Which bolt action?

[muskyhunter_ryan]

Hi, i am now seriously thinking of getting a .223 heavy barrel rifle.

I got nothing that shoots 100yds with MOA accuracy. Their are so many choices out there.

I am a compulsive buyer and dont want to buy something i will regret. :roll: I really like the price of the Savage line, but love the style of the Tikka T3 Tactical, but i dont know when they will come out and the price.

I was thinking of getting a AR15 upper for my Bushmaster, but i would need a new trigger if i want to use it for long range. The trigger on my Bushmaster is very crisp, but in the 5-8lb range i bet.

I hate the Choate design stock on the Savage Model 10FP-LE2A, so i guess the regular stock and heavy barrel model 10FP or 12FV would be the ones. The accu-trigger is great too. I have felt the trigger on the Tikka T3, and it is great.

So my real options are the Savage 12FV, Savage 10FP, and Tikka Tactical.

Law Enforcement Series
Model 10FP – with AccuTrigger™
Action Short
Caliber 223 Rem., 308 Win.
Overall Length 44"
Barrel Length 24"
Weight 8.5 lbs.
Magazine Capacity 4 rounds
Stock Black synthetic with positive checkering, dual pillar bedding.
Sights Drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
Rifling Rate of Twist 223 Rem. (1 in 9")
308 Win. (1 in 10")
Features AccuTriggerâ„¢, matte blued barreled action, heavy free-floating and button-rifled barrel with internal box magazine and swivel stud for bipod.
Suggested Retail $572.00

12 Series Varmint
Model 12FV – with AccuTrigger™
Action Short
Caliber 223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., 243 Win., 308 Win.
Overall Length 46"
Barrel Length 26"
Weight 8.75 lbs.
Magazine Capacity 4 rounds
Stock Black synthetic with positive checkering, dual pillar bedding.
Sights Drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
Rifling Rate of Twist 223 Rem. (1 in 9")
22-250 Rem. (1 in 12")
243 Win. (1 in 9.25")
308 Win. (1 in 10")
Features New AccuTriggerâ„¢, oversized bolt handle, blued barreled action, heavy free-floating and button-rifled barrel, with internal box magazine and swivel studs.
Suggested Retail $532.00

http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/T3VarmintStainless.pdf
It has a 1/12 twist not 1/9 like the Savages. I checked with some US retail/wholesale prices and it cost $1050-$1100. So double the price of the Savage. :cry:

 

[Art Eatman]

By and large, IMO, there ain't a nickel's worth of difference in accuracy among most brands of bolt-action rifles. At most, a little tweaking of the bedding of the forearm and suchlike oughta get a .223 down inside one MOA with no difficulty.

As example, I have a 77 Mk II with the standard barrel. The only thing I've done is replace the stock trigger with a Timney. I regularly get three-shot groups of one-half MOA using the 9X setting of the scope.

To me, the important part of the selection deal is first, the fit. Length of pull, the drop at the butt, that sort of thing. When you mount the rifle to your shoulder with your eyes closed, and then open your eyes, you should be looking right through the sights. Then "feel" and the finish and the appearance: Do you "just really like" the aesthetics? After that, it's what you can afford. Me, I'd rather wait a bit and save some more to get just what I want.

Don't be in a hurry. Money goes away a lot easier than it comes in.

, Art

 

[meathammer]

Out of those choices, I would go with the Savage 10FP. I plan on getting one in .308. I haven't heard anything bad about the Savage, and like you said the Tikka is quite a bit more money. Spend the money you would save on a nice scope mount, rings, and optics.

 

[Black Snowman]

I have to take a moment to "pimp" the CZ rifles. I love my CZ 550 Varmit Laminated in .308. The big clincher for me was the single set trigger. It shoots well enough that I'm not sure I know exactly how accurate it is yet. From a bipod with a bag at the back I'm still the weak link in the system. To really see what it can do I need to bolt the thing into ransom rest.

Any of the CZ 527s in .223 should do the trick. The Varmit Laminated, and Varmit Kevlar have a heavier barrel and a fancier stock but that will just get you more consistancy if you are shooting a lot and not nessisarly any better accuracy.

