My son asked me the other day what was the best factory "off the shelf" varmint rifle made. I told him I'm partial to my Remington XB 22-250. But I've heard Remington's gotten crazy on price on their XB's and that Savage will give you more bang for your buck for a heavy barrelled varmint gun. Any of you varminters care to expound on this information? Thanks......
Best varmint rifle made.....
- Thread starter Longfeather
- Start date
If i was a bettin man i would go with Savage for a out of the box accuracy. I have only had 1 and it was a 223 Precision carbine and it would shoot phenominal groups with Fiocci 55grain factory loads all the time. I think Savage rifles as a whole has the others beat although i am not a big fan of them.
I have a whole gun safe full of varmint rifles and have been at it since the early 70's. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an expert 
but I've tried a bunch of them.
The best, out of the box, factory varmint rifle I ever owned is a tie between the following two rifles, both in 223 caliber:
1. Remingtion Model 700, stainless fluted 26" barrel with the aluminum bedding block stock.
2. Weatherby Supervarmint Master, fluted 26". (I don't believe this model is made anymore)
Both rifles shoot sub 1/2 moa with tailored reloads. The trigger in the Weatherby is superior to the Remington and the Weatherby is about .75 lbs lighter but it also cost $500 more than the Remington so on balance I'd say the Remington would win out as a better value.
However today if I was in the market for a heavy barrel varmint rifle I look at the Browning X Bolt Varmint Stalker in 24" barrel. I have the A bolt version which is as accurate as any rifle I've ever owned but the trigger is terrible - the X bolt trigger is much better.
Several of the new Remingtion's I've seen lately at the range have extractor problems. In addition those plastic stocks are worthless but this can be easily corrected however this is dishearting since I was always a Rem 700 fan.
I don't own a Savage but several fellow shooters have them and are quite pleased with them especially the ones with the new accu-stock. I've seen several of them shoot sub- 1/2 moa groups with tailored reloads. Probably the best value today.
but I've tried a bunch of them.The best, out of the box, factory varmint rifle I ever owned is a tie between the following two rifles, both in 223 caliber:
1. Remingtion Model 700, stainless fluted 26" barrel with the aluminum bedding block stock.
2. Weatherby Supervarmint Master, fluted 26". (I don't believe this model is made anymore)
Both rifles shoot sub 1/2 moa with tailored reloads. The trigger in the Weatherby is superior to the Remington and the Weatherby is about .75 lbs lighter but it also cost $500 more than the Remington so on balance I'd say the Remington would win out as a better value.
However today if I was in the market for a heavy barrel varmint rifle I look at the Browning X Bolt Varmint Stalker in 24" barrel. I have the A bolt version which is as accurate as any rifle I've ever owned but the trigger is terrible - the X bolt trigger is much better.
Several of the new Remingtion's I've seen lately at the range have extractor problems. In addition those plastic stocks are worthless but this can be easily corrected however this is dishearting since I was always a Rem 700 fan.
I don't own a Savage but several fellow shooters have them and are quite pleased with them especially the ones with the new accu-stock. I've seen several of them shoot sub- 1/2 moa groups with tailored reloads. Probably the best value today.
I can't say I'm an expert either, but I'm with K22. My favorite, most accurate, best looking and highest quality varmint rifle is a Remington model 700 VSSF II in .223. Stainless action, fluted barrel with the flutes painted black, and a very nice factory H.S. Precsion alumimum bedded stock. With a tuned load of 55 grain Sierra Blitzkings, Lapua brass and 26 grains of Varget it will consistently shoot 1/2 MOA or better. It shoots this good even with the extra heavy X-mark trigger I have not replaced yet. Have to wonder how good it would shoot with a really good trigger.
I own a Savage LRPV in .223, and while accurate it isn't as accurate as my Remington. Plus it is so barrel heavy it is not a good field gun. I own a Wby Vanguard sub MOA .223 and it is my second favorite varmint rifle even though it isn't as accurate as either the Remington or Savage. Other varmint rifles I've tried include a Wby Vanguard sporter in .22-250 and a Sako .222. Both were nice rifles but for various reasons I sold or gave away to a relative.
If I was looking for a varmint rifle today, which I kind of am, I would consider a Cooper .20 VarTarg. Not exactly an off the shelf rifle, but close enough.
I own a Savage LRPV in .223, and while accurate it isn't as accurate as my Remington. Plus it is so barrel heavy it is not a good field gun. I own a Wby Vanguard sub MOA .223 and it is my second favorite varmint rifle even though it isn't as accurate as either the Remington or Savage. Other varmint rifles I've tried include a Wby Vanguard sporter in .22-250 and a Sako .222. Both were nice rifles but for various reasons I sold or gave away to a relative.
If I was looking for a varmint rifle today, which I kind of am, I would consider a Cooper .20 VarTarg. Not exactly an off the shelf rifle, but close enough.
Otter said:
That Xmark trigger will adjust down to a nice n light pull and still break like glass. I have 2 that I lowered down. I dont know how low it goes, but im very happy with them. I have factory Remingtons and Savages and like them all!
