The weather is getting cold so it's time to buy a rifle for next springs varmint hunting. Since I traded my Remington .223 (I know...stupid move) I'll be looking for another. Any suggestions for a reliable, accurate varmint .223?

The weather is getting cold so it's time to buy a rifle for next springs varmint hunting. Since I traded my Remington .223 (I know...stupid move) I'll be looking for another. Any suggestions for a reliable, accurate varmint .223?

Check out CZ rifle's just type in CZ home page. They have some pretty nice toys, single set triggers, and have a reputation for being accurate. I've got one in a 17 rim. and really like it. ARC LITE

Want it fat and heavy or slim and light?

Want it fat and heavy or slim and light?

Not sure. The BDL Model 700 was long and light. But, when I attach the Harris bi-pod to the barrel everything becomes heavy. The only heavy barrel I own is the Marlin 17VS, so I'm open to experienced suggestions. My shooting range due to the layout of the land is 50-200 yards max.

CZ is OUTSTANDING at a VERY GOOD PRICE; howa is VERY GOOD at an OUTSTANDING price. i would buy either of these bfore buying a remrugsavchester

Ain't nothing wrong with a Ruger 77MkII V/T in .223.

CZ seems to be the better value if no local "deals" present themselves...nicely made rifles.

Boither's me to say that...buying American is becoming harder and harder. Nothing against the Winchester, Savage, Ruger, Remnington offerings, they all shoot pretty well, just that the CZ seems to off more for the going price.

If your range is in the 50-200yard max. area, the .223 will be a bit more than you need, but reasonably cheap to feed....besides, having a rifle that offers MORE performance than you need now leaves some room for change.

I have a Tikka T3 Hunter, (mine is 22-250) its excellent, and avail in 223, only 6lb odds in weight and shoots a 1" group at 100mtrs. A bit more expensive but you get quality.
www.tikka.fi

The weather is getting cold so it's time to buy a rifle for next springs varmint hunting. Since I traded my Remington .223 (I know...stupid move) I'll be looking for another. Any suggestions for a reliable, accurate varmint .223?

AJ

If you haven't bought it yet.

I bought a .223 a few years ago just to put in my old jeep on our lease here in Texas. After a friend let me use his H&R single shot in .223 with the bull barrel, I found that it shot 1/2 groups consistantly.

It is ugly, but with a good scope, fiber glass stock, it is deadly accurate. I use it a lot on coyotes, turkeys, and head shot pigs. I tried the hornady 75 grain bullets but thet wouldn't stabilize. The 55 grain is great.

It is as accurate as any gun I own and it cost me $225.00 with the scope mount and hammer spur.

H&R has them on their web site.

AJ, there's some great suggestions already, but something that might interest you if you wanta' handy little light recoiling rifle for varmints, but also good enough for Deer, Hogs, etc. as well...

Remington is about to release a new cartridge for the AR platform that will also fit in the little CZ/Charles Daly Mini-Mauser actions that were previously only chambered in 22 Hornet, .223 or 7.62x39mm. It's called the 6.8mm X 43mm. More info at:

http://www.sskindustries.com/atlantis/6.8.html

http://www.charlesdaly.com/HTML/products/firearms/rifles/mini/mauserMini.asp

I spoke to the Daly folks recently and they're following the release of the new cartridge, since it should be a perfect match to the little CZ actions. They expect delivery of new Mini-Mauser actions, rifles & barrelled actions in February '04. There's already some rumored 6.5mm and 6mm versions of this new cartridge on the drawing board too. The 6.5mm version should give performance close to that of the larger 260 Remington.

It's basically a short version of the old 30 Remington case, necked down to 6.8mm. COL is same as a .223, but it's a fatter case (.422 head diameter) so it can push the 115gr bullets at good velocity, even with short M-4 Barrels.

BTW, the single shot NEF rifles are becoming extremely popular and there's a huge range of rimmed wildcats that also work well in these little rifles. SEE: http://www.bellmtcs.com/forum/index.php?act=SF&f=24

It's a very low cost option to rechamber these little rifles.

There's a list of some of the re-chambering possibilities on this thread:

http://www.bellmtcs.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=24&t=477&

GOOD LUCK & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I heartily recommend the Tikka T-3. I recently purchased a T-3 hunter (blued / walnut stock) in 223. It came with scope rings, free floated barrel, a trigger which took about 1 minute to adjust to 2 #. Using Winchester white box 45 gr varmint ammo it is shooting 100 yard - 5 shot groups of 9/16. Using handloads it is shooting under 1/2 inch consistently.

I personally feel that they are the best buy on the market at this time. They are a quality rifle that is ready to shoot right out of the box with no fooling around with having to rework it in order to get decent groups.

There a little pricey but have you thought about a Ruger
#1-B? Standard weight, pretty shape, and mine have been very accurate. Just a thought, good luck and Merry Christmas.

For most varminting, there is no advantage to fast second shots, so the above suggestions re single shots is good. Now may be a good time to think about an Encore with a 223 bbl, and you will lso have a receiver that will accept bbls chambered all the way up to 375 H&H. Some think the Encores look funny, but form follows function...you need to pick one up and dry fire it...they have outstandingergonomics and are compact and light but stable and rigid. Your scope goes on the barrel NOT on the receiver so there is noe less thing to wiggle.

I have a Remington VSSF .223 rifle.(varmint,stainless steel, fluted barrel) It is heavy and I won't want to carry it all day but for a factory rifle it is sweet. Shoots 5/8 groups @100 yrds.

If you can find a Ruger #1 with a varmint barrel you will have a great rifle.
Unlike some of the other guns out there, the Ruger #1 trigger and accuracy (with the heavy barrel) is exceptional plus IMO it is the epitome of a First Class Firearm.

What about a savage? Good deal, good trigger, good barrel. what else could you want

The CZ's are awesome rifles. Especially with what you get for the money. Extremely accurate, mini-Mauser controlled feed action, beautiful guns. And a great set trigger to boot. Plus they now offer curly maple and laminate stocks on their American Classics. The Curly maple is BEAUTIFUL! Their laminate Varminter is pretty sexy too.

www.cz-usa.com