In search of the perfect ground-hog rifle

sbranden · 02-12-2007, 09:13 PM

Well, of all the forums -- I think this one may just be the place to ask this question. I have a buddy who wants to get back into ground-hog hunting. I have a Rem 700 BDL in .222 with a Leupold scope (25+ years old) that is PERFECT. I hail the 22-250 as the King of Varminting, but don't think he is going to be up for that level of noise, expense, and probably really doesn't need that kind of range either. If I thought he did, I'd probably recommend the .204 ruger today anyway. So I was looking at .223 but am open to other suggestions. He won't reload. The Hornet is nice, but I just think the .223 is probably a superior round (and cheaper to shoot) right now. I know the 17 Rem has been popular, but I have an HMR and this bullet is a little light in my view for ground-hogs. At 4000fps, the 17 Rem is quite a different story from the 17HMR I know, but still more powder/fouling/expense(including barrel burnout) than is necessary for not a great deal (if any) more range than he could probably get with the 223. So what do you think - am I on the right track here??

Otter · 02-12-2007, 09:22 PM

The Savage with Accu-trigger is nice, my friend has the model 12 in .204 Ruger. I'd go with the .223 myself, because it's more popular and available everywhere. But the .204 is a fine varmit round.

Lng Rng · 02-12-2007, 10:41 PM

I would buy a .223, for the same reasons otter said. And if you have ever shot a ground hog with the HMR, you would probably change your opinion as far as ground hogs go.

.22guy · 02-12-2007, 11:27 PM

I'd go with .223. Looking to get one for myself soon.

Mooseman684 · 02-12-2007, 11:44 PM

You have the perfect Rifle....The 700 in .222 is a Tackdriver. .222 is a great round just under the .223. I used to shoot competition with the .222 , 100 out of 100 at 150 meters. Hard to beat !!!
Rich

.22guy · 02-13-2007, 01:16 AM

I think it's for his friend.....

frozentorso · 02-13-2007, 01:18 PM

I'd love to have one of every caliber, but since I'm not wealthy I break mine into categories: varmint, deer sized game, and anything bigger that my .30-06 will take. My primary varmint rifle is a .223 bushmaster. Ammo is cheap, several weights, and very available.

CrazyIvan · 02-13-2007, 01:21 PM

I enjoy my Bushmaster 24" Varminter .223 for varmint shootin' as well.

sbranden · 02-13-2007, 08:41 PM

My buddy likes wood or wood laminates, blued (not stainless) barrels, would prefer sporter barrel to varmint heavy target barrels but top notch accuracy is still right at the top of the list too of course.

To me, this rules out Savage unless he would reconsider SS and go with something like the 12 VLP I think it is. Could also look at the Model 40 Varminter in 22 Hornet I guess.

The Remington 700's still look pretty good to me, VLS maybe or even the BDL/CDL if he wants a more traditional wood stock in sporter weight.

I have a CZ and love that gun. Great wood, and outstanding out of the box accuracy. But these all have clips, and he doesn't care for these. 527 American in .223 would suit me real fine, or the 527 Varmint in 204.

The Howa Varmint appears to have a walnut stock, blued barrel option.

Have heard both good and bad things about Tikka. But I don't think these come in anything but synthetic stocks, do they?

I really see him falling into kind of a middle tier class of rifle.

The Ruger target grey varminter is nice... not quite the flash of most all of the other SS barrels, so would probably still look fine with matte rings and scope. (I'm open to suggestions on rings/scopes too. Think we want something that is at least 18x, 20x, maybe even 24x. I'd like to see him spend at least $400-500 on quality glass.)

So what am I missing in the way of good options out there?

I also worry (a little bit) about the staying power of the .204, where this is still fairly new. Have enough of these rifles been sold. Is anyone besides Hornady developing ammo for these now? Can this thing really compete with greater range with something like the .22-250? Being partial to .222, where 204 is just a necked down 222 Magnum right?, I'm thinking the 204 probably has a little bit of an accuracy advantage over 223. 32 or 40 or even 45 grain bullets though, well... I worry a little about wind and down range energy. Like the fact that it's a little cheaper to shoot though because again, he probably won't have the time to get into reloading his own.

