I have regretted many sales/trades of firearms, but the biggest regret was no longer having a "triple-deuce".
Today, I saw a Savage 340 in basically new condition on a rack and went "full-fondle" on it. It has a few flecks off of the stock finish and no other marks, The bluing is perfect and I can't imagine that it has over 200 rounds through it. The iron sights are still on it. The price is $349. With a B'square mount, I'll have a very nice varmint carry rifle for $400. Too much, but I have a Hornet in the same rifle ( Stevens 322) and it suits me just fine.
After the frenzy passed, I saw something pretty next to it and it was a Remington model 700 in .222 Rem. A blondish stock and, again, not a mark on it, it looks as if it's got very little fondling and very few rounds through it. It has a moderately heavy barrel but, with a reasonable scope it's a carry rifle and it's just plain beautiful. I'm guessing that it's a 60's model, BDL or maybe a varmint special of some type. It has mounts and a Japan-made Bushnell Banner 3-9 on it. $599.
There were two 788's there, too, a 22-250 and a 6mm Rem, but I didn't ask to touch them.

What shall I do? The budget is thin, although I have a .223 Stevens model 200 that has a plastic stock on it that shoots very well, but I just don't like it.

IMO, the Savage 340 is overpriced, what with the split receiver and the necessitated side scope mount. The Remington sounds like the better deal, although it seems a mite high, too. Any chance you could haggle a little on it? The reason I say the price seems high is because I got my new 700 SPS Varmint on sale at the local Joe's for $449 including Leupold base and rings with a mail in rebate for $30 (which I already received back from Remington), making my net price $419 for a brand new 700 SPS Varmint 26" heavy barrel in .223.
Of course, truth to be told the Stevens 200 in .223 is probably capable of anything the others are. Also a good chance that it might outshoot either of the .222's. It's your money, go for what you think will give you the most joy.

Of the two 222's, I would have to go with the Rem 700. If it doesn't shoot initially, it can be made to shoot very well.


Don

Chop901

I’ve got a Savage 340 with scope, picked it up pretty cheap a few years ago. It shoots well most of the time and then it goes wacko, I tried the clean and re-cleaning and shooting a dirty barrel so on and so forth. There was no rhythm or reason to why the accuracy would go away then come back.
I just acquire a new Remington 700 BDL that a guy won in a gun raffle, after a trigger job and some fine tuning that gun shoots great, the consistency is there the only inconsistency is the shooter. The Remington 700 is a good gun it will treat you well for many years.
GW

I agree that the Remington will be a joy to possess and I'm going to wait for the dealer to realize that .222's just don't sell.
The 340 is a compromise and there'd never be that pride that the Remington would give me.

Here a used .222 of any make wont last more then a few days in a used rack at a shop.

get a Shaw barrel for $150.00 and put it on any action you want... in any contour you want...

http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2094168289

here are pictures of a Model 70 that I had a Shaw barrel installed on, heavy magnum contour, 26 inch length...

It came in Chrome Moly... I spray painted it OD Green with spray paint from Walmart and then just put a coat of wax over it..

So far this season it has ended the existance of about 600 plus sage rats....

My 2 favorite 22 Centerfire ctg are the 221 and 222. In MY experience, they shot bug hole groups whereas the 223's I have owned just shot groups. Also, the smaller 222 and 221 will shine with 40gr at 3600 or better with lil gun and other top choice powders. Sweet! Flat, quiet, accurate, and hey, a few hundred good brass will get you lots of lead down range so I am not missing the 223 when using the deuce or 221.

If I wanted to kick a 22 up a notch, I'd just do a fast twist 22/250 or 22 BR but since my 6mm BR shoots so well..........

I think 221's and 222's should BOTH be more popular in the varmint fields. Never tried the 20's and 17's......yet.....but they likely have their place! 17's are pretty neat rounds, the center primered ones!

Don't post here much but I love the 222 round. I have a S&W 1500 (made by howa for S&W many years ago) and a 700 BDL both in varmint weight. Both are very accurate and I like the mild recoil and report. Plus the little amount of powder required compared to some other 22's. I would agree on getting the remington over the savage.

I wanted to buy a nice .222 for ages and refused to buy anything that wasn't totally pleasing to me. Eventually I came across this one advertised on an Aussie forum and just knew it was the one I was looking for.




An old Sako L46 full wood in excellent condition and it is a real shooter!

HiWall,

That is a BEAUTY for sure.
I'm a full stock lover...
Gotta love those older Sako's too.

Don

See what they'll give you for the Stevens toward the Rem BDL. I'd take it home.

I would go for the remington myself. I have a 788 in .222. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I just inherited it prematurely from my grandfather. I put a ramline stock on it shooters ridge bipod and I am thinking of a timney trigger. (Kept everything I took off just in case.) Everyone I show the gun too has the same response, "Whoa is that a 788?" Which is then followed with the story of the 788 they had as a kid and how it was a tack driver.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmywax:
I would go for the remington myself. I have a 788 in .222. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I just inherited it prematurely from my grandfather. I put a ramline stock on it shooters ridge bipod and I am thinking of a timney trigger. (Kept everything I took off just in case.) Everyone I show the gun too has the same response, "Whoa is that a 788?" Which is then followed with the story of the 788 they had as a kid and how it was a tack driver.

Never heard a bad word about accuracy from a 788.
If you are going to load your own for it, try Bl-C (2), 4198 and RL-7 powders. They seem to be the best, but your rifle will make the decision. Mine like 4198 and Rl-7 best.

Don

Thanks DMB I will have to try those.

Right now I have two boxes of Nosler Custom 50 grain ballistic tips. I don't suppose anyone knows what powder is in these.