5.56/.223 bolt action recommendations?

J

joleme

Inactive
As the title says, I'm looking for recommendations for a bolt action rifle that is 5.56 capable. I hate to use the term "cheap" but I will only be using it for range shooting. I'll be adding a scope when I can.


My alternate scenario is going to a .223 only bolt action... something <$400 and instead spending more on an AR later. I like the idea of a semi and a bolt action, but as usual I can't make up my mind.
 
Despite what you may have read 223 and 5.56 are completely interchangeable. In extremely rare cases you might find a semi auto rifle specifically set up for 223 that may not cycle with some 5.56 ammo. And those are extremely rare. But you'll find the same issues with semi-auto rifles in any chambering. You'll never have an issue with a bolt gun.

I'd look at a Stevens 200 in that price range.
 
If I were in your shoes I'd take a hard look at the Mossberg MVP varmint. Its a nice little rifle for the money. They take AR mags, the varmint model has a laminated benchrest stock, 24" fluted heavy barrel with a 1:9 twist, and an adjustable trigger. Also it is chambered for 5.56 NATO. They have been getting some good reviews but I have yet to shoot one, they have only been out a few months. I think they sell for around $600. If you go the under $400 route I doubt you will find anything that will make a good target rifle. The Savage Axis comes in .223 and sells for about $300-$350 but IMO that rifle is junk, but some people swear by them. Choose wisely ;)

http://mossberg.com/product/rifles-bolt-action-centerfire-mvp-series-mvp-varmint/27719?u_field_prod_rifle_stock=Laminate+-+Bench+Rest@348&u_barrel=24%22+Med.+Bull%2C+Fluted@24~359&filterNodes=2470,2744,2745&nodeRef=2470,2744,2745&redirect=1&lastnode=1&filterNodes=2745
 
About a dozen years back I bought a Ruger 77 Mk II light sporter with a 39 Tasco scope, LNIB, for $400. Lousy trigger, but half-MOA from the git-go. I changed to a Leupold Vari-X II 3x9 I had lying around, and installed a Timney trigger. Didn't shoot any better; just easier. :)

1:10 twist. I discovered that round-nose 70-grain bullets were also half-MOA. 50- and 55-grain bullets work well on prairie dogs.
 
I had originally been looking at a savage axis xp, but it is listed as .223 only. I know a lot of people shoot 5.56 out of .223 barrels but I am not willing to take that chance. I wanted to keep my ammo options open though... so at that point I started to look at either an MVP varmint or predator for about $540 then adding a scope.

With the axis I've heard both good and bad about accuracy, but its always so hard to figure out what the truth is over the internet, not to mention the fact that every rifle can end up a little different.

If I do decide to hold off on the bolt action first then I'll probably drift over to buying a colt ar.

too many choices like a fat kid in a candy store.
 
My alternate scenario is going to a .223 only bolt action... something <$400
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If you want to go this route, my recommendation would be the Marlin X7VH in .223. 26", heavy barrel, 1:9" twist, adjustable trigger for about $325 out the door. The stock on it is questionable and most throws a $100 Boyds laminated thumbhole stock on it. So for about $425, you get a very good "cheap" .223 bolt-action that is ready for all day range shooting. Plus you get to work on your shooting skills instead of plinking away with a semi-auto.
 
If you want to go this route, my recommendation would be the Marlin X7VH in .223. 26", heavy barrel, 1:9" twist, adjustable trigger for about $325 out the door. The stock on it is questionable and most throws a $100 Boyds laminated thumbhole stock on it. So for about $425, you get a very good "cheap" .223 bolt-action that is ready for all day range shooting. Plus you get to work on your shooting skills instead of plinking away with a semi-auto.
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yeah some of the other places I've been reading don't quite get the idea behind a bolt action because obviously if you can't fire 30 rounds in 15 seconds the gun just isn't worthwhile..... :rolleyes:

I like the mvp predator and have seen a few around online. I just checked out the marlin and it seems the 223 version at least is MIA from every website I know to check. Personally I like the thumbhole stocks but the wife absolutely hates them, so I'll be sticking with any factory stocks that come with a rifle.

It does annoy me that a lot of the rifles I've looked at that are .223 are marked on buds and other online retailers as .223/5.56NATO when on the manufacturer websites they are plainly listed as .223 only. I even made a call to savage customer service just to have them say only idiots would fire 5.56 in a barrel that isn't made for 5.56.

I know i won't be disappointed when I but a colt-ar, having shot one in the past. I am just worried about spending 300-600 on a rifle I can't shoot beforehand and I don't want to regret my purchase.
 
I've seen the MVPs at Bass Pro, both with scopes and other "goodies" down to a bare rifle. Liked that it used AR mags, though the pmags (I think it was) didn't want to set fully and wouldn't lock in. Was ready to purchase til I noticed it only had the trigger safety and no bolt locking safety like my Savage 110, so I passed on it.
 
For a range rifle, Tikka Varmint (or super varmint if you have the dollars) in .223 in your choice of 1 in 8 or 1 in 12 twist...

"accurate rifles are interesting" ;)

(edited to say that .223 is really a long distance varmint round and shines out of a scoped up accurate varmint style rifle - but if you really want an AR then go for it. Don't get hung up on the "difference" between .223 and 5.56 - because there isn't any ! :D well my gun hasn't blown up yet anyway lol)
 
Sounds like OP wants a Colt AR15. IME, if one buys a less expensive substitute for a product he actually desires, he will never be satisfied with what he has, he will always yearn for what he *could* have had.

