Good day.

Just for interest sake, if you could choose any new heavy barreled 223 rem factory rifle up to around $1200 for both varmint and target shooting what would you buy?

Pieter

M77 MKII, or their Predator

These rifles will shoot under 1/2" Groups:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=494954939

there is also a Stainless version of this exact rifle that Runs around $699

They have an upgraded version with a Bell and Carlson Varmint stock with the Al bedding block in it and a 26" fluted barrel.

All these rifles are simply tack drivers with a little bit of load development.

Good luck

A Howa with the laminated stock.

They're 1-9s" now.




Travis

Sako 85 in a tight twist.

Salvage 10 anything ugly. Spend the rest on glass.

CZ 527 Kevlar Varminter.

I prefer the American but you said "heavy".

I bought a new Rem 700 SPS in 223 for $500 a few months ago, did nothing but tighten the action screws, install a scope, used one of my favorite handloads and immediately began to shoot 3/4" five shot groups. I spent another $100 and put a Timney trigger in it and with the better trigger it now groups d5 shots into a 1/2" more often than not.
It definitely fits heavy catagorey, I haven't weighed it but with a 6-24 Weaver on it I am guessing around 10.5#.

drover

This.

My cheap Savage 10 is a tack driver with 55gr BT's, LC brass, and TAC. You can get fancier rifles, that's for sure, but it's not necessary to shoot itty-bitty groups and coyotes.

drover, you shoot any of the .223 AI's... I have been considering one to avoid trimming brass....

savage 10 fv

Ruger 77 Predator

I have always stuck with the standard 223 although like you I do get tired of trimming.

drover

Remington, original VS-SF. Great stock, aluminum bedding block, and adjustable trigger. Heavy, stable, and accurate!!

Respects,
Richard

How do you guys rate the Savage 12 LRPV single shot rifles?

Pieter

I shot one in 6BR that was super accurate.
The LRPV's the only Savage I'd even consider owning but that stupid trigger would have to go.
Which is another reason to buy a CZ.
Their single set trigger is leagues ahead of others in this price range. 9 twist too if that matters.

They are very accurate pieces of schit IME.




Travis

Yep. Accurate. impractical. Heavy. And a piece of schitt.

You can't beat a Garcia era Sako, and you can still pick them up in that price range. Fast twist is wasted on a 223. 40 grain V-Max will really make it shine...

He lives in Australia and I don't think they have the used market we have.

Otherwise I would agree.




Travis

You could buy a regular Tikka, tie a bag of shot to either swivel, and throw away the other $600.

Throwing a boomerang beats shooting that other junk...

shrapnel, I thought you were to be fishing the Lamar River on Thursdays??????

I did, I am headed back to Bozeman after a decent afternoon on the Lamar. I would post pictures, but the only pictures that were taken were by tourists on the highway...

Tough to beat stainless/synthetic boomerang.



Travis

You forgot fast twist...

Travis, that is one of the better rifle descriptions I have heard to date

We do not throw boomerangs in South-Africa, but I will keep that in mind

Pieter

Id get a Savage rig and not look back.

Of having over 20 dedicated varmint rifles....the one I really like using is the rem 700 tactical....it's not stock by any means...trigger bolt knob firing pin and hs stock....the platform just works, the right weight and balance and really shoots just about any load I feed it..
Still my favorite would be the l461 sako but I don't have one in 223..

I second this. Not pretty, kinda heavy, but accurate. I was able to adjust the trigger in mine instead of changing it out. My scope is a 4-12 Nikon Monarch. Quickly becoming a favorite gun.

Pieter,
Good day sir.
I have three rifles in the safe that fit that description. A Winchester Heavy Varmint, a Remington 700 Varmint Synthetic, and a Howa heavy stainless.
The Winchester was my favorite and then I bought the Howa for my son and I prefer that now.
whelennut

I appreciate all the information guys.

I think the one thing that makes the savage fairly attractive is the ease of changing barrels.

How good is the HS stocks on the LRPV?

Pieter