What to start with

[bullockj 0]

Well, I've finally got around to applying for my FAC, I have some land and getting with my local Bobby to discuss the application. I'm putting in for a .22 Rimfire for vermin control, .222 for Fox control and a .243 for Deer Stalking, locally and I would like to buy some stalking in Scotland at some point in time. I've had shotguns as far back as I care to remember but this is my first FAC application.

Any suggestions on what type to get, I'm looking at CZ for the .22, not sure about the .222 and a Tikka T3 for the .243. Any help with Scope requirements would also be welcome.

[bobndog 0]

Well, I've finally got around to applying for my FAC, I have some land and getting with my local Bobby to discuss the application. I'm putting in for a .22 Rimfire for vermin control, .222 for Fox control and a .243 for Deer Stalking, locally and I would like to buy some stalking in Scotland at some point in time. I've had shotguns as far back as I care to remember but this is my first FAC application.

Any suggestions on what type to get, I'm looking at CZ for the .22, not sure about the .222 and a Tikka T3 for the .243. Any help with Scope requirements would also be welcome.

Buy the guns that you like the look of, my choice would be Ruger or Remington for the c/f's, and a Ruger for the 22r/f, either a 10/22 or an M77/22 depending on whether you require a s/a or b/a, but you will get many suggestions from other people, these two will perform as well as any others,and better than most.

The only thing that I would change on your list is to get a 223 rather than 222, performance is slightly better than the 222, but there is a better choice of ammo, and being a military round it's going to be around for a long time to come. The 222, once popular, does not sell very well at all now.

My choice of scope would always be a Zeiss, but this, like the guns, depends on your budget.

[jamie g 17]

cz for the 22lr dont go for semi auto 22lr's to many problems with them inless you spend money to upgrade them.

 

as for 222 there is nothing wrong with them they are not as popular as 223 but still not dieing out trust me. my mate has a sako 222 and its a superb foxing rifle.

if your getting 243 tho for deer then why bother with 22 centrefire. surely your flo if he lets you have 243 will let you have fox condition on it.

 

that way money from the 222 could buy you a top scope for the 243.

[bobndog 0]

cz for the 22lr dont go for semi auto 22lr's to many problems with them inless you spend money to upgrade them.

 

as for 222 there is nothing wrong with them they are not as popular as 223 but still not dieing out trust me. my mate has a sako 222 and its a superb foxing rifle.

if your getting 243 tho for deer then why bother with 22 centrefire. surely your flo if he lets you have 243 will let you have fox condition on it.

 

that way money from the 222 could buy you a top scope for the 243.

 

I don't know from which source you get your sales figures on 222, but as an RFD, I have not sold a 222 for 8 years now, I have however sold a large number of 223's.

Secondly, I did not say that there was anything wrong with the 222.

Thirdly, as I said, there is a far better selection of ammunition for the 223, which in itself is a good reason to buy a 223 rather than a 222. UMC for example list 4 loads for the 223 and none for the 222, Remington list 3 for the 222 and 13 for the 223, Lapua list only one 222, and that's a FMJ. Winchester list 1 for the 222 and 7 for the 223, need I go on?

And fourth, to make such a blanket statement as "dont go for semi auto 22lr's to many problems with them inless you spend money to upgrade them." I can only assume that you have never owned a 10/22 or any other quality semi. Maybe you could provide a detailed list of exactly what these "too many problems" are?.

The most popular and widely distributed of all centre-fire varmint cartridges, world wide, is the .223 Remington.To use your own terminology, the 222 is a dying round, witnessed by the lack of interest from ammunition makers and sales figures.

Before all of you 222 owners start to flame, please read my original post.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog...FJlbWluZ3Rvbg==

BTW, has your mate had the serial number on his "superb Sako" checked to ensure that it was not one of those with faulty steel that should have been recalled? If not, he should, there are still some out there, and it's not a pretty sight when a barrel splits.

[woollyback 0]

CZ in .22, Howa in 223 and Tikka in .243, thats what I'd have personally, but everyones tastes and requirements are different. Assuming your local FD has a good selection have a look at all the makes and see what suits you best. The Remmys are also a good rifle worth a look. But remember, always buy the best you can afford. Woollyback

[Mr_Logic 5]

I would get .223 instead of .222, much easier to get the right rifle. Woollyback is pretty close for me, certainly the CZ and Howa I'd have, but in 243, hmm... I'd have something with a proper barrel. Remington SPS would be my choice. Lightweight, well balanced, good length barrel for decent velocity, and faster twist so better for heavy deer bullets.

