Author Topic: choice on a new varmint rifle (Read 697 times)

mjbgalt · « **on:** October 13, 2005, 06:04:08 PM »

i am looking for a .204 to replace my encore.

i want a bolt action rifle, nice wood stock, glossy metal, something quality and sleek and nice looking.

was planning on buying a browning a-bolt to go with my gold hunter in 20 gauge.

what do you guys think?

-Matt

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2005, 11:11:33 AM »

I've never owned or shot an A-bolt, so I can't offer criticism or praise of that model. But I can say that I'd like to get a .204 as well, and to my way of thinking, the best choice and value is the Savage model 12 low profile. It's got a heavy barrel and laminated stock. I've got a plastic stocked model 12 in .22-250, and it's a great shooter. I think it weighs over 9 pounds and the laminated version is heavier still. So it's not a good carry rifle if that's what you're looking for. It's also "chunky" looking and not as "sleek" as the A-bolt (you said you wanted something sleek).

Don't have any Browning rifles, but I'm a knife collector, and Browning knives have an excellent fit and finish. I hear good things about A-bolts, other than feeding problems with super short magnums.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2005, 12:01:55 PM »

well the "sleek" part was that i wanted to be able to walk around with it and not have a bulky heavy rifle to carry with me.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2005, 12:55:23 PM »

i like the browning medallion, the cz american, and the remington and winchester models.

the winchester is not available in .204 so its out. the remington would be in but tons of people on this site keep ragging on them and they all do seem to say the same thing. the guys who like remington are supporting them fully but even they sometimes say quality has gone downhill.

what about cz? i know people seem to like them, do they have that short 60 degree bolt throw? do they shoot well?

-Matt

jerkface11 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2005, 01:03:40 PM »

I haven't shot a CZ in 204 but i've shot a .22-250 and krochus's 7.62x39 both are smooth and accurate. Krochus even shot a .3" or so group with the 7.62x39 at 100 yards. They have several options on wood and metal that's as good looking as anyones.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2005, 01:16:16 PM »

mjbgalt, I don't have a Browning A-bolt in 204, but I do have one in 243 and 338 Win Mag. I love them. Both are tack drivers. My good friend has one in 300 Win Mag and it also is a tack driver. I don't think you will regret getting one. JMHO.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2005, 06:07:44 PM »

redhawk, are yours medallions or hunters? what do you NOT like about them if anything?

am pretty excited to get one but i wanna make sure to get the one i want.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2005, 07:04:21 AM »

i guess what i am looking for is something i will be satisfied with and that i will hunt with the rest of my life and pass on to my kids or relatives.

something classy and well made and accurate.

i liked the idea of a hornet but the hornet seems to lose steam around 200 yards. the .223 seems like it may be a possibility and so does the .22-250. are either of these easier/cheaper to find or reload?

i really liked the flat shooting of my .204 so maybe i should go back to that. but some have said you cannot duplicate the factory spec on that because they use different powder and that if you reload it with standard powders you may as well have a .223 or .22-250.

i will be using it for groundhogs and coyotes and paper. what do you all think?

-Matt

jvs · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2005, 10:30:24 AM »

mjbgalt,

I wouldn't let opinions keep you from buying a Remington. For years I stayed away from Remingtons because of bad press about the safetys and accidental discharges on some models and I find now that it was all for naught. I never owned a Remington until about 5 years ago, since then I have bought 2 or 3 of them and I find nothing negative about a Remington that doesn't pertain to other makes also. No doubt that Remington has mad a few Monday Morning rifles in their days, but I don't think it is the norm.

In most cases Remington is a mass produced firearm with all of the downfalls as others have. I personally don't like Rugers, Brownings or Weatherbys but I certainly don't mind other people spending their money on them and using them. It isn't because they don't function, but because of their looks. I suppose there isn't anything wrong with being pretty, but it isn't for my guns.

The .223 would be hard to beat as a Varminter at the ranges that you want to shoot, as I believe that the .204 will join the list of 'has beens' in the not too distant future.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2005, 11:14:58 AM »

its funny you should mention all that, i just got back from the gun shop with a BDL with some pretty walnut in .223!

I am very happy with it and i thought since GB endorses them so much and since a lot of people say they are very accurate and since they have been selling very well for a long time, i would try one out.

