Light or heavy 223 bolt action.

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troy fairweather

troy fairweather

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I know there's been a few 223 threads but just wondering. Would you like a heavy barreled rifle or a light sporter weight rifle in 223.

I liked the idea of the light rifle for walking around hunting woodchuck or varmints, I really liked the sako 222 I had, shot great to. But like the heavy gun for bench and punching paper.

Like others here I've been looking for a nice bolt action 223, the ruger m77 Hawkeye varmint looks good and so does the cz 527. Either the varmint or Euro for heavy gun. The cz 527 American or the ruger American ranch would be nice for the light gun.

how would you go, light or heavy for a 223.
 
I don't prefer bench shooting normally, and my 223 rifles are a couple ar15 carbines. One is a lightweight build, and it is really pleasant for a walking plinker/varminter. I wouldn't mind a bolt gun on the same premise, short and 6lbs... Nice and light for me.
 
Neither, I want a middle weight. Bout 8-8.5lbs with a decided forward balance.
Not as nice to carry as a light, but steadier, and with the weight forward steadier still, in all positions.
Still light enough that it IS portable.

The cz varmint, howa mini heavy, or a ruger predator would probably be my choices.
 
For the past two or three prairie dog hunts that I have gone on, I've used a 12-13 pound, 26" barrel, 204 Ruger AR-15 rifle. I consider it a "crew served" varmint rifle and works well from a fixed position. It works well for frequent shots from a fixed position.

It is a bit heavy for a walk-a-bout rifle.

I have a light varmint Remington 700 chambered in 17 Remington. It is light weight and a dream to carry but due to the slender barrel, accuracy falls off after two or three rounds. Once the barrel cools, the original accuracy returns, but the rifle does not handle a high level of shooting well.

So, in my opinion, it depends on what hunting plan you are planning to do.
 
cfullgraf said:
For the past two or three prairie dog hunts that I have gone on, I've used a 12-13 pound, 26" barrel, 204 Ruger AR-15 rifle. I consider it a "crew served" varmint rifle and works well from a fixed position. It works well for frequent shots from a fixed position.

It is a bit heavy for a walk-a-bout rifle.

I have a light varmint Remington 700 chambered in 17 Remington. It is light weight and a dream to carry but due to the slender barrel, accuracy falls off after two or three rounds. Once the barrel cools, the original accuracy returns, but the rifle does not handle a high level of shooting well.

So, in my opinion, it depends on what hunting plan you are planning to do.
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I think I'd really just shoot paper with it, I don't have the place to walk around and shoot varmints, maybe pop a deer with it, but have my 527 7.62x39 carbine for that. What do you like about the 204, I remember my dad had one when they came out. Don't remember much tho, think it just shoots flater with more speed.

If I go heavy ar-15 route I am thinking a 24" heavy none threaded 223. Probably just get a $100 bca barrel to try out unless there are better barrels for $200.
 
LoonWulf said:
I could, tho honestly if i get into one of these types of cartridges it would probably be another 6x47. i got a ton of brass already made for that one.
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Ya I've winter to do a 6-222 my self, I've read up on it a lot. The old books were trying to get 3000 from a 85 grain bullet, I guess they figured the 250-3000 performance was a good goal. Maybe with the new powders today it's possible. The 6x47 is a good step up.
 
I favor heavier barrels. In fact, all three bolt actions I own are heavy barreled rifles. For me its not even about barrel stiffness or anything like that, I just like the feel of the extra "heft" that the heavier barrel gives the rifle, light rifles just feel odd to me.

Now, that being said, I don't have to lug them around hunting so that may contribute to my preference. I think if I were to buy another rifle, I'd really like something in the same vein as the Ruger American Predator with more of a "medium" weight barrel. Not that I have the money, but I've been oogling an RAP in 6.5 Creedmoor actually. No real reason, just like the idea. Had I not gotten a deal on my Vanguard, that's probably what I have gone with for my 223. And, honestly, I don't find the barrel on the Vanguard to be THAT heavy.
 
troy fairweather said:
I think I'd really just shoot paper with it, I don't have the place to walk around and shoot varmints, maybe pop a deer with it, but have my 527 7.62x39 carbine for that. What do you like about the 204, I remember my dad had one when they came out. Don't remember much tho, think it just shoots flater with more speed.

If I go heavy ar-15 route I am thinking a 24" heavy none threaded 223. Probably just get a $100 bca barrel to try out unless there are better barrels for $200.
Click to expand...

For prairie dogs, the 204 Ruger with 40 grain bullets shoots a bit flatter than the 223 Remington 55-60 grain bullets out to 600-700 yards. In reality, not alot of difference but for the ranges that we generally shoot at, the 204 Ruger has a bit of an advantage for ease of aiming. My prairie dog AR-15 has a White Oak Armament barrel with a Fulton Armory side pull bolt.

I've built rifles for 22 Bench Rest (Bolt rifle), as well as 22 Nosler (AR-15) and 22x6.8 (AR-15) with the idea of extending my useful range of my rifles. I have not had an opportunity to head up to South Dakota to try the rifles out but all three are heavy barrel rifles and not conducive for "walk-around" service.
 
Most of the time when I go shooting I end up shooting, at least part of the time, for accuracy from a bench or something resembling a bench (like a car/truck hood). All else being somewhat equal, the heavier Varmint-style gun will give the best results in this type of shooting. Consequently, I get more satisfaction out of my 527 Varmint than the American or FS. But I like shooting all of 'em, and would much rather have one of the lighter guns if I'm toting it around much or not shooting from a decent rest.

The above is true for my rimfires as well as heavier caliber centerfires -- the Varmint-style guns are better when shooting for accuracy or groups. The lighter guns are also fun, more so in some situations, but if accuracy is what makes you happiest, then odds are high that the heavier gun is the way to go.

For size comparison, here are the 527 Classic (American) and Varmint side by side (2nd and 3rd down from the top). This is the blued Varmint with the 26 inch barrel. In hand, it's quite a bit bigger and heavier than the American.

lhTzq0c.jpg
 
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Depends on my purpose I suppose. I recently picked up a savage 12fv in 223. ( 26” heavy barrel) 1. Because I wanted a cheaper Yet accurate gun to tinker with load development principles and to document it. And 2. I knew I didn’t plan on walking much with it. Mainly being a range gun and if needed or wanted to a Varmint gun from the prone/ bench. Plus 223 is cheap to load for which is a plus!

also being savages standard short action there’s a good amount of aftermarket support. Not as much as say a Remington 700, but a good amount!
 
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