Appreciate the input everyone!

frozentorso · 02-13-2007, 09:17 PM

I owm 2 Howas and love them.

reloader · 02-14-2007, 11:54 AM

i would go with a 223 the 22-250 is a pretty good gun to but i still love the 222 and the 223 cant go wrong with thoes guns... i do reload and its worth it i can easly shoot 500yrds and have no problem killin a hog... but its what you want.. hope this helps ........... reloader

sbranden · 02-14-2007, 05:05 PM

What model/caliber Howas do you have frozentorso? How's the accuracy, and general fit & finish on these guns? Actions are key to me too. My Rem 700 jams up on me at times in a rapid fire situation and I really don't care for slamming the bolt home on high velocity cartridges that aren't positioned properly to go into the chamber first time, every time. I had heard someone say once that the Tikkas are incredibly smooth, which probably makes sense if these are indeed made by Sako. I just don't know that the Tikkas offer any wood/wood laminate w/blued barrel options. Not even sure where the best place would be to get either Howa or Tikka. (Think Walmart may have been selling the Howa's though at one point.) We're planning a Cabela's run on Sat 2/24. All input between now and then is much appreciated. You've all been very helpful - thanks.

frozentorso · 02-15-2007, 11:53 AM

I have an older Howa 1500 in .243 and a Lightning in .270. Actions are smooth, no problems thus far. Good accuracy. Cabelas carries them, but you probably wont find the caliber you're looking for. They will order one though. They're good enough for Weatherby to put their name on(Vanguard).

sbranden · 02-21-2007, 09:19 PM

Ok, real good - thanks.

Dale · 02-21-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frozentorso

I owm 2 Howas and love them.

I have a buddy who has one and it's a great shooting rifle.

I, personally, have a .223 and a .22-250.

The .22-250 is a Savage 12VBSS with a Bushnell 4200 Elite scope toppping it off. It's an awesome rifle.

It makes prairie dogs go "poof".

sbranden · 02-25-2007, 10:32 PM

Hey, my buddy bought a Ruger in .204 this weekend. Should make for a real nice carry gun. Put a Nikon Monarch 5.5-16.5x44mm on it, and a Harris Bipod (S Series Model 25 I believe it was... like 12-25" in 3 stages). Can't wait to shoot this thing. If there are any other Ruger .204 Ruger owners out there, let me know what you've found to shoot the best. Thanks very much.

02-12-2007, 09:13 PM	#1
sbranden Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	In search of the perfect ground-hog rifle Well, of all the forums -- I think this one may just be the place to ask this question. I have a buddy who wants to get back into ground-hog hunting. I have a Rem 700 BDL in .222 with a Leupold scope (25+ years old) that is PERFECT. I hail the 22-250 as the King of Varminting, but don't think he is going to be up for that level of noise, expense, and probably really doesn't need that kind of range either. If I thought he did, I'd probably recommend the .204 ruger today anyway. So I was looking at .223 but am open to other suggestions. He won't reload. The Hornet is nice, but I just think the .223 is probably a superior round (and cheaper to shoot) right now. I know the 17 Rem has been popular, but I have an HMR and this bullet is a little light in my view for ground-hogs. At 4000fps, the 17 Rem is quite a different story from the 17HMR I know, but still more powder/fouling/expense(including barrel burnout) than is necessary for not a great deal (if any) more range than he could probably get with the 223. So what do you think - am I on the right track here??

02-12-2007, 09:22 PM	#2
Otter Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 981 Images: 6	The Savage with Accu-trigger is nice, my friend has the model 12 in .204 Ruger. I'd go with the .223 myself, because it's more popular and available everywhere. But the .204 is a fine varmit round. __________________ Life is too important to be taken seriously.

02-12-2007, 11:44 PM	#5
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,567 Images: 2	You have the perfect Rifle....The 700 in .222 is a Tackdriver. .222 is a great round just under the .223. I used to shoot competition with the .222 , 100 out of 100 at 150 meters. Hard to beat !!! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

02-13-2007, 01:18 PM	#7
frozentorso Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North East Texas Posts: 593	I'd love to have one of every caliber, but since I'm not wealthy I break mine into categories: varmint, deer sized game, and anything bigger that my .30-06 will take. My primary varmint rifle is a .223 bushmaster. Ammo is cheap, several weights, and very available. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry. Thats just my game!"

02-13-2007, 01:21 PM	#8
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,580	I enjoy my Bushmaster 24" Varminter .223 for varmint shootin' as well. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me

02-12-2007, 10:41 PM	#3
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 962	I would buy a .223, for the same reasons otter said. And if you have ever shot a ground hog with the HMR, you would probably change your opinion as far as ground hogs go.

