.223 varmint rifle

[njc110381]

I've been looking at various makes of rifle, but not many have all the bits I want. I want a removable mag, screwcut and synthetic stock, for under £600. Any ideas?

[markbivvy]

new or second user please.

[njc110381]

Not really bothered. New would be good, but if a clean second hand one turned up I'd give it a go.

[killer clown]

what about the tikka t3 synthetic stock adj trigger removeable clip ,meny inc screw cut in price,out of box accurate part of sako and berretta good pedigree by any standard.

[njc110381]

So far the Tikka T3 varmint is winning

[beatingisbest]

Take a look at the Remington 700 and i know some people who have had good experiences with Howa bu i have also heard some dreadful things about Howa aswell.

[Mungler]

Dungnik had nothing but trouble with his Howa. I think he binned it off, not sure.

 

Any Steyr would tick all the boxes, not sure what they go for second hand.

 

One here - come with rings and mounts. Can't see if it's screw cut but then again I thought they all came out of the factory screwcut. £550 but it's in Cornwall

Edited March 3, 2008 by Mungler

[CharlieT]

Beatingsbest & Mungler

 

Come on then spill the beans............what exactly were the problems with Howa , please be specific.

[Dunkield]

That answer would be best coming from Nick

[Baldrick]

I only bought a Tikka T3 Varmint as Steyr refuses to make a rifle in left-handed. If I had my way I would have several Steyr rifles, including an SSG.

 

The Tikka is a good rifle though, but not as refined as a Steyr.

[dunganick]

ah yes the howa, well i still have it actually, mostly because of the stock (which i had made for it and finished...... took chuffing ages)

 

well the problems started with the mounts, they require a 20thou spacer at the rear (rem 700 mounts my ****), dosent seem like alot, but i couldnt get it on a piece of a2 paper to start with.

 

secondly was the gun shot great for about 20 rounds, then started shooting like a shotgun. I then had an issue with the chamber, they have a tighter chamber than most .223, so my gun needs its brass resized with the shoulders lower than most.

 

It took 1.5yrs to get it shooting averagely. One of its better groups was at PW bisley meet (august) where somehow it won the bench rest comp. However it has taken probably 500 rounds to get it shooting averagely.

 

I also bought a timney trigger for it which helped alot, but also wasnt a straight fit (no fault of anyones, just one of those things)

 

Tikka or Sako make the best out the box guns in my opinion.

 

Heres a pic of my howa anyway, its slightly different now, the stock dosent slope so much on the cheak.

[njc110381]

Well after reading that, the Howa is certainly out!

[JRDS]

Have a look on Guntrader, there are several that would suit you.

[CharlieT]

Nick

 

Thanks for your comments regarding your Howa .223.

The reason I asked is that I have a stainless heavy barrel Howa in .204 and I can't fault it. In fact I am so pleased with it I was considering changing my old .223 for a Howa, hence the question. Your experience makes interesting reading !

 

Thanks

 

Charlie

[dunganick]

with the amount of money i have spent on mine, i wish i went for a tikka hunter.

 

I like the gun now its working, but its A too pretty to use, B not trusted yet, C still made my life missery.

[njc110381]

The Tikka is a great rifle. Some may put it down for it's cost cutting bits (plastic add ons etc) but it still shoots plenty well enough for a sporting rifle. I think I'll get another, unless I take a fancy to a CZ Varmint (another cheap gun that's as good as some of the snobby makes, but without the shiny bits).

[dunganick]

The Tikka is a great rifle. Some may put it down for it's cost cutting bits (plastic add ons etc) but it still shoots plenty well enough for a sporting rifle. I think I'll get another, unless I take a fancy to a CZ Varmint (another cheap gun that's as good as some of the snobby makes, but without the shiny bits).

 

the triggers are a hit and miss afair, some are fine, others agricultural, and all the guns fitted with the single set trigger are down right dangerous in my mind. The idea of playing around with the trigger to set it is stupid. Double set, or a normal trigger.

 

Tikka is far superiour to CZ in my mind.

[njc110381]

Nick, I don't really undestand set triggers. Can you explain why you don't like the CZ design? What's a double set trigger? The only ones I've ever handled are on the Mannlicher rifles. Standard pull, or you can push the trigger blade forward to set it light. Are they not all like that?

[dunganick]

nope,

 

the single set trigger is what the manlicher had. This is standrd across most of the centerfire CZ range.

 

You push the trigger forward for a set (hair) trigger

 

A double set trigger gives you two triggers, the rear one normally a different texture right at the back of the trigger gaurd will set the front trigger to be 'hair' Then the front one fires it.

 

My problem with a single set trigger is that your playing with the trigger which will fire the gun and worse than that making it lighter. Just asking for an accident imho.

 

Double set triggers are however excellent. My old man has one on his brno .22 Hornet, its excellent.

[njc110381]

I found the Mannlicher ones fairly positive to be honest. It does seem a little weird playing with the trigger to set it lighter, but it is a totally different movement to the pull which will fire it. Your finger is on the wrong side of it to be able to let the gun off.

 

I'd be more cautious of a gun with another trigger to set with. If wearing gloves on a cold day is there not a chance you may try to pull the wrong one? I know it's very unlikely, but it's also unlikely you'd pull a trigger whilst pushing it from the other side.

 

I don't really see the point in set triggers on a sporting gun. I like a light trigger pull, but not that light!

[highseas]

i dont mind set triggers but some are stupidley dangerus **** and they go off

[dunganick]

Its an aquired taste, i find the ones on the guns we have excellent, however not fussed either way.

 

The double set triggers are very easy to distinguish between, the rear one is very light to set and very far out of the way of the front. Like i say, personal choice.

 

A properly setup set trigger will still pass the drop test, so just as safe as any other trigger.

Edited March 5, 2008 by dunganick

[njc110381]

I've just read that there is a trigger kit to fit the CZ (which is the only bad bit on the gun) for £40. It's made by Rifle Basix, has anyone fitted one to their gun? Are they any good?