picking a new groundhog gun - VTR .223?

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baum9260

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It's been 15 years since I was last out shooting groundhogs but I'm going to get back into it this year with father.

I need to pick up a new rifle. My last gun was a Ruger M77 22-250. I really don't have much experience with different rifles. The VTR .223 was recommended to me. It felt good, but is a bit more $$ than I wanted to spend. I want to buy once, not buy junk that I'll want to replace in the future while at the same time not overspend. Is the VTR .223 a good bang for the buck, or is there something better in the same price range? Is there something equivalent for less?

The gun will not get high useage. Maybe a dozen days in the field and range each year.

Thanks for the input
 
Savage with accutrigger would be my pick. I have a Tikka. I don't know the reasoning for the triangular barrel in the VTR, but it does feel lighter.
 
I've used a Ruger 77V 22-250 for many years and still like it. I recently bought a Remington LV-SF in 223 to have a lighter varmint gun than the 10 lb (with scope and bipod) Ruger. The 223 is OK but does not have the long range capability or explosive power of the 22-250 and cost 4 times what I paid for the Ruger many years ago. If I only could have one varmint rifle it would be a 22-250.
 
VTR is all hype. If you search these forums, you will see that that a lot of shooters are having a degree of difficulty achieving sub MOA groups that you want to smack small critters at longer distances. I would stick with a Savage accutriger.
 
i have the VTR in .223.

Great Gun. Very Accurate. No offense to anyone, but people who haven't actually shot one and created loads for one like I have shouldn't bash them.
 
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My reason to going to the .223 vs the .22-250 is the availability of cheaper ammo for plinking purposes. My shots won't go beyond 250 yards, and I won't be shooting anything bigger than groundhogs and paper.

The Ruger was a fine enough gun as I recall. The only problem being its extreme weight with the heavy barrel required (at least for me) the use of a bipod. I will look into the savage.
 
The reason for the triangular barrel is to get people who are attracted by the novelty of new ideas and fashions to buy a new rifle even if they already have a perfectly serviceable rifle that isn't worn out yet.

The claimed benefits are better heat dissipation (more surface area than a round barrel) and more stiffness, both of which can improve accuracy if they are true.

Although the trigger is not so easily adjustable as Savage's Accutrigger or Remington's new trigger, a Stevens 200 will probably shoot just as well, if not better than a 700VTR, and last for a lifetime of the kind of shooting you have planned for it. But if you like the features well enough for the extra money, you might as well have what you like.
 
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I would vote for the .204 too. For the amount you plan to shoot it is a very affordable round. It is much quieter than a .223 or a .22-250 and from 0 to 275 yards you simply hold the cross hairs right on your target.
If you decide to go after coyotes you are still very well armed.
The ammo is not the cheapest to buy, but is a very accurate round right out of the box.
 
Go with your original pick ... it will work just fine !

The half dozen VTR's around here, in 204, 223 and 308 are all working just great.

Besides, there's nothing much uglier than that dumb-ass barrel nut on a Savage.
 
groundhog gun

well what you buy depends on where you live and what you have . I have had a savage in 223 and it was very accurate . I have also had a ruger single shot in 22-250 and I felt the 22-250 gave me some more let;s say reach out and touch . I sold both of those off and bought a ruger m77 in 270 as an all around gun . I live in southern Ontario and that;s what I use now . I used to have a 6.5x55 swede mauser and it blew them to smithereens . you might not be able to get 223 ammo in the future as it;s a military round so think about that one . I would;nt go for the 204 . I like calibers you can find anywhere . whatever your choice happy shooting and don;t let buddy talk you into buying some piece of crap in the gun store he wants to get rid of . :dancingbanana:
 
I have had my share of garbage Remingtons and advise people to buy Tikka or Savage in that price point. Both Tikka and Savage will shoot , function and perform well.
I posted what my Tikka .204 can do with some initial loadings..they're amazing shooters.
 
Me too, garbage Remingtons ...
4 that all shoot under 1/2 MOA and 2 that shoot under 1/4 MOA.

None have barrel nuts, plastic bolt shrouds or trigger guards.

Each to their own ... whatever floats your boat.
 
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TheTooner said:
Oh yeah, I forgot. The important factor in choosing a gun is what self-appointed arbiters of aesthetics will think of how it looks on you.
Click to expand...

Big words like rubber boots and rhubarb ....

Ya' pays your money for what ya' likes !

Always been that way.

Some guys aren't at all partial to blondes either ... go figure !
 
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