I am looking into getting a new rifle for prarrie dogs (probably 95% of the time) The rest will be poking around and plinking with pals. Thats the good part (A.K.A buying guns is good) The bad part is I can't decide which one.
A. I could got with the Savage 12 stainless laminated as they have an unbeatable rep for accuracy. I have a Savage sporter weight and it shoots very well. I can get one for 540 with accu-trigger. But it weighs a touch more than I would like as I walk a bit dogging. Also, well its a savage and everyone has a savage.
B. I can get a laminated cz varmint for the low 500s. Again an excellent rep for accuracy. We have three 452s and they all shoot excellent. I like the feel of these rifles. A bit lighter than the savage and great looks IMO. Only negative is the blued barrel and I wouldn't bet it would out shoot the savage.
C. Lastly I can get a Tikka T3 Varmint for 550. Also a great rep of accuracy with modest weight and again good looks. If you haven't seen one go to www.tikka.fi But again its got a blued barrel (stainless is more) and I wouldn't bet it would outshoot the savage.
They all have good triggers- set trigger on the cz, accu on savage, and adjustable on tikka. All are supposed to shoot good. The Savage has the edge in the accuracy reputation department but the other two have more flare. The Savage also is stainless, which is a plus when shooting Moly bullets. My main goal is accuracy - I am a accuracy freak and if a varmint gun won't shoot .5 inch or better I don't want it. Secondary concerns are looks, weight, and steel type.
So many choices- so little much. Somebody tell me what to do before my head explodes.
Thanks,
Matt

I'd say...

#1 Tikka T3 lite-stainless in 22-250

or

#2 CZ 527 Varmint in .17 Remington

or

#3 Savage mdl 12 in .223

Hope it helps a bit

79

Hot Core-
Good one on the flare, I got a chuckle out of it.
CZs are made in the Czech Republic. I traveled there in September to shoot in the college world championships and found it to be a delightfull up and coming country. One of the most memorable events was seeing a memorial thanking the US for liberating them durring world war two. It was erected in 1990, they had to wait over 50s to build it as they were under soviet control, talk about people who remember. I have no issues buying anything from the Czech Republic.
I also had the pleasure of meeting several shooters from Finnland. From what I have seen they are good folks as well and I plan to travel there sometime.
So I guess I don't have anything against buying products from either county.
Keep the replies coming-
Matt

I have the laminated stock Savage 12BVSS, and it's a very nice rifle, though I dislike the AccuTrigger. It is a bit heavy for walkabout use, though.

Hey Matt, That does speak well for them. Thank you for posting that info.

And best of luck with whichever rifle you decide to go with.

Hot Core,
If you are interested and send me your email, I can send you some digital pics I have of it.
Also, on the flight back I sat by a guy from Canada who was visiting his family. He wasn't able to see his parents for 22 years while Czech was under Commie control. You can bet they support the USA.
Matt

Hey Matt, Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass on the flicks.

By the way, what caliber are you interested in getting?

Hot Core,
.223, .223, or maybe even a .223. We already have 4 and my sisters boyfriend shoots one so buying another caliber would just be a unwanted hassle although I see a tac .20 in my future some year.
We have:
Heckler and Koch 630
Savage 116
Mini 14
NEF SB2
Savage 10 Tactical (Sisters boyfriends)

Matt...I am breaking in a CZ 527 in 223. It is a limited addition 26" heavy barrel on a sporter turkish walnut stock {I think it might have been a prototype to the new 17 Rem. varmint that has just come out.} Only have 24 rds through it, and none of my favorite loads , but seems to shoot most anything well under MOA. Several 3 shot groups under .5". That set trigger is great. It came out of the box with a 1# trigger pull. IT weighs about 7.5# without rings and scope. I think it is going to make a great carry and bench combination rifle. If you need informtion on availability or other details, give me a shout on my email kskren@hickorytech.net.....KEN