Bolt action 223

I have a Tikka T3x Varmint that shoots extremely well; really like it.

My guilty pleasure rifle for “100 yards and beyond” is a Savage 12 BVSS. Disgustingly accurate rifle. It’s a blind mag, heavy as a truck axle, and long, so I don’t use it for much other than paper/steel and prairie dogs, but it shoots ridiculously small groups. Even with a 1:9” twist, I shoot 73 ELD’s and 77 SMK’s out to 800, sometimes farther.

When I think “223 bolt action,” that’s the rifle which comes to mind.

kidneyboy said:

Looking for some feedback on bolt action 223s. I'd like to give the cartridge a try but really don't like the AR platform. Mostly for shooting at paper/steel beyond 100yds.

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I have a Remington 700 ADL, a Rem 700 Stainless Light Varmint, and a Tikka 595. They've all been bedded and with handloads, group 1/2 MOA or better.

Savage 12 vlp is what I am getting!

There are several good options out there as others have mentioned. My strongest advice is to get a Varmint style rifle (heavy barrel, made primarily for shooting from a rest) if you are wanting to shoot your best groups/best accuracy.

kidneyboy said:

I take it that you guys that actually shoot 223 bolt guns are pleased with them?

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I keep thinking on trying a new cartridge in my Model 12, then I wonder, “Why?”.



For putting holes in paper from a long way, there is none finer.
Why burn even more powder, for even more recoil?
Why throw bigger lead just to put holes in paper or marks on steel plates?
Here’s ten through the blustery Michigan Spring wind the other day.


Loads are easy on the press, shoulder and wallet!
Good loads are widely known and published.

Surely, there is no cartridge that gives more pleasure, to shooters across America!

Recently purchased the Remington 700 stainless 5-R/24". Great rifle except the trigger, will be replaced soon.
Nothing wrong with the nice HS stock it came with, but since replaced with a more adjustable Woox chassis.
First time handloading with 77gr match bullets, 3-5shot groups at 100y...the stock trigger beat me to death trying to get these groups But with a 1:9 twist, I was surprised with heavier bullets

I have a savage m11, 1:9 twist and shoot out to 300 meters on steel and paper. This is my second 223, the first was a savage axis II that I shot out to 550 yds.

This past deer season I used my m11, with 60 gr nosler partitions, to take a small doe. My first with a 223. The shot was about 40 yds, it went 15.

Chuck R. said:

... I've got two that I recommend, a REM M700 XCR ""Tactical" with fluted 20" barrel ... And I've got my little REM M7 that I put together as a "walk-about" gun, with an HS Prec stock & Timney trigger that's a little over 7lbs full up with 3.4-10x40 Leupold and will hold just under 1 MOA.

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@Chuck R., I like your taste!

ifit said:

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I still can’t decide if it’s dead sexy, or dog ugly, but more often than not, that Woox chassis sure catches my attention! I might have to put one on one of my hunting rifles.

@Demi-human, man, the Sinclair skipod and the Savage 12’s just go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Legionnaire said:

@Chuck R., I like your taste!

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Same to you! Us XCR "Tactical" & M7 guys have got to stick together! I've been extremely pleased with the XCR through the years!

Varminterror said:

that Woox chassis sure catches my attention!

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Mine, too!
With a silver ring-mount, Drop Dead Sexy.

Nice rifle, @ifit !

Don't care so much about pretty wood. Just how it shoots. Tikka T3 LITE Stainless (1:8) and Remington 700T (1:9) will group sub half inch at 100yds with 77s. I am happy with both.





M

I have a Remington 700 VSF (Varmint Synthetic Fluted) and my brother has Remington 700 VLS (Varmint Laminate Stock), both .223 and both with 26" heavy barrels. Actually the same barrel, only mine is fluted. We both shoot prairie dogs and they are our most accurate rifles among many other rifles and calibers. The VLS is still available; the VSF has been discontinued. Another option is a cheap T/C Venture that a buddy of mine shoots and hits 300 yd prairie dog targets dead center (Hasn't had it on an actual p-dog hunt yet). From the looks of responses to your question I think you should try the Tikka. I've been wanting to try one of them for years.

FWIW, the problem that I have with the Rem 700 SPS Varmint is the 1:12" twist barrel. Mine would not stabilize bullets heavier than 62gr...for any distance, I want to use heavier bullets. I'll try another .223 bolt action rifle with a faster twist barrel.

PS-My immediate mods to Rem 700s include new stocks (I've relied on Bell & Carlson's), new triggers (I prefer Timney's) and a Pic rail to which I mount Vortex scopes.

