What new rifle for .223?...suggestions?

[Lavan]

Thinking of getting a rifle for .223 besides my Mini-14.
What would you suggest for the following wants?

1. Holds its zero from month to month. (hot or cold)
2. Groups MOA or better.
3. Price.
4. Bbl length 24" or better to quiet it down a bit. Prefer
26".
5. Lightest weight that would allow it to do the above.

Those are in order of importance to me.
One thing I do like about the Mini is that although it is not the tightest grouper in the box, I can take it out today or next year and hit a 6" target at 100-150 yards with no adjustment from the last time out.

Had a Win. pre-64 70 .243 that would not only not hold a zero but would NEVER hit with a cold barrel.

 

[PJR]

You didn't specify action type but two bolt actions that fit four of the five categories would be the Sako 75 or the Tikka Whitetail Hunter. I own a Tikka in .223 and it's good for MOA, holding zero, reasonable weight and is reasonably priced. The Sako is more expensive but I've recently handled one in .223 and I might have to pony up the extra $$. They are very sweet rifles. The only category the Sako and Tikka don't meet is barrel length. Both are 22 inches or so.

 

[ROCK-n-GLOCK]

If you are talking about semi auto's, I just bought a new Robinson Arms VEPR II .223 which is winging it's way here from there plant in Utah. They(Robinson) are advertising MOA type groups with this rifle. It is only a 20 inch HBAR type barrel though, built off of Russian rcvr's and barrels with an AK type action. They also make a sporter style. And they make them in .308's too. May not be what you want, but they are nice and guaranteed to be accurate by Robinson.

http://www.robarm.com/vepr223 page.html (sporter)
http://www.robarm.com/vepr new 223.htm (assault)

Here is a pic of their assault style VEPR II .223

Here is a pic of the sporter style VEPR .223