stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I'd probably go with a heavy varmint profile like savage 12 or rem 700, since I already have a sporter weight 223 and an AR 5.56 for walking around.
Light or heavy 223 bolt action.
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Chuck R.
Member
I've got both, and honestly I enjoy shooting the LW sporter more, but I wouldn't get rid of the heavy barreled gun.
Depends on purpose. Luckily I've got the ability to use both. When it comes to hunting, I'll always grab the LW 1st, just due to the way I hunt coyotes which involves a lot of hiking carrying a caller etc. Shots are normally well under 200 yards, so the long bull barrel isn't needed and after making 3 or 4 stands in a morning isn't wanted.
Depends on purpose. Luckily I've got the ability to use both. When it comes to hunting, I'll always grab the LW 1st, just due to the way I hunt coyotes which involves a lot of hiking carrying a caller etc. Shots are normally well under 200 yards, so the long bull barrel isn't needed and after making 3 or 4 stands in a morning isn't wanted.
FL-NC
Member
I am in love with my thunder ranch Mossberg MVP 223. I would call it "medium weight". It will do 1 MOA with Hornady 75 grain BTHP.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Light for a walkaround rfle. My Model 7 currently sits in a laminate stock; eventually I'll get around to swapping it for a lighter option. It does not normally wear the bipod; just there for the picture.
My "heavy barrel" is also more medium-weight, as its barrel is only 20 inches. 26 inches in the same profile would be heavy.
My "heavy barrel" is also more medium-weight, as its barrel is only 20 inches. 26 inches in the same profile would be heavy.
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Chuck R.
Member
Light for a walkaround rfle. My Model 7 currently in a sits in a laminate stock; eventually I'll get around to swapping it for a lighter option. It does not normally wear the bipod; just there for the picture.
My "heavy barrel" is also more medium-weight, as its barrel is only 20 inches. 26 inches in the same profile would be heavy.
And as established previously, you have impeccable taste in .223 bolt guns!
Hokkmike
Member
The older I get the heavier the guns get all by themselves. Keep it on the light side.
Elkins45
Member
You could get a TC a Compass for that, even if your state has sales tax. They are amazingly nice guns for the price.
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troy fairweather
Member
I got to get one and try out some day, I don't like the bolt handle but don't see anything off about them.
Elkins45
Member
I don’t like the bolt handle because it’s not on the left side, but that’s a common complaint for me. They really do shoot well and they feel much slicker than the similarly-priced Savage gun.
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troy fairweather
Member
Just flip the gun over, it kinda works out for the Asian fisherman. I wish mauser had the 223 m18 here but only in Europe and England for some reason. But for cheap 223 other then the ruger the t/c looks like a good choice.
cougar1717
Member
Divergent purposes require divergent tools. Few prefer carrying a heavy barreled rifle for long. Few prefer to sit at the bench and wait for their pencil barrel to cool off. Choosing among extremes with mutually exclusive choices satisfies no one in everything.
Even if the choice is made for an AR due to cost, will the presumable accuracy loss offset the cost savings? Too many people buy something that doesn't fit the solution well because it's a deal. Then after a while, still want the more expensive, yet optimal solution, that they should have just bought in the first place.
Even if the choice is made for an AR due to cost, will the presumable accuracy loss offset the cost savings? Too many people buy something that doesn't fit the solution well because it's a deal. Then after a while, still want the more expensive, yet optimal solution, that they should have just bought in the first place.
I did the same thing. Also bought one in .308 just like it. Cabela's had them on sale and a rebate made them just a tad over 250.00 out the door. The .223 is dead accurate. 100 yards gets boring fast. Have not fired my .308, still need a scope. The 12FV have the adjustable Accu-trigger and nice heavy barrels as well. The plastic stock isn't a high point but it is dam serviceable until replaced with a chassis.
Russellc
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I wanted a 12 fv, still do, when I found a deal on my m11 sporter had good glass, a Harris bipod and a rifle basix trigger 459 otd.
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troy fairweather
Member
ya I would not mind one, who knows what gun prices will be this year.
Definitely, the 12fv is hard to beat for the money. Especially if you get it when it’s in sale and there is a rebate! I wish the KRG Bravo was an option for savage!
horsemen61
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I am buying a savage 12 VLP for my first bolt .223 for target work so now I want a heavy barrel,but I want something like a tikka t3 lite for field work
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troy fairweather
Member
if I had the the money and went heavy, think I'd get the ruger m77 Hawkeye varmint target or the Hawkeye predator.
At one time I had a Ruger Ranch 223/5.56 rifle with the 16" barrel and the 22" Predator version in 223. I thought I'd like the carbine, but after shooting and using both for a few months sold the shorter version. The difference in accuracy was substantial. Not sure exactly why, but the Predator is still a relatively light rifle and I quickly came to the conclusion that with both in the safe that the 16" version would never get used. Plus I have a couple of 16" AR's if I wanted something more compact. So I sold the Ranch rifle.
Depends on the task......I shoot a Rem 700 VSF .223 with heavy fluted barrel when the target is prairie dogs. I'm trying to buy my brothers Sako Vixen .223 for my walk about rifle. Not a bolt action, but my other .223 is an AR 15 .223 which is my coyote rifle, but it's not a light rifle.
BigBL87
Member
That was part of my reasoning for eliminating the Ranch in my search. I did like that the Ranch is chambered for 5.56, but already having a 16" AR it seemed kind of redundant. I figured might as well get a long barrel for a little bit more velocity. I think the 20" barrel on the Vanguard I ended up picking strikes a good balance between handiness and barrel length for velocity. I would have been fine with a 22", maybe 24". The 26" Savage 12 FV I held just seemed excessive for anything besides bench shooting (which I do plenty of, to be fair) and I wanted something that was a little more practical for coyote hunting. That being said, with the stock replaced that 12 FV would be awesome off the bench. The one I held was actually a 6.5 Creedmoor, which would be a really fun rifle.
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