Rifle recommendations?

[radar1972]

I have plenty of handguns (I won't say 'enough' since I'll never have enough), but would like my next firearm purchase to be a rifle. The only rifle I currently own is a Remington model 552 Speedmaster.

I haven't been hunting since I was a teenager (45+ years ago), although I might be interested in coyote hunting sometime down the road.

Not interested in anything for home defense. Have plenty of firepower for that already.

Really just want something to primarily enjoy at the range, but considering the possibility of a coyote hunt sometime in the future.

Maximum I'm willing to spend is $700.

So... give me your suggestions of which rifle to consider. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

[mc5aw]

$700? Two Chi-Com SKSs and a case of 7.62 x 39. Might even have a few bucks left over for lunch at the range.

 

[gregintenn]

What type action do you prefer? Semi auto, Bolt, Lever, Pump?

Do you like walnut and polished blue steel, or prefer tactical plastic?

Do you have a caliber in mind?

New or used?

I can heartily recommend a model 70 Winchester if you want a quality bolt rifle.

 

[Rastoff]

For coyotes? A Savage Model 10 in .223rem.

 

[carpriver]

I like the Roger mini -14.in 223. Fun to shoot, ammo right now
is cheap.

 

[S&W Fan]

Well every safe should have a quality lever gun, arguably a 30-30 lever gun is one of the most versatile long guns ever invented.

 

[Rastoff]

I like the Roger mini -14.in 223. Fun to shoot, ammo right now is cheap.

This is also a good suggestion. I have a Mini-14 and it's a really fun gun. In 2008 they changed the barrel design. Previous versions had terrible accuracy. They were something like 5 MOA out of the box. My Mini-14, bought new in 2008, shoots about 1.5 MOA out to 100 yards. Not really much more than a 100 yard gun though.

 

[shouldazagged]

Well every safe should have a quality lever gun, arguably a 30-30 lever gun is one of the most versatile long guns ever invented.

A good used (pre-Remington) Marlin 336 is a fine .30-30 well within your budget. For coyotes and varmints it's overkill, but a great rifle. I loved the one I owned many years ago.

For a varmint-buster that can double nicely as a deer rifle, the Savage 110 or a good used Remington 700ADL in .243 Winchester is a great choice. Flat-shooting, light recoil and great accuracy with the right loads. My late lamented 700ADL with a decent scope was sure as poison on groundhogs at 300 yards, very good beyond 400, and took a nice buck for me.

 

[Ranger514]

If you're looking at bolt actions, along with the Winchester 70, the Remington 700, Ruger 77, Browning A Bolt, or CZ bolt actions are great rifles with proven accuracy. If you choose .223, be aware that the rifling twist in a lot of bolt actions in that caliber are designed to fire lighter bullets. That's good for target shooting, as well as ground hogs and prairie dogs, but not so good for taking larger varmits.

 

[kwselke]

If you're looking at bolt actions, along with the Winchester 70, the Remington 700, Ruger 77, Browning A Bolt, or CZ bolt actions are great rifles with proven accuracy. If you choose .223, be aware that the rifling twist in a lot of bolt actions in that caliber are designed to fire lighter bullets. That's good for target shooting, as well as ground hogs and prairie dogs, but not so good for taking larger varmits.

I agree and will add that my belief is .243 would be a better choice than .223. With .243 you have the choice of using light varmint to heavier deer/hog capable bullets. There are lots of great rifles out there, range work and maybe a coyote can be done with most any rifle. The Speedmaster will do in a coyote under the right conditions.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Radar 1972:

My two recommendations may bust your budget unless you are willing to do some careful shopping, but I would suggest either an M-1 Carbine, or a .357 Magnum lever action rifle. Ballistically, both of these rifles are roughly equal. Magazine capacity is 15-30 for the M-1, and around 10 for the lever gun depending on whether you get a rifle, or a carbine, and if you load .357s or .38 Specials. I am lucky enough to have an example of both of these rifles, and I would love to have an additional copy for my son. I think the M-1 Carbine is horribly underrated. It's easy to handle, has little recoil, and is accurate. The lever action rifle, mine is a Marlin 1894, is a lot of fun. The rifle is equipped with a rubber recoil pad which pretty much negates recoil. The old cowboys had the right idea, a rifle and handgun that fire the same ammo simplifies logistics, and is really handy in the field.

