Best 223 varmint rifle for the money?
- Thread starter 11phenom
- Start date
Welcome aboard- glad to have you amongst us.
You can get quite a few options on varmint rifles, plus scope, plus a fat supply of ammo for your $1k mark.
Before I just jump in and start naming makes and models- I guess it's fair to let you know there are a few things to consider. If you're going to be carrying the rifle for very long or very far- you'll want to steer towards the lighter end of them. If you're ranch shooting from a bench/truck- then it's OK to go with the heaviest out there.
How much shooting? If you're going to be on frequent heavily populated p-dog towns- then you might not want a barrel burner. If you plan on yotes and occasional other critters- then your high-speed rounds aren't a bad way to go.
For one that will hold it's own for just about anything from yote on down, and medium weight- then the options available might make your head spin. If this looks like your goal- then I have to pitch my vote for either the CZ 527 American or the CZ 527 Varmint either/both in .223 flavor. Now if you want to step it up a notch, then the AR's are the way to go- but that will end up over your budget by the time you get some decent glass mounted.
For glass, I absolutely see no reason at all to spend as much for the scope as you do for the rifle. I have several Mueller 8.5-25x scopes that have held up every bit as well as my Weavers and Leupold.
If you can't get a clear deal on a CZ, then take a look at Savage, Remington, or the Howa lines. I'm not real familiar with their models. If you do consider the CZ, aside from their accuracy and overall quality- they have a single-set trigger. The regular pulls are OK at hunting pull weights, but if you thumb the trigger forward and set it- it becomes a matter of a pound or less. It'll really let you get the full useful range out of the .223 round.
Hope that helps a bit.
You can get quite a few options on varmint rifles, plus scope, plus a fat supply of ammo for your $1k mark.
Before I just jump in and start naming makes and models- I guess it's fair to let you know there are a few things to consider. If you're going to be carrying the rifle for very long or very far- you'll want to steer towards the lighter end of them. If you're ranch shooting from a bench/truck- then it's OK to go with the heaviest out there.
How much shooting? If you're going to be on frequent heavily populated p-dog towns- then you might not want a barrel burner. If you plan on yotes and occasional other critters- then your high-speed rounds aren't a bad way to go.
For one that will hold it's own for just about anything from yote on down, and medium weight- then the options available might make your head spin. If this looks like your goal- then I have to pitch my vote for either the CZ 527 American or the CZ 527 Varmint either/both in .223 flavor. Now if you want to step it up a notch, then the AR's are the way to go- but that will end up over your budget by the time you get some decent glass mounted.
For glass, I absolutely see no reason at all to spend as much for the scope as you do for the rifle. I have several Mueller 8.5-25x scopes that have held up every bit as well as my Weavers and Leupold.
If you can't get a clear deal on a CZ, then take a look at Savage, Remington, or the Howa lines. I'm not real familiar with their models. If you do consider the CZ, aside from their accuracy and overall quality- they have a single-set trigger. The regular pulls are OK at hunting pull weights, but if you thumb the trigger forward and set it- it becomes a matter of a pound or less. It'll really let you get the full useful range out of the .223 round.
Hope that helps a bit.
Do you want a heavy barrel? If so go to Dick's, you can pick up the Remington 700 ADL Varmint for under $500. It's a 26" barrel but with a 1:12 twist. If you want to be able to shoot up to 69gr bullets the SPS Tactical is good to go and comes with a 1:9 twist. I have the tactical model. Nice rifle.
tahunua001
New member
an AR15 clone will do the trick quite nicely. might I recommend the smith and wesson MP15 or the DPMS Sportical? my sportical is a work of art and the base model only costs about $600 that leaves you $400 for optics and upgrades
CPTMurdoc30
New member
I have two 223 varmint rifles.
First: Remington 700VLS it is topped with a Nikon Monarch UCC 6.5-20x42mm setting in Leupold rings and 1 piece base. I changed the trigger to a timney and adjusted it to 1.5#. I also changed the firing pin from the factory init to a callahan unit. She shoot 50gr V-Max's in to .4" range at 100 yards. She weighs in at 12.5# fully loaded with a Harris 13-23" bipod and sling. I love this rifle for its performance and looks.
