223 bolt actions..?

[Shanghai McCoy]

OK, you'd think I was getting too old for this... "stuff" , but I'm starting to think that I need/want a 223 bolt action rifle. I know there are a fairly vast assortment of choices these days and, from what I've seen, the prices can be pretty reasonable.
I did get to handle one of the Savages today and it looked like a decent working rifle. I liked that it had a short, heavy barrel but what else looks good these days?

 

[444]

I just bought one of those Savage rifles that Cabelas had on sale (12FV ??). They were just about giving them away.
I believe it has a 26" heavy barrel.

FWIW: I have posted about this a lot, but this year I bought four Savage rifles after having never owned one before and I am really happy with them. I have much more expensive rifles, but they don't shoot as good as these Savages.

 

[mjsdwash]

i have a friend with a savage 223. Whatever the cheap one is. Around 250$. Its not a heavy barrel. I have personally seen it shoot clover leaves a little past 100 yards using bulk bullets at 55gr and h335. Of all the "better than MOA" claims I have heard, that is the only factory rifle/shooter I have seen do it, and it does it every time. Excellent shooter, looks cheap.

 

[jmr40]

Ruger makes several versions of the American. I have a Compact, my brother the Ranch and a BIL the Predator all in 223. All will shoot dime size groups with good ammo. I also have Predators in 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. I really like the Predator with the mid weight threaded barrels. I don't have $1000 in all 3 combined. They are the 3 most accurate rifles I've ever owned.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRifle/overview.html

Ruger recently offered one of the Ranch rifles in 7.62X39 that takes high capacity Ruger Mini 30 magazines. There is no reason they can't do the same with the 223 and Mini-14 mags and I look for one to come out soon. I'll buy one if they do.

 

[SUPRX22]

I'm thinking about a new Axis compact in 223.Especially with the 100.00 rebate.

 

[Charliefrank]

Don't overlook the used rifle rack, sometimes you can get a real gem. I bought a Savage tactical rifle in .223 for around $225. Heavy 26" bull barrel bolt action. Composite stock with duel front sling swivels, one for the bipod. I mounted a 4x16x40 on it. Worked up some loads using 55 grain ballistic tips. It would shoot 5 shot groups at 100 yards in one ragged hole, approximately. 5". This beauty has accounted for more coyotes and crows than I care to count.

 

[Loosenock]

Remington has been chambering the .223 Remington cartridge in their model 700 and other models for a long time. You can normally find one in the used market places for about half or a third of current prices of new rifles. I found a 700 BDL made in 1991 all original and in-molested that is like new at a local gun store in $300 range a few weeks ago. In my state the .223 is legal only for varmints and not legal for large game which could be the reason for the bargain price.

More than likely a bolt gun will be marked .223 Rem will possibly mean a barrel with 1 in 12 twist. Meaning to be certain that you shoot 55 grain.223 Rem cartridges and not 5.56 NATO or military rounds (greater than 60 grain bullets) that require a faster twist barrel around 1 in 8 to 10 inches. Dangerous pressures could develop. There are tons of inexpensive ammunition for both the civilian .223 and military 5.56 ammunition out there. The .223 is one of if not the most popular cartridges in the world.

Just my thoughts

'loose

 

[VoodooMountain]

It is hard to miss with the options available

I’ve got a savage hog hunter and it is shooting 3/4 moa with a few different loads including some ppu factory 75 gr, 69, gr, and vmax handloads.

I had a savage 12fv that would shoot almost anything into an inch or less.

I’m betting the Ruger American, tc compass, Mossberg patriot , tikka, savage 10/11,Ruger 77, howa 1500, or weatherby vanguard , would be about the same

For what it’s worth, I either currently or previously have owned most of the above in other calibers and they all shoot very well.

Consider weight, price, mag, fit, and what rows your boat first.

 

[RussellC]

I'm thinking about a new Axis compact in 223.Especially with the 100.00 rebate.

The 12FV also has the 100 rebate. They were also on sale for 319. I got mine out the door for 250. (After rebate) 26 inch heavy varmint barrel, jeweled bolt, plus accutrigger.

Shot .6 MOA (100 yards of course) out of the box with basic handloads. SWFA 12x42 scope on Nightforce base and Burris Extreme Signature rings.

Russellc

 

[Chuck R.]

3 of the guys I shoot with have .223 bolt actions. I have an older REM 700 XCR tactical with their 40X trigger, 20" fluted barrel and a Leupold 6.5 -20X MK4. One friend has a REM 700 Police in .223 26" barrel with a 6.5-20X MK 4 that's stock. The 3rd friend has a Mossberg MVP LC (Chasis) in .223 with a 16.25" barrel and a 10X Leupold MK4.

Once loads were developed all are sub MOA rifles and a blast to ring steel with out to 600 yards or so. Much cheaper to load for than the "big" precision rifles we have (.243, 6.5C and .308). The only issue I've seen is with the MVP which seems to run out of steam at the 600-700 yard make with the 69 grain plus bullets due to the short barrel.

Chuck

 

[LoonWulf]

Personally If i buy another .223/556 bolt gun it will be either a Howa mini, or a Cz 527.
I have a rem700 that was originally a .223, which i rebarrled to 6x47Rem. The cartridges look lost in even the short action receivers. My buddies Axis seems huge in .223.

