223 Threaded Heavy Barrel Rifle Options

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dranrab

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A little recent gun shuffling has found me justifying a need for a 223/556 threaded heavy barrel 223. For the sake of focused discussion, let's not get into the whys. Let's also restrict the discussion to bolt guns with flush magazines and a 9 or tighter twist. I am looking at the $400-$1000 price range and am not really interested in any manufacturers entry level rifles. So the Axis, 783, Ruger American type rifles are off the table. Actually all Rugers are off the table, but that's a different discussion. I realize I have considerably narrowed the discussion, but that purposeful. You all well know that if you don't tighten the parameters you'll have someone steering you from a 223 bolt gun to a 404 Jeffery double.

I have done a good bit of surfing and have found a few that appeal to me, but before I make my decision, I want to make sure I am not overlooking anything. Right now there are a few on my radar.

This Weatherby/Howa at CDNN checks all the boxes. At $399 it impresses me as a bargain.
https://www.cdnnsports.com/weatherby-vanguard-223rem-heavy-barrel.html#.Xe-2EuHYrnE

In the middle of the pack lies this Remington 700. I am not crazy about the 16.5 barrel.
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...ngton-165-threaded-barrel-51-rounds?a=1784035

At 800 bucks this 700 5R has a lot to ffer, and I love the way it looks
https://grabagun.com/remington-model-700-ss-5-r-223-with-threaded-barrel.html


I would have thought going into this search that a "tactical" (god I hate that word) style 223 bolt rifle with a threaded barrel would be easy to come by. It seems Savage used to have several in their lineup, but I don't see them anymore. The model 10 precision carbine was one IIRC.

What else is out there? What do you know about any on the short list?
 
For a Heavy barrel 223, blind mag, 1:9” or faster, bolt gun, $400-100 - my only preference is a Savage 12 BVSS Varminter (not low-pro version). Pay a smith $75 to thread the muzzle.
 
They keep showing this rifle in 223 on their website, but I've yet to see, or even hear about one actually being sold in that cartridge. This would be my pick.

https://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-compact-tactical-rifle

If not available then a standard Tikka in 223 and pay to get the barrel threaded.

The Tikka's, and the Ruger Predator will out shoot everything on your list. I know you don't want a Ruger and understand that. The Tikka is a better rifle than Ruger anyway if you're willing to spend the extra money. The Ruger is the most bang for the buck. But I've just seen too many Tikka's shoot so much better than anything else that they are my top pick for pure accuracy.
 
jmr40 said:
They keep showing this rifle in 223 on their website, but I've yet to see, or even hear about one actually being sold in that cartridge. This would be my pick.

https://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-compact-tactical-rifle

If not available then a standard Tikka in 223 and pay to get the barrel threaded.

The Tikka's, and the Ruger Predator will out shoot everything on your list. I know you don't want a Ruger and understand that. The Tikka is a better rifle than Ruger anyway if you're willing to spend the extra money. The Ruger is the most bang for the buck. But I've just seen too many Tikka's shoot so much better than anything else that they are my top pick for pure accuracy.
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Thanks for the suggestion. Tikka's reputation speaks for itself, but that hideous goiterous magazine is a non-starter for me. From an aesthetics standpoint, I just cannot abide a non-flush magazine in a bolt gun. I am generally a function over fashion guy, but I can only go so far.
 
Of what you have listed I'd go with the vanguard.
Accuracy I usually good, to very good, but I've never seen one shoot exceptionally, but it otherwise checks your boxes.

The Tikka JMR suggested would be another good option.
As would the bvss VT suggested...With this one you could shave some weight with a set of space bits should you want
here's a couple more that may work, tho personally I prefer a long heavy gun if going with a long heavy barrel lol.

https://www.savagearms.com/content?...ary=off&fsingle=off&ftop=off&ftube=off&fsamt=
 
LoonWulf said:
Of what you have listed I'd go with the vanguard.
Accuracy I usually good, to very good, but I've never seen one shoot exceptionally, but it otherwise checks your boxes.