-Matt

safetysheriff · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2005, 01:12:25 PM »

mjb'

when i worked with a left-handed BDL earlier this year i had to install a shim to keep the recoil lug in contact with the wooden stock. that was a minor consideration, but one that would allow the recoil lug to do its job without the action screws having to do it. i then adjusted the trigger group as i've posted elsewhere, with instructions from www.centerfirecentral.com. the instructions might also be available off one of the sniper websites, too. (we use an RCBS trigger gauge to set the pull weight because otherwise you are just guessing......)

my buddy has used 100 gr' Sierra spitzer bt's for his projectiles in that .243 and has been well-satisfied. it will possibly take his buck this year down in W. Va.

take care,

ss'

ps: by the way, the wood on his BDL was also some of the finest that i've ever seen....

mjbgalt · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2005, 01:59:42 PM »

i really like the one i bought.

i tried several out, the cz was too small as was the browning. the winchester got ruled out because theyre too busy trying to push the WSSM .223 to actually chamber the real one that hunters want.

the vanguard sport was a gorgeous rifle, pretty wood and stainless and rosewood accents....but too damn heavy and they had to order a .223 and i wanted something i could use this weekend and i really called it a tie between the remington and the vanguard sport and since they had the remington in stock i bought it.

it seemed like the only "full size" rifle they had. my arms arent THAT long....i forget what length draw i use in archery, i think it was over 30"....

but the remington fit and was pretty and i found the prices on bulk pack .223 pretty enticing.

so look out groundhogs and coyotes.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:01:52 PM »

actually the trigger on this one is exactly as i like them to be already, and there is NO creep at all. all in all a pretty well made rifle as far as i can tell.
i will let you guys know how it shoots later this week...i may even get lucky enough to be able to shoot tomorrow.

-Matt

jvs · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2005, 02:11:21 AM »

Take some half decent ammo with you while you're at it and see if that cheap generic bulk stuff does as good as brand name ammo.

Open up a few of those generic carts and you will find all different charge
weights inside. ISO 9000 doesn't usually apply to bulk Military ammo.

At least that is my experience with bulk ammo.

Stickers · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2005, 04:13:20 AM »

I have had great groups with The Black Hills 52gr Match. It is reloaded from once shot brass. It is as accurate as anything I have tried so far, in fact it is the best so far. It is closely followed by the Winchester white box. The varmints don,t seem to the know the difference although the 52gr hits with a little more punch. The price is pretty good also. Try some of the 52gr match in that Remmy, I bet it likes' em. Stickers

mjbgalt · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2005, 05:50:22 AM »

sounds like the winchester white box ammo has some magic in that box.

the guy at the gun shop steered me right for it too. as have a lot of handi shooters on this site.

if its this cheap and shoots that good i may not even want to handload. but i probably will anyway.

the box says its made for 9" twist and my gun has a 12" twist. is that going to affect it more than another brand? or is that for shooting the heavier .223 bullets?

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2005, 04:48:23 PM »

well you guys weren't kidding. i didnt have much time to sight it in today but i made a quick rest of a lunch box and shot several grops with remington and winchester ammo.

the white box shone. i got 3 groups of 3 in less than an inch at 100 yards and that wasn't even on a "real" benchrest, and it was windy as heck.

i am very pleased and i think i have got a keeper here. just that it annoys me in one small way...it will put two in damn near the same hole and then throw one a little further out...turns a 1/4" group into a 3/4" group. i can't complain about 3/4" but it would be nice to have one that can hit a dime at 100 yards, lol.

-Matt

UtahMike · « **Reply #17 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:01:52 PM »

Make sure you take time to break in the barrel, you will be very glad in the long run that you did. Just a thought.
I've got 3 Rem's, 2 of them, the .243 and .270 are 25yrs old now. and the .243 still shoots 1/4" groups with the little 70HP TNT's and the 270 is still a MOA or better rifle, with 130gr BTSP from Sierra, loaded for hunting, max or near max load of H-4831SC, not to bad, The third is a VSSF in 22-250 that I rechambered to 22-250AI, what a ball. I taken coyotes to 600 yrds.
The triggers have been wonderful, however I finally decided to change the .243's to a Basic trigger set a 2#'s, haven't be sorry at all. Nice wide, good shape and size for me.
The .243 has probably taken more varmints over the years than all others combined. However, I did buy a new Savage 12FLV for a long range varmint rig. 26" heavy barrel, Farrel 10moa base, PRW Leupold rings and a new Leupold 6.5-20x50mm varmint reticle, and now a Choate Stock, it fits like a glove. This is now a care rifle, about 13# but the first groups were under 1/2" after it was broken in. Oh by the way it's a .308win. For the bucks, a great rig....
Remington's been good to me over the years, I hope they get their heads out of, where-ever, and start getting the reputation they deserve back.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2005, 12:20:51 PM »

i took the rifle out again today and shot a box of american eagle (federal) i had sitting aorund. damned if it didnt shoot BETTER than the white box.

that load shot a three shot group, rested on a piece of 4x4 and a rubberized rest i use...that was two shots touching, one shot almost touching. thats pretty good from factory ammo, even better from factory ammo that costs $6.99 for 20 cartridges.

Now it wasn't benchrested like you guys sometimes do...the way i do it to check for which ammo is most accurate, to know where to start, is just to lay the forearm on something that wont scratch and hold it as steady as i can.

so that 3/8" group may become a 1/2" or less group, between handloads and a real benchrest.

offhand the best i could manage was a group that was about 3" at 100 yards, i was pretty happy with that too.

this one is a keeper. Thanks, GB, for the recommendation.

-Matt