magnumman44
Member
I am in the market for a 223 bolt action rifle for shooting some groundhogs, some other varmints, and targets. What would you buy with a $900 budget for just the rifle? Why?
What 223 bolt action rifle...
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CoRoMo
Member
My father in law has a model 700, topped with a Nikon, that is exceptionally accurate at any practical distance for your described usage. I doubt it cost $400, scope and all.
Wow, seriously this is difficult to answer "informed". My bolt action .223s have been Remingtons. I like the Savage, but have no experience with them. I did have one Weatherby Vanguard in .223 also. For the money ($525ish), I really like my SPS 700 Varmint. I think mine is unusually accurate. I'll be at the family farm this weekend trying it at some longer distances than the traditional 100 yard bench rest. Let us know what you decide.
Geno
(Formerly Doc2005)
Geno
(Formerly Doc2005)
alemonkey
Member
I would absolutely, unhesitatingly recommend the Savage 12FV. Mine is the most accurate gun I have ever owned. I took it out for the second time last week, and out of all the 5 shot groups I shot the biggest was 1.08, and the smallest was .520 at 100 meters. Average size is about .75 MOA. With more load development I bet it will get even better.
You can spend a lot more, but why? The only downside is the plastic stock is junk, but they do make models with nice laminated stocks. Or, you could get a really nice aftermarket stock and still be under your $900 limit.
You can spend a lot more, but why? The only downside is the plastic stock is junk, but they do make models with nice laminated stocks. Or, you could get a really nice aftermarket stock and still be under your $900 limit.
BENELLIMONTE
member
I have an old model Savage 111 in .223 Rem. It is a consistent 3/4" gun at 100yds. If I remember right I paid 199.00(close out price) at Gart Brothers in Idaho Falls back in 1997. Great gun at an unbeatable price.
rangerruck
Member
cz varmint kevlar, it comes with a 1/9 twist, either that or a savage f/v series. both of these rifles, cannot be beat for off the shelf accuracy, the savage will be a bencher though, quite heavy, the cz will be good for the carry as well.
hags
Member
Without a doubt look into a Tikka T3 Varmint.
It needs nothing out of the box except a scope.
It needs nothing out of the box except a scope.
same situation as you at one time, finally decided on the cz527 varmint kevlar. this thing is outa the box accurate, heres a pic of my recent attempt again at 100 yards still tryin differnt loads, as you can see the rifle shoots better than me
the cz
my recent attemp at 100, 3 shots per target
the cz
my recent attemp at 100, 3 shots per target
ranger335v
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CZ or Savage.
$900 just for the rifle?
I would buy a Stevens 200 in .223Rem. That would leave you with over $500 in your pocket for ammo, scope and mounts. These rifles are a good value, they shoot great and are very easy to upgrade/modify.
M'bogo
I would buy a Stevens 200 in .223Rem. That would leave you with over $500 in your pocket for ammo, scope and mounts. These rifles are a good value, they shoot great and are very easy to upgrade/modify.
M'bogo
LTR shooter
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Out of the various 223 rifles I have owned the best shooter for me has been my Rem 700LTR. The prices were more "reasonable" a few years back. Now they would probably clean out your entire budget.
The 700 SPS Tactical is a similar design , much less expensive , but comes with a Hogue stock.
Might be the norm , mine has really surprised me with the limited loads I have tried in it.
Also have a Savage 12BVSS which has displayed remarkable accuracy at times despite the tendency to foul rather quickly. The 12BVSS and 12VLP were quite the bargains few years ago but have risen in price quite a bit like all guns since then.
For sporter weight 223s the Tikka and Czs have a great following.
The 700 SPS Tactical is a similar design , much less expensive , but comes with a Hogue stock.
Might be the norm , mine has really surprised me with the limited loads I have tried in it.
Also have a Savage 12BVSS which has displayed remarkable accuracy at times despite the tendency to foul rather quickly. The 12BVSS and 12VLP were quite the bargains few years ago but have risen in price quite a bit like all guns since then.
For sporter weight 223s the Tikka and Czs have a great following.
got my cz for around $750 january of this year, not bad considering what it has, 24" hammer forged heavy barrel, bell n carlson kevlar reinforced fiberglass stock with aluminum bedding block, free floating barrel, and the single set trigger is awesome just push it foward and like somebody mentioned it breaks like glass, and comes with scope rings
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Your choices are myriad - some of the ones that probably should make your short list are
CZ 527 - one of several types
Savage 25
Savage 10/11/12/14, including the "Predator Hunter".
Weatherby Vanguard & Vanguard Sub-MOA Varmint
Remington Seven
Remington 700 LTR
Are you wanting a light, medium-weight, or heavy rifle? I assume light or medium, but which? This is the most important question you can answer, and need to answer first (next). I mean, are you going to shoot from a platform in the back of the pickup, or are you gonna hump this through the woods & fields?
Also, what kind of stock - wood, laminated wood, fiberglass/kevlar, or just plastic? Do you like detachable mags? Is buying American important to you? What twist rate do you want? By the way, *some* CZ 527s are 1 in 12", and one or more CZ is in 1 in 9".
CZ 527 - one of several types
Savage 25
Savage 10/11/12/14, including the "Predator Hunter".
Weatherby Vanguard & Vanguard Sub-MOA Varmint
Remington Seven
Remington 700 LTR
Are you wanting a light, medium-weight, or heavy rifle? I assume light or medium, but which? This is the most important question you can answer, and need to answer first (next). I mean, are you going to shoot from a platform in the back of the pickup, or are you gonna hump this through the woods & fields?
Also, what kind of stock - wood, laminated wood, fiberglass/kevlar, or just plastic? Do you like detachable mags? Is buying American important to you? What twist rate do you want? By the way, *some* CZ 527s are 1 in 12", and one or more CZ is in 1 in 9".
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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P.S. That's two votes for the 527 "Varmint Kevlar", and I sure can't argue with that - would like to have one myself.
Personally, if I was going for a light rifle, I'd get the Savage 25, I think.
Personally, if I was going for a light rifle, I'd get the Savage 25, I think.
Schleprok62
Member
Husker... uhm.... times 3... so, that would be 48 dead things @100 yards...
Wesson Smith
Member
Savage 10 Predator Hunter. Great rifle, and you'll have
some change left over to finance some glass.
some change left over to finance some glass.
magnumman44
Member
Well, I need to update this thread from a long time ago...I bought the Remington 700 Tactical bolt action and put Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42 glass on it...it shoots very tight groups at 100 yards. I also ended up with a DPMS Sweet 16 with Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 , so I have two fine 223s for various purposes! Love them both!!
Durty
Member
Congrats. Model 700s are the real deal. And yes--pictures
Tomcat47
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