Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 13,146
This has been edited in a few places, so you may want to re-read:
I gifted, I mean GAVE (for Art) away my NEF Ultra Varmint Laminated to a friend of mine, thinking that the AR15 would be the only .223 I would "need", but now I just can't shake the hankering for another precision .223 for crows and p-dogs and such, plus as a fun gun that specializes in noob-smile-inducement at the range (some noobs might be scared of the AR15, and it's not as easy to benchrest to make easy shots), as a companion piece to the .17 HMR noob gun, for windy days. I want a turnbolt for sure this time, and a good-looking rifle.
Price isn't so much an issue on this one, as I view the noob thing an important function of not just my guns, but my worldview since I like to try to convert antis, so I can go up to $1,200 if necessary, but would like to spend less than $700 if possible.
So first I thought I thought I wanted a big heavy "varmint" or benchrest style gun, in order to make recoil as light as possible so as not to scare noobs. So I had it narrowed down to either the Savage 12 Long Range Precision Varminter Single Shot (awesome gun):
http://www.savagearms.com/12PrecVarm.htm
Or the Remington XR100 Rangemaster single shot:
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/xR-100_rangemaster_specs.asp
Then I decided no, I want something that doubles as a field gun, light enough to tote around, and decided that recoil is so slight that even a light .223 is not gonna cause noobs to flinch.... Also, another reason for this conclusion is that I have a very heavy benchrest rifle in .243 which is a noob/fun gun too, but I figured the .223 would have less recoil and blast and thus be more fun to shoot, AND will double as a field gun.
So NOW (I think) I've got it narrowed down to:
1. CZ 527 "Varmint Kevlar". I'd rather have a wood stocked gun, but I want the 1 in 9" twist that is offered only in the Varmint Kevlar.
http://www.cz-usa.com/products_smallbore_rifles.php
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=13
"Built on the popular CZ 527 action, the Varmint sports a 24 hammer forged heavy barrel, an H-S precision Kevlar composite stock with an aluminum bedding block. The 527 Varmint features: single set trigger, Controlled round feed, fixed ejector and a 5 round detachable magazine".
2. Savage Model 25, "Classic Sporter:
http://www.savagearms.com/25model_classicsporter.htm
"Satin lacquer American walnut with contrasting forend tip and wraparound checkering.
Free-floating sleved barrel, Dual pillar bedding, three locking lugs, 60-degree bolt lift, AccuTrigger adjustable from 2.5 to 3.25 lbs., Detachable box magazine."
I'm leaning towards the 527, with the Savage 25 a close 2nd place - tough call - which and why?
Both of these have detachable mags, which I do not care for actually - but does either rifle have a "half-in notch" position for the mag (for lack of a better phrase), such that the gun can be cycled without the mag fully seated, and therefore not pick up a round?
The Savage *IS* about $300 less, so that's a major plus for it, obviously.
Also, should I throw in for consideration the other two model 25 Savages (besides the classic sporter)?:
3. "Lightweight Varminter":
http://www.savagearms.com/25model_LightweightVarminter.htm
4. and "Lightweight Thumbhole Varminter":
http://www.savagearms.com/25model_Lightweightthumbhole.htm
My initial concern on these was too heavy for the field. But they're "only" 8.25 lbs - kind of a mid-weight, all purpose rifle, which is kind of what I'm looking for....so let's throw these into the mix as well, please.
Any other lightweight, extremely accurate, very nice-looking 1 in 9" .223s out there I should consider? Also, if you want to try to make the case that I should run with .22-250 or .204 Ruger for a noob gun, you may do so, but I'm concerned that the extra blast/recoil of the .22-250 will be a turnoff to the noobs, espec. the ladies, and about the cost / inconvience of the .204 Ruger. Also, if you want to make the case that I should ditch the 1 in 9 requirement and go with a 1 in 12, I will listen and possibly add the Sub-MOA Vanguard to the list, or possibly even that Howa with the Knoxx stock on it.