I picked up a Savage Axis at Walmart three weeks; out the door for under $260.

I have a Sightron SII 4x16x42 on it. Probably too much scope.

Put it on paper for the first time today, using Federal American eagle 55 gr. FMJ. I only have 20rds. through it. Most folks say it take a good 100 rds. Through them before they “settle down”. I guess I will find out in time.

I’m not a great shot by any stretch of the imagination, and my badly worn 57 yr. old eyes don’t help things in the least, but here is a pic my last 5 shots of my first 20 through my Axis .223, fired at 100 yards today.

Flatbush Harry said:

FWIW, the problem that I have with the Rem 700 SPS Varmint is the 1:12" twist barrel. Mine would not stabilize bullets heavier than 62gr...for any distance, I want to use heavier bullets. I'll try another .223 bolt action rifle with a faster twist barrel.

PS-My immediate mods to Rem 700s include new stocks (I've relied on Bell & Carlson's), new triggers (I prefer Timney's) and a Pic rail to which I mount Vortex scopes.

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Agree on the twist.

REM apparently still uses 2 twist rates on their .223s depending on the use. The majority are 1-9, but the varmint models sometimes come with 1-12s for the lighter bullets. Before I picked up my M7 I was looking at the M7 Predator in .223, it's got a 1-12 twist. Too bad, cause I would have the liked toe 22" fluted barrel.

Varminterror said:

I still can’t decide if it’s dead sexy, or dog ugly, but more often than not, that Woox chassis sure catches my attention! I might have to put one on one of my hunting rifles.

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Call me old-fashioned, because I am. I can't get excited over cyborg rifles, but whatever floats your boat.

My favorite .223! Its a Remington 700 Light Varmint that I've "tweaked" and it goes out hunting with me anytime I feel the need, the need for "speed". It's light and very accurate...my favorite "walk about" varmint rifle. I bought it used and it had some ignition problems early-on,
but after a new mainspring, it's fantastic!

If I had to get a new varmint rifle/cartridge combo, it might be a .22-250 Improved in either a light-varmint or sporter configuration. The .22-250 killed well for me, but I always wanted a bit more power and a cartridge without as much case-stretching. The .22-250 Improved seems like the ideal varmint cartridge, especially in a sporter.

Picher said:

If I had to get a new varmint rifle/cartridge combo, it might be a .22-250 Improved in either a light-varmint or sporter configuration. The .22-250 killed well for me, but I always wanted a bit more power and a cartridge without as much case-stretching. The .22-250 Improved seems like the ideal varmint cartridge, especially in a sporter.

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Same here, if I do a 22-250 I'd do a ai, the 22-243 looks interesting to.

edwardware said:

...now we will hear from the "bbbbut it's not marked!" contingent.

</snark>

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Critical thinking time-
- Shooting 5.56 ammo in a true SAAMI spec chamber can result in pressures reaching as high as 70,000 psi. Especially if the leade is cut to minimum length.
- If the leade is lengthened, pressure peak is reduced. That's why a 223 Wylde (and similar chambers) spec a longer leade. To fire 5.56 ammo safely.
- Not all 5.56 ammo is loaded to maximum pressure.
- 5.56 chambers have a reputation for being less precise than 223 chambers.
- Bolt action shooters look primarily for precision.

Gun makers are well aware of the above facts. You can bet they don't cut their 223 barrels with a shorter leade as specified by SAAMI because someone is going to run 5.56 ammo through the rifle. You can bet they won't mark their bolt action barrels as being chambered for 5.56 because shooters looking for precision will stay away in droves.

Just as marking a barrel 5.56 doesn't guarantee the chamber is cut to actual 5.56 dimensions, marking a barrel 223 doesn't mean it's cut to SAAMI dimensions. Doesn't mean it isn't.

Taking all the facts together, is it wise for a shooter to just start banging away with 5.56 ammo in a barrel marked 223? What if there's a chance that there's a perfect storm of minimum leade and maximum pressure? There's a reason serious reloaders measure the leade before getting started on any caliber.

Hokkmike said:

Sorry - what I have always understood is this:

The .223s are loaded to lower pressures and velocities compared to 5.56mm. Due to its lower pressure, you can safely fire .223 Rem. ammunition in a 5.56mm chambered gun; however, the same cannot be said in reverse.

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223 ammo isn't loaded to less pressure. It's loaded to make full pressure in a chamber with a shorter leade. When fired in chambers with longer leades, pressure drops.

SAAMI & NATO use different methods to measure pressure and the two cannot be directly compared.