Best bolt action 223 under $425?

9

9mmLaw

New member
I am looking to get a new rifle. I want something bigger than a .22 but do not need something to hunt with, I have a 270 which is plenty of power for me. Cost of ammo is afactor, thus the 223.

What do you recommend for under $425? Will it be of decent quality? What about a scope? I would like to stay with a bolt action.
 
Not sure what the prices are in your neck of the woods but I have owned 2 rifles in .223 that I was very happy with, a CZ527 and a Tikka Whitetail Hunter. Both had detachable mags and adjustable triggers. The CZ was lighter and would put 3 rounds under an inch and the Tikka would put three into .75" with factory rounds and under .5 with good reloads.

I had a B&L Elite 3000 2x-7x on the Tikka and an old Weaver on the CZ.

My preference between the two was Tikka and I only traded the rifle in when I decided to buy a Sako 75 in .223.
 
While I'm still a novice and there are others here that have much more "hands on" experience, I'll try to pass on the info I have found. I've been looking for the same gun for some time now. What I narrowed it down too was...

Tikka Hunter
Remington model 7 and 700 BDL
CZ 527
Browning A-Bolt micro hunter
Savage 10FP police
Howa 1500
Ruger M77

The Remington (most models), the Browning, and quite possibly the Ruger and Tikka are out of your price range (all seven are out of my range at the moment ;)). I've heard all excellent reviews on the Savage. I handled one side by side with the Howa 1500. The ergonomics of the Howa seemed superior, but apparently the Savage can't be beat in the accuracy department out of the box. Me ? I wanted a walking varmint rifle, which took the Savage and Howa out of contention. I compared the CZ and Remington model 7 side by side. While the CZ is a beautiful rifle, the Model 7 wins hands down in terms of ergonomics, sights, fit and finish. I'd still get the CZ, but they are hard to find (especially at a competitive price, locally) and apparently their rings suck. Too bad, oh well. I haven't been able to find a Tikka in the model and caliber that I want, but I was really impressed with the quality of their rifles, and the best trigger hands down. Here in CA the dealers associate "Tikka" with "Sako" and charge the same price ! So right now I'm saving my coin for a Remington model 7 (or maybe the Browning...or the Tikka, who knows). Heres a peep at some of whats out there.


Browning A-Bolt Hunter: 22 in. barrel, 6 rounds fixed mag, 6 lbs 7 ounces.

abolthunter.jpg


CZ 527 Lux: 23.62 inch barrel, 5 round detachable mag, 6.2 lbs.

p31.jpg


Remington 700 ADL synthetic: 5 rounds (?), 24 inch barrel, 7 1/4 lbs.

700ADLS.JPG


Savage 10 FP: 24 in barrel, 8.5 lbs, 4 round mag. The Howa is pretty similar to this, check out the new Varminter at the Savage page !

10fp_sala.jpg



Also, check out http://www.gunsamerica.com , and http://www.auctionarms.com to get an estimate of what these guns retail for (both are the higher and lower end of retail prices respectively). http://www.teleport.com/~ldddad/firearms.htm will give you a list of all the manufacturer's websites mentioned. Good luck.
 
Local dealer sells Tikka Whitetail Hunters in synthetic for $390; wood is a little more. Free-floated barrels, fully-adjustable, great triggers, detachable mags; slick action; Sako-inspired quality control and accuracy.
 
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