suggestions for varmint rifle

[Scout_recon05]

hi guys. my friend was asking me what i think would be a good rifle for varmint hunting. i told him i'd look around and get back to him later. He had a few requirements since he likes to have each rifle unique from the next (ie. his deer rifle is exclusively for deer hunting).

semi-auto rifle
aftermarket parts
not larger than .30cal
$1000.00 allowance for rifle and glass

if you have any ideas or suggestions, it'd really help.

[just_a_car]

Ruger 10/22. (.22LR)

Billy can expound upon that better than I.

You could also just go for an AR-15. Lots of options there to build one around $6-700, then use the rest for glass.

As for glass, I've read/heard a lot of good words for the Leupold Vari-X III.

[samuel]

My opinion of a varmint firearm is anything you can have fun with and be safe.I often use handguns that arent too accurate without my failings.I also use varmint-target rifles with a high degree of long range accuracy. I have been known to use shotguns and even pumpup pellet guns.I dont consider varmint hunting as something to get uptight about.But it is a good way to check guns out for hunting.I try to make good shots but dont get spaced out like I would if I missed a trophy or meat on the table. samuel.

[billy]

well $1000 will buy a lot of gun! just a car said i use a 10-22 and i do. i have a sleeper shilen bbl. almost stock looking (but heavily modded inside ) ruger with a 4x12x40 bushnell trophy. and i use my cz 452 varmint bolt.with a 6x24x40 bsa contender with bipod. with that much scope a prairie dog looks as big as a boxcar! you could get REAL fancy with a 10-22 for a grand

[Midas]

Originally Posted by billy

well $1000 will buy a lot of gun! just a car said i use a 10-22 and i do. i have a sleeper shilen bbl. almost stock looking (but heavily modded inside ) ruger with a 4x12x40 bushnell trophy. and i use my cz 452 varmint bolt.with a 6x24x40 bsa contender with bipod. with that much scope a prairie dog looks as big as a boxcar! you could get REAL fancy with a 10-22 for a grand

Some people will choose to pay $1000 for a poor condition M1 Garand

[billy]

Originally Posted by 338WinMag

Some people will choose to pay $1000 for a poor condition M1 Garand

yeah! buy a garand with that $1000! i hear they are heck on prairie dogs

[JoeLee]

What range requirement,what size varmints,fur damage a consideration?

[bigandrich44]

Personally, if I had $1000, I would buy a Remington 700 in .22-250, with Harris Bipod and a VERY nice scope. Then use the rest for ammo.........

[Lng Rng]

Unless you want to go the AR-15 route, I would maybe suggest a Browning BAR in a 243, and that would leave you with more then enough money for quality glass. Im not sure how many aftermarket parts there are for a BAR, but I dont really know if you would want any on a gun like that.

[bigandrich44]

Eh, I would stick to a Remington or Savage. The BAR's BOSS system is VERY finicky, and they haven't got good reports from die hard varmint hunters.

[.22guy]

My buddy used to hunt varmints with a couple of Ruger ranch rifles in .223. Nice glass on those. I don't know how much they cost really, or if there are a lot of upgrade parts. There are some I'd imagine.

Me, personally, for varmint guns I stick with scoped bolt actions. I have a couple in .22LR, on in .17HMR and a new one in .223 Rem.

My Savage 12BVSS in .223 Rem, I just got is a really nice gun for about 6 and a half. Spend 50 or so on the rings and there would be about 300 left over for glass. Hope this helps.....

[ArkansasHunter]

Buy a HOWA boltaction in the what ever caliber you feel comfortable with to varmint hunt with and a good scope...A.H

[lefty o]

the requirements of semi auto, and aftermarket parts pretty much puts him in the market for an AR-15. i can say though, an M1 garand does nasty things to chipmunks!

[Bravo]

GunBroker.com Item 72698590 [Ends May-31-07 0419 PM] BUSHMASTER AR15 Varmint Sniper SS Barrel 223 NIB

Something like this with a really big good quality scope should fit your needs

[lefty o]

that is an excellent choice. although bushmasters 2 stage trigger is not the finest.

[billy]

my .308 saiga does a number on em! theres not even the (montana mist) just a crater

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by Bravo

GunBroker.com Item 72698590 [Ends May-31-07 0419 PM] BUSHMASTER AR15 Varmint Sniper SS Barrel 223 NIB

Something like this with a really big good quality scope should fit your needs

Um, Bravo, that's $999.00 minimum bid.... which leaves $1.00 for a scope. I don't know any "really big good quality scope" that can be purchased for a dollar. Unless you're talking about this one, but I doubt it's only $1.00 now and I'm not sure it would stand up to more than one... maybe two shots.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by Bravo

GunBroker.com Item 72698590 [Ends May-31-07 0419 PM] BUSHMASTER AR15 Varmint Sniper SS Barrel 223 NIB

Something like this with a really big good quality scope should fit your needs

I have the Bushy 24" Varminter...not that model, but yea, almost... It is awesome...I strapped a $300 Barska 10-40x50mm scope on there and it is awesome and very accurate. Nice to get those **** runnin' rabbits too. If you don't hit it on the first shot because of lead-issues, then it is right ready for the next shot. I strapped the 9-13" bipod on it too and with that weight, it doesn't kick much.

Not a bad buy either. I got mine last July for about $980 I think...(not counting the bipod and scope)

[burk]

I just bought a Savage 10FP, Varmit special in .223, 1:9 twist. Any suggetions on best weight ammo for ground squirrels?

[ruger22com]

My two cents....for small varmints at close range... 10/22lr with a trigger job.

for medium varmints at medium to long range....10/22 MAGNUM with trigger job (if you can find one).

for large varmints at long range....a stag AR15 in .556 nato (.223)
...Bob