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Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 1:08 pm
by brm4450
I have no experience with this company, maybe someone can give me the lowdown.

Olympic Arms

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 1:42 pm
by Rifletom
No help with Olympic Arms, sorry. Varmint rig,huh? You'll have fun with one, that's for sure. What cartridge you thinking of? AR platform or bolt? Years ago I had a Savage 112FVS bolt action single shot in .22-250. Ohh, the whistle pigs around Nucla, Co. didn't care for it much! Thinking back, a .223 would have worked. Good luck!

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 1:51 pm
by brm4450
I thought I would dip my toe in the AR arena. Never had a rifle without wood before. I believe maybe .243, my sons use that caliber for deer, fox, coyote etc. I’m just not sure if I’m ready for tactical.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 2:03 pm
by GunnyGene
brm4450 wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 1:08 pm
I have no experience with this company, maybe someone can give me the lowdown.

Olympic Arms
They started manufacturing in '75, but started having financial difficulty about 3 years ago. I think they're under new ownership now, but not sure. They did make a quality line of AR-15 pattern rifles and pistols, and had a good reputation. Don't know about present day, but you can still find their stuff at gun shops and on-line.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 2:08 pm
by brm4450
Tell the truth I’ve only owned 1 bolt action rifle and that was a .308 from Montgomery Wards some ?0 years ago, still have it. I’m left handed that’s why I chose to shoot lever actions. Never did like reach around to eject with a right handed bolt never got used to it. My 3 sons, all former military, say tactical is the way to go. I kind of like the left handed Rem 700 varmint lh, but I told them I would research it.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 3:04 pm
by Ojaileveraction
Nothing wrong with walnut and steel.
Savage makes accurate out of the box rifles and won't need trigger work like a 700.
From their rimfire 93 and MKII series to the 10 and12v rifles. They make left handed actions.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 3:13 pm
by Rifletom
brm4450 wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 2:08 pm
Tell the truth I’ve only owned 1 bolt action rifle and that was a .308 from Montgomery Wards some ?0 years ago, still have it. I’m left handed that’s why I chose to shoot lever actions. Never did like reach around to eject with a right handed bolt never got used to it. My 3 sons, all former military, say tactical is the way to go. I kind of like the left handed Rem 700 varmint lh, but I told them I would research it.
4450, all my bolt action were right handed. I'm a lefty also for rifle shooting. Left eye dominate. He only deer/elk rifle I have left is my Ruger #1B in 30-06. I have my 30-30, but, that's for reactive targets like my Henry's are for. You could look at single shots in .243 or .223. Surely won't heat the barrel up! Lots of options out there. We are enablers here. Especially BigAl! 8-)

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 3:29 pm
by BigAl52
Thats right Im a true supporter of American Built Firearms. Im in total agreement with Ojail when it comes to bolt guns Savage makes a great rifle that out of the box will put a group up there that will put a big smile on your face. 243 my favorite caliber in a bolt gun right along with 308. I know there is some newer calibers out there that guys claim are better but Ive not played with them. I like 243. 70 gr Nosler BT about 45 grains of IMR 4350 will take care of some some Vermits

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 3:48 pm
by brm4450
I forgot about the Henry Long Ranger H014 in .243

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 3:54 pm
by JEBar
brm4450 wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 3:48 pm
I forgot about the Henry Long Ranger H014 in .243
given what you have posted, that would be my choice

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 4:40 pm
by leverjc
A .243 will put you in the AR10 category, that will put some pounds on the rifle but I think you chose it in a great caliber.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 4:44 pm
by Ojaileveraction
There have been some good reports of Long Ranger Accuracy.
I've been enamoured with the idea of a Lever Action Long Range Silhouette Rifle. Always thought the LR 243 would be the one to try.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 7:01 pm
by JEBar
just to throw another possibility into the mix .... a 308 loaded with 100 to 110 gr'ers like Nosler 30 Caliber 110 Grain Varmageddon bullets makes one heck of a flat shooter

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 7:44 pm
by Rifletom
JEBar wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 7:01 pm
just to throw another possibility into the mix .... a 308 loaded with 100 to 110 gr'ers like Nosler 30 Caliber 110 Grain Varmageddon bullets makes one heck of a flat shooter
Indeed they do Jim. Indeed they do. A good dose of IMR4064 and one of those 110's will put the hurt on varmints.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 8:34 pm
by JEBar
there is no way I can justify purchasing a rifle for varmint hunting .... I've only been a couple of times and don't know that I'll ever get to go again .... if I do, our 308 will be pressed into service again

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 9:52 pm
by BigAl52
Another caliber I have used in the past that was really hard on them ole Prairie dogs was the good ole 220 swift. I had one of those in a Ruger M77 varmint barrel. It was a great shooting gun. The swift gets a bad rap on being a barrel burner and is if you push it to its max. I never did that. But a load of IMR 4064 and either the Sierra 52 grhp BT or the 53 gr Sierra were very good shooters in that rifle. I definitely was able to take care of a few of those dogs with that rifle.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 10:38 pm
by Ojaileveraction
4450 is asking about marmots, there are Rockchucks up north of here but really only California Ground Squirrels around here. A rimfire 17hmr or 17wsm do well on GS out to.... well depends.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 11:45 pm
by brm4450
JEBar wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 7:01 pm
just to throw another possibility into the mix .... a 308 loaded with 100 to 110 gr'ers like Nosler 30 Caliber 110 Grain Varmageddon bullets makes one heck of a flat shooter
I still have that old .308 I bought when I was younger, so much younger.

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 8:03 am
by JEBar
brm4450 wrote:
Sun May 03, 2020 11:45 pm
I still have that old .308 I bought when I was younger, so much younger.
understood on "so much younger" .. :? .. its hard to believe I bought my 308 Browning BLR 50 years ago

Re: Thinking of a new varmint rifle

Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 9:41 am
by brm4450
I got to thinking how about old school tactical the M1A in .308