If you are interested in buying an M-1 Carbine, I would advise caution if considering a commercial version, such as "Universal", or "Plainfield", or the most modern offering from Kahr. While I've known some guys who have owned and used the Universal M-1 Carbine, they don't have the reputation for reliability and durability of the original government issued -nor do they seem to hold their (sale) value. The new versions made and sold by Kahr seem to have problems with functioning and quality control.

If you are interested in a Marlin lever action rifle, you may want to consider an older one that was made prior to Marlin's acquisition by Remington. The older, original Marlin rifles are stamped with a "JM" on the barrel. The rifles chambered in pistol calibers, such as the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum are the most popular, and can be both hard to find, as well as expensive. If you select one chambered in .30-30, you should be able to find a used one easily, and well under your $700.00 ceiling. Also, lever action rifles made by makers such as Henry and Rossi are usually more affordable, and more readily found.

Best of luck in your search.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Rastoff]

I agree that there are better calibers than .223 Rem, but as a fun gun the .223 is hard to beat. It's still cheaper than just about everything else and the right gun is accurate out to 600 meters.

 

[Water-Man]

Tikka T3 Lite in .223.

 

[Wingmaster]

I would also look at a bolt action in .243. A model 70 Winchester would be my first choice, but I would look at a Howa 1500. That is the same gun as the Weatherby Vanguard. They are good rifles.

Wingmaster

 

[alwslate]

If you're never going to hunt anything bigger than coyotes the .223
would be the best caliber for your use in my opinion. A bolt action
would be best for accuracy, simplicity and handling reloads if you are
a handloader. Many shooters ooh and ahh over smooth triggers and
bolt travel but the heart of the rifle is the action and there is no more
rugged and reliable bolt action available at popular pricing than the
Ruger 77 Mk 2. Buy the version that appeals to you.

 

[Texas Star]

For the purpose, I'd get a .243.

 

[chief38]

CZ makes the 527 American bolt action with a single set trigger and will run you around $650. It's a beautiful rifle, quality made, accurate and is available in Rem .223 which will fit ALL your specifications. Stick a Leupold scope on it and you can shoot "Mothballs" all day long without going broke or getting beat up with recoil.

 

[brucev]

I have plenty of handguns (I won't say 'enough' since I'll never have enough), but would like my next firearm purchase to be a rifle. The only rifle I currently own is a Remington model 552 Speedmaster.

I haven't been hunting since I was a teenager (45+ years ago), although I might be interested in coyote hunting sometime down the road.

Not interested in anything for home defense. Have plenty of firepower for that already.

Really just want something to primarily enjoy at the range, but considering the possibility of a coyote hunt sometime in the future.

Maximum I'm willing to spend is $700.

So... give me your suggestions of which rifle to consider. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

I like shotguns. I love handguns, particularly S&W revolvers. But, I positively adore rifles! If limited to and buying only one rifle for range use and a possible coyote hunt, I'd think very hard about something in either .22-250, .223 Remington or .243 Winchester. As a do it all caliber the .243 has quite a reputation. However, I have a number of church members in two of the four churches I pastor who routinely use the .22-250 on the farm to kill everything that needs killing including coyotes and deer. I'm not aware of any who have had to shoot more than once unless they (it happens) missed.

For which rifle to purchase, I've been shooting Remington 700's since 1980. I've had a pile of them in a broad range of calibers. I've had cheap ones bought out of pawn shops and on the floor at gun shows. I've had high end ones. I've also had Winchesters, Rugers and Sakos. Some of the prettiest were the late model Win. M-70's. The Sakos were pretty, but for what they were, I'd pass. If now buying a rifle, I'd look very hard at the Remington 700. If you want a range gun w/ some possible hunting, I'd buy a Remington 700 Varmint or one of the various sniper/police type rifles. A 26 inch long barrel is no problem on the bench, so if you find a 700 SF-VS, buy it. I had one in .308 that at 400 measured yards would hold a ten shot string right at 3.0 inches using Nosler Ballistic Tips and Sierra Matchkings. I must say, I am very impressed with the quality, workmanship and on target results of the CZ line. If not inclined to purchase a Remington, one would be very wise to give CZ a look. HTH. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[steelslaver]

Coyotes are selling around here for around $80 with out big holes in them. a lightly built 224 hollow point usually goes in blows up and don't come out. 1 small hole. Hard to make happen with a 243. I have taken 6 so far this winter just piddling around. I shoot a nice little bull barreled Ruger bolt in 223. Lots of people around here use 223 for coyotes. Some 22-250 and 220 swifts. A few guys use a 243 or the like if thats all they have. Nobody uses a 30-30. I shot one the year before last with my 308 during deer season and nearly ripped his head off. Did get much for him.

