Seeking advice for "starter" varmint rifle

My vote for a economic quality varmint rifle is the Stevens Model 200 in a .223. I have one and love it! It's the same thing as a Savage 10. It doesn't have an accutrigger, but you can adjust the pull on it. For $300 you can't go wrong with it, IMO.
 
I have a 12FV in .223 that I strapped to a stock from a 12BVSS. It's really heavy, and REALLY nice. It shoots .5s reliably, and I can't ask it to do any better than that for a dead-stock factory rifle. I would suggest getting into handloading. It's impossible to articulate how important it is until you have done it for yourself. There is no thought in my head about factory ammo any more, only how I can tighten groups, up velocity, or make the most immediate possible kill.
 
I can't believe only one person has mentioned Tikkas...CZ and Savage are definitely fine choices also but I would at least do some serious looking at the Tikkas. Excellent shooters, nice triggers, and light or heavy barrel options.
 
I think your plan of action with a Savage in 223 is great. But like was stated above, the Tikka and CZ are great as well. I don't know a great deal about the Tikkas but I do know the varmint model is more expensive. And the CZ varmint barrel may be a bit lite for PD shooting.But I am a Savage owner. The one thing I can say about Savages is they shoot like heaven, but look like [beeep]. If I were you I would also invest in a 17HMR as well. You need something to shoot while the "big gun" is cooling down.
 
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