I'm looking for a low priced .223 around $500 or less I've seen the ruger American, Tikka T3, and the savage axis along with many other budget bolt actions but which one would you recommend the most. Also it will be used mostly for target practice and taking care of the occasional varmint
Looking for bolt action .223
- Thread starter Chad.C
- Start date
I was in the same predicament as you a short time ago, I just checked for a friend of mine and the ruger american does not come in 223. I did alot of looking and settled on the Tikka T3, It is a great little rifle, light weight and it does drive tacks, I reload for it and I know it will shoot one hole groups if I do my part, I also shot some factory 50 gr. ballistic tips today and got a 3 shot group with 2 touching and 1 about 1/2 in away at 200 yds. The barrel is floated and the trigger is nice and crisp, I have it turned down to the lowest weight, 2.5 lbs.
steveNChunter
New member
I just bought a Savage Axis stainless in .223 about a week ago.
I paid $329 for the rifle new from wal-mart, ordered a $100 Boyd's laminate stock for it (hasn't got here yet), and I put a $65-valued Center-point 4-16x40 scope on it that I had laying around that came off a rifle I traded for a couple years ago (I know alot of people bash Center-Point, but its the best sub-$100 scope I've ever seen by a longshot).
I did a little polishing/spring modifying on the trigger and I now have a trigger that breaks clean-as-glass at around 2-3 pounds.
So when I get the Boyd's stock on it I'll have a stainless/laminate rifle for $429
Try finding a brand new stainless/laminate rifle for anywhere close to that price.
I paid $329 for the rifle new from wal-mart, ordered a $100 Boyd's laminate stock for it (hasn't got here yet), and I put a $65-valued Center-point 4-16x40 scope on it that I had laying around that came off a rifle I traded for a couple years ago (I know alot of people bash Center-Point, but its the best sub-$100 scope I've ever seen by a longshot).
I did a little polishing/spring modifying on the trigger and I now have a trigger that breaks clean-as-glass at around 2-3 pounds.
So when I get the Boyd's stock on it I'll have a stainless/laminate rifle for $429
Try finding a brand new stainless/laminate rifle for anywhere close to that price.
In your price range is the Weatherby Vanguard S-2. Each one is guaranteed .999 MOA out of the box.
Mine is a .308 and delivers as promised. Make sure the Vanguard you get is the S-2 model.
They have adjustable trigger and hinged floorplate. I did not realize how much I missed a hinged floor plate until the detachable box magazine in a high end Savage kept rattling and falling out.
Mine is a .308 and delivers as promised. Make sure the Vanguard you get is the S-2 model.
They have adjustable trigger and hinged floorplate. I did not realize how much I missed a hinged floor plate until the detachable box magazine in a high end Savage kept rattling and falling out.
ChasingWhitetail91
New member
If the ammo situation where your at is anything like where i am i'd think about buying the rounds before you buy the rifle.
get an axis. i have a buddy who went the ruger american way and now he wants a axis in 223. the old one had a issue with hitting the scopes, but i handled one made 3 weeks ago and they seemed to have fixed all the issues on it . and works great. i shot it out to 250 yards dead center. also id recommend a redfield scope for it if you go that route
tikkas are probably not as cheap as the axis but is a great rifle
several barrel profiles and different stocks avaible and I kinda like the open sights on them if that is a criteria, the varmint is all tacticolled out from the get go, some complaints about their synthetic stocks but the axis has gotten more hate in that department
depends on what you want to do with it
if I wanted a lugging around mobile type hunting gun i'd go with the cz carbine
my bro got one of those, sweet rifle for sure
several barrel profiles and different stocks avaible and I kinda like the open sights on them if that is a criteria, the varmint is all tacticolled out from the get go, some complaints about their synthetic stocks but the axis has gotten more hate in that department
depends on what you want to do with it
if I wanted a lugging around mobile type hunting gun i'd go with the cz carbine
my bro got one of those, sweet rifle for sure
I would like to give my thumbs up to the Boyds thumbhole, I put one on my Ruger Hawkeye, fit like a glove right out of the box and it sure did help to shrink my groups, I will have one on my Tikka before too long, cant beat em for 100 bucks. I dont think the axis has a adjustable trigger as the Tikka does but, one thing I am not sure I like is that the Tikka is a long action for a short case, I didnt think much about it before I bought it but now I do. It is a great shooting rifle though, cant complain about that. So, as far at the Tikka over the Axis, I know the Tikka I got I paid 560 for without a scope, I think the axis comes in about 350 although I could be mistaken about the axis price.