I had to stone one surface on my CZ 550 to smooth up the standard trigger pull but I haven't touched any of the trigger adjustments. I got my with rings and tax for about $700 out the door which was niether a great nor a bad price. The more basic stocked models are noticably cheaper.

 

[Poodleshooter]

My dad just picked up a Savage 12 for $400 NIB. For some reason that "tactical" word adds some cost to your average varmint rifle. The only difference I can see is that extra sling stud, and last I checked, my Harris bipod had a stud on it for the sling. I was very skeptical of Accu-triggers, but after trying some,I'm sold on the concept.
Tikkas are wonderful rifles with excellent triggers, but the cost of that varmint rig looks a little high priced compared to their sporters. I did some shooting with a peep sighted varmint Tikka this weekend. They are incredible rifles (though admittedly, the $400 worth of adjustable aperture peep sights on it may have had something to do with the accuracy).

 

[Rupestris]

Dicks Sporting goods here in MI just had the Savage 12VF on sale for $449 US. That inclued a Simmons scope and the AccuTrigger. Available in .223 and .22-250 for that price.

 

[muskyhunter_ryan]

I am in Toronto, Canada

Went to local gun shop at lunch and checked out the Rem. VF .223 Stainless HB $1221.45 and Browning A-bolt Sporter/HB 223, synthetic stock and balck finish, on special $929.94. All prices Canadian.

The action on the Browning was smoother but the stock on the Rem. was alot stiffer and wider. They said they are going to get some Savage rifles soon, so i am hoping they get a 10FP so i can see if i like it or not. Not sure if they are getting the Tikka Tactical in, they do have alot of regular T3s in stock. The Rem. 700VF and Browning both have 1/12" twist. The two that i have found that are 1/9" are the Savage and Remington 700P.

I think i am going to wait till i get a hold of the Savage 10FP before i lay my money on it.

 

[yzguy]

I love my savage in .308
http://www.1bad69.com/gallery/?path=/gallery/GunStuff/savage/&MaxCol=2&MaxRow=5

 

[Hot brass]

muskyhunter

I just purchased a 12FV in .223 two weeks ago. I have taken the 12FV .223 out and the accuracy is amazing. The accutrigger is nice. I went with the Savage because of the price and the accutrigger. The great write-ups I read on the accuracy of Savage rifles was also a contributing factor.

 

[muskyhunter_ryan]

I bought the Savage 10 FP. Harris S-BR Bi-pod, Bushnell Elite Tactical 10X mildot scope, and Leupy bases and rings

Law Enforcement Series
Model 10FP – with AccuTrigger™
Action Short
Caliber 223 Rem., 308 Win.
Overall Length 44"
Barrel Length 24"
Weight 8.5 lbs.
Magazine Capacity 4 rounds
Stock Black synthetic with positive checkering, dual pillar bedding.
Sights Drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
Rifling Rate of Twist 223 Rem. (1 in 9")
308 Win. (1 in 10")
Features AccuTriggerâ„¢, matte blued barreled action, heavy free-floating and button-rifled barrel with internal box magazine and swivel stud for bipod.
Suggested Retail $572.00

Model BR: (Bench Rest) Lowest of the Bipods. Most useful for shooting off the bench. Adjustable height from 6" to 9".

 

[Rupestris]

Very nice. Did you get the .308 or .223?
Keep us posted on how it shoots/groups.

 

[muskyhunter_ryan]

I got the .223 because i want to share ammo with my ar15. The longest range near me is only 300 yards anyway. The 1/9" twist is great, i can share the same loads with my 1/9" AR15.

 

[shoobe01]

Why the tactical version? Look at the tikka 595 series. Lovely gun, probably superior to the M3 series. I have friends with them in .308 and .223 and they shoot like a dream. Many options, so your choice of stocks and so on.

beretta's rifle page

A 595 master sporter (the maximum-pimp version):

No longer cataloged, but they can be had. Bug your local gun store.

 

[muskyhunter_ryan]

they cost around $600 more CND more and i dont like the look of the stock. My entire kit cost me $1200 CND. the Tikka alone cost $1264.94 CND.