AusVarmint

0Hey all
I was thinking about getting a .204 some time soonish. Just I cant decide on what to get.
My top three choices(as to what I like)
Tikka T3 Varmint
Ruger M77 Mk 2
CZ 527 Varmint

PROS:
TIKKA T3
Detachable mag,
renouned for be great from the box,
free floated barrel

RUGER
mauser style action,
tough rifles,
Cheap ($1075)

CZ
detachable mag,
nice wood (also there is a laminate version)
mauser style action


CONS:
TIKKA T3
Plasticy feel to the stock,
lots of plastic
priced towardsthe top of the group ($1350)

RUGER
internal magazine,
not much a fan of laminate,
Not sure if barrel is floated,


CZ
not sure of the quality (only used cz .22s)
Im guessing priced near the top of group ($1300-$1400)
otherwise i cant find much to fault them atm.



I still need to do some more research but wondering if any one here has had any experience with these rifles, What did you like or dislike about them?
Also is the quality all simular or is any of them execellent quality for the money more then the others?

I also cant find much about Howa rifles but they strike me as the next step down, Remmy 700 SPS rifles iv heard have sometimes fairly shit stocks, Savages dont appeal to me much and are at the higher end of my budget. Wheatherby Vangards Iv heard they can have a bit of flexability in the fore end of the stocks, but i havent ruled them out yet.

What are your Opinions? my expected budget is around $1300-$1400 for the rifle and about $500 or less for the scope. At the moment im debating between the Tikka and the CZ.

have had all three (if its a ruger VT your looking at) Personal preference,,,,,hmmm, soft spot for CZs (have 2 customised 527s) but they are all good. My VT was awesomely accurate.

Pick em up, hold em and buy the one you like the feel of

Nothing wrong with Laminate imho. I'm very happy with my Ruger 77/17 with the grey laminate.

Also looking at a CZ 527 in gray laminate just deciding between .223 and .243 (also considering the tikka).

Ruger action is reliable in my experience, they feel rough when they haven't been used but really smooth up with a bit of use.

I'm not a fan of the plastic bolt shroud of the Tikka, quite fond of the hunter but i really don't know what i want just yet.

Rodney.

You've hit the nail on the head why I cant bring myself to buying a T3! They are NOT a cheap rifle though they look it! Their positive is that even a varmint is quite portable.

The Ruger VT gets you a stainless rifle at less than a T3 Varmint (blued), but are generally heavier. Just remember that there was a Ruger VT in Hogue stock ... cant remember the designation though.

Haven't bothered with CZ's ... but I understand they are more walkabout than heavy varminters.
Cheers...
Con

tikkas are as slick as goose shit. the other 2 rifles you mentioned feed like crap, un reliable at it and are noisey in comparison. you won't know the difference with what looks like once it comes time to shoot fox at night but you'll notice how it feels.

but i'm biased, love tikkas

I would stretch the budget a bit and buy this!

http://www.ausvarmint.com/forum/viewtop ... =5&t=10159

With all the stuff you get mate you would be WAY in front!
All the work is done!

Glenn

Id buy a 250 instead..

hmmm
If I can get up early enough tomorrow i think i might hit the lgs before work and see if they got anything in stock that i can play with.

Ryan i dont know what Andrew is on but the nickname for a ruger is a Rugged, sure not as slick as some but strong and reliable. And CZ are a quality piece. Go to www.saubier.com and read a few posts to see what they think of the 527.

why trevor, i'm so insulted by your suggestion that i'm over come by my love affair for my tikka's

at the end of the day it's personal preference

hi ryan,iam happy with my ruger,and shoots well.

Love my ruger predator 204. Very accurate and feels great to shoot. I agree they get smoother in time. It all comes down to what feels best and your budget. After you get one that feels right on the shoulder, put a good quality scope on it and you'll be in love.

ooowe nice one dan

Hey Ryan,

I was in exactly the same situation as you last year, looking at both the cz 527 and the tikka with the same budget of $1800. All three are great options i reckon and in the end one will just feel right in your hands! I personally went for the cz because i love the old world charm of the 527. As for the cz quality, i can only comment on my rifle but it is high class for the money. I picked up mine for $1350 but i think they can be had for around $1250 at some of the bigger gunshops.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me!

Richta pm sent.


I am still just as undecided I went to the lgs today but the only rifle of the three they had in stock was the tikka for $1500 Stainless barrel.
I have a ruger already and quite like it, it is a bit rough but feels good due to the weight, feels rugged.
The stock of the tikka didnt feel quite as plasticy as I remember however overall it felt a little on the cheap side.
I am now more closly considering the Ruger or the CZ.
I like wood and blued steel and the detachable mag of the CZ however the Ruger (M77 Mark II) seems to have a heavier and longer barrel.

Couple questions.
Are Detachable mags available for Rugers?

And either im missing something or its an older model but i havent been able to find a Ruger VT on the ruger website. I was looking at the Ruger M77 Mark II Target

Thanks
Ryan