Time for a new .223 bolt rifle

jcs271

jcs271

Well-known member
Well, I have more than a few Ar's in a variety of configurations. Also a Ruger Stainless/Laminate Target/Varmint model with an exceptional trigger that shoots GREAT but is heavy and the 26" barrel is just to much for the woods. I am thinning the herd so a few ar's will be for sale (keeping the Ruger as a prairie dog gun). My interests have gone full circle and I am really wanting a simple and lightweight BOLT rifle in .223. Only requirements are stainless steel and composite or laminate stock (for 4wheeler and snowmobile). I really like the rugers and have one in about every caliber up to .450NE, so I have been thinking hard about the Predator model which seems about perfect for my needs, I really like its looks, and I am very familiar with its operating system. I also am looking at the Tikka T3 Lite stainless. Several friends shoot them and are very pleased as are most of my "internet friends". I will be shooting only factory .223 in 55-64gr and this is only for coyotes (under 200yds in my woods). My heart is saying Ruger Predator but my brain is saying Tikka. Any thoughts?
 
I'm a ruger fan, but I have a few rifles in other makes and looking back I wish I woulda stuck with ruger. Not that my others are bad, I just think it woulda been cool to keep the collection going. Follow your heart lol.
 
I have the exact gun you spoke of. A 223 M77 varmitor or predator i think it's the same gun. laminate stock. gray SS barrel, Love it I have only shot deer rounds 100grain out of it and it shoots really well. I am getting the same gun in a 204 should arrive thursday or friday. Love ruger! my goal is to shoot a coyote with my single six 22mag.Here's a pic of it my son has been shooting it. Go with ruger!
ConnorsCoyote1.jpg
 
I have several bolt rifles and the one that matches what you want is the Remington SPS compact in .223 rem it has a 20 inch barrel and a synthetic stock. It is very dependable and accurate I have shot consistent dime sized 3 shot groups at 200 yards with mine. It is a little lighter than the Ruger and has just as good of trigger in it. I have several Rugers but for a gun that is going to go on the 4 wheeler or snowmobile this would be my choice. I wouldn't want to beat up a nice Ruger.

Here is a link
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-sps-tactical.aspx
 
I like rugers. My favorite bolt rifle is a model 70 classic with wood stock. I love them but I can't bring myself to buy one and use it. I would hate to risk a scratch or ding. I hunt game with rugers. I hunt coyotes/cats with a browning. I got the browning on sale and it has been beat up and down the woods, killed countless animals, outlasted 1 nikon scope, 2 leupolds, and now is topped with a burris that is 20+ years older than the gun. It sucks to pack in the woods, but I carry a certain loyality to it. It has done me very well and shot accurate up til last year when the stock flexed into the barrel and was straying shots. It is a 223. It is heavy to pack in the woods due to the heavy barrel. I wanted a new 223 for this season, but mine is so beatup and the barrel is toast, it is worth nothing. I will keep it. Just a piece of advice, Ruger is a fine product, but browning and remington are still right in the race. Theyboth make a nice rifle.
 
Originally Posted By: jcs271I have a rifle just like in the picture above. Love it but its to long and way to heavy for my style of hunting. Here is the new predator model that I am looking at.

http://www.ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyePredator/models.html

about 2 lbs lighter, 4" shorter barrel and much slimmer forend.

My son does complain about it being heavy. It just doesn't seem to heavy to me because i walk and set for 20-30mins. or drive to another place

The gun you are looking at on the web is the exact gun i'm getting in a 204 Can't wait to get it.

Good luck!!!
 
Originally Posted By: SHamptonCheck out a Savage with an AccuTrigger.

+1 on that. I have the Savage Model 11 with the accu-trigger and the accu-stock. It's not "light" at 7 + pounds....but I'm not walking 2 miles in or so. It shoots great and I love the accu-trigger.
 
I'd say, lets line of the Predator offerings out there and see what we have to look at!

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-seven/model-seven-predator.aspx

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/10PREDATORBRUSH

http://www.ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyePredator/models.html

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=46&section=products


Boy....I was going to say ignore price...but to be honest, I can't believe the Ruger cost's more than the Remington....WOW.

What is it that you have your heart set on??? That's what you should buy!

For me, I've never purchased any of the Rifles listed....so I have no feedback to offer on any of the listed firearms.

I DO like the looks of the Mossberg, yet I don't own a single firearm made by that Manufacturer. Always thought their quality was lacking.

With Coyote hunting, we make a lot of sets, and to be safe, we should ALWAYS unload our firearm before entering our rig.

Nothing makes this easier, and quicker, and to be honest, safer than a detachable mag. And it eliminates the worry of dropping several loaded rounds in the dirt, when dealing with a floor plate, not to mention if you had to cycle each round, such as in the use of ADL Remington rifle.

I'm surprised more manufactures haven't caught on to this...Savage has, Remington too, just not with their Predator rifle. Even Mossberg has.

To be honest...look at it this way...YOUR BUYING A RIFLE! Its a Win-Win Situation!

Good Luck with your choice...I don't want to get too Long-Winded on this...[beeep], most folks won't even be reading this....
 
My Version---also a heavy barrel, but hey, ya' got to use what you got!

Detachable mag, large bolt knob, good optics on a one-piece pic. rail.

9-28-11yoteI.jpg


Lito-gun1.jpg
 
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Originally Posted By: Wallbass45Get a Stevens 200!! I think you can get it SS.
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+1. You won't be disappointed. Adjust the trigger down to 3 lbs area. Great shooter and relatively light to carry.

Tony
 
I would say get a Remington 700 VTR. They come with a synthetic stock with a few different colors to choose from including some camo patterns or solid green or tan. A 22in. barrel is standard although they do offer some in 26in. barrels. Integral muzzle barake on ALL VTR models. Offered in .204 Ruger, 22-250, .223 Remington, and .308 Win.-I'm sure of those 4 calibers but more may be offered. Remington puts their X-mark Pro trigger in these which is one of the best triggers I've had the privilage of using and I actually like it a whole lot better than the Savage Accu-trigger(nothing against the Accu-trigger but The X-mark is a lot crister, shorter and has a lot less play in it). MSRP is around $800 I think unless you want a camo stock then its more. However if you do some shopping around you can get them alot cheaper. I bought mine from Gunbroker.com from a vendor out of Minnesota and paid $639.00 with no taxes or shipping. I have a 1 vtr in a .223 and 1 in a 22-250 and love them both
 
I'm a fan of Remington 700's personally.

But I never look at someone else's rifle as a POS or that its better than mine.

I hunt with guys who own Tikka's, Rem's, Savage, Winchesters & a few others & they all do their part if the shooter does his part.

A sporter barrel is perfect if you are a hike in hunter like me, I see no need to haul extra weight when a lighter weight rifle will work for me.

A detachable magazine is nice, Savage & Tikka have been using them for a while & it looks like Remington is starting to offer them on more model's than they used to, which is great IMO.

Pick the rifle that fits you best, you're familiar with Ruger, if you like it & can buy it in the configuration you like then do it, if not then try a few out at the gun store & go from there.

Best of luck, Lee
 
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