If a nice, clean, accurate, bolt rifle is in the offing, the CZ product is really high quality, especially for the price. I think it is a bit more expensive than OP said he was wiling to spend. I've never been disappointed with the CZ.
 
Sounds like OP wants a Colt AR15
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(edited to say that .223 is really a long distance varmint round and shines out of a scoped up accurate varmint style rifle - but if you really want an AR then go for it. Don't get hung up on the "difference" between .223 and 5.56 - because there isn't any ! well my gun hasn't blown up yet anyway lol)
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I'll be buying an AR eventually regardless, it is just a matter of if I can decide on a bolt action first. If I can't I'll just skip it for now I guess. I would also assume that accuracy would be better with the bolt if for no other reason than I won't be tempted to just fire off round after round.

As a kid I only fired a some handguns and a lot of shotguns so I get a little anxious when everyone says "oh i shoot 5.56 out of my .223 all the time". I have the type of luck that if I did it would probably explode in my face.

Since i don't know the difference.... why is a bolt locking safety so important? Keep in mind I'll only be range shooting so accidentally hitting the trigger while going through the woods or something won't be on my list of things to worry about.
 
joleme said:
Since i don't know the difference.... why is a bolt locking safety so important? Keep in mind I'll only be range shooting so accidentally hitting the trigger while going through the woods or something won't be on my list of things to worry about.
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Extra piece of mind for me I guess. I like that in position one the bolt won't move or fire, two you can cycle the bolt but not fire and three you can fire and cycle the bolt. Some don't need it or like it, just prefrence.
 
Extra piece of mind for me I guess. I like that in position one the bolt won't move or fire, two you can cycle the bolt but not fire and three you can fire and cycle the bolt. Some don't need it or like it, just prefrence.
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From your description I don't think it's something I would absolutely need. Maybe the MVP would be the way to go. In either case I suppose a rifle is better than no rifle.
 
my recommendation would be the Marlin X7VH in .223. 26", heavy barrel, 1:9" twist, adjustable trigger for about $325 out the door. The stock on it is questionable and most throws a $100 Boyds laminated thumbhole stock on it. So for about $425, you get a very good "cheap" .223 bolt-action that is ready for all day range shooting.
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I went this exact same route. My X7VH is one heck of a shooter for the $$$.
 
For your budget you might look at a used Savage 340 in .223. The trigger is a little heavy but they are very accurate rifles. Mine has been a very dependable rifle and has taken quite a few coyotes in the 22+ years that I've owned it.
The Springfield 840 is the same basic rifle but not sure if it was chambered in .223.
 
Best .223 bolt action bargain (all things considered-looks, performance, and overall quality) is the Weatherby Vanguard/Howa line of rifles. I don'[t know what the price is right now but I've bought those for $375 and every one of them is a good shooter.
FWIW---I'd NEVER buy a rifle that doesn't have a manual safety and thoroughly dislike/distrust ALL of the "safety on the trigger" systems. When a shooter gets used to that method of operation and then picks up a rifle with a "good trigger", an AD/ND is imminent.
 
Remington

I can't believe I have not seen the name in this thread. Mine is an older varmint model and can put 52 gr. bullets into the same hole at 100 all day. New ones are more expensive that they should be but there are many used ones. They are often cherished and finding one may be a task.
 
I can't believe I have not seen the name in this thread. Mine is an older varmint model and can put 52 gr. bullets into the same hole at 100 all day. New ones are more expensive that they should be but there are many used ones. They are often cherished and finding one may be a task.
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The nasty sour taste that has been left in my mouth from dealing with remington's customer service over my 597 .22lr is why I will never buy another remington product. They were pissy with me over the phone and instead of offering to fix the rifle they instead shipped 2 'new' magazines that took almost a month to get to me. Of the two they shipped, one immediately has sticking issues the other will randomly drop out of the gun even if it is all the way in. I won't bother to call them again since it will probably be a month to get it to them and over a month back. I could be missing out of a decent gun, but its not worth it to give my money to a company with such horrid customer service.
 
on another note.... many many online places selling .223s advertise them as .223/5.56 NATO.... buds being the most popular culprit. Couldn't they be sued if someone bought the rifle not realizing it and gets hurt firing 5.56 ammo out of one? Seems stupid to me that they would even take the chance just to sell a few more guns.


The main reason I have been looking at an MVP is that it is stamped 5.56 nato. I ordered some .223 a while back in preperation for buying a rifle and after a big ordering mistake by the company the owner went ahead and gave me a few hundred green tip 5.56 ammo as a 'sorry we screwed up'. Would just like to fire some of it off. I realize a lot of people don't even pay the slightest attention and just fire 5.56 out of .223 rifles. A guy at the range saturday was doing so out of his howa. However, when it comes to things that go boom, i tend to read directions.
 
I think that you are worrying too much over the 223 versus 5.56 issue. In a modern bolt action like mine, I would make sure that COAL on the 5.56 was Ok for my rifle (just to be sure) and if that was Ok I'd shoot the 5.56 ammo. As I understand it, the only significant difference is that the 5.56 is loaded to a higher pressure.

As for a rifle, I am really fond of my Ruger Hawkeye. The trigger pull was too heavy, so I had the spring replaced with a lighter one. That worked fine, but I later got the urge for a Timney and I really like that. My Ruger shoots great with handloads. I've never fired a 'storebought' round in it, so I can't speak to how it shoots with factory ammo. To fit your budget, I'd suggest a Ruger American. I don't own one, but like the way they look and feel and I hear that they are great shooters. And like Mobuck, I'm not going for anything without a manual safety. No way.
 
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