Hey guys, I really want to get rid of a Remington Model 700 VS in .22-250 (it's too heavy for me), and I want to replace it with a .204 sometime in the near future (probably after hunting season dies down a little). Anyway, I'm just using it for some ground hog hunting, nothing too serious, just want a new toy. I would like to use the scope that I have on the .22-250 now (a Leopald VariXIII 6.5-20x), as well. So, what rifle do you guys think I should get? I don't know a whole lot about the rifles that the .204 is chambered in, but I was thinking Remington (but a lighter model than the VS) or a Savage. Thanks in advance.

JustinL01: Dang I wish I could help you with your choice for a "lighter" 204 but all three of my 204's are Varmint weight Rifles!
I love them all!
I have hosted several fellas over the last couple years on Varmint Hunting forays that had the "sporter" weight CZ Models in 204 and they shot very well and their owners were quite happy with them.
I shot a couple of them.
Nice, but I have issues with them (ugly, un-attractive, hang down, obtrusive magazines mainly!) that preclude me from buying one of them. And again I much prefer the added weight and stability afield of the heavier Varmint style Rifles as opposed to the sporter models.
I wish I new someone with a Remington 700 in one of their SPS Models (either stainless or blued) but I don't.
Personally I would jump on the Remington 700 SPS in stainless if I just had to have a "lighter" Rifle in the amazingly wonderful 204 Ruger caliber.
I hope someone with some first hand experience will answer your quiry and add some to my meager observations.
I think the most important thing though is for you to OWN a 204 Ruger of SOME type!
Again its simply a sensational cartridge and has splendid ballistics and lethality on small game and Varmints.
Best of luck with whichever Rifle you go with!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Varmint Guy,

I was really thinking about the Model 700 SPS, I wanted to get the blued/synthetic version since I already have a blued scope that I want to put on it, but I don't mind if my varmint guns don't look that great. I don't mind the extra weight of the gun except when I'm hunting. The way I hunt ground hogs around here in the summer time has me shooting offhand a lot, and I just can't do it with a varmint gun's added weight. Thanks for the advice!

I sprung for a special order Cooper, decking it out with a stainless fluted Lilja barrel and an Exhibition claro piece of wood....the wait was worth it....don't know what your budget is but you won't go wrong with one of their Classic or Custom Classic sporter-weight rifles. I think a custom barrel is a good investment if you don't mind the wait and additional expense....and where can you buy a semi-custom rifle these days for what Cooper offers them for?
Delivery time should run between six and eight months for anything out of the ordinary....or just buy one off the shelf if you don't want too wait....

Have you considered a Les Baer AR-15 in that caliber? They guarantee 1/2" groups at 100 yards. Shooting Times did a test on one and got 2 1/2" groups at 585 YARDS! This from a box stock gun. The Les Baer Ultimate Varmint Guns will shoot rings around factory 700's.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/LES-ARSV204.html

http://www.gunblast.com/Bushmaster_Varminter.htm

The Bushmaster Varminter is also super accurate and is priced less. It would be hard to find a factory bolt gun to compare for the same price. It is in .223 however. Bill T.

Hmmm...I think both of those rifles are out of my price range, that's why I was looking at Remingtons and Savages, haha! Thanks, though, guys, those do sound like some awesome rifles. The only problem with either of them (besides the price) is the AR is a semi, can't hunt with them here in PA, and that's the main purpose I want this rifle for. Thanks again, though, guys, I do enjoy looking at these rifles even though I can't buy them.

A friend has the 700 sps stainless, and it is very accurate and nice to carry. The only concern is that his seems to like to be very clean to shoot well. That may settle down as it's used more.

His is great for yotes, with tiny little groups, but I'm not sure how it would do for a long day of high volume shooting at gophers etc...

I'd go for the 700SPS for an easy to carry gun. I've had good experiences with all the 700's that I've dealt with, and I have a friend with an SPS in 22-250 that will group less than and in at 100yds all day. Another friend has a Savage 12FV that is a great shooter, but it is heavier than my Kimber. For the price the 700 SPS will make a great PA woodchuck gun. I live and hunt in PA as well and if I get more than a few shots per outing, I'm suprised. In keeping with your budget, you may want to consider the new Simmons Master Series of scopes. They make their Aetec in 4-14x with side focus. They are supposed to be good glass with very repeatable adjustments. Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

If you want a great looking gun, get a Kimber Pro Varmint in 204.

Aaron

Ditto on the Kimber varmint pro......that is one nice lil' rifle , I'd say they got just a touch more muzzle weight than the Rem SPS.....they really feel good.

