varmint hunting

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black_fly

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I want the best 300-500 yard varmint rifle scoop combination with in a $2500 budget.What do you think? Ideas please. I plan on mostly prairie dogs
 
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New Savage LRPV 9 twist 22/250 - single shot target action with light accutrigger, HS varmint stock. Recent published tests show the rifle has the potential to shoot sub 1/2 MOA to 600yds with quality ammo. Match grade accuracy with a bit of tuning. Rifle should be around $1000?????

next would be a 223 9 twist in whatever Savage model floats your boat.

For optics, the Bushnell 4200 6x24 side focus 30mm tactical scope. Weaver bases, Burris rings with inserts.

Should be well under your budget.

Otherwise, you can start with a Stevens 200 and build up in whatever manner you deem suitable. Still be well under your budget.

Jerry
 
What kind of critters do you plan on using it for? You might want to have something different for coyotes compared to gophers.
 
For gophers, smaller is better. Well, small cartridge. Big heavy barrel to soak up all that heat and radiate it out at a faster rate. Heat is your enemy in high volume shooting. The 204 would be a superb choice, although it wouldn't be much good past about 3-400 yards in any kind of wind. I've had identical guns in 22-250 and 204 (Remington XR-100's, of you must know). The 204 gets about twice as many shots off between cooling periods as the 22-250, and cools down in the same amount of time once it is hot.

Then again, for 'yotes, a packable gun with more punch may be more desirable. And as shooting is far less fast and furious, heat won't be as much of a concern.

There are some optic snobs out there who look down on Bushnell optics, but the fact is that the 4200 series have outstanding optics. While maybe not as robust as some of the more expensive glass, the clarity is more than sufficient for gopher shooting, and the repeatability and accuracy is fantastic. I like mil-dots for field shooting (as opposed to dialing the range in for each shot)
 
IMHO I would look into Tikka T3 Varmint or Tactical in .223" w/ 1-8" twist which can drive 80gr bullets past 500yds with ease. Add to that Elite 4200 or Leupold VXIII or Nikon Monarch scope and you be set. Depending on the gun and scope combo you go with money leftover I highly recommend reloading equipment as an additional equipment to aid accuracy beyond 100yds.
 
If I had that budget it would be Savage LRPV in 204 and a leupold I think the one my buddy bought was 6.5-20 with the varmint redicle, I understand that after you settle on the load you can get it re-calibrated to match.

The 204 in that big pig you will see you hits at about any power, and seeing your hits cannot be under rated.

You will also need a shooting table and good rest, a bi-pod for when your walking, a semi-auto 22 for when there are thousands and an hmr for when the pig is cooling off.

:)

Are you talking PD's down south or richardson gound squirrels here in Canada.
 
I can recommend the Tikka Tactical 24" with a Nightforce 8-32x56 scope, maybe a bit over your price but I'm pretty happy with it. I'll probably get a muzzle brake to be able to see the hits better.

Eric
 
Tikka Super Varmint, Remington XR-100 or Savage LRPV. I am a total fan of the .204 Ruger as a lightening fast varmint cartridge, spectacular on gophers and deadly on coyotes - almost zero recoil.
 
Sounds exactly like what I was looking for...

I just bought a T3 Varmint in .223. Fantastic rifle. It's wearing a Meuller Eraticator 8-24x50, and I just found out Saturday that it has some serious potential.

Best 5 shot group was .569" at 100 (55grn Vmax, 24gr AA2230). This was my first rifle round I've tested a handload for, and I think it can only get better.

I'm going to try some 62+ gr and see what it can do.

So far, my investment is about $1500... I might upgrade glass later.
 
I have a Remington XR-100 in .204. Adjustable trigger down to 1.5 lbs, free floated with a bull barrel and thumbhole stock. It's a very nice varmint rifle. However it is single shot. If your budget is around the $2500 mark I'd consider this rifle and put a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x 50mm scope on it.

Another option if you have to have a bolt magazine fed rifle is to go with the Remington varmint rifles, tika, sako etc.

Now what I would probably go for myself these days: Kimber SVT .204 with Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x 50mm. The rifle will go for about $1300 before taxes. You would be right at the max of your budget with this set up. I'm pretty sure you won't be disapointed.

Let us know what you decide.
 
On a side note: Anyone setting up a Prairie Dog hunt for the spring/summer? I've wanted to go Prairie dog shooting for 2 years now.
 
BlackFly,
Picture of the XR-100 in .204 :

XR-1001.jpg
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I just bought the Tikka T3 Varmint in .223 as well but have a Redfield 4-12 X 40 scope mounted onto it . I am very happy with how well it shots and how accurate it is.
 
Another .204 vote here! Savage Target Accutrigger, HB HS Stock, and single shot.

Then top it with a Farrell 20 MOA Base and a nice piece of glass with some good quality rings.

You should still have some money left to shoot with too!
 
Looks like the Sav. and Tikka`s are really popular, maybe throw in a Sako. Which ever fits best, cartridge is a tougher decision. The 22-250 is a great long range hitter, costs a little more and a little more jump. The difference between the 204 and 223 is small, any one would fill the bill. Just remember if you don`t like your first choice sell or trade for something different, that is half the fun in this sport. Too many choices not enough time.:D
 
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