I recommend any good accurate 223. Weight isn't a real concern cause you just walk out a ways and set up, call for 30 min. Then down the road to the next spot. Ranges are usually short, but accuracy counts because they are actually quite small once the fur is off. You can buy bulk 223 ammo cheap, I got 1000 rds of new 55gr BTHP for $550. They are also extremely cheap and easy to reload.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Czech this out

I stumbled into a CZ seventeen years ago for dirt cheap and bought it for my son. They kind of grew on me, as you can see below. The third from the top is gone and replaced by a HS Precision stock HB varmint.

A few years ago, I traded into this one in .222 Remington with the intent of leaving it at our house in the mountains. As I had plenty, I gave it to my brother. It is good to be related to me, ask my son.

I have a few Remington 700 rifles as well. A .17 Rem. BDL in a synthetic stock, .223 BDL Varmint in a SPS stock, .22/250 ADL laminate stock, .22/250 BDL Varmint, 7mm/08 Mtn. Rifle, .308 BDL Varmint in the HS Precision stock with the aluminum bedding block, and a LA and parts to build a 6mm/.284. I like Remington rifles too. The HB .223 & .308 rifles cost me less than $400.00, former LE stolen/recovered evidence guns. The .223 stock was cracked through the wrist, so I replaced it.

I have owned a few Howa rifles, they were well made and accurate, though the synthetic stocks were sort of flimsy. I am fond of Sakos, but they are pricey. The old Yugoslavian Mini Mark X/Charles Dailey/Remington 798 or 799 rifles were good shooters but could be crudely machined. Finally, the Savage 340 and it's clones (Sears Ted Williams & Western Auto Revelation) shot very well and used to be fairly cheap.

 

[Gunfancier]

I reccomend a 223 bolt action, preferably Remington or Winchester Model 70. Put a Redfield 3 x 9 scope and "look out yotes!" You may be over budget a little, but this is the USA! Just my 2 cents worth. My nephew has a Rem 700 set up with a 3x9 Redfield and yotes run when he's in town! DW

 

[gregintenn]

A model 7 Remington is a nice, lightweight and attractive rifle.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Someone mentioned mil-surp guns. They can be a blast to shoot, and collect. They can also drain your wallet faster than any woman you will ever meet.

Here is a 1943 Inland M1 carbine arsenal rebuild and most likely a re-import that I bought for my daughter. She did not like it, though it fit her perfectly. IIRC, the accuracy standard for these was 3.5" @ 100 yards. Some do better, many do worse. Certainly lightweight, portable, and Minute of Coyote accurate. Ammo is not exactly cheap, nor is a USGI M1 carbine.

My brother's $107.00 USGI Garand rifle and $90.00 1911 pistol. These came from the same batch of LE evidence guns I mentioned above. The pistol is mixed 1915/1917 parts. The Garand, as purchased, could not be used for suicide. My brother spent a half day with Hook Boutin in Bowden, GA and the rifle was transformed into an awesome shooter.

Target was shot off a picnic table using a front rest, made from 2'x4' and covered with carpet, at 100 yards. The holes marked with a "G" were shot with some Greek surplus ammo I had. Oddly enough, the Greek ammo would shoot golf ball size groups out of my other brother's Remington 742 carbine.

The pistol can hold it's own in any ugly encounter.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I am going to suggest a bolt gun in either 223 or 243. Both are very accurate with factory ammo and very rewarding to reload if you ever get into that. In recent years I have been really impressed with CZ and Sako for factory rifles.

 

[redlevel]

It is good to be related to me, ask my son.

Cousin Colby!

 

[Brian41]

I have a Remington 700 BDL Varmint in .223 I'm fond of. I bought it lightly used with a big Weaver scope about your price range. I've shot mine off the bench out to 500 yards with excellent results.
I have other Rem. 700s in other calibers I like too. I've stuck by them since my first in 1979 so can't comment on other makes.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Cousin Colby!

I am looking out for the perfect gift for you my friend.

 

[Rangerpat]

Ruger M77 Mk.II in .243 with a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm scope.

 

[DeadAye]

My recommendation is - Check out Thompson Center before you make up your mind

 

[Wee Hooker]

For coyotes? A Savage Model 10 in .223rem.

Ditto that.

My model 10FP was the most accurate out of the box rifle I ever purchased. The fact that it was in the $400 range just made it sweeter.

.223 makes sense because ammo is everywhere and cheaper than most any other center fire rifle cartridge around.