Which bolt .223

Which .223 bolt action?

  • CZ 527

    Votes: 15 24.6%

  • Winchester Model 70

    Votes: 12 19.7%

  • Ruger M77 Hawkeye

    Votes: 7 11.5%

  • Something else

    Votes: 27 44.3%
  • Total voters
    61
  • Poll closed .
S

Scrumbag

New member
Hello folks,

Am looking for a .223 bolt action rifle and haven't seen a thread done on this for a while so...

What do people reckon is the best? As I'd be looking for a rifle to replicate my hunting rifles which are all "Mauser" type actions but would be open to suggestions.

Probably would go for a "sporter" type stock so when answering please feel free to elaborate below. And as always be happy to hear about other suggestions.

ATB,

Scrummy
 
I don't have much personal experience but my friend had a Howa 1500 that came with a Redfield scope 2-7x. Our range goes out to 300 yards and the rifle was very accurate at all ranges up to that. Couldn't speak to any other bolt action .223s though. IIRC it was holding ragged hole sized groups at 50 yards.

I want to say that rifle will set you back maybe $600 with the scope but it's been maybe 2 years since he's had that one, so I couldn't say for sure.

-Mike
 
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 needs to be on your list. Match grade 2-stage trigger and guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA out of the box. Mine does that easily. For about a $500 rifle, it's one of the best values out there.
 
You might consider the Tikka T3 lite in .223. I know that I am. I recently, in the last year or so, bought a Tikka T3 in 30-06. Beautiful trigger, adjusted down to 2 lbs. Smooooth action. Light weight, just at six pounds for the rifle. Accurate, my hunting handloads literally go into the same ragged hole at 100 yards from the bench. Absolutely need an aftermarket recoil pad; for 30-06, limbsaver on mine.

The problem with having a Tikka is that now I am seriously considering getting one in .223 Rem just because. I already have a Rem 700 SPS Varmint with a Jewell trigger set at 1 lbs. in it that gets sub-1/2 moa consistently. But, it is really heavy compared to my Tikka in 30-06. Doesn't everybody just need another rifle?
 
For top quality, you can't beat the new Model 70. Class leading. For best bang for the bucks the Savage is a tack driver.
 
Unless you can find a deal on a used model 70 Winchester your not going to find a .223 unless it is the WSSM. Winchester hasn't made a .223 Remington rifle in years, and the old push feed rifles are pretty rare. However the WSSM also was discontinued but you can find them all over used.

The closest thing you'll find to a .223 on a M70 action brand new is a Kimber. I've handled a Montana in .223 and if I had the $1200 they were asking for it, I would have brought it home. Other than that I'd go with the CZ as my second choice and the Ruger as the third. You could try and find as well an old Charles Daly, Interarms Mark X, or Remington 799 Mini Mauser action in .223, but it isn't a true Mauser action.
 
Winchester does not offer their model 70 in 223 currently. You'll have to buy used, and several years old at that.
 
I bought a Ruger 77 Mk II light sporter in .223, about a dozen years back. It has been a half-MOA shooter from the git-go, even before I installed a Timney trigger in it.
 
I have 9 of them now and have yet to find one that won't shoot sub MOA.. In the 223- FVSS. Little more than you want to spend,but worth it. Then the Axis very low cost but also very very accurate. Know 2 people now shooting Axis in F Class and doing very very well. The FV series is Heavy barrel , so Not Ideal for long hunting trips if a lot of walking is involved. Go the Savage Arms.com and browse by Caliber lookup.
 
I have a Tikka 595 in .223 Rem and it's the most accurate centerfire rifle I've owned, but it's heavy to carry around in the field. I'm considering a Tikka .223 Rem, having one in .243 Win, which also shoots great...without any bedding tinkering.
 
Thanks for the input folks. Am leaning towards the CZ due to local availability. All need to think on now is whether to go Varmint or American for the 1:9 twist...
 
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