Best Deal on Heavy Barrel 223 Bolt

Savage.

I think the Savage 12 FV, should have a look see, for 450-500 $ maybe less if you really shop.

My Savage 12FV was originally purchased to be converted into a .204, but it shoots so well as a .223 that I can't bring myself to swap the barrel. Don't remember what I paid for it, but I got a good deal at one of the Sportsman's Warehouses that was forced to liquidate. I think I got out the door with the rifle, a Bushnell E4200 6-24x40, bases and rings for right at $800 including mounting the scope.

First and foremost, good luck! Somewhere north of 99% of shootists will advise you to buy what they own. So, here I am with the 99%ers:

Remington 700 (Varmint or Tactical)
Weatherby Vanguard Varmint
Kimber LPT

Other's opinions may vary.

Geno

savage model 10 in 223 for around 600

Savage,Tikka,Howa,CZ-USA,or Remington will work fine.Just look for a rifle that has a barrel twist of 1-8,or 1-9 so you can shoot the heavier grain bullets if you want to. Some only come with a 1-12 twist and only shoot lighter weight bullets.You can also get some with 1-7 twist,but they don't shoot the lighter bullets well.
A 1-8,or 1-9 twist will let you shoot most weights of bullets,from 45gr-75gr.

The caveat about Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard is that you'll need a $100+ Timney trigger to match a Savage, Tikka or CZ (set trigger). The "adjustable" trigger my Vanguard came with was terrible. I've got a couple of HB Savages in 223, very pleased.

Regards,
Brian in CA

Go with a Savage, you won't be sorry!

+ 1 for Savage, hard to beat their value. Accuracy is superb.

My savage 12 fv shot around 1/2 moa yesterday at 100 yards, and I could tell the only reason it wasn't one hole accuracy was me. (It's chambered for 22-250 though) I would suggest a Nikon 4-12 or 4.5-14 scope with the bcd reticle to.

Savage 10 FP-SR or Savage 12 FV both come in less than $600.00 and from everything I've heard are well worth their money.
I'm thinking the 10 FP is my choice when I make that choice.

Here is a link to the Savage site and the 10 FP SR
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

cdnn has the heavy barrel howa .223 for $389 right now.

Savage 10 FP-SR or Savage 12 FV both come in less than $600.00 and from everything I've heard are well worth their money.

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I've seen them a touch over 6, but never under. Who has them for less than 600?

stsimons said:

cdnn has the heavy barrel howa .223 for $389 right now.

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I would say the Howa is probably the best deal right now, especially if CDNN is offering them for $389. The Savages used to be the best bargain, but their prices have gone up quite a bit the past several years. Still a good solid accurate rifle, but not the bargain they once were. I got pretty good deals on both of mine, a Remington 700 SPS Varmint and a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special, both in .223 Rem, several years ago. Both now sport Timney triggers and shoot pretty well. If I was shopping for one today, I would probably try to find a deal on a Howa 1500 Varmint in .223 for a bargain rifle. If I wanted the best shooter, I would probably opt for a Savage or a Tikka.

parisite said:

I had my mind set on a Howa but it does have a 1:12 twist and this might be a deal breaker for me.
Who makes a 1:8 or 9 twist in a bolt action 223? Preferably in a heavy barrel too.

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The Savage 12FV is a 1:9.

If you're looking for a good deal, maybe try out a mossberg MVP. They look like they might be a hell of a bargain. And being able to use AR15 magazines is just cool. But to guarantee reliability and accuracy, go with a savage.

Savage!!!!

Tim the student said:

I've seen them a touch over 6, but never under. Who has them for less than 600?

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After shipping and FFL fee they would come in as much as $650.00 try Gun Broker or Davidsons Gallery of Guns, Bud's Gun Shop has good prices on them too.

I looked at rifles for the same purpose for a long time. I ended up purchasing a Savage 10 Predator Hunter w/ accutrigger. I bought mine used (it was shot very little) for $500. With my hand loads it will shoot sub-MOA 10 shot groups even with a warm barrel. I've been super happy with it. By far the most consisently accurate rifle I own.

....just my experience.

Paul

Just to be different ... I'd take a look at the Mossberg MVP.

Full disclosure: I don't own a .223 at this time.

Savage is OK. I had a 10fp in .223 and it was one very good shooting rifle. But, it had one flaw that I could not straighten out, you never knew if it was going to feed the next round. I lived with it for 5 years before I finally had enough and sold it. I've talked to others that own Savage and I wasn't alone on this problem.

My second Savage was a 12 Stainless with Choate stock and heavy fluted barrel. Paid a lot of money for this rifle, almost $850. It also had one problem that I refused to live with. As you started firing 5 shots at the target the POI would change, just like the right side of the letter "V". Tried everything but could not correct this problem. After 3 months it was gone, that was not something I was going to put up with for what the rifle cost me.

Maybe others have had better luck with Savage. I'd own another but I wouldn't want to pay a lot for it if it isn't going to be dependable.

Remington is a good one but you'll most likely need trigger work and a new stock if you get the cheap SPS.

Winchester, heard nothing bad about them and only good.

Avoid the Remingtons, I have owned several of their rifles over the years and the only one that has not given me major touble is an old 552 Speedmaster. All of their newer rifles I have tried (including 3 Rem 700s) were GARBAGE and I will not touch another one untill they vastly improve their QC. My Savages and Tikka will shoot circles around any of them and have not given me one second worth of trouble, and have been used much more then any of the Remingtons.