Some advise on Ohio varmit gun

S

sicumj

New member
First off new member here but not to the firearm forums. I've lurked here on occasion but started doing some serious reading here recently. Here is my delema. I ordered a left handed 527_in .223 about four months ago from my LGS. After talking with them this week I have no idea when it may arrive. I'm a wood stock guy for the most part and would not want a full bull barrel size gun. Reason for .223 was to stay away from the noise of the swift or 22-250. Varmints will be groundhogs,crows, and the occasional fox or coyote. Range no more than 350 yds.

Question is two fold. What other rifles are worth looking at in same price range and should I consider 204 Ruger. I've had varmint rifles in most common calibers including swift, 22-250, 243 and 264 WM. So I would like to hear opinions on the two production calibers mentioned above. Thanks for your time.
 
For a LH rifle with a wood stock you might look to Tikka, Remington, Savage, or Ruger. I think you can find one in real world pricing close to the cz price. Now for caliber I think the 204 is worth a look. For me it would be a first choice caliber and then take what I could find if I was in a hurry.

Welcome aboard. Dont be shocked if someone here doesnt post and tell you where your rifle of choice is setting on a shelf. Lots of knowledge here.
 
As far as noise level a .223 and .204 are pretty close to being fairly noisy and about the same....!
wink.gif


I have both Rifles and the .204 is going to be pushing a bullet faster and flatter and still have darn good knock down power and be a little easier on the thinner hides.The .223 has more choices in bullet weight and can handle a heavier bullet to Buck the wind better...both Rifles would work very well in Predator/Varmint control.


The CZ would be a great Choice,the model 527 "American" is going to be a shorter barrel and lighter/easier to carry...the 527 "Varmint" has a little longer and heavier barrel and would be more accurate and a great bench Shooter since it's going to be a Heavier Carrying Rifle,it's not a Bull Barrel but still a little Heavier/Longer set up then the American!

Oh yeah.....I'm using 39 grain Sierra Blitz Kings in my .204 and the 32 (Winchester) and 40 grain Hornadys worked very well in it too.My Savage Axis .223 shoots the 55 grain Hornady V-max Bullets very good an Accurately and I could have went with even lighter grain bullets or heavier in it!
 
Last edited:
The bean and clover fields I hunt are right behind devolopments. I could buy a varmint upper for my Colt Government Model but I would just as soon rather leave it alone. A friend has a 22-250 which would be my first choice in caliber but when he fires the noise echo's through the suburbs . The CZ was my first choice but I've had it ordered since June and no ETA yet. I'm leary of Remington now a days. Their CDL is worth a look but Im not sure about the trigger or what can be done to improve it if its not acceptable (2#). Hawkeyes would fit the bill but accuracy is suspect IMO. Ive never seen a left hand Tika with a wood stock and I simply hate the black plastic stocks. After browsing Savages catalog for a week I still have no idea what is availavle in left hand. I also am struggling with what the difference is in models 10-11-12.

I've never shot the .204. I've shot the .223 for decades thru AR's. I'm still leaning towards a .223 with 1-9 twist but wondered how loud the .204 was. I've read the 40 grn .204 doesn't shoot well. Are all the twists in .204 1-14? Anyway I can sit here and wait for the slow boat from china on the CZ or find something else. Should just order a Cooper and be done with it I suppose. At least you know what you got. Thanks for the replies.
 
Well.....seeing as I'm a fan of wood stocks and the CZ 527 American I'say "stay the course".
Since everything bigger'n an MB 450's hard on Fox anyway the 223 (or even better 222) should work for your needs. Load some 40gr V-Max in either (mild recoil and good accuracy) and rock on.

I'm not sure why your dealer's having a hard time finding a CZ. A quick search on Gun Broker and Buds.com show several available.
Whittakers usually has a bunch too.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_63_971/products_id/97563/CZ-USA+CZ527+American+223+1%3A9+WALNUT

Or even better (and thirty bucks less)....

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/produ...merican+222+REM


PS.....sounds to me like you should look into getting a Can.

Luck
 
I deal with the same noise issues as you, as I hunt many similar areas, and my farm - like many in this state - is being squeezed by unchecked development/overpopulation.
Yes, the .204 is loud - a bit more than a .223 but not quite as loud as a .22-250 to my (protected) ears, but they sure are sweet. I have three and it's my all-around favorite Ohio varmint round by far. Flatter, faster than the .223 and surprisingly decent in the wind with 39-40 gr. bullets; plus, you can usually see your hits due to the almost non-existant recoil. The 39 Sierras will usually work if the 40s won't stabilize; TC Ventures are alleged to be 10-twist, but they're synthetic stock. Tikka sells a left-hand "Hunter" model with wood stock (check Jaqua's in Findlay for all Tikka options, they're a distributor; looks like eurooptic.com has to backorder them if you want a JRTA322L now), and also some Forests w/raised cheek piece but mediocre wood make it over here occasionally. Browning might sell a LH X-Bolt in .204 but could be hard to find if they do.
Sounds like the iconic .222 Remington might fit your needs to a "t", but that's not what you asked. Good luck with your search!
 
Last edited:
I L-O-V-E my triple deuce Remington 700. I shoot the Hornady superformance varmint factory load (50 grain VMAX) sub moa and it does everything I need it to. Ammo is available at local stores or online, no sonic boom when it fires, can watch my hits, no complaints. As mentioned above, the 222 may fit your bill if so desired. It's no longer produced in the 700 line to my knowledge but you came find one online. Wood stock, sporter barrel, it's easy to carry and shoots great. Longest confirmed kill so far is 257yds on a groundhog. The 222 may be worth a look. I like a 204, but wouldn't give up my 222 for one.
 
Might also do a search on Armslist, be surprised sometimes on what pops up around you, I am wanting to think there was a CZ 223 up by Cleveland recently, from what I have seen there is not many CZs sitting on shelves here in Ohio but when there is its often a 204, I can put you on a new American in 204 just south of Columbus trick is its right handed.
 
Originally Posted By: RePete
I'm not sure why your dealer's having a hard time finding a CZ. A quick search on Gun Broker and Buds.com show several available.
Whittakers usually has a bunch too.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_63_971/products_id/97563/CZ-USA+CZ527+American+223+1%3A9+WALNUT

Or even better (and thirty bucks less)....

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/produ...merican+222+REM


PS.....sounds to me like you should look into getting a Can.

Luck


I think a can is a great idea as well, and I will be buying some soon.

Anyways, there are plenty of CZ's out there it seems. Even for the southpaw need.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/407/products_id/41861
 
I've checked Whitaker's, Buds, Gun Broker and Cabelas. SOL on all. I just checked the link above to Buds and they are out of stock. Remember, left hand.

I've shot a .223 with cans before and didn't care for the blow back. Maybe they have improved its been a few years.

My LGS is a CZ distributor they have right hands in stock. I ordered a 452 LR in April and didn't get it until July. I'm going over to talk with a friend who's a salesmen there. He likes Savage. I'm more a Remmy/ Ruger guy but this 452_I have is a nice and very accurate rifle. Might see what a CDL would run in left hand. I hear they have a good trigger.

Thanks for the responses. Good to join a group that's knowledgeable in varmint hunting. Nothing against bench resters but there is a big difference between the two groups. 12# rifles is just one example.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top