MarshallDodge
Member
I love 223 rifles and here is my experience with them-
Ruger American Ranch- Early model, shot terrible even with match ammo. Action is nice, trigger is okay, stock is tupperware garbage. A lot of people don't like the mags. I wouldn't go with an AR mag as it limits you to short bullets. 5.56 compatible.
Tikka Sporter- Pricey rifle but it will shoot 1/2 MOA or better out of the box with my reloads. Most Tikka's that I have experience with shoot really well. Mags only allow for 2.260 length ammo. If you want to shoot the long heavy bullets, you need to modify the mags, buy aftermarket, or single load with a single shot follower. I got lucky and found a guy that was getting rid of his 3 that had been modified. Never tried 5.56 loads.
Remington 783- I paid $250 after rebate. The first one shot terrible but the replacement Remington sent wlll hover around 0.6 MOA with my reloads. Action is smooth and I like the trigger, magazine is well made, stock is probably the best of all the budget rifles. They make them with 16 and 22" barrels. It will run 5.56 ammo without any issues.
Howa Mini Action with Heavy barrel- fun little gun. Shoots 3/4 MOA. If you want something for target use, this wouldn't be my first choice. It does not like warm loads so definitely no 5.56.
Remington 700 LTR- I wish this had a better magazine and a 1:8 twist but I love the way it shoots and handles with the 20" barrel.
Mossberg Predator- This gun shot fantastic with 68/69 match bullets, 1/2 MOA or better. Action was sloppy and the plastic trigger guard was garbage. Laminated stock was really nice. It didn't fees reliably from the original or any other AR mag I put in it.
Remington 700 16.5" Tactical- I picked this up cheap and was going to build it into something but may just keep it to way it is. I put a 1-6X scope on it and shoot steel out to 600. The internal Remington 700 magazine doesn't work that well with 223 in my opinion.
Remington 700 Remage setup with a 22" 1:7 stainless barrel- I bought the action and had the barrel installed then put it in a Magpul hunter stock. The magazine system worked great and there is a lot of aftermarket support for the AICS mags, but I could never get the best accuracy from the stock. There is just too much plastic in my opinion. I ended up bedding it in a Boyd's and it shoots better. It likes the 75 Amax and 80 ELD, and will hold sub MOA out to 675 yards and does well on windy days.
I've never owned a Savage but I have shot them and they have all been good shooters. The actions are a little clunky for my taste.
I really wish Bergara would make a B-14 HMR in 223, with a 22" 7.5 twist threaded barrel and sell them for $800. Another option could be just a barreled action for $500 and let the user choose their own stock.
Ruger American Ranch- Early model, shot terrible even with match ammo. Action is nice, trigger is okay, stock is tupperware garbage. A lot of people don't like the mags. I wouldn't go with an AR mag as it limits you to short bullets. 5.56 compatible.
Tikka Sporter- Pricey rifle but it will shoot 1/2 MOA or better out of the box with my reloads. Most Tikka's that I have experience with shoot really well. Mags only allow for 2.260 length ammo. If you want to shoot the long heavy bullets, you need to modify the mags, buy aftermarket, or single load with a single shot follower. I got lucky and found a guy that was getting rid of his 3 that had been modified. Never tried 5.56 loads.
Remington 783- I paid $250 after rebate. The first one shot terrible but the replacement Remington sent wlll hover around 0.6 MOA with my reloads. Action is smooth and I like the trigger, magazine is well made, stock is probably the best of all the budget rifles. They make them with 16 and 22" barrels. It will run 5.56 ammo without any issues.
Howa Mini Action with Heavy barrel- fun little gun. Shoots 3/4 MOA. If you want something for target use, this wouldn't be my first choice. It does not like warm loads so definitely no 5.56.
Remington 700 LTR- I wish this had a better magazine and a 1:8 twist but I love the way it shoots and handles with the 20" barrel.
Mossberg Predator- This gun shot fantastic with 68/69 match bullets, 1/2 MOA or better. Action was sloppy and the plastic trigger guard was garbage. Laminated stock was really nice. It didn't fees reliably from the original or any other AR mag I put in it.
Remington 700 16.5" Tactical- I picked this up cheap and was going to build it into something but may just keep it to way it is. I put a 1-6X scope on it and shoot steel out to 600. The internal Remington 700 magazine doesn't work that well with 223 in my opinion.
Remington 700 Remage setup with a 22" 1:7 stainless barrel- I bought the action and had the barrel installed then put it in a Magpul hunter stock. The magazine system worked great and there is a lot of aftermarket support for the AICS mags, but I could never get the best accuracy from the stock. There is just too much plastic in my opinion. I ended up bedding it in a Boyd's and it shoots better. It likes the 75 Amax and 80 ELD, and will hold sub MOA out to 675 yards and does well on windy days.
I've never owned a Savage but I have shot them and they have all been good shooters. The actions are a little clunky for my taste.
I really wish Bergara would make a B-14 HMR in 223, with a 22" 7.5 twist threaded barrel and sell them for $800. Another option could be just a barreled action for $500 and let the user choose their own stock.