02-12-2007, 11:27 PM	#4
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,259	I'd go with .223. Looking to get one for myself soon.

02-13-2007, 01:16 AM	#6
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,259	I think it's for his friend.....

02-13-2007, 08:41 PM	#9
sbranden Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	My buddy likes wood or wood laminates, blued (not stainless) barrels, would prefer sporter barrel to varmint heavy target barrels but top notch accuracy is still right at the top of the list too of course. To me, this rules out Savage unless he would reconsider SS and go with something like the 12 VLP I think it is. Could also look at the Model 40 Varminter in 22 Hornet I guess. The Remington 700's still look pretty good to me, VLS maybe or even the BDL/CDL if he wants a more traditional wood stock in sporter weight. I have a CZ and love that gun. Great wood, and outstanding out of the box accuracy. But these all have clips, and he doesn't care for these. 527 American in .223 would suit me real fine, or the 527 Varmint in 204. The Howa Varmint appears to have a walnut stock, blued barrel option. Have heard both good and bad things about Tikka. But I don't think these come in anything but synthetic stocks, do they? I really see him falling into kind of a middle tier class of rifle. The Ruger target grey varminter is nice... not quite the flash of most all of the other SS barrels, so would probably still look fine with matte rings and scope. (I'm open to suggestions on rings/scopes too. Think we want something that is at least 18x, 20x, maybe even 24x. I'd like to see him spend at least $400-500 on quality glass.) So what am I missing in the way of good options out there? I also worry (a little bit) about the staying power of the .204, where this is still fairly new. Have enough of these rifles been sold. Is anyone besides Hornady developing ammo for these now? Can this thing really compete with greater range with something like the .22-250? Being partial to .222, where 204 is just a necked down 222 Magnum right?, I'm thinking the 204 probably has a little bit of an accuracy advantage over 223. 32 or 40 or even 45 grain bullets though, well... I worry a little about wind and down range energy. Like the fact that it's a little cheaper to shoot though because again, he probably won't have the time to get into reloading his own. Appreciate the input everyone!

02-13-2007, 09:17 PM	#10
frozentorso Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North East Texas Posts: 593	I owm 2 Howas and love them. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry. Thats just my game!"

02-14-2007, 11:54 AM	#11
reloader Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Middleburg Posts: 27	i would go with a 223 the 22-250 is a pretty good gun to but i still love the 222 and the 223 cant go wrong with thoes guns... i do reload and its worth it i can easly shoot 500yrds and have no problem killin a hog... but its what you want.. hope this helps ........... reloader

02-14-2007, 05:05 PM	#12
sbranden Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	What model/caliber Howas do you have frozentorso? How's the accuracy, and general fit & finish on these guns? Actions are key to me too. My Rem 700 jams up on me at times in a rapid fire situation and I really don't care for slamming the bolt home on high velocity cartridges that aren't positioned properly to go into the chamber first time, every time. I had heard someone say once that the Tikkas are incredibly smooth, which probably makes sense if these are indeed made by Sako. I just don't know that the Tikkas offer any wood/wood laminate w/blued barrel options. Not even sure where the best place would be to get either Howa or Tikka. (Think Walmart may have been selling the Howa's though at one point.) We're planning a Cabela's run on Sat 2/24. All input between now and then is much appreciated. You've all been very helpful - thanks.

02-15-2007, 11:53 AM	#13
frozentorso Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North East Texas Posts: 593	I have an older Howa 1500 in .243 and a Lightning in .270. Actions are smooth, no problems thus far. Good accuracy. Cabelas carries them, but you probably wont find the caliber you're looking for. They will order one though. They're good enough for Weatherby to put their name on(Vanguard). __________________ "I'm your huckleberry. Thats just my game!"

02-21-2007, 09:19 PM	#14
sbranden Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	Ok, real good - thanks.

02-25-2007, 10:32 PM	#16
sbranden Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	Hey, my buddy bought a Ruger in .204 this weekend. Should make for a real nice carry gun. Put a Nikon Monarch 5.5-16.5x44mm on it, and a Harris Bipod (S Series Model 25 I believe it was... like 12-25" in 3 stages). Can't wait to shoot this thing. If there are any other Ruger .204 Ruger owners out there, let me know what you've found to shoot the best. Thanks very much.