Bolt gun suggestions

[gregp74]

I've decided I want to buy another bolt action rifle. Something a tad bigger than the ones I've got chambered in 22lr and 17hmr. Probably going to go with either a 243 or a 223 for this one.

Ideally I'm looking for 3 things: #1 An internal box magazine. They just seem to be more proper for a bolt gun. #2 a heavier varmint barrel. #3 a nice solid wood stock. Something with that classic look that reminds me of the old 30-06 in Grandpa's basement when I was a kid. These new fangled synthetic and laminate stocks have their place, but I have a thing for good wood and good steel.

I've looked at so many guns this weekend that I think my head may explode.

I checked out a Remington 700 CDL in 243. It was just about what I wanted, but didn't have the heavier barrel that the gun on the rack next to it -- a 700 VLS did. I liked the VLS with the weightier barrel, but the laminate stock on that one didn't excite me. (Anybody know if you can get an actual walnut stock that'll fit that thing?)

I looked at some nice Weatherby Vanguards too. They definitely felt nice, but it seems when you get into the heavy barreled ones they don't come in a wood option.

The CZ 527 is an option also. I've got a couple other guns made by them and have been impressed with their workmanship. 527 had some really nice wood and a heavy barrel, but I wasn't too thrilled about the magazine setup in that one. It just seems kind of... weird.

So that's that. I'm open to suggestions on what to look at next! Or any options for a really nice aftermarket stock for the Remington.

 

[Reloadron]

My first choice in rifles like this is looking for an older Remington 700 BDL with the heavy barrel in a 223 or even 308 chambering. I like the older Remington bolt guns. Another good choice are the CZ guns but I am not sure about the heavy barrel in walnut?

Ron

 

[Inebriated]

I'd say to look at a Savage Hog Hunter in .223. It has a heavier profile barrel with a blind mag, and add a Boyd's walnut stock, and a steel trigger guard from Savage.

The rifle is about $450, the custom walnut stock I mocked up for it from Boyd's with checkering, a high-gloss finish, and a Pachmayr Decelerator came out to about $250, and the trigger guard is $20 straight from Savage, IIRC. So, all in all about the same cost as the Remington, and a very good shooter from all that I've seen.

 

[gregp74]

If I can find one in good shape an older Remington would be nice. Have to keep my eyes open. I hadn't even thought about Savage. I used to have a MK II 22lr from them that was a tack driver.

 

[kennedy]

I have a rem 700 vls in .308 and love it, harris bi pod, and nikon 4x12 with trigger adjusted down to 2.5 lbs, its a tack driver with my reloads

 

[dh1633pm]

There are so many choices out there for a bolt gun that is exactly as your describe. Remington, Savage, Winchester, and Ruger all make good rifles. Then you have your foreign made rifles that would include the CZ. All fine rifles. I have two CZ's, a Ruger, and a Remington. The CZ has the best trigger. The Remington gets most of the bench time, and the Ruger gets the field work. There are a lot of choices in bolt guns these day.

 

[highlander 5]

I had a 700 BDL in a varmint configuration and was somewhat disappointed that Remington used a 308 action and put a block in the magazine so it would function as a 223. Have a Ruger M77 MK II same thing. I have a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and it's a real mini Mauser action the same I suspect that would be used in 223 configuration.

 

[bikemutt]

I have a Savage 10 in .223 I picked up new for $500 that is insanely accurate. By accurate I mean consistent 3/4" or better groups at 100 yards.

I did own a CZ 527 in 223 that was not accurate. That was a huge disappointment as the same rifle in 7.62x39 is a tack driver, within the 7.62x39 size tacks of course.

I've had mixed results with Rem short actions but I wouldn't hesitate to try another in 223.

Based on my limited experience, I'd go with a Savage.

 

[Reloadron]

I had a 700 BDL in a varmint configuration and was somewhat disappointed that Remington used a 308 action and put a block in the magazine so it would function as a 223. Have a Ruger M77 MK II same thing. I have a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and it's a real mini Mauser action the same I suspect that would be used in 223 configuration.

Two actions, long and short so while the 308 and its offspring are at the top of short they fall under short just like the 223 even though the 223 is a much smaller round. Yeah, just a tad peculiar with those short small rounds in the large magazine well.

My 223 bolt gun began life as a Remington 725 chambered in 222 Remington.



The barrel is a Remington barrel from a VSSF I converted to a 6 PPC rifle. I trued the 725 action and put the 223 barrel on it. Today it is among my most accurate rifles. Two tone to boot.

Ron

 

[jg1129]

Hey man, I'm new to the world of REmington bolts. How would you define an "older Remington" and what would you look for? I'm frequent pawn shop visitor -- just want to know what might be good value.

 

[Reloadron]

Hey man, I'm new to the world of REmington bolts. How would you define an "older Remington" and what would you look for? I'm frequent pawn shop visitor -- just want to know what might be good value.

I like the Remington bolt guns which are pretty much pre 1990 or into the early 90s. For example any of those guns in a Remington 700 BDL or ADL.

In all fairness I also lean towards Remington because I still have all of my gunsmith tooling to work on the Remington 700 guns. I also like the older Winchester Model 70 guns but I can swap barrels on Remington rifles easily. The 700 action is easy to work on and work with.

Ron

 

[BradN]

U.S. Rifle, Model of 1917: 30 '06, 5/6 round box magazine, nice wooden stock.
Lee-Enfield, No.4, Mk.1: 303 British, 10 round box magazine, nice wooden stock.

and lots of history.

 

[gregp74]

So I took a 90 degree turn and bought something totally unexpected. A CZ 557 Sporter in 6.5 Swede.

Why?

About 30 years ago my grandpa gave me an old Swedish Mauser that had been sporterized. I never shot it and ended up selling it when I was in my 20s and broke and not into guns. I always regretted that.

A couple nights ago while cleaning the basement I found a couple boxes of his old cartridges that according to the label he loaded on Christmas Day of 1969. It got me thinking "You've always wanted to get one of those Swede guns. Why not go with one of those?"

 

[gamestalker]

I would look for an older 700, maybe an old BDL or an ADL. I like the wood stocks, they're so much easier to accurize. I also like the workmanship Rem. was doing with the older one's, the newer stuff is very hit and miss, mostly miss IME.

An older Savage or Winchester wouldn't be a bad direction to go in either. Heck, for that matter a good number of older bolt guns could be tuned to shoot very well with a little TLC and some DIY ingenuity, bedding, floating the barrel, lapping the lugs, and some decent glass, all easy stuff.

GS