I NEED a new Varmint rifle. My friend has a new .204 so of course I need one as well. My current setup is a Howa 1500 in 223 with the heavy barrel (1 in 12 twist). This works fine for up to approx 200-250 yds. I want to have the capability to reach out further, but still shoot for a while without being beat up or burning up a barrel.
I will be hunting ground squirrels, jack rabbits and hopefully the occasional Yote. My requirements are as follows:
1. A great trigger out of the box. (preferrably adjustable, but can't be some 8 pounder).
2. Good/Great accuracy out of the box (I don't want to have to bed, or anything else to get "minute of squirrel")
3. I really don't want heavy, but I also want to see my hits/misses. If this means it needs to be heavy (8-9lbs) that is fine. But, if I can get away with 6-7lbs and a 204 still doesn't move off target that would be awesome (I know I probably need heavy).
4. If it needs to be heavy, I like laminate, but if I can get away with lighter, synthetic is fine.
5. NO single shots
OK now that all my nitpicking is done, here is what I have come up with in order of preference:
- Savage 12FV (synthetic with varmint barrel, accutrigger, bedded) $470
- Howa Varminter Supreme (Laminate monte carlo, varmint barrel, adjustable trigger) $575
- Howa Standard Hogue (Hogue stock, standard barrel, adjust trigger) $400
- Howa Varmint Hogue (Hogue stock, Varmint Barrel, adjust trigger) $535
- Remington 700 SPS Varmint (Synthetic, varmint barrel, not good trigger out of the box) $528
Again my reasoning for the order was out of box trigger, out of box accuracy, ability to stay on target for follow up shots and price. One last note, I really like the look of the Howa Varminter Supreme but the Savages come with scope mounts.
I will be hunting ground squirrels, jack rabbits and hopefully the occasional Yote. My requirements are as follows:
1. A great trigger out of the box. (preferrably adjustable, but can't be some 8 pounder).
2. Good/Great accuracy out of the box (I don't want to have to bed, or anything else to get "minute of squirrel")
3. I really don't want heavy, but I also want to see my hits/misses. If this means it needs to be heavy (8-9lbs) that is fine. But, if I can get away with 6-7lbs and a 204 still doesn't move off target that would be awesome (I know I probably need heavy).
4. If it needs to be heavy, I like laminate, but if I can get away with lighter, synthetic is fine.
5. NO single shots
OK now that all my nitpicking is done, here is what I have come up with in order of preference:
- Savage 12FV (synthetic with varmint barrel, accutrigger, bedded) $470
- Howa Varminter Supreme (Laminate monte carlo, varmint barrel, adjustable trigger) $575
- Howa Standard Hogue (Hogue stock, standard barrel, adjust trigger) $400
- Howa Varmint Hogue (Hogue stock, Varmint Barrel, adjust trigger) $535
- Remington 700 SPS Varmint (Synthetic, varmint barrel, not good trigger out of the box) $528
Again my reasoning for the order was out of box trigger, out of box accuracy, ability to stay on target for follow up shots and price. One last note, I really like the look of the Howa Varminter Supreme but the Savages come with scope mounts.