I gifted, I mean GAVE (for Art) away my NEF Ultra Varmint Laminated to a friend of mine, thinking that the AR15 would be the only .223 I would "need", but now I just can't shake the hankering for another precision .223 for crows and p-dogs and such, plus as a fun gun that specializes in noob-smile-inducement at the range (some noobs might be scared of the AR15, and it's not as easy to benchrest to make easy shots), as a companion piece to the .17 HMR noob gun, for windy days. I want a turnbolt for sure this time, and a good-looking rifle.
Price isn't so much an issue on this one, as I view the noob thing an important function of not just my guns, but my worldview since I like to try to convert antis, so I can go up to $1,200 if necessary, but would like to spend less than $700 if possible.
So first I thought I thought I wanted a big heavy "varmint" or benchrest style gun, in order to make recoil as light as possible so as not to scare noobs. So I had it narrowed down to either the Savage 12 Long Range Precision Varminter Single Shot (awesome gun):
http://www.savagearms.com/12PrecVarm.htm
Or the Remington XR100 Rangemaster single shot:
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/xR-100_rangemaster_specs.asp
Then I decided no, I want something that doubles as a field gun, light enough to tote around, and decided that recoil is so slight that even a light .223 is not gonna cause noobs to flinch.... Also, another reason for this conclusion is that I have a very heavy benchrest rifle in .243 which is a noob/fun gun too, but I figured the .223 would have less recoil and blast and thus be more fun to shoot, AND will double as a field gun.
So NOW (I think) I've got it narrowed down to:
1. CZ 527 "Varmint Kevlar". I'd rather have a wood stocked gun, but I want the 1 in 9" twist that is offered only in the Varmint Kevlar.
http://www.cz-usa.com/products_smallbore_rifles.php
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=13
"Built on the popular CZ 527 action, the Varmint sports a 24 hammer forged heavy barrel, an H-S precision Kevlar composite stock with an aluminum bedding block. The 527 Varmint features: single set trigger, Controlled round feed, fixed ejector and a 5 round detachable magazine".
2. Savage Model 25, "Classic Sporter:
http://www.savagearms.com/25model_classicsporter.htm
"Satin lacquer American walnut with contrasting forend tip and wraparound checkering.
Free-floating sleved barrel, Dual pillar bedding, three locking lugs, 60-degree bolt lift, AccuTrigger adjustable from 2.5 to 3.25 lbs., Detachable box magazine."
I'm leaning towards the 527, with the Savage 25 a close 2nd place - tough call - which and why?
Both of these have detachable mags, which I do not care for actually - but does either rifle have a "half-in notch" position for the mag (for lack of a better phrase), such that the gun can be cycled without the mag fully seated, and therefore not pick up a round?
The Savage *IS* about $300 less, so that's a major plus for it, obviously.
Also, should I throw in for consideration the other two model 25 Savages (besides the classic sporter)?:
3. "Lightweight Varminter":
http://www.savagearms.com/25model_LightweightVarminter.htm
4. and "Lightweight Thumbhole Varminter":
http://www.savagearms.com/25model_Lightweightthumbhole.htm
My initial concern on these was too heavy for the field. But they're "only" 8.25 lbs - kind of a mid-weight, all purpose rifle, which is kind of what I'm looking for....so let's throw these into the mix as well, please.
Any other lightweight, extremely accurate, very nice-looking 1 in 9" .223s out there I should consider? Also, if you want to try to make the case that I should run with .22-250 or .204 Ruger for a noob gun, you may do so, but I'm concerned that the extra blast/recoil of the .22-250 will be a turnoff to the noobs, espec. the ladies, and about the cost / inconvience of the .204 Ruger. Also, if you want to make the case that I should ditch the 1 in 9 requirement and go with a 1 in 12, I will listen and possibly add the Sub-MOA Vanguard to the list, or possibly even that Howa with the Knoxx stock on it.
Last edited: