Looking for most budget accurate 5.56/ .223 rifle

M

m_liebst

New member
Trying to find a decent bolt action rifle that has the best overall throat length chamber for producing under 1 MOA accuracy out of box with both 5.56 & .223 ammo. I took a look at the Mossberg MVP varmint which I read through various forums and reviews - has 1 MOA capabilities and sports a free floated 24 inch bull barrel, and a trigger that is similar to Savages accu-trigger. Anyone own one of these and has info.? Also wondering about savage and Remington models. My price range is 500- 750. Maybe someone could hint what that price range would fetch in terms of a precision bolt rifle with the 5.56/ .223 compatibility. I'm basically looking for a bolt action that I won't have to tinker with a great deal to get precision, seeing that I'm probably going to end up investing another 200+ for optics. Thanks for any input!

Was also wondering what twist would be best for shooting the heavier projectiles (62-77 grains). I was reading that 1 in 9 would be sufficient for bullets with in 45-69 grains- which I think is a great compromise, but then I also hear that it really depends on the individual rifle.?...
 
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I just bought a savage, model 11, hog hunter, chambered for .223 rem, for around 500 $, out the door. It has a heavy (not bull), 20 inch barrel and is threaded for a flash suppressor. It also has an oversize bolt handle, and an accu-trigger. I added a leupold 1-4X for 230 $, an advanced armament flash suppressor, and a steel trigger guard for 20 $. Those prices should be within your budget. On the downside, the stock does seem a bit flimsy, and I may look into replacing it

I haven't fired it yet and so I can't comment on the accuracy. However, I've yet to run across a savage which wasn't capable of the accuracy you desire (at least for the first 3 shots).
 
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Savage. Their new tooling makes a darn good off the shelf rifle. Something a custom shop would be proud of 20 years ago.
 
I have two 223 bolt rifles. The first is a Savage 10FP and the other is a Marlin XL7HB with a Boyds Ross thumbhole stock. Either rifle will shoot sub 1" 100 yard 5 shot groups with Black Hills 52gr MHP ammo. The Savage cost ~$550 IIRC and the Marlin was $306 plus ~$110 for the Boyds stock. Both rifles are 1:9 twist and have no problems shooting 75gr Prvi Match ammo.
 
There is a guy at the range with a Thompson contender in 223 and with his hand loads puts them in a ragged one hole group off the bench a 100 yards.
 
The Remington 700 ADL Dick's Sporting goods rifle in .223 (with heavy barrel, adjustable trigger) can be had for $450 after rebate. Even comes with a scope. A good budget ready to go rifle that can be upgraded per $, time, and desires.
 
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Weatherby Vanguard Series 2. They upgraded the stock from the original, added a match quality two-stage trigger, 3-position safety and a sub 1 MOA guarantee right out of the box. I've got two of them, one a .223, and they both easily surpass that criteria.

All that said, they come with 1:12 twist. 63gr. is going to be as heavy as you'll want to go. I shoot 55gr., so it's all good.
 
another vanguard user. I like using lighter, rapid expansion bullets so the twist is a plus for me. when savage switched to the contraptions they consider internal magazines they lost favor in my feeble mind. bob
 
The point made below is very valid.

Its not only the rifle, its the bullets (what type) as well as the twist.

Twist is elusive in that some rifles will shoot a wide range very well and some with the same twist will not. No one seems to have found the reason.

So, you are best off picking the twist thats centered around he weight of bullet you want for the best possible returns.

If you truly want that guarantee then a custom fitting barrel is the better way to go as they true up the shoulder and thats the single biggest key to a tack drive rifle.

Also you are not going to get 1 MOA out of 5.56 ammo, you will need to go with the quality target rounds and or reload your own.

Chambers are a variable as well with the 223 chamber, the 5.56 chamber (can shoot both) or the Wylde Chamber that is supposed to allow accurate shooting of both.

Weatherby Vanguard Series 2. They upgraded the stock from the original, added a match quality two-stage trigger, 3-position safety and a sub 1 MOA guarantee right out of the box. I've got two of them, one a .223, and they both easily surpass that criteria.

All that said, they come with 1:12 twist. 63gr. is going to be as heavy as you'll want to go. I shoot 55gr., so it's all good.
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