What 223 bolt action rifle...

[dugasgunner]

CZ or TIKKA.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the update. At first I thought this was a zombie thread ...

Remington 700 is a great choice ... even though I opted for a Tikka T3 when facing the same decision. I wanted the faster 1:8 twist rate. But no doubt the Remington will serve you well.

 

[magnumman44]

Pictures

The top rifle is my Remington 700 TACTICAL with Burris glass, and the bottom is my DPMS Sweet 16 Bull ar-15 with Burris glass. The middle gun is my Ruger 10/22 Target with Leupold glass.

 

[Geno]

That is a fine collection indeed! I assume the scope is so high on the AR due to the need to reach the charging handle? I had had the same issue and finally went with an ACOG.

Thanks for the pics!

Geno

 

[sayak]

Savage Edge

For less than $300 you can buy an outathebox accurate .223. You can put on a better scope, then perhaps a bipod... buy lots of ammo. You could rattle can it for predators like mine:

 

[dubbleA]

I assume the scope is so high on the AR due to the need to reach the charging.

No, I wouldnt say that....with the design of the AR and A2 stock having no drop in the comb you will certainly need to have a scope mounted higher than you would on a conventional rifle. Without high/super high rings or a picatinny riser, the scope with be low to get a proper cheek weld and proper alignment/eye relief. Oh it can be done without raising the scope but it's uncomfortable. You will see most scoped AR's done this way, though with a reflex sight you can get away with it mounted lower.

 

[magnumman44]

DubbleA is right...reaching the charging handles is not too difficult, but getting a great sight picture is without the high mount. It sure shoots great like this!!

 

[45crittergitter]

Tikka T3 with a Bushnell 4200 Elite.

 

[Welding Rod]

I would consider a Ruger African in .223 provided it was made on a short action (I'm not sure what action is used)... I like iron sights and it is a really nice looking rifle.

http://ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/17199.html

 

[roc1]

Remington VTR or Savage Model 12 either are great and get a good scope.Leupold or equal.
roc1

 

[northmoboy]

Everyone around this area are buying or trading for Tikka T3. Can't be beat for accuracy and cost.

 

[Storm]

I'm really glad that this thread got updated. A .223 bolt gun has been something that I have been considering for some time. Beyond enjoying shooting .223 I really wanted a bolt gun that could compliment my AR's. I suppose I am also thinking about a SHTF scenario where I have to be mobile and would want two longuns to share the same ammo. I also wanted a bolt gun that shoots less expensive ammo than my other bolts in .243, .270, 30-06, and .308. I decided on a Remington 700 SPS Tactical. I pick it up this monring. It will have an EGW Picatinny rail with the scope as of yet undecided. I'm thinking Nikon Monarch. Also a Harris bipod. It sure looks like a handy rifle.

The only thing that I'm not sure about is whether this rifle would be redundant to an AR or whether it would have a special function all of its own. Is the inherent accuracy of the 700 that much more than an AR (in this case Smith lower and Stag upper with a red dot) that it would warrant having it as well in a worst case scenario.

 

[SwampWolf]

I would consider a Ruger African in .223

I wonder how big African prairie dogs get?

 

[mshootnit]

The rifle above is what I have! They are really great when you tun on em a little. Mine will shoot tiny groups (The ruger stainless way back there)

 

[oklahoma caveman]

for under $600

ooops didnt mean to post.

 

[ElToro]

its been about 10 years since i passed on a vintage sako vixen in .223 for a song and havnt seen one locally for sale since. still kicking my own arse over that one. super rifles. online you could probly get a vixen and glass for $1k if you shopped HARD

do you want sporter weight or varmint weight barrel ?

rem 700 seems to be the next choice among my shooting aquiantances that have 223 bolt guns

 

[will11]

I've owned and shot a number of different makes. Want to buy Made in the USA American rifle buy a Savage. Other wise Sako or a Tikka made in Finland. Those three rifles rock. I've been told the Weatherby Vanguard shoot very well. Made by Howa I believe.

 

[bachekermooni]

Alright, I will continue the revival of this thread.

I have a Ruger 77 Mk II Varmint/target in .223. I pillar and glass bedded it using the Brownell kit (Just file some metal off the rear pillar to fit the V/T trigger). I am disappointed no one mentioned the V/T model.

This rifle is the most accurate rifle I own. I have a Kimber K22 Target with lapped and recrowned barrel which has shot a 5-shot 46 yard group just under .10" (match ammo). I have a bedded CZ 452 .22LR and an accurized 10/22 that shoot .2" - .25" groups at 46 yards with Sk std+ and CCI SV ammo (respectively) all day. But my Ruger M77 with American Eagle 200 bulk pack 55 gr HP shoots one slightly off round hole at 46 yards and .25" 5-shot groups at 100 yards - any day.

I am looking for a "walking varminter". I am seriously looking at a CZ 527 "lite", Tikke T3 Lite, and a Kimber (no one said one word about this great rifle) 84m which comes in many models in .223 and I love its Kevlar stock model. At an ounce or two over 5 lbs, that is one heck of a carry varminter. The Ruger does dog town duty. But for Coyotte and Antelope, a lighter tool is in order.

Cheers.

I will soon decide and post the results. Cheers.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Faced with the same problem, I have decided to get the savage 12bvss. I have a bvss in 22/250 and love it. The savage action is smoother then my 700's and has a much better trigger. Just cycle the bolt on both and tell me you would not buy the savage? I know I was shocked at how much smoother the savage was over my 700's.

 

[wingman]

I just purchased a Thompson center Icon precision hunter in .204 ruger it shot .375 @100 out of the box with factory ammo and the overall quality is high I believe better then my Savage 12 btvs in 223, the Savage will hold a consistent .500 with reloads and sometimes better if I'm having a good day.

 

[Storm]

I finally shot my 700 SPS Tactical this past week and have to say that this rifle is 100% everything that I hoped it would be. On top of it I have a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 in a DNZ Gamereaper mount. The range where I shot was a maximum of 90 yards so 90 it was. I had laser bore sighted the rifle and it only took ten shots to get on the zero. I shot the rifle later in a full day of shooting using an MTM front rest) so my performance was steadily dropping off but managed to get some cloverleaf four shot groups (not all touching but close, especially with a splatter target). I found the action to be just the slightest bit gritty but after 80 shots it has smoothed out nicely. With the 20 inch barrel this is a nice compact rifle. It's a very easy rifle to shoot and I would be hesitant to even use the word "recoil". When shooting the rifle freehand I found it to be excellent in terms of balance. I predict that this rifle, well on its way, will become one of my favorites.

Before shooting the SPS Tactical I sighted in a Savage 12 VLP in .308 with Leupold STD rings/mount and a 3-9x40 Prostaff. Talk about a tackdriver. I would have to believe that this rifle would be outstanding in .223. If I didn't have the 700 SPS Tactical I would be looking for one. It's a much heavier and cumbersome gun that the 700 with the 24 inch tapered fluted heavy barrel, but some of the lighter versions of the 12 might also be considered.

 

[BrocLuno]

Still looking. Still thinking about Savage 25 in .223

 

[benzy2]

Let me throw this out there. All of the big names today have budget models that shoot well on average. Idividual rifles may shoot better or worse than another individual rifle. Buy the one that you like the best and seems to fit your needs most.