Looking at getting a more accurate .223, suggestions?

[swampcrawler]

After putting some rounds through my little Howa Ranchland I'm really liking the bolt action .223 idea. Nice and cheap to shoot, and no blast or recoil to deal with. But the little ranchland isn't an exceptionally accurate rifle. I'm thinking of picking up something either bolt action or single shot with a nice heavy barrel for mostly just range fun.

Price ceiling around 800 bucks. IV been looking at the remington 700 sps tactical and/or varmint and the Howa Varmint. I really don't care for savage. I know they are a go to brand for this kind of thing but I just can't developed a liking for them. So what would you folks suggest in a bolt or single shot? Any particular features I should look for or avoid?

 

[farmerboy78]

After putting some rounds through my little Howa Ranchland I'm really liking the bolt action .223 idea. Nice and cheap to shoot, and no blast or recoil to deal with. But the little ranchland isn't an exceptionally accurate rifle. I'm thinking of picking up something either bolt action or single shot with a nice heavy barrel for mostly just range fun.

Price ceiling around 800 bucks. IV been looking at the remington 700 sps tactical and/or varmint and the Howa Varmint. I really don't care for savage. I know they are a go to brand for this kind of thing but I just can't developed a liking for them. So what would you folks suggest in a bolt or single shot? Any particular features I should look for or avoid?

Savage 10 precision carbine .223 around 700 to 750

 

[redbullitt]

I have an SPS in 223 that shoots very well. Wound up changing the stock and trigger, but other than that nothing else done to it. Shoots great with 69 smk hand loads. Pretty much always good for sub MOA, pretty consistently sub 3/4 MOA, and often .5 moa.

I have shot it out to 600 yards with good success, taken quite a few animals with it as well. Rifle has a 20 inch barrel, but I would prefer a 16. I never cut it down simply because it shot very well and I do not want to risk changing anything lol.

I use that rifle for probably the same thing you are after. For features on a rifle like that, I like a short barrel, sling studs, no box mag sticking out, fairly light weight, nice tough finish, and most importantly consistent shooting.

 

[primalmu]

Hard to go wrong with a Savage. I had a Savage Predator Hunter (I think) that would shoot 1 MOA with cheap PMC ammo. I don't have any doubt it would shoot sub-1/2 MOA with the right ammo.

 

[Cee Zee]

My Savage 12 LRPV shoots 4"-5" groups at 500 yards consistently. I paid just over $900 for it when it was about a year old. Price new now is about $1200. You aren't likely to find a better shooting rifle in that price range. You may find some others that shoot as well but I haven't seen them personally and I spent a lot of time at the 500 yard range at the gun club. The range master at the local gun club where I live now told me that the 12 LRPV dominates their 600 yard competitions. He says nearly everyone at the club shoots them because nothing else competes. And this is a big time club too. It surprised me when he said it but those are his words, not mine. I'll PM you his phone number if you want confirmation.

 

[captain awesome]

I also was going to say Savage, I just barely bought a 12 FCV in 22-250 based on a lot of research, my understanding is the 223s and 204 Rugers ect...are all very accurate. Should be picking it up next week and as soon as I can make it to the range with it scoped and dial in a load I am sure I will be thrilled to tell everyone about the experience. Probably in 2-3 weeks. But you don't want one....

If you remain dead set against Savage, I would take a good hard look at a TC encore or G2 frame, a stock and pillared fore end made by Tony Goettl and a barrel from Mike Bellm. I have a set up like that in 222 Rem. that shoots 1 hole at 100 yards, and my dad has a Contender in 204 Ruger that is just as good. you could probably do all that and have a REALLY gorgeous super accurate rifle for your price requirement if you shopped around for the frame.

The only reason I went for the Savage instead of another barrel from Mike Bellm for the Encore is because I wanted a bolt action for prairie dogs.

You also might look at CZ if you like wood. a couple of their rifles are on my short list, again because of research and other recommendations I have read.

 

[bikemutt]

I've been having a great time with my Ruger Scout in 5.56/.223, it's proving to be pretty darn accurate, especially considering the operator . My only complaint so far is the non-adjustable, heavy trigger. I've ordered a Spec-Tech adjustable one that should take care of that, $80 from Brownells.

