223 rifle

[gman1]

I am looking at buying a 223 rifle for prairie dogs and other small " critters" and would like the members opinion on what make/model rifle to buy. I am not looking at spending a lot of money and would go with a bolt action.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I turn 70 in October and I have my wife's approval to buy myself a present! Life is good.

Thanks

Gman

 

[sneakypete]

Savage axis isn't bad.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Have a Howa 1500 I think it is, in .223, sporter barrel, love the gun. 20" tube, properly sized micro action, shoots very well. Hogue stock. Action feels right and has a nice trigger. I might see if they still offer their heavy barreled one, for the PD shooting. If you are not a hi volume shooter, the sporter barrel is probably OK.

CZ has some sweet ones too, the single set trigger is really nice for PD's. Mine is a 527 mini-Mauser in 221 Fireball, bought it because of the wood, or it would have been a 223. It is the most accurate rifle I own, with factory HSM loads, go figure. Might have something to do with the single set trigger.

No experience with the Savage rifle Pete suggested, but would not hesitate in the least on a Savage as their pricing is good and they usually shoot well. Browning and others offer good ones too. Myself, I am partial to a properly sized micro action for the 223 and the like. Howa pricing was good last I checked, and CZ was a bit more. But those are good comparison products I have experience with. Have fun as you consider the options.

 

[kidoggy]

I have a ruger m77 that I love for coyotes

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I shoot a lot of pds as they are real pests and lots of friends encourage me to come to their place and cut the population down.

Let me ask you a question or two. Do you reload? How far away are the pds going to be....your average distance on shots? The reason I ask is that I shoot pds with 2 different guns, a Marlin bolt action in .17 HMR and a custom bolt in .220 Ackley Swift. The .17 does a remarkable job, ammo is relatively cheap, very accurate and you can do a number on them out to 150 yards. I use the centerfire .220 for longer range shooting. I love both rifles, but for the money a .17 HMR rimfire is hard to beat.

Just sayin...............

 

[Work2hunt]

I love my Tikka.

 

[rjroberts15]

CC is on the money. The 17hmr are a blast and are deadly out to 150 with no wind. I have a marlin 917.
I shoot a model 7 Rem 223. It's a great little gun.

 

[Kentucky hunter]

Ruger American Predator

 

[Slugz]

For "small" varmints/shorter ranges my vote is the 17 HMR for the same reasons CC said........223 Ruger Hawkeye, Rem 700 or a tricked out " predator" rifle AR would be my vote if wanting the bigger 223 for varmints, predators at medium ranges.

 

[stevevan]

To build on CC's recommendation. I went a little bigger with the Win 17 Magnum RF. A greater, noticeable punch with the same benefit of affordable ammo and not having to worry about the brass to reload.

 

[gman1]

I don't reload anymore and when you live in ND I don't think a person has a day when the wind is not blowing. I think it has something to do with the lack of trees . The distance may not be over 150 either way though as the eyes are not what they used to be. I will look at the 17 but wouldn't you have some drift even at 75 yards with the 17 on a ND windy day?

 

[Horsenhike]

We have a really nice Savage/Stevens with an aftermarket stock and a 16 power fixed scope. Accurate and not real heavy. Ours has a sporter weight barrel though.

We have been talking about selling it due to it not getting used, but it is a beautiful rifle.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I don't reload anymore and when you live in ND I don't think a person has a day when the wind is not blowing. I think it has something to do with the lack of trees . The distance may not be over 150 either way though as the eyes are not what they used to be. I will look at the 17 but wouldn't you have some drift even at 75 yards with the 17 on a ND windy day?

The answer is yes.....BUT you will also get wind drift from the light .223 bullets too. It will be less, but it is still there.

 

[Tim McCoy]

17 HMR's hate the wind. 3" or so drift at 100 yards in a 10 mph cross wind if memory serves. None of the varmint rounds really excell in the wind, but the HMR is among the worst. I use one for sage rats and PD's quite a bit, but not on anything much larger. I'll almost always take the 17HMR and usually a 22 centerfire along, like CC, when going out and pick the one right for the range, conditions and quarry. Any combo of longer range, more wind, or larger quarry, offen calls for more than a 17HMR has to offer.

A 17 HMR does not take an expensive scope and are they are a very affordable gun. 223 is much more versatile, both in terms of effective range and quarry. A guy could end up with both without breaking the bank. My kids/nephew used my 223 on several antelope and management mule deer hunts. Very capable round with the right bullet. Then there are the faster 17's like the 17 Hornet and 17 Fireball, and the 204 , and the ______ . Have fun picking out the new toy.