Recommendations on a 5.56/.223 bolt action rifle....

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Hokkmike

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I shoot an AR that is multi-caliber abled. Would love to pick up a decent quality bolt action rifle that would handle both the 5.56 and .223 cartridge. I have looked at a Ruger American with a 16' barrel. Can you suggest other good choices?

Thanks!
 
cz
howa

really all of them. almost nobody makes a "bad" bolt action rifle. these days. some are a little more refined than others, but I cannot definitivly say that a $250 thompson compass is a less accurate rifle than a $900 browning xbolt.
 
CZ, Howa, Savage, Thompson Center (hint: it's a S&W)

I know as a fact the Savage and TC have adjustable triggers, the Howa 22-250 I shot once did not, have no idea on the CZ . But I wouldn't hesitate to shoulder a CZ, like, buy it.

Good luck, let us know what you buy when you buy it:thumbup:
 
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My pick would be the Ruger. I have the 16" Ranch rifle, but they make a 22" Predator that also takes AR magazines. If not the Ruger, Tikka. I think the Tikka is going to be a bit more accurate, but not by much and it is going to cost a lot more.

There are 2 issues with bolt guns that you need to pay attention to. #1 is barrel twist. Most 223 bolt guns are slow twist meant for 55 gr bullets. If you want to shoot heavier bullets you need a faster twist. The Ruger, and current production Tikka's have 8 twist barrels. Older Tikkas and most other bolt guns are 12 twist.

The Ruger is 5.56/223. And is the only bolt rifle I'm aware of that has 5.56 stamped on the receiver. All others are 223. That is important to a lot of people if they want to shoot 5.56 in their bolt rifles. It isn't something I worry about. I'd shoot 5.56 in a 223 chambered bolt gun, but some won't.
 
I assume you’ve looked at the Walmart close out thread. Some killer deals. There were non at my local stores but maybe you could do better
 
I have the CZ M1 American mentioned above. Great price for getting into a CZ mini mauser action. They are definitely a cut above Ruger and Howa if you like nice machine work and metal components. That is not a slight against Ruger or Howa. I have a Howa Mini in 7.62x39, and it would be a very hard decision between the CZ and the Howa. They both have their benefits. The Howa LW barrel profile version is an amazingly light, nice handling rifle, but the trigger isn't adjustable (but still good) and the bottom metal and magazines are polymer. The CZ trigger is very adjustable, and the M1 has bottom metal that accepts a flush 3 round magazine or the normal 5 round magazine

The synthetic stock that you get with the CZ M1 is pretty much on par with the Houge that comes on a Howa and the Ruger stock - meaning that it is functional, but leaves a lot to be desired. My Howa is in a Boyds stock. I did some work on the CZ stock and it is workable, but I have my eyes out for a better option.

I am likely to add a Ruger to the mix at some point too, but it will probably be a predator in a 6 mm or 6.5 mm cartridge. I just haven't been able to warm up to the short barrel ranch version, but I can definitely appreciate its advantage in compactness and weight for someone drawn that way.

It would be very hard to go wrong with one of those brands. A nice little .223 bolt rifle is a must-have, enjoyable and economical to shoot, with lots of commercial ammo option and plentiful components if you reload.
 
I have two bolt guns in 223. A Winchester Model 70 Featherweight that I picked up in 91 after coming home from Desert Storm. I have fired a lot of 5.56 in it with no pressure signs. But the 5.56 is nothing compared to the smoking hot hand loads I use for groundhog hunting.
The other is a Savage Axis II XP Predator. I can’t say how the Savage shoots because I haven’t shot it yet.
95266979-3630-4159-BDCC-9F44B639E21A.jpeg
 
I, currently, own a Savage Axis, .223, and a Mossberg MVP Predator, 5.56.
Both are accurate, with the 20" Axis a bit more so than the 16" MVP.
But, the MVP is very compact, light, much easier to carry around, and takes AR mags.
 
Buy CZ 527 and don't look back. With my 55 grain handloads mine makes consistent one inch five shot groups at 125 yards.

i have one .223 rifle that is a little more accurate. With installation charge the 26" barrel on that model 700 Remington rifle cost more than the CZ 527 rifle.
 
The T/C Compass and the Ruger American Ranch are the two that come to mind for me that are actually stamped 5.56/.223. Checking CZ's website they do say their .223s can shoot 5.56 as well, not sure if they are actually stamped that way but if they say it it's on them if something goes wrong when you do.

Another option would be to buy a Savage 10/11 and swap for a .223 Wylde chambered barrel like this:

https://www.eabco.net/EABCO-Accurac...0-and-Axis-223-Rem-Wylde-17-Blue_p_15618.html

Would be a fun little project IMO if you replace the stock as well, could make yourself a nice looking flexible rifle.
 
Most of the time the lower the rounds the more they cost in AR mags, I prefer 20rnd mags and they are always more, recently I purchased some 10rnd mags at 20$ ea
 
10 round Pmags usually run under $15 that I've seen. Finding the best shipping prices is the trick. I got Brownells 20 rounders for $12 earlier this year too.
 
Savage has so many choices, it's almost too many.
I really liked my old 110T tactical.
The CZ are really nice, too.
The Ruger American is not shabby (although mine is in .243, not .223)

The choice probably comes down to what is available to you locally, that "speaks" to you.
 
I like my Mossberg MVP thunder ranch. Uses AR mags, and is very accurate with heavier bullets. Yes, it is legal to shoot turkeys in Fl with a rifle.
MVP turkey.jpg
 
CZ 527. 5.56 is fine in it. CZ told me directly. Mine shoots everything well. 35 gr up to 77. Got pictures to show it. 1:9 twist. Varmint model. Leopold scope
 
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CZ offers a lot of pretty for the money. Here's my fullstock 527 in .223/5.56 (with the near-flush 3-shot mag installed) :

CZ527FS.jpg

If you want a more tactical look, MDT offers a chassis stock but the cost will be like buying the rifle twice. Here's my .300 AAC in an MDT CZ527 chassis:

CZ527Chassis.jpg

CZ set triggers are great. You may want to handle one as well as some of the alternatives to see how the handling suits your tastes. Some 527s can bind when you manipulate the both without choking up your grip on the knob -- I'm used to this, but it annoys some other shooters who've used my rifles. A couple things I like about the 527: you can easily disassemble the bolt without tools, it offers controlled feeding and a big claw extractor.
 
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