I see Weatherby is now offering their varmint weight Vanguard in the 204 , I beleive they come with a 22 inch tube are are a mid weight gun

The Savages are either sporter weights or the heavy barrels which need wheels to tote around , there is no in between with them

Lastly , you do have the varmint weight CZ which is not nearly as heavy as the typical Rem/Ruger/Savage varmint weght guns . It is difficult to beat them for the money if you do not mind them being blued , wood stocked , and they do have the protruding magazine.....also they do offer a kevlar stock for more money , and the single set trigger is beautiful for shooting paper or varmints.

I vote for the CZ!! I have one in 221 Fireball that I absolutely love. 1/2" groups out of the box, plus adjustable set trigger. I don't see how you could do any better for the $$$.

CZ!!CZ!!CZ!!CZ!!

I have a Remington LVSF in .204, the rifle shoots good and is not heavy. It is my favorite gopher gun.

I am with Paladin. S/S very light and about a #4 barrel. The stock is flat on the foreend so it should ride the bags like a porn star. Use a bit lower power scope in the 4-12 or 4-16 range and that would make a dandy calling/groundhog gun. CZ ain't bad but I hold and carry the gun right on that mag. All my guns are Rems right now and that safety will take some practice to say the least, for me anyway.

Go with Remington. It appears, from your postings, as if you had your mind made up before you asked the question anyway. My resonse is geared primarily for other folks who may be considering a new rifle and are not predisposed to one particular brand. For me, it would be a no-brainer. I like the idea of an entire action manufactured smaller to accomodate the smaller cartridges. The CZ 527 is a mini-Mauser action which is not a .308 length action with a magazine block to accomodate a .223 or .204, but rather will accomodate only the .223 and 204-sized cartridges. Beause of its petite nature, the magazine does indeed hang down. When I first bought my CZ 527 Lux/American in .223 Remington I wondered about the magazine. Now, it is just like the thing is not there. Hell, Great Britian built its military rifle with a hangdown magazine for years. Since buying it I find I have no problems what-so-ever carrying the rifle. My brother also objected to the hang-down magazine until he picked one up in .221 Fireball. That thing is his go-to varmit rifle now. I love the fact that my CZ 527 has a single-set trigger. The trigger is highly adjustable and easily adjustable to let-off clean, with no creep or aftertravel. I have mine set right at 3# and when I push it forward and the trigger clicks and turns into a set trigger, the factory setting of 12-ounces is fantastic for bench work. I used it extensively for p-dog shooting as well. I have no problems with the safety either. For me, it is a no-brainer. If I pull the trigger and the thing does not go bang, then it is on safe. We're not talking about dangerous game rifles here and if a person can't figure out the rifle is on safe after pulling the trigger then they have no business in the field in the first place with a rifle. Additionally, I know that when I take a CZ into the field, it is a CZ, not a Winchester, a Savage or a Remington. When I take my Savage into the field, it is a savage and when I take my ... well, you get the point. And even when we are talking about dangerous game rifles, if the safety was such a delimma to folks, all the professional hunters in Africa who use them, would not be using them. I am not saying Remingtons are inferior to CZs, or any other rifle make. Each has its place. I just like using a rifle built to accomodate the smaller cartridges.

here is a list of rifle mfg offered in 204.

http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_rifles.php

I have a kimber 84m varmint. It's no lightweight
a little over 8 lbs with scope.But i didn't want an
11 lb savage because i do alot of walking varminting/coyote. but i didn't want a lightweight either so the kimber was a good comprimize.
Thats me. If your on a budget i'd look at the cz
527 or even the nef handi-rifle . Nice light rig single shot for around 200.heck you won't even feel bad about painting that one.

pic of my kimber

Kimber 84m

Ruger Chambers their 77 Mk 2 sporter in 204... as does the Remington in a sporter weight..with the Model 700....

if you are not all thumbs, a Stevens 200 can be had in a 223, and it is not hard to change a barrel off of one.... and a 204 barrel can be had from ER Shaw for $150.00 delivered.. and $30.00 extra can be already blued...

So for less than the cost for a Ruger... a Stevens would give you both a 223, and 204 barrel...

I have ordered a 204 barrel, that is going to go on a Winchester Model 70 action... in a heavy magnum contour...26 inches in length..

Hopefully I will have it together before the spring sage rat season...and definitely before I go to Montana in the spring for prairie dogs..

Justin,

Should probably keep my mouth shut, but here goes anyway. I have 3 Rem. 204's. The first is the 24" ADL synthetic. I think for the money this is the best rifle I own. It shoots great; read "kills prairie dogs at the ranges I shoot them at"; and has a great trigger with just a minimum of work. The SPS has taken its place, but don't have any feedback on them, yet!