Last edited:
steveNChunter
New member
The axis and t3 are both all long actions, even the .223's
They just use different mags for short or long action cartridges.
The t3 starts at about $550 whereas the axis starts at $275.
Out of the box, of course the T3 is the better rifle. Simply because of a stiffer synthetic stock and better trigger. But put a $100 laminate stock on the Axis and do a little trigger work and you have a better rifle than the Tikka for nearly $200 less. Even if you get the stainless version of the Axis you're still coming out cheaper than the base T3.
It's a no brainer IMO
Not knocking the Tikka in any way, they are good rifles. But the aftermarket has finally arrived for the Axis and its factory shortcomings can be easily and cheaply overcome. Stocks, triggers, and barrels are all available, making them a great action for a budget build.
They just use different mags for short or long action cartridges.
The t3 starts at about $550 whereas the axis starts at $275.
Out of the box, of course the T3 is the better rifle. Simply because of a stiffer synthetic stock and better trigger. But put a $100 laminate stock on the Axis and do a little trigger work and you have a better rifle than the Tikka for nearly $200 less. Even if you get the stainless version of the Axis you're still coming out cheaper than the base T3.
It's a no brainer IMO
Not knocking the Tikka in any way, they are good rifles. But the aftermarket has finally arrived for the Axis and its factory shortcomings can be easily and cheaply overcome. Stocks, triggers, and barrels are all available, making them a great action for a budget build.
I don't need a big heavy rifle in 223 so I have a couple of Mini Mausers because they are scaled to suit the cartridge size. I got the first one about 22 years ago and the damn thing has shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards with military ammo. The Mannlicher style number just arrived last week and I'm waiting for the scope to get here so I can try it out.
steveNChunter
New member
I've always liked the Mini-Mausers. I would love to have one in 7.62x39 for a compact brush rifle for deer hunting. They are imported only under the Zastava brand name now aren't they?
I have a couple of Tikka T3 lites, one in .223. I have owned Savages; note past tense. It is true that the Tikkas are all built on a long action, with the same size magazines; "blocked"/spacer for shorter cartridges. As stated above, Axis - same basic story. Tikka is a tad lighter, while having a "more solid"/less flexing stock. (Also noted previously.)
Where I see the difference: Tikka comes with a trigger that can be bested, Sure - by buying a Jewell trigger; Jewell trigger costs almost as much as buying an entire Axis. Great stock trigger in the Tikka, adjustable down to 2 lbs. If you want an accurate rifle, need a really good trigger, and here the T3 delivers. Stock just plain works without flexing into the floated barrel. Action is Smoooooth. Magazine is hearty; read not likely to break.
So, out of the box easily sub-moa (at least mine both are with factory ammo, and with my reloads even better) rifle that is well built without needing to upgrade anything.
Or, if you like to tinker, buy an Axis - tinker away and get close to what you would pay for the T3 in the first place.
Not knocking the Axis, just not a fan of them after several Savages. Look at the differences in the barrel finishings on the inside; if you can find borescope images, noticeable difference. They have been posted on this forum in the fairly recent past. And if you are trying to save a couple of bucks, and again can tinker and upgrade in the long run/or even right away, the Axis does get one "into the show".
They both may perform at a "similar" level; however, the Tikka doesn't need any help getting there.
YMMV
4runnerman
New member
Tikas are very nice rifles and very light, Can't go wrong with one. How ever I would have to throw the accuracy to savage. $100.00 stock and 1.5 coils trimmed off the spring and you are good to go. The Axis is probably the most under rated rifle out there. Most laugh at them till they shoot them and find out just how sweet those $300.00 things can be.
The stock on them is only a issue if you are putting a bi pod on them,other than that it makes no difference.
The stock on them is only a issue if you are putting a bi pod on them,other than that it makes no difference.
remember that tikka are European, ton of them over here in Sweden, twice the price of an axis but the quality is there so it is worth it.
we need better quality here in europe because our stricter laws we can't take a chance on a rifle if you get my drift. many people have only one real moose/deer/boar rifle in 6,5x55 or bigger, if that is out of commision it takes 1-4 months if you are unlucky to get a license and/or delivery
the axis is still pretty new, reports of quality in the long run aren't in yet, but for tikkas, a used one (not even t3) is still considered a good option here, the quality is there, maybe smaller quantities aswell?