[jamie g 17]

cz for the 22lr dont go for semi auto 22lr's to many problems with them inless you spend money to upgrade them.

 

as for 222 there is nothing wrong with them they are not as popular as 223 but still not dieing out trust me. my mate has a sako 222 and its a superb foxing rifle.

if your getting 243 tho for deer then why bother with 22 centrefire. surely your flo if he lets you have 243 will let you have fox condition on it.

 

that way money from the 222 could buy you a top scope for the 243.

 

I don't know from which source you get your sales figures on 222, but as an RFD, I have not sold a 222 for 8 years now, I have however sold a large number of 223's.

Secondly, I did not say that there was anything wrong with the 222.

Thirdly, as I said, there is a far better selection of ammunition for the 223, which in itself is a good reason to buy a 223 rather than a 222. UMC for example list 4 loads for the 223 and none for the 222, Remington list 3 for the 222 and 13 for the 223, Lapua list only one 222, and that's a FMJ. Winchester list 1 for the 222 and 7 for the 223, need I go on?

And fourth, to make such a blanket statement as "dont go for semi auto 22lr's to many problems with them inless you spend money to upgrade them." I can only assume that you have never owned a 10/22 or any other quality semi. Maybe you could provide a detailed list of exactly what these "too many problems" are?.

The most popular and widely distributed of all centre-fire varmint cartridges, world wide, is the .223 Remington.To use your own terminology, the 222 is a dying round, witnessed by the lack of interest from ammunition makers and sales figures.

Before all of you 222 owners start to flame, please read my original post.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog...FJlbWluZ3Rvbg==

BTW, has your mate had the serial number on his "superb Sako" checked to ensure that it was not one of those with faulty steel that should have been recalled? If not, he should, there are still some out there, and it's not a pretty sight when a barrel splits.

 

keep your shirt on mate. i was only saying imo i wasnt moaning at your post. i no many people that ive been shooting with that has had 10/22 and the fact is there not as reliable as a bolt action if the 10/22 was so good why are there lots of aftermarket parts out for it to impove it ! if i paid that money for a rifle i would want it to work fine without having to upgrade parts in it at more cost.

 

and well yes the 222 isnt as popular as the 223 it isnt dieing out round here. i no a amount of people that use 222. and besides the sale off 222 ammo mite not be very good but most people reload for them any how.

 

and my shooting mates sako is over 40 years old im pretty sure if there was something wrong with it it would have gone bang by now. as you see from my other post if he can get 243 granted he shuould be able to get fox on it as well as deer. then he can save some money and has no need for a 22 centrefire atb jamie

Edited August 31, 2009 by jamie g

[Deker 3,478]

For day to day general .22lr vermin control I'd say you will be hard pressed to beat the CZ!

 

I would strongly suggest against a .222 today, nothing wrong with them and a fine calibre but times change and nothing stands still...I am fairly sure I am correct in saying that Remington Arms (the .222 Remington) only now chamber one gun in .222...and for how much longer???? Go for a .223, arguably better, much more choice of guns and ammo. The Manufacturer is difficult on this, but my choice would be between, Tikka, Remington and CZ, never been a fan of the Howa simply because I'm not keen on their stock, but I know several who do like and rate them!

 

.243..Remington or Tikka!

 

Always going to be open to a lot of debate any question like this, but these are my choices/suggestions in the "medium" price range hunting tool department!

[cyclonebri1 8]

The .22 Brno or Cz is a perfectly acceptable gun, so is a Kia in car terms, it's wheels go round and usually gets you from a to b, btu bet you'd rather have a beemer? But if you want more pleasure from your shooting you can get a nicer if not more accurate gun. The aforementioned Ruger 77/22 in alweather or target trim is the nuts, IMHO of course

[cyclonebri1 8]

Also check out the Savage MK2 with laminated thumbhole stock, one if not the most accurate 22's tested by Shooting Times

[RicW 67]

Also check out the Savage MK2 with laminated thumbhole stock, one if not the most accurate 22's tested by Shooting Times

I haven't got a laminated thumb. . .

Seriously though, as I have said my experience of hunting calibres is very small, but I do know a lot about guns generally. Surely the problems with semi-autos arise because people don't realise that they need CLEANING. Not the barrel necessarily - there are people on here who claim that 22lr shoots better without cleaning - but the action. When I had my semi-auto pistols I always spent more time cleaning the action than I did on the barrels. Take into account the fact that 22lr doesn't have power to spare anyway and if you let your action get clagged up wi' muck you end up with a very unreliable gun. Not the gun's fault, not an inherent problem with semi's, just down to good guncare.

Ric(I may be an armchair expert but I'm not a total twat)W