223 bolt guns

[rtse4me]

I have wanted a quality bolt action in 223 for a while now. Low recoil is the main reason for wanting one. I would like to shoot 75g-80g bullets Some of the guns that I am considering:
1. Savage Hog Hunter- Inexpensive so extra dollars for upgrades
2. Remington 700 5R- not sure if these are worth it? don't know much about them
3. CZ527 American - control feed action
4. Custom from GAP- you only live once

Any others I should consider?

 

[basscat]

Have you checked out the mossberg MVP line ?

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Well, money's always an issue but I gotta say try a Kimber...

 

[smg1231]

I am a huge fan of 223 bolt guns. Low recoil, cheaper ammo, and still plenty of fun. You should take a look at the Tikka rifles too. The Tikka T3 Varmint is scary accurate.

 

[4g64loser]

I vote for Tikka T3 Varmint or T3 Tactical. They are stupid accurate. Just be sure to be very specific when ordering your rifle so that you get the twist you want.

I am setting up a .22-250 T3 varmint for a friend right now. He liked my T3 Tac in .308 but wanted a varmint caliber.

If you want em accurate, smooth, and with a rapid action (T3s have a 70degree bolt instead of the 90degree found on most actions) it is hard to beat Tikka.

 

[A1Uni]

Ruger American rifles are high quality at a nice price. I have a stainless .223 bolt in stock.

 

[Russ D]

I picked up an SPS tac from a member here. The 1/9 twist will handle 75s.

 

[rtse4me]

I picked up an SPS tac from a member here. The 1/9 twist will handle 75s.

That is good to know. Seems like most are 1/9 except the Ruger which is 1/8.
Tikka is my first choice but I heard Beretta is only importing the 1/12 twist on most of the Tikka line. The only model I have seen available with the 1/8 twist is the T3 Sporter. I am a fan of Tikka/Sako rifles.
What is nice about the Remington and Tikka is the aftermarket support.

 

[rico903]

A CZ 527 carbine with the 1/9 twist is a sweet little gun. The American be be a 1/12 twist, double check the specs. A lot depends on what you want to do with it. Hunt, target, suppressor etc.

 

[Yoshi]

There are a lot of choices out there. When considering your "only live once option", any of top smiths produce you a quality rifle. GAP makes a great rifle, but you should also consider:
Short Actio Custom
Long Rifles, Inc
American Precison
Spartan Rifles
Phoenix Rifles
AJ Brown
Mason Dixon
Gradous Rifles
Etc...

The shops listed above will, typically, only work on Remington/Remington clone actions. If you decide on another action, you may have to look elsewhere. In any case, you're looking at big bucks.

When paying that much, you have to ask yourself what it is you want in a rifle. If it's the best money can buy, go for it. If it's squeezing out the most accuracy, they will certainly make every attempt to do so. Same goes for fit and finish. Here's the caveat: Savages, Remington's, Tikkas, Howa's, and other mass production rifles can get you awesome results too. There are some good Savage smiths too: Larry Racine, Ed Harren, Dave Bruno.

My first Savage could shoot sub-MOA all day long. I could even squeeze 1/2" groups out of it. Total cost of that rifle was $1100'ish. That includes scope, bipod, and stock pack. Heck, I've owned 3 Savages and they were all that good. Including my .223. No, they arent as smooth or as refined as a high end rifle, but you wouldnt be able to tell the difference between the two from looking at a target. Other mass produced rifles can be just as good and may need a little refinement.

So, lots of choices. There is an argument for purchasing anyone of them. As far as slinging the heavier bullets, I prefer the faster twists, but as stated, the 1:9 can handle most of the heavies.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Agreed OP! Lots of reasons why a good .223 bolt gun makes all kinds of sense. Add good barrel life to your list as well, which adds to the appeal of a rifle you'll probably be inclined to shoot the hell out of for all the reasons mentioned. As Yoshi mentions above, options galore abound, and there's no law that says that you can't buy decent stock rifles that will yield some very impressive accuracy.

One rifle that comes to my mind that might be worth a look is the Savage Model 12 low profile. It's not something you're likely to want to lug around in the field all day, given a 26 inch tube and a 10 pound weight before a scope and maybe a bipod. But as a range/stationary varmint rifle, no such concerns. They make that rifle in both a 9 and also a 7 twist, the latter of which I'd lean toward if you have a desire to be shooting nothing but .224 bullets at the heaviest end of the scale. Otherwise, 9 twist. Model 12 accuracy tends to be outstanding.

 

[ponypeddler87]

Have you checked out the mossberg MVP line ?

I thought i read some where based on the twist rate they were only good for 55 gr and under. Performed very well with 40 gr but struggled to keep 2-3 MOA with 75 gr and up

 

[E.Shell]

I vote for Tikka T3 Varmint or T3 Tactical. They are stupid accurate. Just be sure to be very specific when ordering your rifle so that you get the twist you want...

This...

I see a lot of Tikka T3s here and they are invariably excellent shooters. The .223 is available in several twist rates and one must be careful which one to select for the desired bullet weights.

 

[rtse4me]

When paying that much, you have to ask yourself what it is you want in a rifle. If it's the best money can buy, go for it. If it's squeezing out the most accuracy, they will certainly make every attempt to do so. Same goes for fit and finish. Here's the caveat: Savages, Remington's, Tikkas, Howa's, and other mass production rifles can get you awesome results too. There are some good Savage smiths too: Larry Racine, Ed Harren, Dave Bruno.
.

I added the "only live once option" because I could sell a couple of guns that I never shoot to finance it. I tend to only shoot a few guns and the rest get ignored. Also, I am the type who appreciates fit finish on anything guns, cars etc.
On the other hand I have a mass produced rifle that shoots lights out and bought used for a great price.

 

[alucard0822]

Ruger scout gunsite. They are AWESOME. 1/8 twist, 10rd box mag, comfortable and secure stock, scout rail for optics, reliable feeding and ejection and good fixed sights, pretty accurate too. Probably one of the better all around rifles for most anything other than trying for tiny groups from a bench. If tiny groups from a bench are your goal, then a Savage varminter, Tikka or Rem 700.

 

[chad2]

My next rifle is going to be a tikka t3 varmint 30-06 or 223. Leaning towards 223 due to price of ammo.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

I have the MVP its a very nice bolt gun, wont ever be a trophy precision shooter but a very good serviceable rifle.

Also have a CZ527, a little hard to deal with in the old twist but now they are making them in 1:9 they do very well. Plus they usually look really good

Don't rule out a Savage or Remington/Zastava 799 if you find one at a good price.

 

[sgt23preston]

I am very fond of my VERY Accurate Browning X Bolt...

Sub 1" groups, right out of the box (using $6.99 a box ammo) & a superb factory trigger...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=480514548

 

[friendlyhippo]

Have you checked out the mossberg MVP line ?

He said he wanted a quality gun, not the cheapest one wal-mart has to offer.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

He said he wanted a quality gun, not the cheapest one wal-mart has to offer.

That's a little extreme, they are actually a fairly well built gun and competitive with the Ruger American, Savage Axis (Ill get flack for this but anything Remington makes lately). But they are not a Browning and probably not the fit, finish and quality of a CZ. If the .223 Gunsights are built like my .308 they fall somewhere between the two.

Good shooters though, love mine, its one of my favorite range guns when I don't want to pound my shoulder!