Best 223 rifle but can also shoot 5.56 under $400?

Find any rifle which touts a .223 Wylde or 5.56x45mm chamber.

If you don't mind a semi-auto there is plethora of AR-15 kits out there for $400 and less. You might even find a few complete rifles at that price.

I’d buy the American Ranch over the Mossberg, but there’s a low cost Mossberg MVP model with a 5.56 chamber and which takes AR mags.

I think the only thing in your price range is the ruger american. They are great for the price. Tho mine is 762x39. Mine is very accurate.

Only other route i can think off hand is build a cheap ar15 for under 400.

I had a Ruger American and there are many out there that people rave about but mine didn't shoot that great. At the time, I had a Tikka and a Mossberg MVP and they shot groups at least half the size. I tried 55 FMJ, 69 grain, and 77 grain handloads without success. The action was nice, trigger was decent, and I liked the rotary magazine, but the stock was awful.

I now have a Remington 783 that I paid $300 after a rebate if I remember correctly. The first one I picked up shot terrible, keyholing at 100 yards, so Remington replaced it. The stock and magazine are nicer than the Ruger, and I have shot the Federal 62 grain 5.56 ammo in it without a problem. They are a 1:9 twist and I have shot the 70 RDF and 62 and 75 Hornady BTHP bullets in it, groups usually average .6-.8 MOA.

Remington 783 can be had for less than $400

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/97336

ETA: beat by seconds...

MCB, but can the 783 shoot 5.56? Otherwise i would recomend the 700 for 389.99 at walmart. But i think that they can not shoot 5.56 like the OP asked for.

Robbins290 said:

MCB, but can the 783 shoot 5.56? Otherwise i would recomend the 700 for 389.99 at walmart. But i think that they can not shoot 5.56 like the OP asked for.

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I don't know they both probably have the same 223 Rem chamber specs. They are both similarly strong actions but are both bargain guns. IMHO I would take a 783 over a 700 ADL.

Given the minor differences between the two chambers [223 Rem vs 5.56x45 NATO] if you were motivated enough you could probably get a throat reamer and by hand open the 223 chamber up to 556 freebore and lead angle, its a material safe change going 223 to 556. Probably not worth the effort though unless you have free access to the reamer.

If you want to live it on the edge slightly take your 556 ammo of choice and chamber it in your 223 Rem 783/700 of choice and look for contact between the bullet and the lands. If there is no hard contact give it a shot or two and look for pressure signs.

-rambling

I believe the Ruger American Ranch can use AR mags as well and it's chambered for 5.56. I usually see them on shelves for closer to $450 than $400, but otherwise they would be perfect for you.

Just curious MCB, what makes you prefer the 783 over the 700. i had both and sold the 783.

And i read that about the 5.56 in the .223 marked rifles, but i was not going to suggest that.

I'd pick a savage 12fv. (Usually 420 but often under 375 at cabelas) Great heavy barreled and robust rifle. Stock isnt perfect but they are very accurate. And that's coming from a well known hater of all things savage since the model 99.

As far as 5.56 you will get varied answers. Some do some dont. In a semi auto I'd be less inclined to do so. In a stout bolt action? Up to you

Robbins290 said:

Just curious MCB, what makes you prefer the 783 over the 700.

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I have the same question.

Another vote for Remington 783. An overlooked rifle.

Robbins290 said:

Just curious MCB, what makes you prefer the 783 over the 700. i had both and sold the 783.

And i read that about the 5.56 in the .223 marked rifles, but i was not going to suggest that.

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Specifically I like the 783 better than the 700 ADL. I don't own a 783 and just one 700 but is a custom chassis gun. The ADL just cuts every possible corner on the 700 and thus it just feels too cheap compared to the higher end 700 models. The 783 has a couple features I like. A close top receiver so you have one continuous surface for your scope mounts/pic-rail, even on the bargain bottom version of the 783 you still get a magazine (not a blind magazine of the ADL) and it utilizes a barrel nut so you can change a barrel yourself in your garage. No lathe needed unlike a 700. The 783 is still a bargain rifle for sure but it has a modest amount of room to grow for a fledgling gun tinker without breaking the bank.

ranch modal for 399. https://www.smga.com/ruger/amer-ranch-rifle-556-223-16-bbl-10rd-2251

Thats new, free shipping. Minus transfer fee.

It may not be what you are after, but PSA has AR pistol kits for around $300. You could probably put together an AR pistol for under $400. I was thinking the rifle kits are at $400 or $450. Their lightweight AR rifle kits are pretty good if you want to go that way.

What some like about the 783 and it’s ilk is what I don’t like, namely DBM’s and a tiny ejection port which makes single loading and clearing a jam more difficult. I’ll take an ADL.

I am with you. Having owned both, I prefer the ADL. I also have a 2003 era ADL thats way better then the adl. But it does not feel cheap to me. And my ADL has a full along the top that came with the rifle. For 379 and a 75 dollar mail in rebate for it. I have shot alot of deer with that rifle. Never even took the 783 out. that thing felt cheap and the trigger was horrible.

The Mossberg MVP and Ruger American Ranch were the first two that popped to mind, they are a little above $400 but it sounds like the $400 is a soft limit.

The other one I'm aware of, which actually comes in well below $400, is the Thompson/Center Compass II.

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/090161450707

As far as the 783, from what I've read Remington has said the don't recommend shooting 5.56 out of their .223 barrels.

Jacob McDermott said:

. . looking for a 223 Remington rifle that can also shoot the 5.56 AR round.

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Emphasis mine. What do mean by "can"? You want it stamped, or you want to be able to use 5.56 ammo safely?

I shoot NATO spec 5.56 in my Rem 700, and have somehow escaped doom from above. Barring a custom short neck chamber job, any recent-production domestic-design bolt gun will happily digest NATO spec 5.56.

In the incredibly unlikely event you're the lucky one that gets a tight/short neck from a mass production rifle, a smith can clean the neck forward to the 5.56 drawing in minutes; I wouldn't worry about it.

I have a Mossberg MVP 24" Varmint that is labeled for 5.56. It is very accurate, I've yet to load for it as the Hornady 55gr SP factory ammo is sub-moa and is affordable. It is a little bit hitchy but it doesn't bother me, nice that it takes STANAG magazines.

I need to get around to loading for it, would like to try some heavier grain weight projectiles with the 24" barrel and 1:9 twist it would be nice to find a good 65-77gr load for it. I've owned it for about 6 years now, I take it whistle pig hunting with my 17HMR and .22's. It has a 4.5-14x40mm Leupold VX3i on it and it is deadly. Greatly increases my range when the pigs at .22 distance stay in their hole followed up by the 17HMR distance pigs.

It will be hard to find one at or below $400 though unless used, I think they start at around $450.

Revisiting this thread with two thoughts which point to a relatively flawed premise in the thread:

1) So very many folks have shot 5.56 in 223 Rem chambered bolt guns without issue, it’s really only something which causes catastrophic results in keyboards and basements...

2) Shooting 5.56 ammo in a bolt rifle is highly over-rated. There are plenty of low cost 223 Rem loads, it’s really just not worth choosing a lesser rifle than the one you want, or paying extra just for a little longer throat. If it’s REALLY that critical for you, pick a rifle you love and pay a smith $50 to open the throat. Personally, I’d just shoot 223 Rem SAAMI compliant ammo.