personally. All depends on what you want in the rifle. Of the (3) listed, the Remington is the more practical.

You can put a very decent scope/rings/base on top of the 700P for the same investment you'll make in the other (2) you've mentioned.

1/9" will shoot up to 75-77 gr. (typically HPBT's not VLD's) so that's got you covered there.
 
I just bought a Remington 700P and sold a Tikka. ;) IMHO the 700P is a nicer rifle than the Tikka, although the Tikka does have a few more frills.
 
Buy a Savage 10FP. Two, actually - a 223 and a 308. Why? The 223 isn't available with the MacMillan or HS stocks. So, buy both, swap stocks, and hawk off the 308 in the EE.

Then you'll have a fast-twist tactical type 223 with a MacMillan stock for a grand, or an HS stock for 800.

Also, the XR-100 isn't all that 'tactical' though it is a nice rifle (I've had two :D). I believe it's a 1 in 12 twist, so heavies are out.

IMHO, thi tikka is so frikkin fugly, I'd have to poke out my eyes if I ever bought one
 
The Savages I like all appear to be out of stock right now, otherwise prosper's idea would be reasonable.

The Tikka list price is now $2k, this one is a display model. Pretty expensive, but I like the adjustable cheekpiece, adjustabletrigger, the 1:8 twist, & the threaded muzzle (as if it needs a brake). I also have an old Tikka LSA-55 in .222Rem, my favorite varmint rifle, but it's a sporter weight.

Don't know a lot about the Swiss Arms, regarding twist rate, availability of replacement parts, etc. but it is a NICE piece of hardware. I expect the accuracy should be sub-MOA. Probably not easy to re-sell if it came to that.

I've never owned a Remington, but this one seems pretty good, and there's no SPS tacticals to be had around here (I also prefer the long barrels). Likewise, nobody I know of in the area sells the new XCR tactical. I believe they will be running around $1400, that gets you a fluted barrel, a different stock and the new trigger.

I'm not really in the mood to wait for a custom order.
 
I have the 970 in 308. The SHR was more a hunting rifle with a lighter stock and thinner barrel. The target/tactical was known as the STR 970 which looks like the picture. I love it. It is a great rifle. Mine has an integral muzzle breakand fluted barrel. I have had problems sgetting off the shelf stuff for it like scope rails. Which can be irritating. I also have the 700p in .223 and it is a great rifle for a decent price. Lots of easy to get aftermarket stuff for it and it will shoot sierra 77grn matchkings quite nicely. I have no experience with the tikka but at nearly twice the price, I would get the 700p.
 
popcan said:
I've been looking at these too, and I'm a bit confused.

In .223, which Rem 700's have the 1:9 twist and 20" heavy barrel, with kevlar stock?

Need a price check and who carries them?

thanks.
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Are you thinking of the 700P LTR? Not sure about the kevlar stock though. Check the Epps site, they have one listed there in .308.
 
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I don't know if the stock on the 700 Police is Kevlar or not, it's no longer listed on the Remington website.

The tactical rifles all have the 1:9" twist, the varmint rifles all have 1:12". The 700 SPS tactical has a Hogue overmolded stock, which is plastic, no kevlar.

Mine was $1000 at Wholesale Sports. I may have to upgrade the stock, it's not particularly comfortable for me but we'll see.

Eric
 
I love my 700P, Im a fiend for the rem. umc (yellow box) 55 gr FMJ for 5.99 a box and right around 1" who could complain ???????
 
Hey thanks Jennis, I'll have to try them. In the meantime, I have lots of Federal AE 55gr hardball, a bunch of South African surplus and various white box 45gr HP and frangible to play with. Oh, almost forgot, got some Federal GMM too. Can't wait to reload some of the extra brass I've collected, wasn't much point for the Mini-14.
 
SuperCub said:
I'd buy the Remington and spend the difference on a good scope and tune-up.
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Having said that, I was looking for a .223HB for informal target shooting and after much reading I decided on a used Savage 10FP w/Accutrigger. I also found a used Bushnell 10x, so the whole package will come in for under $750 total. Good deal for a starter set-up.

If it shoots like they say they do, I will be very pleased and not very broke. :D


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I have a Savage 12FV in .223. Dang accurate and pretty inexpensive. The stock is not the greatest, but it shoot bugholes so who cares??? With the 75 grain Hornady Amax this rifle shoot very well past 1K.

Troutseeker
 
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