Most accurate rifle for $700 - Page 2

bill460 · December 29, 2019, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkgael

The problem, as I see it, with the Weatherby, is its slow rifling twist (1-14, IIRC). This limits your bullet choices to 55 grains or lighter. There are a great many very accurate (longer and heavier) that will not reliably stabilize in that rifle.

I'm not sure if the Howa, (Weatherby Vanguard), is a 1-14" or a 1-12" twist. Either way it's too slow. I don't remember if I posted this before, but I picked up this Marlin X-7 in .223 a few years back. It has a 1-9" twist, which makes the rifle far more useful.

I don't understand why more manufacturers don't understand this, and stop producing .22 caliber centerfire rifles with these uselessly slow twist rates? It doesn't make sense. Especially when almost every 5.56 MM / .223 AR-15 rifle has either a 1-9", or a 1-7" twist. Seeing as Weatherby is paying Howa to manufacture these rifle for them. They could specify any twist rate barrel they want.

This is my Marlin X-7 after I fitted it with a Laminated thumbhole stock I picked up on a closeout from Boyd's. It was a beautiful drop in fit, and the gun shoots ragged one hole groups at 100 yards in calm conditions for as long as you want to sit and squeeze the trigger.

I picked the gun up new in the box for $250.00, and the stock for just $100.00 fully finished. The scope is a Nikon P-223 with the BDC Reticle that allows you to shoot to 600 yards with no holdover.

I got rid of the cheap Aluminum Picatinny scope base the rifle came with, and installed a set of Warne 2-Piece steel bases, along with a set of Burris Signature Zee Rings I had left over from another rifle project. It all came together nicely, and shoots well.

bobn · December 29, 2019, 09:27 AM

well, it is a matter of perceived want/need. personally I like the 1 in 12 in a bolt gun. 50 grain bullets blow up nice, kinda like a 222 rem mag in the day. but then I am a fudd/geezer.
…...of course my heavy Anderson barreled ar has a 1 in 8 for 75 grainers.
jmho. bob

ps second the weatherby vanguard version of the 1500 as a nice rifle in that budget range.

taylorce1 · December 29, 2019, 09:56 AM

1:12 twist is fine for target shooting at 300 yards like the OP wants, and still good for most varmint and predator hunting if he wants to take that up. It'll stabalize the majority of 55 grain bullets and even a few in the 60 grain range.

mikejonestkd · December 29, 2019, 10:33 AM

A quick sidebar- a bolt rifle with a 26" barrel is getting some free velocity vs a typical AR 16-18" barrel length, so it can get by quite nicely with a slower twist.

the greenhill formula- https://www.vcalc.com/equation/?uuid...b-bc764e2038f2

Andy1 · December 29, 2019, 02:42 PM

Check out Armslist for a while. You can find a decent Ruger #1B .223 if you're patient. There's one on there now for $750 and a .22-250 for $700.

dvdcrr · January 15, 2020, 11:24 AM

All Mark Vs made in Minnesota?

dvdcrr · January 15, 2020, 11:29 AM

I've got a stainless Ruger 22" M77 Mark II 223 with 1-12 twist barrel. It will stabillize 60 gr. Partitions. That is a pretty potent round I have seen to 235 yds, and so I do not feel that the 1-12 twist is too slow for general varmint or sensible deer hunting.

Quercus_montana · January 16, 2020, 09:00 PM

Sako A7's Rough Tech's are onsale at sportsmans warehouse. I got a 308 range rifle for 799. A little above your limit.

December 29, 2019, 09:56 AM	#28
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	1:12 twist is fine for target shooting at 300 yards like the OP wants, and still good for most varmint and predator hunting if he wants to take that up. It'll stabalize the majority of 55 grain bullets and even a few in the 60 grain range. __________________ NRA Life Member

December 29, 2019, 10:33 AM	#29
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	A quick sidebar- a bolt rifle with a 26" barrel is getting some free velocity vs a typical AR 16-18" barrel length, so it can get by quite nicely with a slower twist. the greenhill formula- https://www.vcalc.com/equation/?uuid...b-bc764e2038f2 __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

January 15, 2020, 11:24 AM	#31
dvdcrr Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 665	All Mark Vs made in Minnesota? __________________ "All warfare is based on deception. Hence when we are able to attack we must seem unable....when using our forces we must appear inactive. When we are near we must make the enemy believe we are far away."Sun Tzu The Art of War.

January 15, 2020, 11:29 AM	#32
dvdcrr Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 665	I've got a stainless Ruger 22" M77 Mark II 223 with 1-12 twist barrel. It will stabillize 60 gr. Partitions. That is a pretty potent round I have seen to 235 yds, and so I do not feel that the 1-12 twist is too slow for general varmint or sensible deer hunting. __________________ "All warfare is based on deception. Hence when we are able to attack we must seem unable....when using our forces we must appear inactive. When we are near we must make the enemy believe we are far away."Sun Tzu The Art of War.

December 29, 2019, 09:27 AM	#27
bobn Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 1,105	well, it is a matter of perceived want/need. personally I like the 1 in 12 in a bolt gun. 50 grain bullets blow up nice, kinda like a 222 rem mag in the day. but then I am a fudd/geezer. …...of course my heavy Anderson barreled ar has a 1 in 8 for 75 grainers. jmho. bob ps second the weatherby vanguard version of the 1500 as a nice rifle in that budget range.

December 29, 2019, 02:42 PM	#30
Andy1 Member Join Date: March 16, 2019 Posts: 71	Check out Armslist for a while. You can find a decent Ruger #1B .223 if you're patient. There's one on there now for $750 and a .22-250 for $700.

January 16, 2020, 09:00 PM	#33
Quercus_montana Junior Member Join Date: January 7, 2020 Location: WV Posts: 2	Sako A7's Rough Tech's are onsale at sportsmans warehouse. I got a 308 range rifle for 799. A little above your limit.