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Swarovski Scope now what caliber of Rifle? |
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bird_hunter66
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/29/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88 |
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Posted: May/12/2011 at 13:04 |
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Okay so I've picked out the scope that I am going to get a Swarovski Z3 so now I'm just trying to decide on what caliber of rifle I want to get. I was thinking a Winchester Model 70, Remington 700, Ruger M77, Browning X-Bolt or Weatherby Mark V. I'm partial to the smaller caliber of rifles. It will be used mostly for varmit hunting and and occasional deer in the SE US. Most shots will be at 300yrs or less and about 80% of them 150 yrds or less. I'm looking at a .223, .22-250, .260, .7mm-08 or a .270 maybe .280 the largest. I don't like a lot of recoil that is why I'm interested in these calibers. I currently own a .243 Remington 700 with a Leupold 2.5x10x42 VXIII. Would like to hear what manufacture brand you guys prefer and what caliber would be the best for my purpose. I'l also interested if I ever sold the rifle what caliber is the best seller in order? Thanks for your help. birdhunter66
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D. Holmes
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stickbow46
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/07/2009 Location: Benton, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4678 |
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I own a Rem 700 Police heavy barrel in .223 that is dead on nuts out to at least 400yds,but if I was in your shoes I'd likely go with putting the Swaro on the Rem 243 & not look back.Most of the larger cal you mention are almost over kill,that .243 is about as flat a shooter as you'll find.
If I wanted to step up & reach out I'd go with one of the 6.5's.Just my .02cents Edited by stickbow46 - May/12/2011 at 19:59 |
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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.270win and .223 are among the most sold calibers in the US.... given what you're hunting and the ranges you're expecting, any of the calibers you mentioned would work just fine... another to think about is the 25-06. the 7mm-08 is a pretty popular caliber in recent years.
if you like the rem you have, stick with it... if you're interested in trying something new, any of the manufacturers you listed would probably be fine. as many others here have told me, most of what you're asking comes down to personal preference, what different characteristics you're looking for in a rifle (drop plate, detachable magazine, integral bases, ect), and how the rifle in question feels to you. From personal experience. i have a rem 721 in 30.06 that was manufactured in 1943... and i really don't care for it at all. most of my discomfort with it could probably be resolved with some trigger work and a new stock, but i'd rather simply buy a new rifle. my son has a tikka t3 in .270 that is simply a dream to shoot. if there is one knock i have on the rifle it's how easily the magazine releases. the sako a7 and 85 models have a magazine safety catch feature, where you have to push up on the magazine, as well as press the release lever, in order to drop it. the tikka doesn't, you simply press the release and it falls. however the tikka shoots extremely well and is comfortable to shoot and carry. |
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Respect Outdoors
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/21/2011 Location: Jupiter, Florid Status: Offline Points: 76 |
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It sounds to me that you need a fun gun to play around with.... If your really looking for a Varmint Gun and Maybe kill a Deer with it once in a blue moon.... and the majority of your shots are >200 yards.... man a Ruger M77 223 is affordable, pretty Rugged, shoots plenty well..... I grew up with a M77 243 and LOVED IT!!!! I mean the 223 ammo is pretty cheap and very accessible... If you need more bullet to kill a deer... get the 243 but it sounds like you already have one of those....
The Thing I like about the 223 is it has NO recoil and it really helped me get in tune with my trigger pull... I started to develop much better habits of following through and watching my target through the scope... Also, if you've got others with you that are totally unfamiliar with shooting... a 223 is such a good gun to put in their hands.... Good luck with whatever you choose.... oh ya... I was told a couple of months ago that Savage is really putting out some great rifles.... Never really shot one and don't know any details but the source was a very reputable shooter and made me think.... Good luck and let us know what you went with... Robert Arrington |
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Sako A7 Burris Eliminator 7mm Rem Mag 139 gr GMX Superformance Have gun will hunt! |
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Respect Outdoors
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/21/2011 Location: Jupiter, Florid Status: Offline Points: 76 |
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@Dyelynn.... I shoot the Sako A7 7mm Rem Mag.... I absolutely LOVE that gun and your so right about the magazine release safety mech.... you must push it up and press the release lever to get it out.... pretty funny to watch my buddies that aren't used to it, try and get it out....
