Rossi vs NEF single shot .223

[squirrel-shooter]

I am looking at buying a new .223 break action single shot and wanted some opinions on the above two rifle. Both come in either standard or heavy barrel configuration, for this purchase I am looking specifically at the standard barrel rifle with open sights. It will be used with a scope but I still want the open sight option, already have a heavy barrel rifle in another caliber so dont need another.

Anyone owned either of the rifles in this caliber? If so how did it perform?

squirrel-shooter

 

[Byron]

I have owned the NEF.It was easy to carry, balanced and accurate.I have no experience with the Rossi. try a search in this forum.
Welcome to The High Road. Byron

 

[Preacherman]

What's the twist rate of the rifling? This will affect the bullet weight you're able to shoot accurately. Look for 1:9 or tighter if you plan to use heavier bullets (i.e. over 62 grains). I don't know how the Rossi and NEF compare in this respect.

I've owned the NEF in .308 and .223, in heavy-barrel Survivor configuration, and both were wonderfully accurate. I'm sure the Rossi will also be a good, accurate rifle, but I don't know it personally.

 

[GunGoBoom]

It's a good question, and I don't know the answer yet either, as to which is 'better'. But ask here:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=126

and here:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=154

You'll likely get 2 different answers but you'll gain some insight surely.
The twist rate of NEF is 1 in 12". Not sure about the Rossi. I can tell you that the NEF is American made and the Rossi is furrin-made, if that matters to you - this accounts for the difference in price. The Rossi has a manual safety; the NEF doesn't.

 

[Byron]

I called NEF a few months ago and ask of the twist on 223. It was 1 in 12 but I was told NEF was changing to 1 in 9. I do not know where the change will be in the serial number.Give them a call as it is probably changed by now. Byron

 

[ID_shooting]

I had an NEF in the "Ulitmate Varminter" configuration. It shot very well but was a bit unwieldly on the bench and I had extraction issues with Wolf steel cased ammo.

 

[dennisH87]

rossi or ultra varmint?

im also looking to buy a single shot rifle thats either a .223 or .204. i can get either of them from my work (Dicks Sporting Goods) but i have to order the ultra, and they dont have any in now, so it may take a while. We have one of the rossi .223's and it comes with a simmons, i beilieve, 6-24x50 scope.they both have heavy barrels. they are selling it for 300, but in the gun order book the rifle itself lists at 170. is this a good buy? i still need to look around a little bit and then make my decision. im just looking for a little info on these two rifles tho, maybe even is somone would be kind enough post a link to field reports that would be nice, thanks

dennis

 

[clone]

both nef and rossi bull barrels have 1in9 twist. the standard barrels are 1in12 if i remember correctly.

 

[Dave R]

I have the NEF bull barrel in .223. See the attached target to see how it shoots (1/2MOA or so.) Its twist is 1:12, but I also hear they are moving to 1:9

Oddly enough, I loaded up some 70gr. Speer spitzers, just to see how they'd shoot in this 1:12 gun. They shot fine, which surprises me. Bullets that heavy are not supposed to stabilize in a 1:12 barrel.

 

[Byron]

Dave, the Speer 70 grain is a semi spitzer having a lower BC. Speer designed this for 1 in 12. I have shot from Mini and it did well. The 70 grain is a very poplar bullet in the N GA mountains for deer and those wanting to use a 223. Find an old Speer #10 manual as it has good data. Byron