Which rifle?

[Jrjones]

222/223

 

[Oso]

I had a Contender Super 14 in .222 long ago. I really liked it. I wish it was more popular still. The .223 is definitely on the list. Others that pique my curiosity are .204 Ruger, .224 Valkyrie, .22 Nosler, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm BR and .22-250. Some of those I know zero about, other than name recognition. The .222 I know I like from back in the day. The .223 is as said, everywhere. The rest are to be eventually researched. Thanks for some great input so far.

Based on factors, such as recoil, availability of factor ammo, cost and shooting distance (inside 300 yards), the cartridges I would be considering are: .223, 22ARC, 6ARC, 6.5 Grendel.

From a Factory Ammunition perspective of these cartridges the .223 will have the least expensive ammo, widest selection of ammo (bullet weight from 50gr -77gr, bullet type from FMJ to specialty hunting and defense rounds), and largest volume of ammo on the shelf.

6BR is Great cartridge. Unfortunately, it is not a standard factory offering from major manufacturers. Typically, this is a custom rifle or at the least rebarreling a rifle. You are going to be hard pressed to find even a used one that falls within your budget $1k. The other challenge is that 6BR ammo is a specialty item, not likely to find at big box sporting good stores or even local gun store. You will be forced to reload for it… not the worst answer, but maybe not your interest.

.204 Ruger is a nice cartridge and would allow you to shoot paper and varmint. However, the other cartridges would allow you to also hunt larger game.

.224 Valkerie is a good cartridge, but just not the 1,000 yard miracle budget cartridge unless willing to max push and destroying brass cases. Although the 22ARC is relatively new, it is a better option with greater industry backing so more likely to find ammo at local gun stores going forward.

No reason to chase 22 Nosler.

KISS - the easy answer is .223. It’s accurate, economic, and low recoil… the adult version of 22lr. Also, it’s chambered by ever rifle manufacturer so wide selection of both new and used rifles that easily fall within your budget. Go do a search on Gunbroker.com there are over 2,500 postings of .223 rifles (new & used) listed right now (see link below).
https://www.gunbroker.com/bolt-action-rifles/search?pagesize=24&sort=13&view=1&ch-caliber=.223 Rem.

 

[Kevin1990]

I'd look at a Tikka 223 varmint or a Howa mini action in any flavor they sell such as 223rem, 22arc, 6arc, 6.5 Grendel etc then put it in a boyds stock or a nice chassis and you'd still be under $1000. For that range a 222rem would be a fun little gun, but if you're not reloading and shooting factory I'd absolutely go 223rem, due to the cost of ammo and the variety.

 

[Leo_B]

Based on factors, such as recoil, availability of factor ammo, cost and shooting distance (inside 300 yards), the cartridges I would be considering are: .223, 22ARC, 6ARC, 6.5 Grendel.

From a Factory Ammunition perspective of these cartridges the .223 will have the least expensive ammo, widest selection of ammo (bullet weight from 50gr -77gr, bullet type from FMJ to specialty hunting and defense rounds), and largest volume of ammo on the shelf.

6BR is Great cartridge. Unfortunately, it is not a standard factory offering from major manufacturers. Typically, this is a custom rifle or at the least rebarreling a rifle. You are going to be hard pressed to find even a used one that falls within your budget $1k. The other challenge is that 6BR ammo is a specialty item, not likely to find at big box sporting good stores or even local gun store. You will be forced to reload for it… not the worst answer, but maybe not your interest.

.204 Ruger is a nice cartridge and would allow you to shoot paper and varmint. However, the other cartridges would allow you to also hunt larger game.

.224 Valkerie is a good cartridge, but just not the 1,000 yard miracle budget cartridge unless willing to max push and destroying brass cases. Although the 22ARC is relatively new, it is a better option with greater industry backing so more likely to find ammo at local gun stores going forward.

No reason to chase 22 Nosler.

KISS - the easy answer is .223. It’s accurate, economic, and low recoil… the adult version of 22lr. Also, it’s chambered by ever rifle manufacturer so wide selection of both new and used rifles that easily fall within your budget. Go do a search on Gunbroker.com there are over 2,500 postings of .223 rifles (new & used) listed right now (see link below).
https://www.gunbroker.com/bolt-action-rifles/search?pagesize=24&sort=13&view=1&ch-caliber=.223 Rem.

Very interesting and informative. Thank you.

 

[Leo_B]

I'd look at a Tikka 223 varmint or a Howa mini action in any flavor they sell such as 223rem, 22arc, 6arc, 6.5 Grendel etc then put it in a boyds stock or a nice chassis and you'd still be under $1000. For that range a 222rem would be a fun little gun, but if you're not reloading and shooting factory I'd absolutely go 223rem, due to the cost of ammo and the variety.

I'll start out with factory ammo to get the supply of brass I can reload. I'm leaning fairly significantly to .223 for that reason. I'm thinking I can get 2-3 boxes of a few bullet styles/weights and get some idea of what shoots nicely, then work on loading that. I'm not writing off the others yet though.