That said if you dont mind then there are a bunch of good rifles in .223. Personally i really like the ruger americans.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Savage rules the roost in .223. We had two national high power champs in 2016 in our circle of friends shooting factory Savages in .223. Had a couple other buddies winning local F-Class matches with very impressive scores. You still gotta pick a model and twist rate. I recommend the F-TR model, because it has a 1 in 7" twist that shoots 80 SMKs like nobody's business. Great with 77 SMKs also. Too fast for 55 VMAX though, they explode in flight.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I appreciate the input Gents. Keep it coming..
Oh, and in answer to those suggesting the local used gun racks. Well, there really aren't any around here. The only "gun store" down in Lawrence is a Dick's. There are a couple pawn shops but one is really cr#$$y and over priced on stuff. There's the Cabela's over in KCK and a pawn shop or two in Topeka so maybe I'll need to take a road trip..?

 

[FL-NC]

I have a Mossberg MVP thunder ranch. I shoot it suppressed, and it does 1 MOA or better with Hornady 75 grain BTHP and 77 grain MK 262.

 

[hdwhit]

I bought a Savage Axis in 223. I have been very satisfied with it.

 

[Bbear]

Tikka
Howa
Savage

Just to name 3 known for accuracy and dependability out of the box.
I might add the Mossberg to that list as well. Just never could get the action smooth enough for me. Seemed like every time I pulled the bolt back or pushed it forward it felt like it had sand in the rails.

 

[dieselchief]

savages do not feed from their magazines worth a darn, accuracy only goes so far. tikka has no customer service. howa/weatherby work well and are accurate, so are the new ruger predators. jmho opinion after spending my dime on them. apologies for the grumpy old man opinion....

 

[someguy2800]

I had a savage 12bvss that I really liked but got bored with it due to it being to big and heavy to use for anything practical and re-barreled to 308 with a new bolt head. I also got in on the $319 savage 12fv deal from cabelas with $100 mail in rebate. I honestly didnt really want it but it was too good to pass up. The stock is really terrible. Its been sitting in the shed for a couple months unfires because I can't decide what to do with it. I'm sure it will be a great shooter but I don't really want to have another 11 lbs scoped 223 thats too big to use for anything. I can't decide if I want to sell it, leave it like it is, or rebarrel and restock it to a 22" sporter weight in 223 or 6 tcu.. My only advice is that I personally don't think a big heavy barreled bolt gun is that interesting in a small caliber like a 223 so I would get something lightweight and relatively compact like the ruger american. That is a much more interesting tool to me.

 

[JohnB-40]

CZ 527

 

[jhansman]

My Howa 1500 is the most accurate rifle I've yet shot, mine or anyone else's. I never even heard of it (and only barely the Weatherby action it uses) before I chose it. With a thumb hole stock, and a load that I worked up over several months, it now shoots sub-MOA consistently at 100 yds. Excellent gun. Had a Savage 12BVSS for a time, but could never get it to group as I have the Howa. Good luck in your hunt!

 

[BWS]

Got a few here.Two standouts are;

CZ527LUX,factory irons,no scope.This is the one with the hump back stock.Anyway,cheap factory ammo will tear beer cans up,offhand 75-100 yds.Just a fun gun to shoot,and easy on the eyes!

Next standout is a very early stainless Savage.Got it when they first came out.Maybe a #16?....too lazy to look.Anyway,it's the older flat back action,sporter brrl and plastic "marksman" style stock.Has a 4.5-14 x 40 AO Simmons from that same time period.It is a KILLING MACHINE!....groups <.5 moa with pretty much anything you run through it but,that's not it's real mission.It's how well balanced the whole rig is.Truck hood,backpack,bipod,side of a tree.....it doesn't matter,get the duplex on whatever needs wackin and send it.Go pick up the bits N pcs.

 

[eastbank]

my two tikka,s in .223 have 1-8 twist and are ex shooters. this blue one is my most used one. light,ex trigger and a removable mag. eastbank.

 

[RussellC]

savages do not feed from their magazines worth a darn, accuracy only goes so far. tikka has no customer service. howa/weatherby work well and are accurate, so are the new ruger predators. jmho opinion after spending my dime on them. apologies for the grumpy old man opinion....

Mine feeds fine, and yes, I cant get it to shoot any better than a single ragged hole!

Russellc

 

[Captcurt]

Remington has been chambering the .223 Remington cartridge in their model 700 and other models for a long time. You can normally find one in the used market places for about half or a third of current prices of new rifles.

Remington is hurting now. I have seen several 700 ADL's with scopes wholesaling for under $400. I have one in 243 that shoots 1/2 MOA with 4 different loads.

 

[entropy]

Hard to beat the Savage, both on accuracy and price. I have the cheap Axis with the regular (non Accu-Trigger) trigger. That is one of my sight in targets in my avatar. It isn't even the best one, but that one doesn't show up well in pics. I have shot the Ruger American in .243, not .223, but that'd be my second choice.

savages do not feed from their magazines worth a darn,

Never had a problem; my only complaint about the mags is extra ones are $$.