varmint rifle

[shorthair15]

i was looking at getting a 223 for yotes and maybe a occasional bobcat maybe even a cougar. it seems the ammo is pretty cheap for 223. what rifle would you recommend for this type of hunting. i looked local but they have very few. whats the best bang for the buck. i want some thing that will last i take good care of my guns. what type of scope would you use on a gun like this. i researched this topic in the search mode but there are alot of companies makeing predator rifles now. so i thought it would be best to try on here. thanks

[shoot-em-dead]

For the area of the State you live in I think you are correct with the .223. It is a great round for the animals you intend to hunt and the range you will have. For a scope it really depends on your preference and the depth of your wallet. I use a Bushnell 6x18x50 that costs around 150.00 on my 22-250 and it has been a great scope in my opinion. I would suggest you really spend some time at wholesale sports and Cabelas before you make your purchase so that you get what you like. 

[WonkyWapiti]

Shorthair, I'm in the same boat as you.  First off you've got to decide if you want a bolt action or a semi-auto.  For the semi-auto route I've been looking at the Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit rifle in .223.  Theres a crapload of bolt actions I've been thinking about as well.

[stumprat]

There are alot of great rifles out there. But probably the best bang for the buck would be. A Savage-Stevens in .223

[AWS]

223 makes an nice cartridge for predator hunting, there is a slew of different loads availible.  As for what rifle, bottom end but a good shooter Stevens 200 or Savage Edge, moving up, a CZ 527, Rem Model 7Pred., Savage Pred. Howa or Tikka, top end Coopers, Kimbers, Browning or TC Icon.

Heavy or light barrel, if your going to do any hiking with it I'd go light.

Scopes, I like to call predators so my shots are pretty close , 10 ft to 300 yrds.  I like scope with plenty of FOV 40+ ft.  MY favorite scopes are 1x4x20(4), 1.5x6x40(2) and 2.5x10x40 with the smaller varialbles on most of my guns and the 2.5x10 on a 22-250.

Well come to predator hunting.

AWS

[CastleRocker]

Look hard at buying a used rifle, as most people don't shoot enough to even break the dang barrel in.  

Best bang for your buck...I'd have to say a Stevens model 200.  They make a camo model now.  If I was on a tight budget, I would look for a used one, and do a Krylon camo job on it. Then put the best glass I could afford on it.  Both my brother-in-laws have them, both wear Leupolds, and they shoot unbelievably well.    I've shot them a lot while trying different loads in them, and I have to admit that out of the box they are the most accurate rifle for the money I've seen by far.  Personally I don't like Savage/Stevens rifles, but that's just me.

Also, you might want to look at those H&R Handi-rifles.  I've had several and although accuracy is hit and miss with them, they are an inexpensive single shot.  I've had one that I couldn't make shoot good enough to take out hunting, and I've had one that was a bug-holer.  (I wish I hadn't sold that one!)  The other three were in between as far as accuracy goes.

Myself, I caught the AR bug a couple years ago.  I bought two R-15's when they came out and made the mistake of putting them in the safe together, and yep, you guessed it!  They are breeding like rabbits!  If you decide to go that route, look hard at the "Bargin Bin" on the CMMG website.  I've got one of those now too, and they flat shoot (it was one of the "offspring" of my first two).      

Around here, a 223 is a good choice as shots are usually not what you will find on the East side of our state.

Good luck!

[carpsniperg2]

a very good rifle for mot a whole bunch of $ is the tikka. the 223 is pretty cheap gun to shoot and would be great for what you are talking about doing.

[wence5]

Don't overlook a used rifle. One of the best rifles I've ever owned was a used Remington 700 ADL in .22-250. She was an outstanding shooter, but I got the bug to move down to the .223 because of the price of ammo. Been kicking myself ever since. What ever you end up buying, don't skimp on glass. I would say you are going to have to spend over $150. Just my  :two cents:

[hoosier85]

I picked up a marlin xl7 for cheap and it has been one of my best purchases. You can pick them up for around $300 too. The one you want would be the marlin xs7? I think.. Its just the short action.

[Gringo31]

Find the right deal.  I would recommend a 204, 22-250, or a 223.  Price of ammo is a factor but most folks don't shoot that much to make much of a difference.  I'm a big fan of my glass being 4.5X14X50.

[COYOTE_KILLER]

im also in the market for a new .223  i have been doing lots of research and the best i can see
so far is the Remington r-15 bushmaster in .223 its a spendy sucker new they are starting at 1,100 bucks
just a bit of info for you.   good luck..

[chrisb]

AR-15. You can upgrade it later on with different caliber uppers on the same lower and there are more accessories and mods out there than you will know what to do with. Oly arms has some entry levels on the cheap too.

[trippledigitss]

I'm really new at all this and hunting in general but I've been using my MP15 for coyote hunting with an NC Star Mark III in 2-7x32 and I just bought a Nikon Coyote Special scope in 3-9x40. I havent hunted with the new scope yet but I sighted it in on my MP at the range last week and it is pretty sweet, dead-on at 100yds which is the max range at the place I went to. But even though everyone is saying AR is the way to go - and I really like my MP15 - I've still been looking at getting a BA varmit rifle and I really want one in full camo.

So I checked most all of the ones posted by AWS and a few more. The Savage Edge is really affordable at about 350-400 but I can only find them with a camo stock, not camo barrel too. I also have been considering the Savage (Stevens?) M10 Predator Package in full brush camo including stock, barrel, and scope and they are around 600-650. But I REALLY like the Howa Axiom (its a 1500 with different stock?) in the Ranchland Kings Desert Camo - I think thats the one I am going to go with at about $700 to $900.

But I have a few questions and maybe some of you guys can help. Why are bolt action rifles considered so much better and/or accurate than semi-autos? Also, the Axiom comes in 20" or 24" barrels and I cant decide which one to get. What are the benefits of a 20" vs 24" barrel? I was thinking the longer barrel must give better accuracy over longer distances? Is that correct?

[trippledigitss]

Oh - and I'm thinking about getting the Axiom in 22-250 just so I have a rifle in different caliber than my Mp15. I thought about .223 since I could use the same ammo in 2 rifles but kind of want to 'diversify' my rifles a bit. Also thought about .243 but they only make the Axiom with a 24" barrel in .243.

[whacker1]

I bought Howa 1500 in 22-250 for $400 last fall.  blued action and barrel on Hogue synthetic stock.  It shoots pretty darn well, just need to spend more time with it.