Hi everyone- I am looking for a new varmit gun in the .204 caliber. I want to use it for ground hogs and as a carry / calling gun for coyotes. I want something that has a good barrel on it for acuracy but does not kill me to carry as a calling gun. I have been looking at the Savage Model 10 Predator, Remington 700 VTR and the Tikka Varmint. What's your recommendations? Is there anything else that I should consider?
For a carry gun, i would go with the Remington R-15 varminter in 204. That would be ideal in my eyes if i planned on luggin it around a bit.
Of the three you listed however, i think the savage would take the least toll on you carrying it all day, the other two have heavy barrels and will prolly get heavy real quick with a little walking. if you like remington better than savage they have a model 7 predator very similar to savage's model 10 predator.
In both spotting GH,s and calling yotes,I find very little carrying and even with these old diseased lungs and muscles,can take a fair amount of weight.In either case,if you are moving,you won't see much.That is why what most mfg,s call varmint rifles are heavy.If you want a walking around gun,get one.either a light shotgun or .22lr,or any open sight centerfire will serve you well. sam.
Thanks for the input everyone. My other question is what legnth barrel do you recommend? (I know that the 204 barel has a 1 in 12 twist.) Would I see any real downside of not going with a full 26" barrel or would the 22" barrels serve me just as well?
For maximum portability when I want it, I use a Thompson Center in pistol format. Caliber choice is up to your specific needs and wants. Mine however in the Encore platform chambered in a .243AI 15". Otherwise I use a Ruger #1 220 Swift or Encore 26" rifle 6mmAI.
I love my CZ527 in .204 Ruger. It is extremely accurate and well balanced. The rifle is priced around the others and or a little less. The synthetic stock is a little heavier than my wood stock but they are still not that heavy.
the CZ trigger can be pushed forward to shoot like a hair trigger (very light pull) you can shoot it as a standard style trigger which isn't bad and then you can actually adjust it to where you don't need to have a set trigger with it being very light. It takes some getting used to but I really like it. I haven't adjusted it out yet as I like it the way it is.
the CZ trigger can be pushed forward to shoot like a hair trigger (very light pull) you can shoot it as a standard style trigger which isn't bad and then you can actually adjust it to where you don't need to have a set trigger with it being very light. It takes some getting used to but I really like it. I haven't adjusted it out yet as I like it the way it is.
Exact same here. You will love the CZ trigger. I have a laminated wood stock on mine in the 527 American model. It is very light and very accurate...
I've got the thumbhole version of the Savage VTR in a .17 hmr. The laminated stock does make it a bit heavy, but I tote it a good bit out in the Arkie woods killing tree rats. With a sling, I think that it would be a very good choice. Also, you will L-O-V-E the Savage accu-trigger. I do for sure!
Thanks for the input everyone. My other question is what legnth barrel do you recommend? (I know that the 204 barel has a 1 in 12 twist.) Would I see any real downside of not going with a full 26" barrel or would the 22" barrels serve me just as well?
Thanks again for educating me.
Since it is a limited capacity case and you have to use relativly fast burning rifle powders anyway,I doubt that there is that much gain in long barrels.I have an AR and bolt action,both with 26"barrels and both shoot great,the AR edging the bolt on long range accuracy.But lacking case capacity,I can't improve on mfg,d ammo much except consistency.With this cartridge as with others like the .308win./7.62NATO,shorter barrels work well.One thing I would change if I had it to do over is barrel twist.At the time 40gr bullets were about it,so 1in12" was fine.Now they have 55gr and heavier bullets.I believe I would try for a 1in8"twist.But there again you are taking up case capacity so you are still in the faster burn rate so a shorter barrel would be just about as efficient. sam.
