My first CF - opinions please

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Thegogg

Well-Known Member
I've just been given a variation for my first foxing rifle and have decided on a 22-250 over a 223 and have seen 2 rifles that I quite like so I'd be interested in some opinions and advise on them both.

First: Ruger .22-250 M77 MkII - Stainless heavy barrel - Laminate stock - threaded - barrelling very good - cosmetically good condition but no idea of age or round count

Second: Howa .22-250 1500 Black synthetic stock blued sporter weight barrel- threaded - trigger guard & mag conversion - weaver rail - 2 years old but no idea of round count - very good condition

Nothing to elaborate needed just the good and bad points of each really.

Thanks
 
ive got a howa in 223 and a howa in 22.250.both cracking rifles.dont know about the ruger..I would be a bit careful about not knowing the round count..get the barrel bore scoped if you can..if not just buy a new one..i use a heavy barrel in 22.250 as this enables me to keep on target and see the strike.ive used a sporter barrel in 22250 and you tend to lose sight picture on firing...cracking round whichever rifle you choose
 
Have you looked at the new browning Abolt 3 ??

I looked at the howa and ruger for my newer purchase (308) when i was buying last year, ( i only ever buy budget rifles as to me they are tools)

the Abolt 3 comes with a spare detachable magazine its screw cut and is synthetic you can pick a new one up with 3 year guarantee for about £500,

I have had the A bolts in 223, 243 and 308 and they all shot cheap PPU ammo into an inch at 100yds,

worth a look mate

kjf
 
Either could make a great foxing rifle, it's just down to condition, especially the barrel, and fit. You can't tell by looking down a barrel what the condition is, don't fall into that trap. It needs to be bore-scoped to ensure there's no serious pitting, not obvious to the naked eye. I bought a 223 which looked ok but in fact when checked later was found to have major pits in the rifling and ended up spending more than the rifle was bought for re-barrelling it. Expensive mistake to make (£700).

I have the Ruger 22/77 and it's quite a well made rifle and shoots very well. The action may be slightly different to account for the longer throw and pressures of the CF. I have heard of some quality control concerns over late model M77s, related to the bolt/firing pin but on the whole, they're a durable rifle and have sold in huge numbers over the years.

The Howa's are basic but shoot well. They benefit from the Remmy 700 parts bin for improved trigger assemblies/stocks etc if later you want to improve them and they make for a popular second hand buy (so easy to sell on). Just don't pay over the odds.


Bottom line is that the 22-250 is quite a hot round, and barrel wear would be my primary concern on a used 22-250, so if buying used, a rifle scope examination is essential, that or the ability to try it on the range and put a box of ammo through it to check that it holds groups (pitted or damaged rifling will be prone to building up fouling and group sizes may rapidly diverge from a clean barrel to a fouled one so it wont hold a group).
 
When looking at getting my first CF rifle, I was seduced by the 'figures' and chose a .270, that I hardly ever used once I got a .308. Now stuck with a .270 that I might have to sell cheaply in order to get another .308. My choice for foxing was/is a .223, and I want another one for daylight work, having put a Digisight on the first one.
 
While both should be reasonable rifles if in good condition because of the calibre (.22-250) which has a bit of a reputation as a barrel burner you really need to know the condition of the barrel and in particular the throat.
You need to know just how many rounds has been shot through each rifle and how those rounds were shot e.g. was the rifle used to shoot long strings in quick succession on the range. In .22-250 personally I would be looking to a new rifle or one that I was certain of regarding shooting history.
 
22-250 is a barrel burner all right so I would be very wary of buying from someone I didn't trust.

The other thing to bear in mind with this calibre is that if you should take it to a range it will frequently be outside the ranges limits for velocity.

.223 doesn't have these issues and is cheap.
 
When I bought my first specific fox-rifle, I applied for .223 - but changed for .22-250 when the retailer made me an offer I couldn't refuse on a .22-250 he happened to have in stock.

It was a new rifle, and I would be concerned about buying any s/h c/f rifle without having it borescoped first, particularly one often loaded 'hot', such as .22-250.

Basically, I'm with 8X57 on this.
:)
 
I would go new. If you don't know round count on the s/h ones they could be close to shot out. As previous poster says, 22-250 is a barrel burner.

On the Howa, I got one in .308 a little while ago. Found the stock to flexy. POI changes too much from sticks to bipod to freehand. If wedged against a tree it doesn't take much stress at all to push the front of the stock against the barrel and then POI moves a long way. New stock soon sorts the problem.

I find the std trigger very average as well, with not enough adjustment to sort it out. Quick change to a Timney sorts that as well.

After those mods it is an excellent, very accurate rifle. Just a shame they are not good enough out of the box.
 
There is a lot of talk of burnt out barrels, damned little real life evidence.

I bought a SH Sako 22/250 a few years ago. I thought it looked rough, but it was not too dear, I thought I would rebarrel it.

Turned out to be the most accurate rifle I own. I've done my best to shoot it out, maybe a 1000 rounds over the past five years. Still shoots sub half inch. I will rebarrel it sooner or later.
 
as has been said if sh go with a tika or sako they always have a resale value I still have a sako 22250 bought new in the late 80s and I recon on the empty powder drums and cases I have put somewhere between 2500 and 3000 down her and the bore looks a bit 2nd hand on a target the groups may have opened up slightly but certainly not enough to miss a fox also as again already been said don't be totally dazzled by speed I also have a 223 on my nv gear as its just quieter and you can see the fox fall over with the less recoil and unless you are regularly wanting to shoot over 300 yards is no less of a gun than the 22250
 
I have a Tikka t3 in .223. You're more than welcome to try it out. Seeing as you're only down the road.
(With reloads I have managed to get velocity's right up there with the .22-250).
 
I'd sooner have a .22-250 that's had five hundred rounds where the owner goes out and shoots one, two, three foxes each night than a two hundred abd fifty round .223 that's been used for 'rapid fire' target shooting of five rounds in a thirty second string.

A barrel shot often, but each time 'cold' will be in better shape than a barrel shot seldom but each time run 'hot'. Hot narrels wear out quickly.

Bottom line is see each gun actually put to a target if you can or buy new. As a dedicated foxing rifle the Ruger with its heavy barrel seems better choice IF ACCURACY IS ASSURED TO THE DISTANCE IT IS TO BE SHOT OVER.
 
I own and shoot a .22/250, there's a lot of rubbish talked about burnt out barrels. As has been said a single round fired a few times is not going to damage a barrel, putting loads down it one after the other at a range is what wears them out.
If it were me I'd ask to shoot them and see what group the rifle will do, if you can't do this and are concerned just buy a new Tikka
 
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