So I've started looking for a new varmint gun, for use on coyotes, bobcats and any other vermin on the farm here at home, but also to use on a tentative prarie dog hunt this coming summer. I'm pretty set on getting what ever rifle I chose chambered in .204 Ruger. But might go with a .22-250, cause I have a T/C Encore pistol in that round and load for it, or .223 cause ammo can be found easy enough. I'm a Remington guy, and am really leaning to a 700 Special Purpose Synthetic Varmint, ic and get into a bare gun for about $650 locally. I've also looked at Savage and Ruger for about the same money. I do a lot of research before a purchase and thought I'd look over some of the less popular makers. Howa (Legacy Sports) came up in some searching on the web, and I've found that I can get into one of there guns, scoped ready to shoot for about the same money as the bare Remington. I've read some positive things on them both in forums and by gun writers. But I thought I would just see if anyone here has any first hand experience with any of the Howa rifles?
Howa actions are smooth. I like savage for out of the box rifles. I prefer an AR for varmint and stuff with quick follow up shots.
Looked at the Howas at Scheels the other day, actions are smooth, trigger needs work, fit and finish a little sub par... in my book, and never heard of the scopes the have on them. Will keep looking.
A Remington 700 SPS chambered in .22-250 is a great choice. I like mine really well. Being left-handed, I also bought a Ruger 1-B in .22-250 because of the rear tang safety. I've never owned a .204 and can't comment on it, but the .22-250 is a great long range varmint caliber
One thing on a prairie dog hunt from a few people I talked with. They said go 222 or 223 over a 22-250 or 220 swift. At the end of the day when you shot 250-500 times they said it's a big difference in fatigue. Also with a smaller powder charge you'll be able to go longer before cooldown.
Took the Ruger 1-B to South Dakota on a Prairie dog hunt with no problems at all. I too, was concerned about fatigue after shooting all day long. With the medium heavy barrel...cool-down was not an issue either. Another benefit of the .22-250 was being able to reach the pesky coyotes that came to get an easy dinner!
I've got a load for ARs with 69 grain to shoot 3" group at 500. If they're farther than that I'll have to get lucky.
I was told to be ready for as close as 50 yards, to as far as you can shoot. If this hunt comes together, I know I'll be taking a 17 HMR, .22-250 T/C Encore handgun, what ever I come up for a new rifle, and a .223 bolt gun. So I should have all bases covered, and allow for cool down.
howa was sold under many names over the years the smith and wesson 1500 and 1700ls were howa ,interarms imported some and even weatherby put their name on some ,so they certainly are not the worst .
I just sold a Savage 12btcss in .223 Researched quite a bit and went Savage. Very smooth action, great trigger (accutrigger) and a good looking gun. Just found it to be too heavy for carrying. Would make a great bench gun though.
We saw them from about 20 yards to as far as you could see them. It was like an arcade game...shoot one and another would pop up to see what was going on
