[FMJMIKE]

Ok.............I am now convinced I need/want a .223 bolt gun. I prefer stainless steel w/ synthetic stock. I also want to be able to shoot heavy bullets. Probably 55 to 77 grain bullets. Budget is $ 300 to $600. It will be mostly used for plinking, target shooting and hunting. I will also shoot some steel case ammo through it. What do you guys suggest ??? Thanks................:D

[porscheboy]

I would suggest a Remington 700 SPS, I saw one at Dicks Sporting Goods for 479 dollars a couple weeks ago.

[jakk280rem]

the stevens 200 is a savage 10 with a cheap stock and no accu-trigger. it also has a 1:9 twist, putting you right in the ballpark for your bullet weight selection. it isn't available in stainless. the more expensive and floppy trigger savage is though.

some might recomend the tikka t3 with a 1:8 twist, but the expensive mags make me hessitant.

[DIM]

I got my SPS Varmint from Dicks when they had sale 399.99 sweet deal don't you think ;-) but I replaced it stock to aluminum bedded B&C Medalist Tactical

[Legionnaire]

Tikka T3 Lite Stainless. 1:8 twist barrel is fast enough for the 77 grainers.

[jakk280rem]

i'm sure the sps is a fine rifle, but it has a 1:12 twist. not the most ideal for heavier than 55gr.

[DIM]

Get SPS Tactical it has 1:9 twist short barrel do...

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-sps-tactical.aspx

[TechBrute]

The Savage 12FV would fit the bill. They are terrific shooters! The 12FVSS is stainless, but just a hair above your price range with a street price of around $650.

I have a 12FV. I hadn't shot it in a while, but did last weekend and I was reminded what a great rifle it is.

[DIM]

Savage is good choice, you can pick model, 25 or 10, here is 10 FP for the price you looking for: http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product.asp?productid=28036

then model 25

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product.asp?productid=48916

and here is SPS tactical

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=66745&w=PQ%2BJDyOLrQE%3D

Another good rifle is Thompson Center Venture, I have ICON from them, Venture is their low cost model and it guarantee to shoot MOA or better, and you can get one for the price you mentioned:

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=180278&w=PQ%2BJDyOLrQE%3D
Also Weatherby makes Vanguard and they are accurate as well and cost around 400, many people like Howa I tried it once don't want to touch it again but many will argue that they are great, Tikka T3 is a good one but I would recommend T3 varmint with heavy barrel but its more expensive then the Light version which is like 530 http://www.joessportinggoods.us/tikka-t3-lite-bs-223-rem-rifle.html
there are many choices just pick one :-D

[Pete K.]

The stainless barrel/action seems to add around $75 to $100 depending on the model. For target shooting at 100 yards or more from a bench I would look at something with a 26" barrel. The 52 grain .223 from Black Hills have a muzzle velocity of 3300 fps and are terrific in my Savage VLP. Bud's Gun Shop prices shown are "shipped" prices. If you could go with the blued barrel your are looking at $541 with synthetic stock and a 26" barrel. For target shooting @ 100 I would look for a scope in the 6.5X20 or the newer 6X24 although a max power of 16X will work at that distance depending on target size. I shoot 1" red stick on with the VLP and golf balls or shotgun husks are easy @100 at 16X. You might look at the Vortex line for good quality and price. They are getting great reviews from owners.
Take a look at Bud's shipped prices. The Savage allows you to swap barrels and calibers in the future, have a floating bolt head which adds to accuracy, are pillar bedded, have button drawn rifling, have the adjustable accu trigger and are accurate as heck out of the box.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/62/products_id/78357

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/78300

Good luck,

Pete K.

[45crittergitter]

+1 for the T3 Lite.

[Oceans]

You gotta like the SPS tactical, a 1x9 twist is ideal. You can shoot the lightweights, 52 grains and up, and some of the 75 grainers. Shooting those 52 grainers is like shooting snap caps, no recoil at all. Put a nice 4x12 on there, and you have a good rig. You can practice all day long, and no shoulder pain.

[jhansman]

Take a look at the Howa 1500 with the Hogue stock (http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_hogue.html). Very accurate and well made.

[greyling22]

+2 for tikka.

[LCPor9mm]

I bought a Savage model 25 in .223 from Bud's about 6 months ago and I really love shooting the gun, and it is quite accurate BUT it is very picky about what ammo it will eat. I have had a problem with the bolt not closing since day one and it's been back to Savage without the problem being fixed, so I can't reccomend it. Also before you buy be aware that .223 ammo in the higher bullet weights can be very expensive...unless you roll your own.

