Farmer friend need a rifle

[drags]

A farmer friend need a low cost rifle for use around the farm preferably a bolt action .223. And recommendations would be appreciated, also where is a good place to buy one.
Thanks
Drags

 

[Downeast]

I would check the big box stores.

 

[Adam in WI]

Pretty vague request. What's the primary objective? General pests? Coyote? If the targets are raccoon and under, I'd strongly consider 17 HMR unless he has no other animals around that would be at risk of ricochets or over penetration. I dislike .22LR specifically for this reason, also. The 17 has almost zero risk in these two regards.

.223 can be useful in careful hands with a very fragile bullet. Just be mindful that much of the cheap ammo available is fmj and should be avoided for control work.

 

[Hino895]

Why a bolt action.
Pick up a Anderson AR15 for 450-500.
Probably do everything a cheap bolt action with almost no maintenance.

Forum Boss: "Almost no maintenance"? Are you kidding? ARs run dirty because of the gas system. Bolt action is much more fool-proof and I would say can be cleaned in 1/4 the time. Overall I would say a bolt action .223 Rem would require 20% of the cleaning/maintenance of the ARs. Been there, done that.

I suggest he get a used Tikka.

 

[TTE]

Pretty vague request. What's the primary objective?

This

 

[243Lapua]

Just tell him to buy a CZ 527

 

[M-61]

Vague is right!
Tractor or truck or a barn gun?
I’ll assume he’s not bench shooting and since you said ‘farmer’ I’d have to ask why not a lever?
Big difference between a woodchuck and a black bear. I’ll bet a farmer in Africa has a different definition of pests!

 

[CJ6]

Ruger American . Syn stock, 20-22" bbl. Mine shoots AWESOME and they're about $450.

 

[joshb]

Get a Savage, mini Howa, etc. for a bolt gun, if he’s stuck on it. My vote goes for an AR, tho.

 

[markT]

Ruger

 

[JohnHenry]

Howa Mini or Ruger American in 223 if low cost is a priority.

 

[jdh47]

AR's are fine but they do spread brass around and it's difficult to find. I reload so it's a PITA. I got one of those brass catchers, but it is a pretty big appendage. Bolt actions are more accurate in cheaper offerings. Savage, Ruger, Howa and others I'm sure sell a decent useable gun for less than setting up an AR. A decent scope, mount and rings will set you back as much or more than the rifle.

 

[Bill K]

CZ, Howa or Savage all make a decent bolt action in 223 Rem. and each is reasonably priced. Check his local gun store/sportsman's warehouse, in his town or near by.

 

[Doug Casner]

I have a model 7 remington in .223 for my pest rifle. Killed a coyote with it one time. Doug

 

[Rsadams]

Palmetto state armory for a cheap AR... Ruger or savage for a decent box rifle the choice only depend on money... These days with modern machines you can get a moa rifle for 450-550 and a Leupold freedom line scope or vortex... I have had good luck with both... I am not competing just need an accurate rifle for self defense or hunting so there's no need for a thousand dollar scope or a two thousand dollar rifle.... One thing to remember is if he's not a shooter he only needs a setup that's as good as his ability.... You can always upgrade later... Working at a gun range I have seen many rifles that supposed wouldn't shoot until I got behind them.... The problem was simply the shooter... Seen it A BUNCH... People who fire MAYBE 50 found a year verses people who shoot that or more a day four or more days a week.... I have seen people shooting with scopes that weren't attached , scopes you couldn't see through or just malfunctioning equipment the list is endless....Simply buy a Ruger or savage or whatever , put a scope on it break in the barrel properly and buy him some federal gold medal ammo.... He should be good to go

 

[TTE]

I'm not backing anyone up anymore so these could be for sale for your farmer friend - Pretty sure either will handle whatever is bothering him on his farm.

1906 - Westley Richards 450 3 1/4.
I shot 2 Buffalo, 1 with each barrel on it's 100th birthday, which I thought it deserved.

Whitworth 458 Lott chambered by Jack himself (**)

Both of these have saved my a$$ more than a couple of times, but I could part with them, now that I'm retired.


** mark on 458 Lott stock is from when Rolf Rohwer borrowed it and got whacked by a Lion ... the Lion bit the stock first, then proceeded to tear Rolf up pretty good

 

[BP1]

Ruger American . Syn stock, 20-22" bbl. Mine shoots AWESOME and they're about $450.

I have the youth model, which is perfect for a truck gun.

 

[Fuj]

Savage Axis XP in .223. Comes with a scope......Hard to find now
but my uncle always had a Savage .222 / 20 gauge over and under
on his tractor along with an H&R 9 shot .22 in a shoulder rig.

 

[D-4297]

Shot a Ruger Ranch rifle , in 5.56 and it was pretty impressive , considering I'm not a fan of the .223 / 5.56 cartridge .

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

If he wants a new rifle, I would look at the big box stores. Is there a Cabela's or Bass Pro near him? If so, they may have something used as well as some new offerings. Keeping an eye on local gun shops is a good idea, as well as local sell/swap/wanted publications.