Looking to buy a new 223 bolt action. Help Please.

[rayatphonix]

Sure looks like a good choice. Please keep the information coming as you’re the first I’ve seen with what appears to be a very nice rifle.

 

[MR WICK]

Sure looks like a good choice. Please keep the information coming as you’re the first I’ve seen with what appears to be a very nice rifle.

Will do.

 

[Nature Boy]

I did neglect in my first:

With the Savage design, if and when you graduate from 300yrds with a 223, the bolt head, barrel, magbox, and follower can easily be swapped with minimal tools and very little time to something like 6 BR and pick up range and performance without much investment. Most folks end up just buying/building another rifle, but this option is revertible and a little less expensive overall.

I’ve thought about this for my son’s 12 BVSS. Northland Shooters Supply had 6BRA Savage barrels from Bartlein. Having one caliber to load for both me and my son for F Class matches had obvious appeal to me.

When I floated the idea to him he wasn’t in favor of it. He enjoys the additional challenge of going against the .308s with his .223 in F/TR.

 

[I6turbo]

Good move buying a Varmint style gun for bench shooting. I find them much more satisfying to shoot for groups or accuracy. For anyone wondering about the CZ 527 American vs. Varmint, I find the Varmint to be good for about .15 MOA tighter groups than the American (or the FS), but much easier to achieve the tight groups.

Here's a photo with the American (actually a factory special Classic, but it's the same dimensions as an American) and the Varmint. They're the 2nd and 3rd guns from the top. The extra size and weight is just very helpful on the bench. I find the same to be true with rimfires and larger caliber centerfires.

 

[C-grunt]

Good move buying a Varmint style gun for bench shooting. I find them much more satisfying to shoot for groups or accuracy. For anyone wondering about the CZ 527 American vs. Varmint, I find the Varmint to be good for about .15 MOA tighter groups than the American (or the FS), but much easier to achieve the tight groups.

Here's a photo with the American (actually a factory special Classic, but it's the same dimensions as an American) and the Varmint. They're the 2nd and 3rd guns from the top. The extra size and weight is just very helpful on the bench. I find the same to be true with rimfires and larger caliber centerfires.
View attachment 1060281

That Varmint and the Mannlicher have amazing stocks. Beautiful rifles.

 

[I6turbo]

That Varmint and the Mannlicher have amazing stocks. Beautiful rifles.

Thanks. I refinished those two, and have since refinished the 452 American on top. I'm a serial refinisher of gun stocks, can't seem to leave them alone with the factory finish. The 527 Classic 2nd from the top has a special finish from the factory. In better light it looks more attractive than the photo above would indicate.


While I'm at it, here's the 452 stock part way though the refinish process. I need to make a finished/reassembled photo of it.

 

[12Bravo20]

Since I am not carrying a rifle through the woods, I definitely prefer a heavy barrel and the Savage Varmint barrel works well. My Model 12 FVL (308), MkII GVL (17m2), and MkII BTVLSS (22lr) all have the Varmint barrel and all are more accurate than me.

As noted, 223 bolt actions are harder to find right now. I have been patiently waiting for a left hand Savage 223 with the Varmint barrel to come back in stock.

 

[0ne3]

I, have a Venture in .223. It shoots quite well.