Thinking of a new varmint rifle

[brm4450]

I have no experience with this company, maybe someone can give me the lowdown.

Olympic Arms

[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!

[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.

[GunnyGene]

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.

[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.

[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.

[Rifletom]

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!

[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

[brm4450]

I forgot about the Henry Long Ranger H014 in .243

[JEBar]

I forgot about the Henry Long Ranger H014 in .243

given what you have posted, that would be my choice

[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.

[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.

[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

[Rifletom]

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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[brm4450]

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.

[JEBar]

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

[brm4450]

I got to thinking how about old school tactical the M1A in .308