 

[argrendel]

Blue collar reloading has Lapua 69g 223 box of 50 on sale at just over $1.5 per shot. That would leave you with some very good brass.

 

[Kevin1990]

I'll start out with factory ammo to get the supply of brass I can reload. I'm leaning fairly significantly to .223 for that reason. I'm thinking I can get 2-3 boxes of a few bullet styles/weights and get some idea of what shoots nicely, then work on loading that. I'm not writing off the others yet though.

Honestly, I think you'll be happy with whatever you get. I find reloading very satisfying, but I myself am also starting to lean more towards smaller cartridges, because like you I don't go out past 200 very often, and the smaller cartridges get it done, but also consume way less components. Last year I was up in the air about building a 222rem or a 6br, and I went 222rem. (still haven't shot it yet!) For reference an 8 pound jug of powder will get me roughly 2,500 rounds, while a 6br would only get me roughly 1,800, plus 22cal projectiles are cheaper if you go factory offerings. That's a lot more shooting for a lot less money. let us know what you decide when you do!

 

[Leo_B]

I had a Contender Super 14 in .222 a long time ago. I let it go for something else. Wish I hadn't. I like the .222 and it is fairly high on the suspects list.

 

[searcher]

Just what is most important for it to do? Varmint? targets? hunting- If so, what? How far will you plan on shooing it?

 

[sw282]

1990 was my first prairie dog sighting near Fort Hood Tx. l just HAD to shoot one! 222 Remington was a NATURAL. No internet for guns in 1991-92. A used Winchester Model 70 sporter in 222 Rem was found in a local pawn shop. A call to Midsouth got me 500 Fioche 50gr SPs. All those Fioches got used that summer near Plainview Tx with an outfitter found in Varmint Hunters Magazine (RIP). 300yds is my preferred MAX shooting distance. After 300 l can't see them POP! l have Coopers, Remington, and Winchesters in 222 and 223. 222s are accurate than my 223s. Fast forward 35+ years. 222 Remington is the very BEST prairie dog buster for me.

 

[Leo_B]

Just what is most important for it to do? Varmint? targets? hunting- If so, what? How far will you plan on shooing it?

No clue who that was directed to but if it's me it's like my OP. I'll be going to the range and shooting at 100 and maybe a little at 200 yards, comparing how I do to the last time I went. No hunting or other activities, just a fun time at the range competing with myself. Maybe, just a very small maybe, I'll even make the long hike to the 300 yard target holder to try it out eventually. But mostly 100 with a little 200 now and then. No other plans other than knowing I own it and if the wood is nice enough, and I hope it is, maybe admiring it now and then between range trips.

 

[Uncle Grinch]

I’m a fan of the .222 REM. Bought one back in the late 70’s on a REM 700 BDL. Got the hots for something faster after my son and I went prairie dog shooting. He has a REM 700 in 6mm rem and was shooting 55 grain Nosler BT at 4012 fps. Had my 222 rebarreled to .223 AI with a heavy barrel. After a few more trips out west, the heavy barrel got HEAVY, so I had Douglas rebarrel it back to lighter weight 24” .222 barrel. Been that way for close to 20 years and I don’t regret going back to the classic round.

 

[Soup]

Take a look, if you find any, at Remington VSSF or VLS.
26" tubes and accurate.
Soup

 

[simo hayha]

Tikka in 223, new $650

 

[Woollybugger]

I’m probably going to get some flak but, friends don’t let friends buy Rugers. The current American is about as refined as a screen door. If new, a tikka or a begara then a Savage. And yes a varmint barreled 223. Easy to shoot factory or to reload. The cheap Frontier target ammo shoot pretty well. Save the rest of your bank for a decent mid level scope and rings. Then a good rest, then a……. rabbit hole.

 

[Leo_B]

What model is the $650 Tikka? I'm not really familiar with them at all, very little more with Bergara other than they are a real buzzword at the moment. I like Ruger but real ones, the Model 77. Not familiar with Howa either other than name but they have a model with a wood stock that's a beauty.

 

[slm9s]

Buy used! Put up a 'Want to Buy' ad on here for what general type of rifle you want with your $1000 budget. Lots of guys on here have very accurate rifles collecting dust in the back of the safe. You'll likely get a rifle with known accuracy made with great components rather than playing 'Factory Rifle Roulette' buying an off the shelf new rifle. (And its astounding how little $1000 buys these days at the gun counter!)

 

[searcher]

Loe-b: Sounds like you will be doing what I do mostly at the range these days - just compete with myself and work on loads, etc. I think that while the .223 is the most economical to shoot a lot (and can be very accurate), you might consider looking for a used 6PPC. I have seen some pretty insane deals on this site for what looked to be some pretty nice guns. For within 300 yards, no sense in going large on caliber or with any more recoil than needed to make it enjoyable and reasonable in cost. Only downside to the 6PPC is the higher initial cost of brass, though that brass will end up being quite reasonable in the long run due to longevity. At some point, you will wring everything you can out of a factory gun and maybe want more. Best to not have to buy twice.