[Harley Rider 55]

The Remington 700 SPS will need a stock replacement. The barrel is free floating until you use the weapon on a tripod or other rest. I just ordered a Bell and Carson stock for mine. My Remington is the heavy barrel varmint version in .204 Ruger.

[Sgt. Stiglitz]

I got a Savage 12 BVSS .223 and have had it for a number of years. Get one and now they have the Accu-trigger.......Mine's a keeper. I have shot up too 77gr Sierra BTHP Match bullets out of it without any problems........over 24 grs of Varget.

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq263/Sapo60/100_0133-1.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq263/Sapo60/22369grLoadsJPG.jpg

5 shots 100 yds 20 grs IMR 4198 Sierra 69 Gr BTHP Match........

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq263/Sapo60/5shots100yds20grsIMR4198Sierra69GrB.jpg

[Steve in PA]

I have a Savage 12FV that I absolutely love. Changed the factory stock out for a Duramax and topped it with a Mueller 4-16x 50mm AO IR scope. Shoots like a dream. I'v shot 40, 55 and 75gr bullets under H335 with great results.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/Steve_in_PA/Guns/0424081416.jpg

[FMJMIKE]

I finally picked a rifle. I ordered it from Buds. It is a Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine w/ a 20 inch barrel. I saw a review of this rifle and it fired 55-77 grain ammo with good results. Some groups were 1/2 MOA. Price was $700 shipped. It weighs 7 pounds and has a 1:9 twist.........Now to pick a scope.........:D
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e350/mbmphoto/10precisioncarbine.png

[Justin Holder]

What? No one has said Ruger All-Weather yet?

[Water-Man]

Tikka T3 Lite Stainless

[DIM]

Well, you made your choice., Congratulations!!! Now you became part of the barrel nut brotherhood :D

[Oceans]

That looks like a winner Mike. I do not think the Savage will give you anything to complain about in the accuracy deparment. I was a little surprised at that price though. Savage has come up in cost I see.

[DIM]

Well for one accustock adds to the price, myself I would rather buy cheaper 10 version with no accustock 10 FP, then add stock from B&C or HS or Choate, but that's just me. 10 FP and 10 Precision Carbineis build on the same action, the differences here are the stock and the internal mag verses detachable on Precision Carbine. But Precision Carbine only weights 7 LB from one point its light and should be good for carrying it in the field, from another point light weight doesn't add to the stability of carbine. Anyway I already congratulate you on your purchase, now take it to the range and whatever everybody saying not to, but do a proper break in. Scope is up to you, Leupold, Nikon, Millet, Vortex, Bushnell or Burris would be fine, magnification I think you won't shoot it pass 300 yards and for that you should be fine with 16X max, just search who is running better sale on optics and pick the one you like... I used to shoot my 308 with 9x Nikon scope on 500 yards, there were no problem hitting 6" plate...

[FMJMIKE]

It hasn't gotten here yet.............:D...........I will probably get a Nikon scope. 300 yards will probably be my maximum range.

[Geno]

FMJMike:

Have you looked at one of these for $299.00? Link: http://swfa.com:80/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P499.aspx

Geneo

[steve_dune]

I have a SWFA SS 10x42 on my Reminton 700P .308 and I can hit a 6x6 steel plate at 660 yards when I do my part. I just put a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18 on top my Remington 700 sps-v .223. They both seem really good but I only used the Nikon 1 time for 5 shots til I had to send my sps-v back to Remington.

[jayzone1239er]

i have the tikka super varmint in .223 and absolutley love it. my brother has the rem 700 and mine will out shoot it any day. it has a 1:8 twist and has shot sub moa with all factory ammo except cheap amer eagle tactical rounds and even that was not bad. the biggest differnce is noticed past 100 yards and thats when u notice the tikka really shines

[JDMorris]

aww, nobody mentioned my beloved howa.
anyway, nice gun,
look into nikko stirling scopes for the cheap, i think my upgrade scope will be a weaver tactical grand slam, after my stock..

[JoelSteinbach]

CZ 527Varmit awesome with its set trigger, I own the laminate stock with heavy barrel it give me sub 1/3 inch groups at 100 yards. I did have the action bedded and it wears a Bushnell 4200 6 x 24 scope.