Looking for .223 bolt gun

[Peakbagger46]

I have a .308 hunting rifle and a 30-30 lever gun. I'm getting the itch for a 223 bolt gun. Given some Cabelas gift cards I have, my purchase is limited to what they have, but used guns is also an option.

I was looking very hard at the Stevens or possibly the Savage Axis but the triggers are a bit of a turn off. Also considering the Weatherby Vanguard (Howa), at $430 its at the upper end of what I would like to spend.

Main goal here is to end up with a sub-MOA gun for the range. I do reload so building up accurrate rounds is doable, and .223 rounds look cheap to build as compaired to my .308 reloads.

Any thoughts?

 

[Legionnaire]

I looked at a number of .223 bolt guns and settled on a Tikka T3. Very pleased with it thus far. Don't know if Cabela's stocks 'em, though.

 

[husker]

Not sure if Cabelas sells them?? TIKKA T3 LITE is something that has caught my eye lately
I like a smaller carbine type rifle for walking & working out in the field

 

[husker]

the CZ 527 has nice wood & a rep as a tack driver. I dont care at all for the box mag sticking out of it. but i could live with it i guess

I know Cabelas has used Rem Mohawk 600 in 222. & lots of guys like me, have had them SMITH-ED for 223. Cabelas Arizona store had 1 of the biggest collection Ive ever heard of. the down side,you lose the twist rate. 1-14 on the most AWESOMEST walking rifle of all time

 

[TIMC]

I bought my Savaget .223 bolt gun at Cabelas last year, it's a mod 11 BGTH. I love this rifle! she is super accurate with 60 grain bullets. This was my first time with the acutrigger and I like it.

 

[i loves my gun]

i wouldnt mess with anything other than cz, savage, or remington. personally i have a rem. model 700 VS .223 with a 4x16 monarch and jewell trigger, and i loves it

 

[CB900F]

Peakbagger;

My short list is either CZ or Tikka. There are different iterations of each & I'd certainly investigate all the options available. I've got multiple examples of each and have no problems suggesting either to you.

900F

 

[TonyAngel]

Whatever you decide to do, be sure to check around for something used. I just bought a used SPS Tactical, in .223, for $600, shipped. It doesn't sound like too much of a deal on it's face, but the rifle came with a Badger bolt knob, a good mount and a Surefire muzzle brake installed. The guy told me that it only had around 20 rounds put through it and now that I have it in my hands, I believe it. The finish on the lugs doesn't even show any signs of wear.

If you decide to go a bit over the edge, I have noticed optics planet selling several stripped actions (Remington and Savage) on gun broker, to include the trigger and bottom metal for around $400. A stripped action would be a good way to get into a custom build without spending unnecessary money on stuff you don't need or want.

 

[swcr]

the CZ 527 has nice wood & a rep as a tack driver. I dont care at all for the box mag sticking out of it. but i could live with it i guess

f you don't like the 5 round magazine that sticks down on the CZ you can get the CZ 527 M1 American. It comes with a 3 round flush magazine and the 5 round magzines also fit. I have one that I really like and it shoots great.

 

[BoilerUP]

Given how little a Stevens 200 costs, you could easily spend $90 for a Rifle Basix aftermarket trigger and still be money ahead of the others.

 

[MrOldLude]

Given how little a Stevens 200 costs, you could easily spend $90 for a Rifle Basix aftermarket trigger and still be money ahead of the others.

Seconded. My Stevens 200 in .223 with handloads is capable of half inch groups at 100 yards. It is possible to adjust the trigger. But whether it's as good as an aftermarket or accutrigger after lightening, I can't say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i4hK-y3tfU

edit: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=558678 This is my rifle thread.

 

[husker]

the CZ 527 has nice wood & a rep as a tack driver. I dont care at all for the box mag sticking out of it. but i could live with it i guess

f you don't like the 5 round magazine that sticks down on the CZ you can get the CZ 527 M1 American. It comes with a 3 round flush magazine and the 5 round magzines also fit. I have one that I really like and it shoots great.

Thanks for the info. I had no idea about the small box mag. I love the wood. so a flush mag would be a total sale for me.

 

[BrocLuno]

Lost out on a bid for a new Savage Model 25 w/o box. Was really thinking that is a nice rifle. I'll keep trying. 223 bolt gun is going to happen this year sometime

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks for all the replies. I may have to consider Tikka as well, though I will have to save up a bit more money. Kind of ugly, but if it shoots that well, I don't mind.

Getting the Stevens and upgrading the trigger sounds like an idea as well though...

 

[bachekermooni]

Seriously consider the Thompson Center Venture:
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/venture.php

Its quality is incredible and its accuracy guaranteed by the factory.

Plus, it is sold by Cabelas:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Thom...&Ntt=venture&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

Good luck.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have been looking at the Savage, 12BVDS. I bought a 12BVDS in 22-250 and love it but now have the desire for a 222. The easiest way is buy a Savage, shoot it enough to wear the barrel out and then rebarrel it to 222.

Go look at savage's site. I bought mine at the Cabela's in Fort Worth on sale. It was dirt cheap.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Then there's the Remington SPS "Tactical", read some good things about it as well... Too many choices.

 

[45Badger]

The SPS Varmint in .223 is put on sale from time to time. Put it in a decent stock and it's a tackdriver.

 

[gatornavy]

A stevens is a savage without the accu trigger, etc. get the stevens, put in a new trigger and some good scope mounts and go to town!

 

[Peakbagger46]

Now I'm drooling over the SPS. 7 1/2lbs weight seems just about right and I can shoot a bit more with out the barrel getting too hot. Think its time to sell my Sig P239 that I don't carry anymore so I can fund some good optics as well.

 

[i loves my gun]

in texas...bass pro shops is selling the sps for 474.94 till feb.24 after a mail in rebate, came in the paper today.

 

[lathedog]

I want one too but have not settled on a choice.

I like the CZ carbine a lot. They are great rifles, but I am concerned about parts availability.

I might go for a Savage, but would prefer a Remington 7 or 700. I know that if I get a Remington 700 or Savage 1xx that I can get parts and accessories from a wide variety of sources and that I can keep the gun in service thru my lifetime.

We should do a thread on "who has a really cool gun they bought 20 years ago and cannot find parts or accessories for it anywhere?".

 

[Furncliff]

CZ parts are no problem. They have a full service parts and repair facility in... Kansas City, I believe. From posting over on rimfirecentral.com I know that their CS is very good.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Funny thing about that idea to start the thread about the really cool gun ya bought back then.

Let's see, it was a Remington 5mm magnum. And I was going to school, just married, and poor as a church mouse. I went without meals and walked to save gas money, even in 1972, to buy the gun. About 5 years later, the Ogres Of Ilion decided that I and my fellow 5mm owners weren't important enough to bother producing ammo for anymore. Yeah, yeah, I know it's being made again now, but that doesn't count for then. The gun is long gone, the resentment remains. Funny how I don't spend my money on Remmy.

But, tell ya what, from the way I've been treated by CZ, I have no fears in that direction. Now, Marlin, since they've been bought by Remington, there I have deep concerns.

900F