Best long range varmint rifle for the money.

If its purely for smaller varmints I'd be looking into either 223, 204 ruger, 22-250 or 243.
Anything else is just extra money for basically no gain.

I'm sure people will tell you that you need a 6.5-284 or a 7mm WSM, but if its just for smaller varmints out to around 500 yards then the calibres I said are all you need.

Personally I'd look into 204 Ruger, thats a sweet little cartridge.
But 223 will do you good too.

Howa also makes some nice rifles, and I think you can still get the CZ 527 Kevlar, they're nice too.
 
How far have you guys shot your savage 12s?
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The farthest Ive shot an animal at is 623 yards and that was a p-dog, it took me 3 shots cause the first I didnt judge for wind and the second I overcompensated. The farthest Ive shot a gong at is 800. I wouldnt be able to shoot that far being that accurate if it wasnt for the scope I have.
 
An important consideration in varmint hunting (as with any hunting) is bullet ricochet. A slow heavy bullet is more likely to stay intact and continue on for some distance whereas a fast light bullet will most likely disintegrate on impact with the critter or the ground. I once shot a crow sitting in a plowed field with a 25-06 and Winchester 90gr PEP "Positive Expanding Point". Of course the crow exploded but so did the bullet. I expected to find a hole in the furrow just past the crow but instead found many small holes from the bullet fragments. Testimony that it is a good choice for hunting varmints.

Deer season comes around and I had not re-sighted for a different load so on the first day I loaded up with the same 90gr PEP's. First thing that morning I spotted a nice buck (5x5) trashing a small bush. When he raised his head again I was ready and took a neck shot. He dropped and I quickly moved in for second shot, which wasn't necessary. However, when I went to bleed him out I noticed that the bullet did not pass through his neck but blew up, shattering his spine. It was a clean quick kill but would not be a bullet choice for a shoulder shot.
 
I hunt coyotes with an AR. We're talking $600 if you look around hard enough.

I also can't say enough good about the AR57 variant. Some aren't fans of the 5.7 caliber, but i find it incredibly accurate. There are people all over message boards almost giving those uppers away in classified sections.

Something cheaper, the Remy 700's can be had for $400, and are known as some of the most accurate rifles around. Maybe that's overkill, but hey, get it in .223.
 
How far have you guys shot your savage 12s?

Mine is a .223 and I have never hunted with it, too pretty and too heavy to lug around:D I've shot bench out to 300 yards.
 
Take a close look at the CZ model 527. Always accurate right out of the box and their single set trigger is the best on the market.
 
700v. Exact model depends on your budget. Me id go with a 22250. If you handload and you should ammo cost isnt that much differnt and it adds a 100 yards to your effect range and is just as accurate as a 223.
 
Rem 700 ADL in .223

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That golf ball never had a chance.
 
My 700 started life as a Light Varmint Stainless Fluted in 221 Fireball. Didn't like the tuperware stock at all and replaced it with a Boyd's Laminate. Nice accurate rig.

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It must be nice to shoot 100 yards. That's some really far off distance. I bet you do it offhand too and with iron sights, using only your trigger finger.
 
And shooting backwards over the left shoulder.:cool:

Mr.Dontplay - hope you get an accurate rifle and post a range report when you get a chance.
 
I love my Savage 12 ABT in .204. Last p-dog trip to Stratford, TX, I plugged one of those buggers at 606 yards with my Burris 8-32 Balistic Plex. +1 to those recommending the Savage 12.
 
trg42wraglefragle hit the nail on the head for a straight up varmint rifle

If its purely for smaller varmints I'd be looking into either 223, 204 ruger, 22-250 or 243.
Anything else is just extra money for basically no gain.
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I'm in the wishing market for a rem 700 in 204 Ruger for a varmint rig.
 
Check out the .223 Howa 1500 Supreme Varmint on sale for $399 at CDNN. I have a .308 version of the same rifle and man it can shoot. I get sub 3" groups at 300 yards (I'm the limiting factor not the rifle!) using FGMM or BH 168gr SMK's.
 
The guy asked about a prairie dog gun and some of you are advising 7mm's and .308's. Obviously you have never been in a good dog town and shot 200 to300 rounds in a setting.

For target rich enviornments like a good dog town, I would not consider anything bigger than a .243 class rifle, and it is going to get pretty ouchy at the end of a 300 round day.

.223, 22/250, .204 Ruger are better choices of extended varmint hunting when the target is smaller varmints.

Remington or Savage both make varmint accurate (Under MOA) rifles that are not too pricey.

Bill
 
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