Second: Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit Rifle with a 20" barrel it is topped with a Nikon Monarch 6-24x50mm side focus scope in Burris Tactical rings. It has a RRA two stage trigger that breaks like glass. I use magpul PMags in it. It shoots 60 gr V-Max's in to .3" groups at 100 yards. It weighs in at 10# fully loaded with a 20 round mag same bipod and sling.
I live in va and we do a lot of walking when we hunt ground hogs. That 2.5# makes a huge difference by the end of the day when walking around a 300 acre farm..
Howa, Remington, savage and many others make great varmint rifles. But, like a deer rifle for here is totally different than a deer rifle for a person in Nevada so is a varmint rifle.
First: Remington 700VLS it is topped with a Nikon Monarch UCC 6.5-20x42mm setting in Leupold rings and 1 piece base. I changed the trigger to a timney and adjusted it to 1.5#. I also changed the firing pin from the factory init to a callahan unit. She shoot 50gr V-Max's in to .4" range at 100 yards. She weighs in at 12.5# fully loaded with a Harris 13-23" bipod and sling. I love this rifle for its performance and looks.
Second: Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit Rifle with a 20" barrel it is topped with a Nikon Monarch 6-24x50mm side focus scope in Burris Tactical rings. It has a RRA two stage trigger that breaks like glass. I use magpul PMags in it. It shoots 60 gr V-Max's in to .3" groups at 100 yards. It weighs in at 10# fully loaded with a 20 round mag same bipod and sling.
I live in va and we do a lot of walking when we hunt ground hogs. That 2.5# makes a huge difference by the end of the day when walking around a 300 acre farm..
Howa, Remington, savage and many others make great varmint rifles. But, like a deer rifle for here is totally different than a deer rifle for a person in Nevada so is a varmint rifle.
Weatherby Vanguard
The MOA Vanguard is guaranteed to shoot under 1" @ 100 YDS.
I think it is one of the best value/ quality buys in the market place.
They are now into a series 2 , available in stainless with improved trigger and new stock.
I have one in .22-250 and it is real tack driver with 40gr Bullets going 4000fps
PS; Savage, Rem 700, CZ , T/C icon are all good guns. Do not worry too much about which one - pick the one you like the best.
Have fun JD
The MOA Vanguard is guaranteed to shoot under 1" @ 100 YDS.
I think it is one of the best value/ quality buys in the market place.
They are now into a series 2 , available in stainless with improved trigger and new stock.
I have one in .22-250 and it is real tack driver with 40gr Bullets going 4000fps
PS; Savage, Rem 700, CZ , T/C icon are all good guns. Do not worry too much about which one - pick the one you like the best.
Have fun JD
Get R Done Guns
New member
Welcome,
Savage is great
CZ is great
Remington 700 SPS varmint is great
All of these can be kept under 1000.00 dollars with a nikon scope.
Savage is great
CZ is great
Remington 700 SPS varmint is great
All of these can be kept under 1000.00 dollars with a nikon scope.
CPTMurdoc30
New member
Here are pictures of mine.
Here it is in a SPS stock.
Here it is with a Leupold scope and the Laminate stock.
Here it is in a SPS stock.
Here it is with a Leupold scope and the Laminate stock.
mrawesome22
New member
Remington 700VLSS, 22-250Rem, Sightron SII 6.5-20X42AO, Talley Lightweight Rings, Harris Pivot Bipod, Glass Bedded and floated.
5 shot group with 50gr V-Max handloads.
Mrgunsngear
New member
Smith and Wesson M&P sport. You can get them under $600 and they're accurate and reliable.
603Country
New member
I don't see that anyone has mentioned the Ruger Hawkeye in 223. I've got one, and now that I've found the bullet/powder combo that it likes, it shoots great. I got the stainless version on sale at one of the big hunting stores. I think I paid $400 for it. I'd buy another one for sure, but I'd also be happy with a Browning or a Winchester or a Remington or a CZ (not a Savage fan, but that's only due to their looks). I don't think any of them would be a bad choice.
Vt.birdhunter
New member
Tikka's T3 Varmint will probably out shoot most other rifles mentioned here out of the box. They are VERY reasonably priced.
Ask around.
Cant go wrong with a CZ either, especially when you are looking for bang for the buck.
Ask around.
Cant go wrong with a CZ either, especially when you are looking for bang for the buck.