The Tikka JMR suggested would be another good option.
As would the bvss VT suggested...With this one you could shave some weight with a set of space bits should you want
here's a couple more that may work, tho personally I prefer a long heavy gun if going with a long heavy barrel lol.

https://www.savagearms.com/content?...ary=off&fsingle=off&ftop=off&ftube=off&fsamt=
Click to expand...

You know, at half the price of the Remington, the Weatherby does make a lot of sense. It's all but guaranteed it'll be really good with an almost non-existent chance it'll be a dud. I have read quite a few reviews and reports on the Remington, and some of those are exceptional. But we know all too well Remington can lay some eggs, and with them being in bankruptcy, I am not confident their CS would be of any help. But man, does that gun ever appeal to me in appearance and spec, and If I got one that performed exceptionally, I'd be giddy.
 
dranrab said:
You know, at half the price of the Remington, the Weatherby does make a lot of sense. It's all but guaranteed it'll be really good with an almost non-existent chance it'll be a dud. I have read quite a few reviews and reports on the Remington, and some of those are exceptional. But we know all too well Remington can lay some eggs, and with them being in bankruptcy, I am not confident their CS would be of any help. But man, does that gun ever appeal to me in appearance and spec, and If I got one that performed exceptionally, I'd be giddy.
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"usually" even the crap Remington 700s are accurate....it's all the other stuff that seems to have qc issues.
I have the same complaint about savages, tho that more the design, and less a qc issue.
The Howa/vanguard's trend the other way for me. While accurate they arnt as likely to offer stellar accuracy as some of the other similar guns. I like everything else about them more than most of the gun in their price range tho, and accuracy has always been at least acceptable.
 
I have the Weatherby, heck of a deal for the price. I got an awesome deal on a Hogue Overmold stock with full bed block. Action is insanely smooth, smoothest I've ever used though my experience is limited compared to many on here. Can't comment on accuracy though, bought it late in the year and haven't gotten to shoot it yet due to weather. From dry firing, though, I can say the trigger is nice. They do come with a 1 MOA gurantee with premium ammo FWIW.


20191007_235840.jpg
 
My Vanguard's were both ridiculously accurate. One ragged hole. After I corrected the stocks...and found the right reloads. Though some factory rounds did shoot sub moa.

Savage I've always had a harder time dailing in loads. Rem 700's have always been kind to me.

Someone mention the Vanguard having a slick action, I couldn't agree more with that statement. Howa is the same as Vanguard if that hasn't been mentioned.

Good luck OP!
 
Varminterror said:
I’d take a Rem 700 8 days a week over the Howa 1500.
Click to expand...

If I could have gotten a 700 for the same price as my Weatherby, I would have gotten it if for no other reason than the ridiculous aftermarket available AND being able to replace the barrel (which from what I've read is prohibitively complicated/expensive with the Weatherby/Howa).

dranrab said:
And I did. I have the 700 5R on the way. I just love the way that gun looks. I have owned a number of 700s through the years and they never have disappointed. It has a $75 rebate, so that will bring it home right at $775.
Click to expand...

I think you'll be very happy, the 5R is definitely a nice bonus.
 
BigBL87 said:
If I could have gotten a 700 for the same price as my Weatherby, I would have gotten it if for no other reason than the ridiculous aftermarket available AND being able to replace the barrel (which from what I've read is prohibitively complicated/expensive with the Weatherby/Howa).
Click to expand...
Its not really, its just usually pretty hard to get them out....Tho i just finished rebarreling an "impossible" stainless Abolt, with kludge level hand tools, so hey skys the limit lol.
 
dranrab said:
And I did. I have the 700 5R on the way. I just love the way that gun looks. I have owned a number of 700s through the years and they never have disappointed. It has a $75 rebate, so that will bring it home right at $775.
Click to expand...
Contrats on the new rifle, it should provide years of enjoyment!
 
adcoch1 said:
Blocks of wood? Check. Couple of long bolts? Check. Three year old wad of bubble gum? Check. Pipe wrench and an old sock? Check. Let's rebarrel this baby!
Click to expand...
really want a couple long metal plates to back then wood chunks, but yup that's about how we do!
 
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