The second is the model 7 synthetic, blued, that they put out for a year or two. There were many for sale on the sites. It carries a Leupold Vari-XII 2-7, which for it looks natural. Took it out Sun. and while looking for prairie dogs, jumped a coyote that finally stopped and turned sideways next to a creek. Estimated 1-2" high and dropped him like a rock. 386 yrds. lasered back to the pickup. Not very far for some here, but a heck of a long ways to drag a coyote for an out of shape old fart! I'm not really sure what this little rifle can't do that the heavier ones can for 3 or 4 rapid shots. Excellent pickup and or calling rifle.

The third is the oft flaunted Rem. LVSF. Let me say up front that I have never liked the stock design. Don't know what it is. Maybe the R3? pad or the angular flat of the stock, but I wish someone would make a little more classic styled stock for it. That being said, I put the best scope I have on it, Conquest 4.5-14, and it shoots better than I can. In better hands, it will shoot under an inch, just how much depends upon which shooter, like always. I have run as many as ten shots in a row in fairly rapid succession at prairie dogs and they saw no significant change in point of impact. It is fairly light and the fluted barrel gives it a racey look. If Rem. made a somewhat scaled down stock for it in the nature of the VS that you have, it would be about perfect, maybe not quite as light.

I have a CZ in the .221 and in the 204 would be a nice light rifle with a clip and the single set trigger. They tend to have nice walnut and most I have seen seem to shoot pretty good right out of the box.

I have a couple of BDL's that I put Rem.'s plain old replacement black synthetic stocks on to hunt with, and there you have an ADL/syn. with better bluing and a floorplate.

I too have a VS, only in 223, that is probably my favorite prairie dog gun of them all unless I have to pack it around very much.

I have no experience with the Savages. I'll leave it at that.

There you have it. Very little real information and a whole lot of opinion based on one guy's experience and observation. I haven't shot the 221 yet, but for the ranges I generally shoot, never much more 300-350 yrds., the 223, 204, and 22-250 will all do pretty much the same thing.
Any one of these that you carry a lot and shoot alot, with whatever scope you put on it; you'll figure out pretty quick where it wants to shoot for where you have it sighted in for.

Simmons and some of the outlet houses has been cleaning out their supplies of the adl/synthetics and putting them out in a package with some kind of scope and bases and rings for about the same price I paid for my adl/syn. The newer sps's seem to be higher for about the same gun. The little Model 7's were going for about 469.00 give or take 20.00.

Best of luck and maybe ole' Santa'll bring you and Varmint Guy both a new 204 this Christmas!

jp

I went through this same thing last spring. I use mine for the same thing, woodchucks mostly. I bought the CZ .204 Kevlar stocked varmint model. I can't tell you how pleased I am. It is topped with a Weaver Grand Slam 4.5-14 that I stole on a closeout at Gander Mountain. This rig was deadly on Chucks last summer, it is extremely accurate right out of the box and the trigger is awesome, no trigger job required. I am mainly a remington man myself, but for a woodchuck rig this is a gun worth looking at.

I just bout my second CZ 527. the first was a 7.62x39 Carbine. shoots pretty good.

The second is a 204 Ruger Varmint. I haven'r shot it yet as I waiting for scope rings due in next week.

But it feels good.

As far as that magazine, on the carbine which I hunt with, I use a Safari Sling which gives me "hands free" carrying. Just watch the muzzle if around anybody else.

No posts for some time!!

If I had the AUS$D, would not hesitate to purchase Rem LV SF.

Unlike other posters, just love the feel and light weight of this rifle.

But a bit beyond my budget.

Any feedback on its cheaper brother, the Rem SPS Varmint 204 - long and heavy, 26" barrel, but what do owners report?

Look forward to any comments.

I have an SPS w/24 inch barrel and I love it and so does everyone who has shot it.It is light accurate and devastating on rock chucks w/regards

We might be talking about different Rem 700 SPSs, although this would seem a bit odd.

In the Rem 2007 Catalougue, the SPS Varmint, in 204 and other calibres has a listed weight of over 8lbs, without a scope.

Add up to 21 oz for a scope, and you have a pretty heavy rifle. OK if you are set up in one spot for the shooting sessions. But the real appeal to of the Rem LV SF is its much lower weight of 6 1/2 lds, again without scope.

Whilst these postings of mine are a bit dated given the release date of the SPS Varmint ( which I thought only came in a factory painted black barrel, no SS option) there does not appear to be much info on this "new" Rem.

Might do a site search as I would have thought that it would have got a fair amount of testing and press on release.

I have been looking at getting a 204 myself. The howa rifles are a good deal and great shooters, I have also been looking at the remington xr100 rangemaster, but its hard to beat the price of a howa barreled action and a unfinished stock from boyds.

I have a CZ 527 in 204 and love it. Great carry gun, nice and light.