Best OTC varminter for value and accuracy?

[huntinfool]

Looking to buy an OTC heavy barreled rifle for shooting paper and occasional varminting. What, in your opinion is the best OTC rifle platform to start with? I'm partial to Remington and that is all I own. But it's hard to ignore a Savage. I will eventually semi-customize it ie: add trigger, replace and/or glass bed the stock, true action (if needed) etc.

Some of the rifles I am looking at include, but are not limited to:
Savage 12 Long Range Precision varminter .223 (1-7" twist)
Remington 700 VS SF II in either .223 or 220 Swift
Cooper Phoenix (dreamin')
Remington 700 SPS Varminter cal??

Any idea's?

[crashcarruthers]

I would add to the list Tikka T3 Varmint and CZ527 Varmint ,good values and shoot great out of the box. Caliber depends on how much you shoot, distance you plan on shooting, how big of varmmints you plan on shooting and whether you reload or not. If you don't reload .223 has plentiful "cheap" ammo. If you reload I would go for .204 Ruger cheap to reload as .223 and shoot's flatter than a .223, no recoil, uses approximately 35% less powder than a 22-250, and barrel heats a lot less. I would get a 1-9 to 1-7 twist if I was getting a .223. IMHO!

[Oleman]

Looking to buy an OTC heavy barreled rifle for shooting paper and occasional varminting. What, in your opinion is the best OTC rifle platform to start with? I'm partial to Remington and that is all I own. But it's hard to ignore a Savage. I will eventually semi-customize it ie: add trigger, replace and/or glass bed the stock, true action (if needed) etc.

Any idea's?

If you want a little better out of the box accuracy I'd go with Savage. Mostly I own Remingtons but 2 of my last 3 guns have been Savages. They shoot much better than my non tweaked Remingtons did. In fact one of them shots consistant sub 4's and into the upper 1's if I do my part and the wind isn't blowing. By the way both of these Savages have been used I know the owners and one of them was out of box factory. Both were less $$$$$$ than a used Remington. What can I say?

[udiablo]

I like Remingtons, and do not currently own any Savages.

However, currently the Savages may be the best value.

My only gripe about Savages is the appearance of that "plumber nut" on the barrel.

And if that doesn't turn you off, then go with the Savage.

My preference would be something made here (in the US).

[crashcarruthers]

Savage, Remington,Kimber, and Cooper would be American (more or less).

[dannybracy]

You CAN NOT go wrong with a Long Range Precision Varminter. I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine!:) It will shoot .5" groups all day long without a blink. The right bolt left port comes in very handy when shooting off a bench or quick follow-ups on the occasion miss in dogtowns.

I saw a .223 LRPV with 100 rounds down the tube go on Gunbroker.com for $675. If I had not just bought a 6.5x20x56 VX-L Varmint Reticle to go on my .204 LRPV I would have picked that up also! A local Scheels Gun store has a used one in the $850 range in the .223. Or you could build your own $475 for a shipped action, barrel of your choice.....Shilen in the $250 range or on the Ruger .204 Hunting.com site a .223 LRPV new take off for $205, and Jim Briggs at Northland Shooters Supply has the H-S Precision Varmint Stock that LRPV's come with. He can also build ones for you I think or get you any parts you need for them.

If you are partial to Remmy's you might think about thier new VTR (Varmint Tactical Rifle). I just read an article in Shooting Times and I think my next rifle will be one. It got good reviews and I think that it has many new features. It has a TRIANGULAR BARREL for rigidity, improved heat dissipation and weight reduction. It comes in .204, .223, 22-250, and .308. Think a .308 thumper will be on order here soon, they are going in the $650 range on Gunbroker.com. Just a thought.

I would also think about the .204!......man is it a flat shooter! Many PD's in S.D. do not appreciate it, even on windy days! Let us know what you pick! -Dan

[Troy0079]

huntinfool

Seems like you have a pretty good handle on things. I have the Remington VSSF II in a .204 Ruger. It may be a little more expensive to shoot than the 223 but I do love to shoot it. Don't rule it out right away.

[Bigrock]

You should look at the Thompson Center Encore or the Encore Pro Hunter. There are lots of barrels in lots of calibers out there. I have one with a Swift barrel and it's very accurate. I have a 25/06 barrel also.:D


Good Shooting
Kenny

[deathwind II]

If you're looking for a good base to "upgrade" later, the 700 SPS varmint in .22/.250 is a good option. Can be bought on sale for <$500. Some Savages may shoot as well (or arguably better) OOTB, but I prefer the resale value and that certain quality "American Industrial" feel of Remingtons.

[Catfish]

If you go Savage with the Accura trigger or the CZ 527 you will not need to replace the trigger. As for accuracy you put down your money and take your chances. I have the lite weight CZ 527 and a friend has the heavy barreled varminter. His heavy shoots .5 to .6 on a good day and my lite weight carrey gun shoot .2 to .3 on a good. I`ve got a nephue that picked up a 700 mountain rifle in .243. Lite and with the flimisy forarm that twist in your hand. He put 7 shot into .590 at 100 yrds. The best part in that 5 rounds were 70 gn. varmint bullets and 2 were 100 gn. hunting bullets. I here of other guy with heavy varmint rifles shooting 1 1/2 to 2 moa with new guns. :confused:

[huntinmedic]

I dont have the years in that alot of these guys do. But when it comes to doing my research and looking for good value i think i do pretty well. I would personally go with the Savage in 223. They are incredible shooters out of the box and with some easy to do work they can shoot as good as anything out there. Mine has had the barrel and action bedded and trued a decent scope put on and a simple trigger job done to the factory(nonadjustable) trigger. It now shoots with the best of them. As i said.. just my .02 cents worth. Hope it helps.

[the jigger]

IMHO the best bang for the buck is the Savage 12fv. You can get it in 22-250 1 in12' twist or 223 1 in 9" twist. I prefer the 22-250. Here in central Florida they are going for about $550 OTD.

[huntinfool]

I decided to go with the Remington XR-100. I picked it up this afternoon. I was able to choose between three they had NIB. I picked the one that was centered in the stock, had the best trigger and the bolt lugs looked to be making contact (but we'll see). It has an externally adjustable 40X trigger and a 1-12" twist. I'll break it in (50rds) and then shoot for accuracy. More than likely I'll bed it in Marine-tex. I'll keep you posted.