budget bolt 223

G

Gulfcowboy

New member
I've been tossing the idea around of getting a cheap 223 bolt action rifle for awhile. I looked at some rugers, and the Thompson compass that shoots 5.56 and 223, also the savage axis. Anyone have any experience with budget bolt action 223s. Do you love them do you hate them? Any input is always appreciated.
 
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One of these

https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanch/models.html

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26944.html

Both take AR magazines. I have both, paid $389 OTD for each of them.

The 16" barreled rifle is marked 5.56, the 22" is marked 223. I shoot both 5.56 and 223 interchangeably in them. I can't imagine ever having an issue more than unreliable function when shooting 5.56 in a 223 chambered semi-auto. And I can't think of anyone who makes one of those.

Both shoot well under 1 MOA with good ammo. But I like the longer barreled rifle better. I may sell the Ranch rifle.

In fact all of the American Predators are shooters. I also have them in 308 and 6.5CM. The only rifle I own that is more accurate is my Tikka CTR. And it isn't by much.
 
My brother has an Axis in 223 and he likes it. It doesn't have the accutrigger and he has a 30-06 with the accutrigger, so he does say that the regular axis is not great in taht department. As far as the reliability and accuracy minus the trigger, he likes it.

Having a couple savages with Accutrigger's myself, I will say that if you go with an axis, get the II that has the upgraded trigger. It is well worth the extra $$.

I also have a mossberg MVP. It is the nicer stocked version, but if you went with a plastic stock plus the lightning trigger, you will also get a good shooting rifle. I will say that the MVP bolt is a bit more finicky than the savage bolts are, but I don't have an axis and I don't know if the bolt is different between the 110 and the Axis line.
 
If you don't mind pencil thin barrels, the Rem 783 or the RAR. Both are accurate, but the barrel will heat up quickly.
 
I second the motion for the Ruger Americans JMR40 mentioned. They're nothing fancy, but they are shooters! I have two, one of which lives at my in-laws' farm. It gets dragged around all 180 acres multiple times per week, and I regularly shoot anything from groundhogs to foxes and coyotes without any trouble. I busted a 12 lb groundhog at 319 yds just a couple weeks ago, and I gotta tell you, there are few things in life as satisfying as hearing that wet melon "whop" sound come drifting back across the fields when you and your rifle have each done their part. ;)
 
A few important questions...

What specifically does "budget" entail? $400 or less? 300? 500?

What is your purpose? Hunting, benchrest, a mix?

Would you prefer a heavier weight barrel or more of a sporter profile to make lighter and easier to carry?

Detachable mags? Ar mag compatibility something you might want? Internal/hinged floorplate mags ok?

I recently went through the process of buying a budget .223 myself so I have the list of everything I looked at, but my budget was $450 and under.
 
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What is your budget?
The best bang for your buck is a Savage. Spend the money on one that is not an Axis. Those are entry level.
MSRP on a Model 10 Trophy Hunter XP with a 3-9 x 40 Nikon scope is $729.00.
It's $549.00 for a Ruger Predator with no sights.
 
I have an axis that is freakishly accurate. I'm not sure if they are all that good but clay pigeons at 200 yards don't stand a chance. This is with the cheap scope that came on it.

I believe the whole package was less than 250 during a black Friday sale a few years ago.

I wouldn't call the action smooth but it shoots well.
 
Another vote for the Howa 1500 (AKA Weatherby Vanguard). If you're patient, you can find a good used one for less than $300.
 
Im looking to spend under 500$. The rifle would be used as a cheap plinker, and something to keep behind the seat of my truck when visiting the family ranch. I kinda like the idea of being able to shoot 5.56 outta the same rifle. I stockpile 223 5.56.
 
With the addition of being a truck gun and wanting 5.56 compatibility, I think the Ruger American Ranch would be right up your alley.

https://www.deguns.net/ruger-6965-a...hetic-stock/p?idsku=19090&utm_source=wikiarms

They do make an AR mag version if you have the mags and don't want to buy new ones. One heads up, though, going with the AR mag version leaves you with little to nothing as far as aftermarket stocks at the moment, hopefully that changes soon.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020906623?pid=729160
 
The first compass I purchased was in 6.5 cm,was very impressed with the accuracy and quality,so I got a 308 before the sale-rebate ended.All it did was shoot as well as a savage model 10 HB with a couple of different loads.The 5.56/.223 compass I have is shoots cheap 55gr. Ultra max soft point factory reloads 1/2 moa.Also steel cased sellier bellot 55gr fmj is 1 1/4 -1 1/2 moa.I haven't tried good ammo yet.
 
I've had a couple 223's in the past. Something I don't get is why the 5.56 can't be fired in a 223 rifle? I've never tried it, close as I ever came was getting 5.56 fired case's to reload but mostly commercial 223 case's.

I think if I were looking for an inexpensive rifle in one I'd certainly look at the Savage rifle's. I'd also look at the Mossberd Predator. I got one just to fool with and it shoots so well I got another just to shoot cast bullet's out of. Mine have wood stock's but the plastic stocked one's are less expensive.You can get them with a scope or without, I got mine without. First one, 243 I got a 3x9 Redfield for, shoot's great. The other, a 308, I put an old 1-4x Redfield on.

Then again I've never owned a Savage rifle other than a mod 24 so I might lean that way. I believe the end result in accuracy with any of them will depend on the shooter. I like to tinker with bedding quite a bit! Haven't done that on the Mossberg's though as not real sure how to go about it and they both shot very well right out of the box.
 
That's why I got the compass, the barrel is marked 556/223.I picked up one of the Mossberg Preditor rifles and the wood stock seems very nice, I need to get a Boyd's for my t/c s.By the way, love those savage 24s, I remember in 1977 when my dad said he would buy me a gun for Christmas and I found the 24 22/20 ga.in thegun Digest,and thought it was great to get 2 guns for 1.I have been hooked on them ever since.
 
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