best woodchuck setup

[chucksniper]

Maybe buy a standard Savage used... and rebarrel with shilen or Mcgowen.

[liltank]

I would look at the Savage 12FV. It is very economical and durable. You could put a Bushnell Elite 3200, and EGW Base, Rings, and a Bipod on for well under $900's total package. Other scope option that I own and use are the Buckmaster series scopes from Nikon.

Good Luck,
Tank

[HOGGHEAD]

You really need to provide a bit more information before a good recommendation can be given. I am also a LH hunter. And ground hog hunting is definitely my favorite type of hunting. I have several rigs. And each rig is perfect for the type of hunting it is designed for. So how you will hunt is very important.

The perfect cartridge for the distance you are talking about is the 22-250. Shots to 450 yards are a bit too much for the 223 Remington and the 204 Ruger for ground hogs. You will have crawl offs with cartridges under the 22-250. So I would consider that the benchmark cartridge for the distance you are speaking of.

A heavy barrel rifle is not necessarily a must for that distance of shooting. As long as you do not do a lot of rapid firing.

Are you wanting a walking rifle--or a fixed position rifle??

That would be the most important question.

There are several choices in the price range you are wanting-once you decide the actual type of hunting you will be doing.

Does your price need to reflect the rifle--or the rifle and the scope??

You could buy a nice Encore and scope(Sightron SII 4X16) in a heavy or standard barrel in 22-250 for close to $800. That would be a great choice for a lefty.

The Savage and Tikkas shoot pretty well, but I just have to pass on the asthetics of the two rifles. And I will never go for a plastic magazine. I just can not do it. Tom.

[liltank]

Originally Posted by HOGGHEAD

You could buy a nice Encore and scope(Sightron SII 4X16) in a heavy or standard barrel in 22-250 for close to $800. That would be a great choice for a lefty.

Good thinking. I never even thought of single shots. For that matter you could go with a ruger number 1 also. Good rifle! I always wanted an encore, but the xp100 and savage pistol have sparked by interest also.

Tank

[HOGGHEAD]

You can even get the Encore with a left handed stock. Below is a picture of one of mine with the left handed thumbhole stock, and a 6.5X284 MGM barrel. That stock is super steady. I like the rig a lot. And it is a shooter. Tom.

[trebark]

Put some consideration into the Remington 700 SPS Varmint.

Remington Model 700™ SPS™ Varmint Specifications

They make left-hand versions in 22-250, 223, 243 and 308. I personally have a 223 and 308. The .223 is bone stock and shoots .5moa with factory 50grain hollow-points. I would agree with an earlier post that the 223 is a great caliber but at 450 yards wind drift gets to be an issue. 243 would be my recommendation for you. The 243 has much less wind drift at the longer ranges and you could use it to hunt deer. (as an FYI, I chose the 223 primarily for my 12 year old niece to shoot and she has no tolerance for recoil - if it was up to me, I would have gone with the 243)

The SPS Varmint is a great platform to begin a build. It will probably shoot well right out of the box. Because it's a Rem700 everyone works on them and makes parts for them. You could trick the rifle out however you like. That's what I'm doing with my 308 http://www.longrangehunting.com/foru...k-rifle-43510/

They are also relatively inexpensive. I bought both of my rifles for $550 each. That would leave you with $250 for a scope. Nikon Buckmaster would be a good choice.

[charby346]

Tom,
how much money do you have into that encore that was pictured
thanks-charby