How good are mid 90's Winchester varmint rifles?

[Reload1]

Hi,

I have an old military 1903 rifle that I have had for several years. It has two stocks, one the original finger groove and the other is a 'C' type. I value the packeage at about $1000. I have a buddy who has had the hots for it for a couple of years now and has come up with all sorts of trades I have turned down.

His latest offering might be interesting. I am left handed but he has a Winchester right handed Varmint rifle in 223. It has the black synthetic stock, he thinks it is an HS but not sure. Heavy weight barrel and supposed to be in very good to excellent condition, not shot a lot. It curently has a Leopold 3x9 with target turrets on it but has offered me a 4x12 VX2 if I prefer.

I am mainly a Savage guy so not sure what kind of accuracy to expect. He isn't sure what twist rate the gun is but said it doesn't shoot 69 grainers very well so suppose it is more like 1/12.

I know all guns are differnt but do these typically make good shooters? Also about what is the rifle worth with the glass on it. I don't want to end up with a $450 rifle with a $300 scope when I value my gun as more expensive.

 

[CJ6]

IMHO your 450,300 guess is pretty accurate. But it's still up to you to decide

 

[pauls]

I've got one in .223. I was told by a person at the Winchester factory that some of the first ones used Schneider barrels. I don't know if mine is one of those or not, but it has one the smoothest bore finishes of any of my barrels, including customs, both by feel of the cleaning rods through it and a friend's Hawkeye borescope ).

The smallest group was a 5 shot .225'. Generally a 1/2' +/- gun with moly'd Vmaxes and Tac powder. I paid $550.00 for mine several years ago - it's been on 5 PD trips and continues to shoot great. Not sure of the twist rate, but I believe it is a 1/9, but all I ever shoot is 55 grain Vmaxes ).

Not sure if the scope/ rifle combination is worth a $1000.00 - more like $750 to $800 or so, Leupold VX 2's run $250 to $300 used ).

I think you'd like the rifle, but I'd probably want some 'boot' in the trade.