Which 22-250?

[2DaMtns]

I have been wanting a 22-250 and recently found two that are close to me and within my budget. I am not familiar with either rifle, however, and would like some advice. I will use it generally for shooting at the range and varmint hunting - groundhogs, coyotes, etc. I would imagine it would be rare for me to shoot it more than 300 yards in the terrain I typically would be hunting. I recently traded away my reloading gear, but will get back into it eventually.

The first rifle is a CZ550. It has one scratch on the stock but is otherwise in great shape. The owner wants $725 for the rifle, or $775 for the rifle and a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40.

The second rifle is a Remington 788 in what appears to be excellent, almost new condition. The owner wants $425 for it. I've read that they have a weak attachment of the bolt handle, and many don't like the trigger, but I believe Timney makes one for it now. Although I'd rather buy the CZ than spend a few hundred dollars to upgrade the 788 if the CZ is superior.

I can afford the $350 difference, but don't want to spend the money if I don't have to.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[dgludwig]

Both are nice rifles, but I'd get the Remington and save $350.00. You can try the trigger to see if it suits you. Most of the 788s I've looked at and the one I owned had decent triggers. If you opt for the CZ, I'd definitely pay the extra fifty dollars for the admittedly "low-end" Nikon scope.

 

[603Country]

I've heard that the 788's are good shooters.

 

[Scorch]

788s are good shooters, but they are heavy, and you don't need the weight to tame a 22-250. The triggers are creepy and mushy, so a Timney is in order. Run you $200 to get it ready for a scope (trigger, scope base, rings). Given all that, I would go for the CZ if it wasn't priced so high, you can buy a brand new one for what the seller is asking.

 

[1spottedpony]

I dont find my 788 to be heavy, even topped with a 10x burris target scope. accuracy is good, under moa, if I do my part.
The lighter barrel does heat up under sustained shooting of prairie dogs.
Aside from triggers now available, spring kits are available that lightens the pull a fair amount.

Another shooter you might keep your eyes open for is one of the old 77V Rugers. With a minimum of tweaking and finding the loads it likes, 1/2 to 5/8" groups are the norm.

 

[birdshot]

I am also looking at a 22-250. The WalMart in North Platte has an Axis II heavy barrel for just under 400. I have a 700ADL that I am giving to my Dad, but since I have dies and am holding back a few rounds I will be needing a another.

 

[old roper]

I never own a 788 but varmint shooters I knew that shot them only problem they had was with rear locking lugs and if bolt locked up, they take bolt handle off trying to open action. Sure learned not to run anything hot.

I had chances to get them new but I opt for the 700 action rifles. Like Scorch mention if you have to buy trigger,mounts may be better getting the CZ but you can offer him less.

 

[Mobuck]

I shot 788's in 243 and 22'/250 for years but changed to the 700 when I found I could trade for a new 700 for only $30-40 more than changing the trigger on the 788 I had. That's the snag on the 788-the trigger.
BTW-If you're having "bolt lockup" problems with a 788, the loads are way too hot.

 

[T. O'Heir]

Only real downside to the 788(that doesn't need upgrading) might be the cost and relative availability of mags. There's one(happens to be for .22-250) on Gunbroker the guy wants $75 for. Isn't worth that much though. Gunparts wants $31 for one.
The CZ American(assuming that's what it is) was discontinued in 2013. It's mag runs $57.31 at Cheaper than Dirt. Buds was listing unscoped rifles at $809.
Other thing is that 788's have a cult following. It's value may go up. The CZ isn't likely to go up in value.

 

[2DaMtns]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going with the 788. The guy with the CZ posts guns on the site where I found it all the time, and rarely gets hits. I like the CZ OK, but if I like the older stuff. I recently bought an early 80's Remington 700 in 25-06, and have a Remington 722 in 300 savage. Guess I'm old fashioned. I'll let y'all know how it shoots once I get it out to test. Thanks again.

 

[2DaMtns]

Well, I got the rifle today. It's in really great shape, and I can't wait to get it to the range. Trying to post pics. She was made in 1975, and I'm already in love.

 

[2DaMtns]

Here we go. Was the walnut grip cap a factory option, or is that aftermarket/custom?

 

[2DaMtns]

And is it common to only have three scope mount holes drilled and tapped? Seems odd to me.

 

[dgludwig]

Common on the 788s I've seen.

 

[taylorce1]

Someone added the grip cap, and my 788 .30-30 has two piece bases for mounting a scope. However I can't tell you if it only has three mounting holes or not. I swapped out the scope but don't remember on the bases as I never took them off.