rawlins87 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Looking to build/purchase a varmit rifle. Calibers im leaning towards:17hmr-weakest204 ruger-unpopular round22-250-commonBasically a groundhog and coyote gun. Need something that will reach up to 200 yards accurately and get the job done. Leaning towards the 17hmr for initial cost of ownership and cheap ammo, but unsure of it's "takedown" capabilities at 150+yards. I like odd calibers so having a 204 appeals to me since most people don't shoot it. Could make getting ammo in 10+ years difficult if the round is phased out. The 22-250 will do everything I need but highest cost.Basically budget is $400-500 for a gun then $100-200 for glass.22-250 wont work unless used-would rather buy newCan get a high quality 17hmr for that budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJC1000rr Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) .204 would get the job done. Easy caliber also being .223 in a good bolt action and cheap ammo. Best gun I have used was a .220 swift. Man that thing was nasty to the prairie dogs even out to 300 yards.Contact 8mmDale on here for better info an prices. 6147777678 Edited January 29, 2012 by SJC1000rr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flounder Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) I agree to just grab a used 22-250 or a .223/5.56. AR with a target barrel, (i.e 20-24in stainless)Do you want bolt action or semi? You could easily get a decent rem or savage bolt gun in that price range. Dont discount a used gun!! Technically they are all used since the factory fires a few shots through them for QC. Edited January 29, 2012 by flounder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 There is a lightly used Savage .22-250 with glass on columbusracing that the guy bumped down to $800 this morning.http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99646 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vf1000ride Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Something else to consider would be the .25-06. You can get factory loads from 85gr up to around 120gr. Velocities range from 3500 to around 2900fps for the heavy bullets. You can hand load down to a 75gr bullet with velocities up to around 3700fps. Looks like Marlin, Weatherby and Savage still make a new gun that would fit your price range. Used guns should be able to be found in your 4-500 range with a scope already on them. I sold my .25-06 Interarms Mark-X with Bushnell 3-9x50 a few years ago at a gun show for $300.I liked mine as it was a good gun for anything from deer down to groundhog and crow. Eastern PA didn't have much for prairie dog population so I don't know how it would work on them. Distance shooting was easy as the ballistics curve was very flat. Zeroed in a 200 yards you where roughly 1inch high at 100 and just under 5inch low at 300 with the 85gr bullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 243 is fun on groundhogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carwhore Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Vance's has a .17 savage accu-trigger and cheap scope for 229 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowdog Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I love my .17HMR and i wouldnt discount its power at 150yrds. I have shot mine through a 8" round farm post at 100yrds and had it go clean through. I have also killed a couple yotes with it and have not had one run past 100yrds yet. Have droped a few right at the bait pile as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crb Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 17 hmr is a good round, I wouldn't think you would have a problem taking out a tote at 200 yards. I know guys have taken wild hogs and deer with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 The 17HMR or 220 Swift would be my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 AR-10. Suppressed. Trijacon with night vision. Ghilie suit. Winning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crb Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 AR-10. Suppressed. Trijacon with night vision. Ghilie suit. Winning.Not within his budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flounder Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 AR-10. Suppressed. Trijacon with night vision. Ghilie suit. Winning.Pass..This guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Not within his budget. Hard to be baller on a budget.Pass..This guy.Well played sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 May I also suggest the 338 wapua Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rawlins87 Posted January 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 May I also suggest the 338 wapua416 Barret, i need to win the lottery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1crusher Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 243 is fun on groundhogsThis. I have a Savage model 12 BVSS in .243 and it's easy to manage varmint at ranges out toward 300+ yards. It can even play double duty if you want to hunt larger game in states that allow rifle hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugan n rita Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Lets not forget a 221 fireball, gets out there, and chep to reload. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Might I suggest a pellet gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carwhore Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 May I suggest a .22mag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 May I suggest a .22magHe says' he has one. A .22 that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mango_sv Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 If you want cheap to shoot, 223 is dirt cheap and readily available. And plenty of take down power. I've taken 2 deer with my Remington 700. Doe I shot at 200 yards never took another step. Soft Points have some nasty knock down power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beegreenstrings Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Pass..This guy.(first off - bastard) I am guessing thats marks?Is that the manners stock?(sure as shit aint getting that for 5-700) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beegreenstrings Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) I would stick with a affordable round to shoot. I dont know what you make but I do for myself and I would still stick with a 223, the availability of cheap and good high end ammo is available. IF all you are thinking of is blasting coyotes and ground pigs all day. It's a great roung. Sight it in with cheap shit and you could shoot 4 times as much as one box of good stuff.(I call the cheap stuff. the wolf steel case. catch on sale for 5.29-5.49 a box of 20. Not the brown bear laquered crap. which I do question as a quality round).Plus there was some DPMS 24" and 16" bull barreled uppers on sale in the latest flyer from Midway for 349. You could probably make it in under total budget. But I cant see you building a complete AR at that price. Stock and buffer assem could push you over the 500 mark. (99 buck lower from spikes or even a cheaper one if you can find it and a LPK of some sorts for 42-50 and you would be at your 500 dollar range. Throw on a stock and buffer assem and you would be over). then be looking for glass as well. Edited January 30, 2012 by Beegreenstrings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 My 'hog gun is a Ruger M77 MkII in 22-250. $700 for the rifle, $150 for the scope and $20 for the bipod. I'm not the best shot in the world but I can still get half-inch groups at 100yds all day long with it.Can be had for a little over $600. Dunno this seller, but here's an example: http://www.gunsamerica.com/924094990/Guns/Rifles/Ruger-Rifles/Model-77/Ruger_M77_Mark_II_Varmint_22_250_SS_Blk_Gray_Lam_Closeout_NIB.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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