Best reasonably priced bolt action in .223

Thinking about acquiring a bolt action in .223 caliber as a general purpose small caliber rifle. Since I handload I could go from full power .223 for coyote, down to 22 LR duplication loads in case 22LR is hard to get. Any good suggestions?

 

Savage Axis is about as inexpensive as it gets, and it will outshoot you for a long, long time. Ruger Americans are excellent also.
Unless you plan on shooting lead for those .22 level loads, dropping velocity on copper cased bullets is not a good idea.

 

I have an American Ranch in 350 Legend. Were I to want a simple bolt in 223, that would be my choice. Uses AR mags, very accurate, inexpensive. Mine has a slightly clunky bolt feed, but that is a small price to pay compared to the other virtues.

 

I have a .223 in Rem 700 ADL that shoots great and I "rewarded it" with an aftermarket stock.

It's a hunting rifle and doesn't need removable magazines. I like clean lines and wouldn't want a detachable magazine on my hunting rifle.

I once lost a detachable magazine on a borrowed bolt-action shotgun and that was pretty much the end of box magazines for my rifles or shotguns. I have one .223, (bought used) that has one, but being a varmint rifle, a magazine is handy in a truck gun that's used when viewing the big fields and woods roads down back.

 

CZ 527, Ruger American Predator (please take the one with AR mags, I hate my standard original magazine), Browning X-Bolt. They are reasonably priced for what they offer. Savage is well renowned, deservedly so in my humble opinion after having shot a few at the range, but I don't care for the look of most of their rifles. If only one in .223, I think CZ is something nice for the price they're selling. Just wish I had bought one instead of my now not so much stock anymore Ruger. Money was tighter then.

 

I've been very happy with the Savage that I bought a few years back. If I was to do it again I'd go for the Ruger version that takes the AR mags though.

 

Best is relative. But I like my Ruger Predator with AR magazines.

 

Depends on your definition of "reasonably."

On the cheapest end, the Savage Axis is pretty darn accurate for what you pay. Its not the most refined design, its not a great platform to build on, but for what you pay its a good rifle. The non-Accutrigger trigger leaves a bit to be desired, but at $20 kit from M*CARBO helps it ALOT. If you spend a little more for a Savage 10 or 11, you get a much better aftermarket and a more refined design for not a bunch more money.

The Ruger American is a little more expensive, but you get a nicer rifle for sure. I'd personally go for a Ranch or Predator model as I like the slightly heavier barrel profiles. If you have AR magazines, being able to get a model that can take those is a other HUGE plus.

I personally picked up a Weatherby Vanguard for right around $400 and its a very nice rifle. It was a heck of a deal at that price.

 

+1 CZ 527

 

I like my Mossberg MVP Patrol. It's light, accurate, and takes AR mags. One caveat...it's loud.

 

My experience with the low cost models. Please note that these are a sample of one, and you can never guarantee good or bad from a rifle in this price range-

Ruger American Ranch- Early model, shot terrible even with match ammo ~2MOA. Action is nice, trigger is okay, stock has the look and feel of an old tupperware container. A lot of people don't like the mags and mine had a burr on it that had to be removed for it to function properly. They now have a version that takes AR mags but that limits you to 2.25 OAL ammo.

Remington 783- The first one shot terrible but the replacement Remington sent wlll hover around 0.6 MOA with my reloads. Action is smooth and I like the trigger, magazine is well made, stock is probably the best of all the budget rifles. They make them with 16 and 22" barrels. It will run 5.56 ammo without any issues.

Howa Mini Action with Heavy barrel- fun little gun. Shoots 3/4 MOA. If you want something for target use, this wouldn't be my first choice but more of a lightweight option. It does not like warm loads so definitely no 5.56.

Mossberg Predator- This gun shot fantastic with 68/69 grain match bullets, 1/2 MOA or better. Action was sloppy and the plastic trigger guard was starting to crack after 50 rounds. Laminated stock was really nice. It didn't feed reliably from the original or any other AR mag I put in it, and again, you can't load ammo longer than 2.250"

I've never owned a Savage but I have shot them and they have all been good shooters. The actions are a little clunky for my taste.

The T/C rifles are available for at reasonable costs but I have never had the opportunity to shoot one.

 

Howa 1500 Varmint for me, not a light rifle by any means, but accurate and solid feel with the hogue stock.

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Bought a CZ 527 Carbine, but at $669.00 I don't know that it is cheap. I have heard good thing about the Ruger American.

 

Mass market hunting rifles have come a long long way recently. I was at an auction the other day when a 1980s era custom Palma rifle hit the block. I honestly have no clue if it would be more or less accurate than a $250 close out special TC/savage today. Especially without spending hours or even days figuring out the Palma’s preferences and quirks.

I’d keep an eye on CDNN, KyGunco, PSA and the others to see who is running a sale on a rifle with the features you want, or at least has it in stock.

 

I bought one on Friday. I'm holding out judgment on accuracy until I do some load development.
The only load it likes that my AR does is my 77smk load.

 

Ditto on defining reasonably priced. The CZ527 is reasonably-priced for what you get, but quite a bit more than a Ruger American.

In your place, I'd be tempted to split the difference and go with one of the Howa Miniaction packages, assuming you can live with that Hogue overmoulded stock.

 

Savage axis 2 hb if you can find one. I love mine

 

I have a Mossberg MVP that i really like. It takes regular AR15 magazines which is a bonus.

 

My bolt action 223 is a Mossberg MVP thunder ranch model. Very accurate with quality ammunition, and groups just fine using 75 and 77 grain bullets. Also uses the AR mag. I also have 2 Ruger Americans- a predator in 6.5 and a ranch in 300 BLK. Both are excellent rifles and much more accurate than I would expect from an ugly $400 rifle. I would own one in 223 as well if I didn't already have the MVP.

 

I’m looking as well. Rifling twist is an important factor to me. New guns, published rifling is easy to find. Used guns twist info is hit and miss. This variation is greater for 223 than any other caliber, I think.

Find a great deal on an old Cooper 223? Great until you find out you are stuck to shooting 55gr and lighter bullets because it has 1 in 14 twist. Newer Cooper, different twist.

Another example, older T/C Venture is 1 in 12 twist. New T/C Venture II is 1 in 9 twist. That right there is the difference between being able to shoot 77 grain and not being able to at 600 yard steel.

 

It will be hard to beat this rifle in the sub $500 market.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms/hunting-rifles/thompson-center-venture-223rem-weathershield.html

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. By reasonable I would like to keep it under about $600. This would be a plinking/hunting rifle so not expecting 1/2 MOA or anything like that, although I 'll sure take it if I can get it. Handled a Mossberg MVP once some time back and liked it but will
check out some of the other suggestions. Keep them coming.