I'd also give some thought to the CZ 527 in .223, were it not a rough duplicate of the Ruger I'd be buying one.

Anyway, here's a couple 5 shot groups I managed Friday during a NW downpour. 100 yards, 50 grain American Eagle Varmint, sandbag rest, suppressed, Nikon M-223 scope. I think without the rain and with a decent trigger this one can do better.

 

[Bull Nutria]

I have a CZ 527 with 1 to 9 rifling and it does 1 moa or better.

Bull

 

[jehu]

Save alittle more $ and get a Sako Varmint Stainless 223, you will only cry once. Best out of the box with no mods or accessories needed.

 

[swampcrawler]

Wow. Looks like the savage gets even more love than I thought. I suppose I will have to reconsider. Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[Peakbagger46]

make sure you pay attention to the twist rate. What weight bullets do you want to use? Do you reload?

 

[tuj]

accurate enough?

 

[Sunray]

"...isn't an exceptionally accurate rifle..." You reloading or using factory? If you aren't reloading, you have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best. The price of said ammo means nothing. So try different ammo or reload first.
An SPS won't really be a step up. More if a side step. The SPS is an entry level hunting rifle too. Your budget is close to too little too. MSRP is $761 with no sights.

 

[Reloadron]

Had an old Remington Model 725 I came upon. Had a brand new barrel off a Remington 700 VSSF .223 which became a 6 PPC. Trued the 725 action and built the below rifle adding a Timney trigger. The barrel is 1:12 and the rifle is a tack driver with 55 grain and below bullets. Depending on what you plan to shoot give some consideration to the barrel twist on whatever you get. While not opposed to Savage I like the older Remington 700 bolt guns in 223.



Just about any 223 bolt gun is a pleasure to shoot. Never shot one I didn't like and working up loads is just an enjoyable experience.

Ron

 

[tanglefoot]

cz 527 will shoot as good as you can

 

[Armed 24/7]

You should look into getting a Tikka T3 Lite in 223. It will be a long action, but the accuracy will be there.

 

[MAKster]

Look at the Remington 700 SPS Tactical. It has a heavy barrel that is only 20" instead of the 26" barrel on the Varmint model. In my opinion the long varmint barrels are just too heavy.

 

[FishEngineer]

If not Savage look at CZ.

 

[redneck2]

Do you hand load? When you see groups that are sub 1/2", I believe most are home made loads. You may gain more by putting the money into a loading set up

Just a thought.

 

[swampcrawler]

Yes I do reload but haven't set up for 223 yet. And honestly iv only tried 3 types of factory ammo in my Howa. I'm thinking now of just getting it into a better stock and trigger and picking up dies and Components to see what I can get her to do.

 

[jmr40]

At around $800 you can get an AR set up that will likely outshoot most of the bolt guns. Most AR barrels are also twisted for the heavier bullets where most bolt guns are not.

For 1/2 that I'd look hard at the Ruger Predator. It comes with a meduim contour barrel and has a 1:8 twist. One of the few bolt guns set up for heavy bullets. They are proving to be tack drivers. I have one of the compacts in 223 that shoots well under 1 MOA.

http://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/models.html

 

[FishEngineer]

AR out shooting a bolt gun is just silliness. Sure there are exceptions but all things considered it is just silly.

 

[Jackal]

AR out shooting a bolt gun is just silliness. Sure there are exceptions but all things considered it is just silly.

Not silliness at all. Its quite easy for a modern AR with a good barrel/trigger to shoot 1/2 moa. Lots of folks have switched to them for varmint rifles. Unless a person goes hog wild on a custom bolt rifle, equally barreled AR's will shoot right with them quite easily.

 

[Cee Zee]

At around $800 you can get an AR set up that will likely outshoot most of the bolt guns.

I know AR's can shoot great but from what I hear one that shoots like you describe costs more than $800.

equally barreled AR's

I have a 26" bull barrel on my Savage 12. That would be pretty extreme for an AR.

 

[fotheringill]

RO at my range has an AR with 1:9 twist custom barrel and it outshoots a lot of bolt .223's there. It cannot do as well as my Savage 12 with Precision action and trigger, but then again, the rifle shoots better than I can.