223 bolt rifles

[benor]

I'm searching for a 223 bolt to use for longer than 22 range plinking. I may also carry it deer hunting instead of my 7mm mag.

I rejected Savage (the material workmanship doesn't impress me.) I've settled in on Sako Tikka (my 7mm is a SAKO - love it), browning A-bolt, and maybe Ruger 77 or Remington 700. I'd really like a left-hand, but can get by right handed if I need to.

Naturally, I want to spend as little as possible while getting quality out of the box (nice trigger and < 1inch group at 100yds.

Any experience or comments about any of the above is appreciated.

 

[forrestd]

While not a bolt action rifle, some people have said good things about H&R's single shot line of .223 rifles. More information about them and NEF's line can be found here.

 

[mustanger98]

My opinion regarding deer hunting with your crankbolts is you should probably stick with your 7mmMag. .223's a fine little cartridge for plinking and varmints, but it's not a good choice for big game. If you want a new crankbolt to deer hunt with, I'm aware Tikka makes them in .243Winchester too and I'd recommend that.

 

[Stiletto Null]

With a little bit of work (if any), a CZ 527 will do what you need.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

In many states (WA for one) .243 is the smallest caliber allowed for deer hunting. You would want to check that before buying a .223 with the intention of using it as a deer rifle. If you are dead set on getting a .223 and using it on deer (assuming it is legal) keepin mind that while .223 is capable of killing a deer, your margine of error is smaller and you have a much higher chance of only wounding the deer. For plinking and varmints .223 is great, but If you really want a lighter gun for deer, I would say at least a .243.

 

[Stiletto Null]

True, that...you could also consider a CZ 527 in 7.62x39. Ammo's still pretty cheap, and it's a far better deer round.

 

[Terrierman]

The 700 is never a bad answer whenever anyone asks about a good bolt action. I personally like 77's a lot but many suggest the out of the box accuracy is not quite as good for the Ruger v. Remington. My brother in law has a 77 MKII in .223 that is very accurate for a box stock rifle though, so if you like the looks and ergonomics of a 77, I would not hesitate. I have a couple of friends with A-Bolts and they like them - I don't like their look. If you have a Tikka that you like why not stick with that? Bolt action .223 is a very very useful little gun, go for it and like it. I happen to have a .22-250 for my small bore centerfire that is just too accurate and too plain jane (its an older Savage 111 with an aftermarket (Choate) sporter stock) to ever get rid of. But if I were starting over, instead of .22-250, my small bore centerfire would definitely be .223. A good used one should not be hard to find either if you are so inclined. Good luck with whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your new rifle.

 

[rbernie]

I had a Weatherby Vanguard in 223 that was very nicely fitted, and quite affordable. My main gripe was the 1:12" twist rate (which is not uncommon for boltie 223s), which didn't do so well with the heavier/longer bullets.

 

[BozemanMT]

well, .223 won't cut it for deer. In most states its' not big enough.
But, given that, a CZ 527 is a heck of a deal and some amazing accuracy.
And that set trigger is great.
And you can get it in other calibers.
Go to the CZ dealer.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

The remington 700P is a good one. Kindof expensive at around $850, but its awesome accuracy, tons of aftermarket, and it has a fast twist to stabilize heavier bullets.

And like everyone says, .223 is not big enough for deer. Not only because of the weakness of the bullet, but also because many states have a minimum caliber for deer that is bigger than .223.

 

[hoghunting]

I would pick the Tikka. It's light, has a great adjustable trigger, and is extremely accurate. I hear nonsense about "plastic" parts being prone to break, but the "plastic" is the same polymer that is used in the Glocks. Haven't heard anyone talking about a shattered Glock frame.

I would not use a 223 for deer hunting. There are too many cartridges that do a better job for that.

 

[pete f]

I do not like A bolts. and I do not care for the Tikka, sorry a real Sako I would take in a second. but the new models to not flip my switch.

Some say the savage is ugly, some just are kinder and say it is not bad looking, but no one says they do not shoot. My guess would be that out of the box. rifle after rifle, Savage has taken over the accuracy crown.

Remington has some issues going on. If you get to look at the gun before buying it, (not having to order it in) you can get some very well done remingtons still, but they have been shipping some bad ones from time to times too. Remington used to hold the accuracy crown. but now that seems to be wilted a bit. still good rifles but maybe not as good as a few years ago.

Kimber. really really nice rifles, from all accounts 9 out of ten are superlativly accurate. and the tenth is just good.

Ruger 77, in a wood rifle, a really pretty gun. reliable guns, pretty accurate to really accurate, some of the grey target rifles are starting to get the varmint crowd talking.

Weatherby, the vangards are pretty darn nice guns, a huge selection of combinations available, the one i saw lately with a krieger barrel in 22 250 was a one holer. my sample is awful small. but it was a keeper.

I think the kimbers are the nicest of the bunch on the basis of a walking varmiter to a carry deer rifle. I would agree that I think a .223 is unethical for deer (at least the northern sized ones. The large dogs with antlers that i have seen in the south would not exceed its capability if fed the right ammo) I would look again at a Savage if primarily a Varminter and paper puncher. I would take a Rem or a Weatherby or a ruger too. but more for a walking hunter than a bencher. Of course I do have a 40XR in 223 as well as a 110 and a couple of 700's.

 

[azflyman]

+1 on the CZ. They are very accurate, fairly inexpensive, and very underrated. I like the box magazine, it is a nice touch.

az

P. S. - I would probably go 22-250 rather than .223 if I wanted to hunt.

 

[benor]

Thank you all for your comments. I hadn't considered Weatherby, Kimber or CZ. I'll have to take a look at them. Why doesn't Winchester offer a .223 Remington caliber? I'd buy a Winchester just to have one of the last model 70's made in America.

 

[45crittergitter]

+1 on the Tikka T3, though as everyone has said, not in .223. However, FWIW, the Tikka .223 has a 1 in 8" twist, which will stabilize at least 75 grain bullets.

 

[ID_shooting]

I will differ a bit and say that in most cases .223 is not big enough for deer, depending on which deer you speak. Western white tails and mules, no even close, those things they call deer in the deep south, ya, 223 should work.

That said, My wife bought a Ruger M77 in 223 this last year, with handloads it was shooting 1.25 inch groups, all I did was bed the action and float the barrel and it now shoots 3/4 inch groups all day long for her.

She really likes hers.

 

[rangerruck]

my cz which i got for 400 bucks does this:

 

[CB900F]

Benor;

Wait. Not long, just a relatively short while. I'm also left-handed & queried CZ about LHB 527's last month. They told me to expect to see LHB 527's later this year. I recently got a CZ 452 LHB .22lr & asked them about the 527's based on my enthusiasm for the rimfire.

If you don't want to wait, there are a few Charles Daly .223 LHB's in country. They are the Zastava mini-Mauser with Daly as the importer. That's dried up now that Remington is going to import the Zastava's under their name. You'd have to either gun show one or find one on the web. New, they sold for high $400.00's. If you have a real good relationship with an FFL holder who has a real good relationship with his wholesaler, you might find a Daly that's still in the warehouse, unsold. But you're going to need some luck on that one.

900F