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"All men die, few ever really live"
Sako A7 Burris Eliminator 7mm Rem Mag 139 gr GMX Superformance Have gun will hunt! |
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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In your case I like either the 223 or 7-08. I think the 25's and 264's are fairly simular to what you already have. The 223 is extremely inexpesive to shoot and the 7-08 allows you to hunt 95% of all N.American animals. I'm partial to Brownings and Weatherbys, I like rifles with a short bolt lift.
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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And that itself could make a huge difference with your Swaro scope. They have very large eye pieces and with some guns require you to use higher rings to get the clearence you need. That is one of the big reasons I chose a abolt for my Swaro. |
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Fredfrankbob
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/27/2010 Status: Offline Points: 81 |
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If you handload, .25-06 gets my vote, any one of the major manufacturers produce nice rifles, it's all about your taste, Savage IMO produces the best out of box accurate rifle, Remington leads in popularity and resell IMO, third choice would probably be a ruger. If you do not handload, a .223 would be my next choice, cheap to shoot as mentioned above and ammo is everywhere.
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smlekid
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/21/2004 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 48 |
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how about a Tikka Varmit in 25/06
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Kickboxer
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Browning BAR ShortTrac in 7mm08 or 25-06. Excellent for your stated purposes.
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bird_hunter66
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/29/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88 |
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Thanks guys I really appreciate the information. I didn't even think about Tikka when I made my post I'll have to check those out as well. Any other thoughts or suggestions?
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D. Holmes
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cb_rem
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/22/2011 Location: Kaliforniastan Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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We're not as lucky in the states. They currently only import 22-250 and 223 in the Tikka Varmint models. I have a T3 lite in 25/06 since I pretty much have the same requirements as the OP.
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brodeur272
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/23/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 609 |
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Going to suggest a 6.5x55 if you can find one in any of those rifles. Covers the "gammut" from varmints to deer.
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Vermin93
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/22/2010 Status: Offline Points: 104 |
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If you don't handload then you should look at factory ammo prices for the various calibers that you're considering. Some of the calibers mentioned can cost $10 - $20 more per box than other calibers on your list. The caliber you choose will definitely impact your total cost of ownership over time if you are a factory ammo shooter.
I have a Model 70, a couple of Model 700's, a M77 and a couple of Weatherby Vanguards. I also have a couple of T/C ICONs. They are all typical hunting rifles with no special modifications or accurizing. If I had to rank them in my personal order of preference it would be: 1. T/C ICON 2. Model 70 3. M77 4. Vanguard 5. Model 700 T/C guarantees 1 MOA accuracy out of the box with the ICON. I believe Tikka and Sako also have the same guarantee. Weatherby sells a Sub-MOA Vanguard. It's more money than a standard Vanguard, but you get a 1 MOA guarantee. You mentioned that you were considering a Weatherby Mark V. If you have the cash then I say GO FOR IT!!! |
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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ruger m77, all sako models, tikka t3 and t/c all guarantee sub-moa... as will the weatherby vangard s-2 if it ever actually comes out. if you're really worried about recoil, then the .223 is probably going to be your best bet. if you get it in a tactical there will be even less recoil... ar-15 style or something else... and you can run the gamut of cheap ammo you can spray with impunity or better and more expensive for precision. |
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Vermin93
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/22/2010 Status: Offline Points: 104 |
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Are you sure about the Ruger M77 having a sub-moa guarantee? I was on their website recently to see what calibers they are currently offering and I didn't see it mentioned. |
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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you know, i thought i'd read it, but now i can't find it, so i'd guess that's incorrect.
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tman1965
Optics Master Joined: July/20/2010 Location: South Georgia Status: Offline Points: 1456 |
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A tikka in 7-08 would certainly be among my finalist list!
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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C-Z? mini- action.223 or 550 ? I've always had a lust for a .257 roberts Model 70
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coyote95
Optics Master Joined: January/24/2009 Location: michigan Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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+1 on 243win We can't use 22cal for deer in MI
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