Bangs OH
Silver $$ Contributor
Now we're talking! My Coopers will be around long after I sell my Remingtons. (I just hope my widow doesn't sell the Coopers for what she thinks I paid for themjkats said:
.) Seriously, a basic Cooper won't cost much more than a Rem. or Savage with an aftermarket stock and trigger, and you'll get guaranteed accuracy and "personalized" service - plus it will hold its value much better.BigDMT
I took my old Rem 700 SPS .204 ruger, had the action trued and blueprinted then put on a Rem 700 VSSFII takeoff stainless 204 Ruger barrel I bought off a fella here in the forum and that sucker flat shoots the lights out with Sierra 39gr Blitz Kings and either RL-15 or BLC-2 powder.
It is putting up groups UNDER 1/2" at 200 YARDS! No kidding. Factory barrel with factory chambering and action just squared and blueprinted together with the barrel. Those VSSFII barrels are some shooters man
It is putting up groups UNDER 1/2" at 200 YARDS! No kidding. Factory barrel with factory chambering and action just squared and blueprinted together with the barrel. Those VSSFII barrels are some shooters man
Joe C
Student of the 1911.
I have three different "off the shelf" varmint rifles that all shoot great.
The first is my 1981 Rem 788 in .22-250. After trying many loads I settled on the Hornady 55g Vmax with 38.0 grains of H380...imagine that. Shoots consistent sub .350" five shot groups at 100. I did bed the stock.
Second is my wifes Win M70 Coyote in .223. It is the older version and LOVES Fiocchi 50g Vmax. Not uncommon to shoot in the mid .300-.400" range with it. It has a Keplinger set trigger on it which really helps.
My favorite one though is a gem I picked up two years ago. It is an earlier Rem 700 LTR in .223. It has a HS 5R stock on it and an 8oz Rifle Basix trigger. Shooting sub .500" with it has been a breeze. And it has accounted for many vermin around the farm here as it is short, light and accurate. I like it so much I almost bought the one that was up for sale here a day or two ago...it is a great rifle.
I've owned others through the years but these are the ones that have stuck around for what it's worth.
The first is my 1981 Rem 788 in .22-250. After trying many loads I settled on the Hornady 55g Vmax with 38.0 grains of H380...imagine that. Shoots consistent sub .350" five shot groups at 100. I did bed the stock.
Second is my wifes Win M70 Coyote in .223. It is the older version and LOVES Fiocchi 50g Vmax. Not uncommon to shoot in the mid .300-.400" range with it. It has a Keplinger set trigger on it which really helps.
My favorite one though is a gem I picked up two years ago. It is an earlier Rem 700 LTR in .223. It has a HS 5R stock on it and an 8oz Rifle Basix trigger. Shooting sub .500" with it has been a breeze. And it has accounted for many vermin around the farm here as it is short, light and accurate. I like it so much I almost bought the one that was up for sale here a day or two ago...it is a great rifle.
I've owned others through the years but these are the ones that have stuck around for what it's worth.
The coopers shoot really nice, but so does a mod. 12 Savage in 22 centerfire (you pick the cartridge). My .223 Remington 700 is a rather consistent .45" rifle, but it wasn't that way out of the box. Still I like it a lot. I've had (or have) three 22-250 Savages. Two are 112's and one of those was a single shot bolt gun. The Mod 12 is also a single shot in 22-250. All three rifles are .30" or better rifles very consistently. The first single shot 112 would shoot in the .250" range and often dip into the 185" area. The magazine rifle just like it is a solid .30" rifle and will get down in the .250" range if I'm on the ball. The Mod. 12 started out in the mid threes and is now shooting in the .28" area. I kinda wish I'd bought the mod. 12 in .223 instead, but didn't want the fast twist barrel. I have seen several Mod. 12's in .223 shoot in the mid threes without too much trouble so they do shoot well.
Have only seen one Weatherby Vamitmaster in my lifetime, and it was an old one in 22-250. How it shot I don't know. I did shoot a Sako once chambered in 6PPC that really shot well (had the set trigger). Had two different Winchester Mod. 70 varmit guns that didn't shoot very well; no matter what you fed them. Two Ruger 6mm's that shot 3/8th's groups after a lot of rebuilding. If it were me, I'd buy a Savage in 6BR and be done with it.
gary
Have only seen one Weatherby Vamitmaster in my lifetime, and it was an old one in 22-250. How it shot I don't know. I did shoot a Sako once chambered in 6PPC that really shot well (had the set trigger). Had two different Winchester Mod. 70 varmit guns that didn't shoot very well; no matter what you fed them. Two Ruger 6mm's that shot 3/8th's groups after a lot of rebuilding. If it were me, I'd buy a Savage in 6BR and be done with it.
gary
Off the shelf today...I would try a Cooper...don't have any yet....next choice would be Savage Model 12 in any caliber, have them in 204, 243 and 25-06...no complaints....I have had good luck with the 700s also....Shoot Hornady Vmax bullets in all my varmint guns except a 700 in 204 Ruger, had to use 39 gr. Sierra Blitz Kings which is often the case in 700s it seems.
ruger never has been known for off the shelf accuracy though they have made some that shot very well. I would choose a cooper for off the shelf accuracy . there is a gun shop in our area that sells them and they come with targets that were shot with that particular rifle... all raged holes at 100 yrds. i wish savage would make a 22 br excelent round and easy to load forlangenc said:
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