Advice for a new varmint rifle?

[dhayse32]

I am looking at getting myself a little Christmas present. I really want a new varmint rifle, nothing too crazy, just something I can take out coyote hunting on occasion. I thought about this last year and backed out. Now I have the itch again. I have been looking at everything from single shot H&Rs to Model 700s and upper end Savage models. I found 2 seperate "used" Remington 700s that have never been fired for around $670 w/scope that were amazing...heavy, but very nice. One was a 22-250, the other a 223. This is at the top of my price range. I have been leaning towards a Savage Axis (Edge) model for their price point. I will use this a hand full of times a year so I don't need anything too pricey. Any suggestions/feedback on the guns mentioned above?

Also, what caliber do you recommend? At this time I do not reload. I was leaning towards the 223 or 22-250. 25-06 is another round that I might look at. 308/30-06 are too much and even a 270 might be a tad more than what I am looking for.

 

[SpecWar]

223 is cheap and inexpensive. When you get the itch to reload, much cheaper than the other calibers.

 

[BoilerWes]

223 is probably your best bet.

Other good rounds 204 Ruger, 22-250, or 243.

 

[redneckmedic]

Savage is by far fact not opinion, the best out of the box shooter you will find. This Axis (edge) is a great rifle. I have no beef with .223, however what if you want a bigger shooter just down the road? I would advise a savage in .243 That would give you a much larger range of shots. 55g small game and 110gr for larger.

HTH RNM

 

[baldguy637]

As far as the gun goes, if you want a nice entry rifle i'd gu with savage. Here is one with scope shipped for $543.00 at buds.

Savage 11 11FXP3 Hunter.223 Remington with Scope $543.00 SHIPS FREE

Caliber is a toss up, i had a savage 22-250 and sold it to purchase a .243

I loved the 250, but it was pretty much nothing more than a hopped up .223. The .243 can be used on larger game also and you can get lighter (58-75gr) bullets for varmints.

If you're planning on nothing more than a plinker/coyote gun i'd go with the .223. Main reason being ammo cost. You can buy wolf ($5.00/20) for plinking and Hornady V-max ($17.00/20) for hunting.

 

[parson]

I've owned a Savage 110 in .243 for over 20 years, and it's my favorite rifle. However, if I were to buy another Savage I'd get the accu-trigger.

 

[Kase]

I've owned a Savage 110 in .243 for over 20 years, and it's my favorite rifle. However, if I were to buy another Savage I'd get the accu-trigger.

Agreed....243 is bar not the best coyote round out there. And the savages are very nice for the price. I don't know if I'd be willing to throw out the extra cash for an accu trigger though

 

[42769vette]

Savage is by far fact not opinion, the best out of the box shooter you will find. This Axis (edge) is a great rifle. I have no beef with .223, however what if you want a bigger shooter just down the road? I would advise a savage in .243 That would give you a much larger range of shots. 55g small game and 110gr for larger.

HTH RNM

im not sure how savage is the most accurate out of the box is a fact. entirely to many varibles to call it fact. i would go with probably but defintally not fact. you have to think that you may try remington corlokts for the out of the box bullet and the savage hate them and the remington 700 love them. ammo aside you never know when you will get a lemon or a great rifle.

im not saying savage is a bad choice, actually thats what i would recomend if you do not plan on upgrading the rifle. bone stock i would go with the savage or tc venure. the tc garentees sub moa. the savage will probably do sub moa but its not a money back garentee.

as far as caliber id do a 243 like most others.

 

[dave29]

For the money, the Edge/Axis wins hands down. Only drawback is that it has a long action on short action calibers.

 

[fasteddie48]

have savage model 25 med hvy barrel shoot great straight out of box can find one for about 525 laminate stock my favorite rifle .223

 

[dave29]

have savage model 25 med hvy barrel shoot great straight out of box can find one for about 525 laminate stock my favorite rifle .223

Is that Swahili?

 

[fasteddie48]

Is that Swahili?

nope just so indiana... lol

 

[dhayse32]

Thanks everyone for the replies. .243 was a round I had kind of overlooked, but apparently it is the front runner. I think I am going to go with the Savage Axis. Price point is too good to pass up.

Can anyone give me some feedback on the scope that comes with the XP versions? I will eventually put a nice scope on it, but for $50 more I wasn't sure what I was getting.

 

[baldguy637]

I don't know who makes the scope that savage puts on thier rifles from the factory but most are pretty cheap. They are better than nothing but i would save up and put a name brand scope on it.

Check out the nikon prostaff line, i've got quiet a few monarchs and prostaffs, best scopes for the $$$ in my opinion.

Good luck!

 

[feriil]

I know you want a varmint rifle but consider that carefully. Loaded with a nice scope most varmint rifles weight in at over 10lbs which is really, really heavy to carry anywhere but your truck. If you will be driving to where you see the coyote, getting out and shooting off your back tailgate then go for it.

I went through the same thing recently and have now sold off all but one varmint rifle I use for bench shooting only. Sportster style guns shoot just as good and weigh several pounds less, great when walking anywhere. Less bulky in the hands too, not just weight.

As for scopes I've tried many from older Tasco, Simmons, newer Mueller, to Nikon. For the money any scope going on a gun where I'll be shooting at animals will be a Nikon Prostaff or Buckmaster. For the clarity, durability, warranty, and straight on zero even after knocking the gun into a tree it can't be beat. Get one used for $105 and its a steal.

 

[42769vette]

id probably let them keep there scope and ill keep my 50 extra bucks. put another 50 bucks with that and get a simmons whitetail classic. its a great scope for 100 bucks

 

[dhayse32]

Local shop thought they came with Bushnell 3x9x40 scopes. $275 for the bare gun...$315 for the gun w/scope. I went ahead and went the the whole set up in a .243. I figure the scope will get me through this spring, then I will just sell it for a few $$ and go with a nice Leupold or something similar next fall.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[singlesix]

have savage model 25 med hvy barrel shoot great straight out of box can find one for about 525 laminate stock my favorite rifle .223

I have the same model and it is a great shooter right out of the box. The Accu-Trigger is great.

 

[bRAD]

the 204 Ruger is a great caliber for shooting Coyotes in Indiana. They have good range, good killing power, and less noise than a 22-250 or 243.
As far as the rifle i would recommend Savage, CZ, or Howa. All three are very accurate out of the box and also very affordable.

 

[lrwatson]

Accu-Trigger

Be sure to get an Accu-Trigger!