.223 vs .243 bolt action rifle - advice please

[TEC]

Shopping for a very accurate bolt action rifle in either .223 or .243 (I think), ambi stock, RH bolt, light weight, intended for large varmint & occasional deer hunting, probably off a tripod rest. Thinking about the CZ-550 American with single set trigger in .243, but I have no real knowledge of this rifle other than my experience with the CZ-452 Varmint/17HMR (all good).

What are "best buys" for .223 or .243 bolt action rifle? Thanks.

 

[browningguy]

The CZ is a very good rifle with the set trigger, usually decent accuracy from them. The Savage is also usually a very accurate rifle for a little less money, although the triggers are completely different I like both.

And I would also pick the .243 over a .223 since deer hunting is going to be involved. I do use a .223 sometimes but only when we are culing does.

 

[outerlimit]

Even with current ammo prices, the .223 is still a cheaper varmint gun. However if I had to use it for deer hunting I'd only use a loading 68gr. or heavier, though I wouldn't want to use it at all if given the choice of something more suited like .243.

 

[Shenanigans]

Look into the Weatherby Vanguard. It's relatively inexpensive, gets great reviews (albeit some negative comments on the trigger), and will leave some money left over for optics and ammo. Also, go for a .243 if you're going after deer.

 

[TEC]

Good advice on the Weatherby, thanks. I am not really a deer hunter and I don't "have to" use this rifle for deer, having other options. Just don't own bolt actions other than CZ .17HMR and Browning .22. The Weatherby seems exactly what I am looking for.

 

[juk]

The CZ is a wise choice. Browningguy meant to say "VERY decent accuracy..." CZs tend to be picky about what bullet weights are shot out of them. Most shoot just decent, but when you find the right load(factory or handload) , they absolutely sing.

 

[woof]

CZ is great and if you don't need it for anything deer size I would go with the 527 in .223. If it has to do both the .243 is good, I think the .260 Rem is better but CZ doesn't chamber for it yet.

 

[Reid73]

I would also pick the .243 over a .223 since deer hunting is going to be involved.

Me too.

the .243 is good, I think the .260 Rem is better

A good argument can certainly be made for that proposition. But as TEC is apparently not particularly experienced with centrefire rifles, I suspect that he would probably be happier with a more standard, well-established cartridge like the .243.

 

[TEC]

Fairer to say that TEC is apparently not particularly experienced with bolt action centerfire rifles. I have .223, .243, .308, and 7mm Rem Mag in semi-auto. Just looking for a sweet little bolt action rifle with more punch than a rim fire. My largest stocks of ammo are, of course, .223 and .308. My situation is a bit odd, perhaps. I made the switch from RH to LH rifle shooting about a year ago, and LH can be a bit dicey with RH ejecting semi-autos.

Hmmmm. . .

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=14

 

[Reid73]

No offence intended.

If you are a leftie then Savage, Tikka and Browning are your options (so are Ruger and Remington, if you like them). Or just ask Craig Boddington for his personal recommendations!

 

[TEC]

LOL. No, not a leftie. I am right handed, just left eye dominant. So I actually prefer a RH bolt.

 

[Byron]

I have used Remington 700's for years. I have in 222,223 and 243. If you handload, I would go with the 223 as it's volume is less. The Sierra 55 grain Pro Hunter would be a good deer bullet depending on where you live. Byron

 

[TEC]

If it gets to the point I need to hunt with the .223 to feed myself, things will have turned really bad. The more I think about this, what I really want to be able to do is shoot some of the .223 I have already purchased more slowly and more accurately than I would otherwise shoot with the Mini 14 and to see if I can drill little holes through things way over there while I am sitting way over here, with MOA accuracy if possible, but without spending a killobuck or more to achieve it.

 

[aubie515]

Why not buy the Savage in 243 and buy a 223 barrel and do a barrel swap. One action for multiple calibers.

That is what I did when I sold my 5R in favor of the Savage. I prefer the Remington action better, but the Savage is dirt cheap and they shoot just as good as the Remingtons.

 

[fineredmist]

aubie555
Good idea except for the different bolt face.

.223 is a good round but it may not be legal for deer where you live so check the law before making a move. The Socialist Republic of Connecticut does not permit .233 for deer.

 

[barnetmill]

I read a lot of good advice. If the deer in question are small deer and the ranges close and was planning on shooting a lot of round I would go toward the .223 (If legal also). This way I could also shoot surplus ammo and the cheaper generic ammo. It is possible that the chamber might need to be reamed out to accept nato spec ammo. I am not sure. For shooting deer at longer ranges or if the dear are large I would go with the .243. With the right bullets you can kill medium large game like black bear with the .243. Elk might be too big although it is done.

 

[pbrktrt]

TEC, i think you would be very pleased with the Vanguard. If the trigger is not to your liking, Timney makes a superb drop in replacement. They are a well made solid & accurate rifle. No plastic anywhere. It is very hard if not impossible to buy a better rifle for the price.

 

[rangerruck]

there are several good choices that won't break the bank; cz, howa, weatherby, tikka, marlin's new one, mossberg, and of course savage. of these, the cz will proly be the most accurate, and have the best trigger, or you can get a weatherby MOA, which is guaranteed to be moa or smaller at 100 yds; it will cost proly the same amount or a bit more than the cz.

 

[docsleepy]

I get 0.75 MOA or less with a Savage 12FV (that's the heavy barrel) using the 50cent/shot Remington UMC 55 grain. (Rem 223)

I get an average of 0.5 MOA (and often less) with hand loaded Sierra 69 grain MK HPBT over Varget or H322. Of course, this is just statistics, but I've had some 0.375 or less groups, center to center. (Rem 223)

That was a used savage I picked up in a gunshop nearby.

I just started this as of Nov 4, so I'm still a newbie, but I note that I'm getting accuracy equal to or better than the warranties of guns costing many times over the $475 I gave for the Savage.

I would assume the 243 Savage would be similar accuracy.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Go with .243 win. .243 works reliably on deer, .223 is less than reliable.
For the money, it's hard to beat Savage in bolt guns, especially since they have come out with accutrigger. I own a pre-accutrigger Savage and replaced the factory abomination with a Timney. Got to compare it side by side with an accutrigger gun a few months ago, and the accutrigger is nice. Have also heard good things about their new aluminum bedded stock, but haven't got my mitts on one yet.

 

[woof]

When you used the adjectives sweet and little that told me what you want is the CZ carbine. Handle one and you'll fall in love. Chambered only in .223 and x39, I think you would want the .223 and hunt deer with something else. I have one, totally love it. Absolutely the most ergonomic "part of my body" rifle I own.

 

[Big_E]

Sounds like you already have a .22 caliber bolt action, go for the .243

I wouldn't use .223 for deer and the .243 is one hell of an accurate round. If u reload and can't find any .243 brass, you can just neck down a .308. CZ's are great and so are Savage. Go with whatever u feel is the right choice.