Which bolt action .223 do you prefer?

D

Deadman

New member
Which of the following rifles chambered in .223 rem. would you prefer for hunting?
Varmint sized creatures of course.

-CZ 527 - blued/walnut
-Howa Lightning model - blued/synthetic stock
-Ruger model 77 -stainless/synthetic
-Remington ADL - blued/synthetic

They all seem to be about the same price so which aspects set these rifles apart from each other?
 
Ruger and Remington are built on .308 size actions, not sure about the Howe. I don't like the extra weight/volume of the "oversized" receivers. The CZ's receiver is built for .222/.223 size cartridges, results in a cleaner/prettier package, IMO.

I've been told the CZs are accurate but that the slender barrel heats up rather fast.

Everyone has different criteria, but my walking around varmit rifle is a 16" barrel Contender carbine in .223 with Burris compact 6x. Very light and compact but only a single shot.
 
I have thought of getting a 223 Rem bolt gun. I never considered anything but the Ruger.
 
A friend of mine has a 527 in .22 Hornet and is very pleased with his. I would suspect the same in a .223 version and it is a true short action. His is a very petite rifle, it just looks right.
 
I have a Ruger but blued and wood stock. The trigger was horrible, and had to be replaced. That done, it shoots some very nice groups. If you are going to be shooting a lot of rounds per outing, I would look into a heavy barrel to help with the barrel heating up--otherwise, the regular barrel means less weight to carry around. Whichever you go with, you may find like I did, that a .223 bolt action is a great rifle for introducing new or relatively inexperienced shooters to rifles. Also, it is easier on the throat than rounds like the 22-250 etc. Good shooting.
 
Add to your list the .223 Tikka Whitetail Hunter. Same basic price as the Remington. Much nicer gun. Better trigger, trimmer package. Detachable mags that actually work, super accurate. Smoother bolt.
 
Ruger Mk-II Stainless

I like the wife's Ruger MK-II Stainless 223. It shoots one hell of a lot more accurate than my Ruger Ultra-Lite.
 
I put a Timney trigger on my Rugger 77 Mk 2. Shoots half-inch groups (three-shot, 100 yards). Good enough for me...

:), Art
 
What 223 Bolt Action

Plese consider Savage. I have owned Remington and Ruger in 223. The Remington is accurate but the Savage beats it in accuracy and price. Mine will shot 1/2" consistent at 120 yards. My Savage is the base Hunter series.
 
Remington 700

I would go for the 700. Nicer, adjustable trigger that is a standard bearer. Many, many 'smiths that will accurize the 700 if needed, (mine never did). Lots of aftermarket stocks, scope mounts, etc. due to its being the most popular civilian bolt action in the US in number of sales. :)

Savage is not bad for accuracy, in fact they are very, very good. However if you want a smooth bolt, forget it (does not affect the accuracy though ;)). With the aftermarket triggers now available, and IF, IF the promised HS-Precision stocks for the Savage heavy barreled guns ever materialize, they will be truely unbeatable.

But all that said, Remington 700 is my choice, by that Winchester Model 70 Coyote is sure pretty.
 
This is just an opinion, so bear with me.

Years ago, SAKO had 223 rifles. They were built on a special mouse action that was suited to the cartridge. They just looked RIGHT. Most other 223s available then (and today) are built on the short action, i.e., 308/243 Win size. Now, if your idea is to have a heavy solid rifle, you may want the 308 sized action, and good on ya. But...

CZ builds a 223 on a mouse-sized mauser action, just like the old SAKO, and not only that -- the materials and workmanship is far beyond anything you will get built in the USA (sadly to say!!). Besides which, the price is reasonable. Now, you can choose a Rem, Win, or Ruger, the choice is yours, of course. As for me I would take a very close look at the CZ before I chose anything else were I in the market for a bolt 223.

Just my 2 1/2 cents. :)

P.S. Whatever you spend on the rifle, be prepared to spend 3-500 or more dollars on the scope, preferably a Leupold, to make the rifle capable of shooting to its potential. Too many make the mistake, imho, of buying a high speed rifle and then putting a Kmart scope on it because they spent all their money on the rifle. Don't make that mistake! Please!:D
 
I picked up a CZ 527 in .223 about 3 weeks ago. It is compact but not Ultra-Lite class. As for accuracy it's outstanding. From the bench when I was sighting in, several groups were 3/4 of an inch at 125 yards. That was with USA 55 grain FMJ. Some experimentation at the loading bench should help.
I chose this rifle because it was well made, and of the size where I will not mind carrying it around for 3 or 4 hours of 'chuck hunting. Something to consider if your starting to approach geezerdom like me. The stock on mine was beautifully finished to a luster not glossy. I prefer a hinged floor plate but really can't complain about the magazine. Its quick to load and unload.
My opinion a compact scope works best with this rifle. I chose a Leupold 3X9 Compact and it is very bright but the Burris Compact would work well. If a full size sized scope is of interest the rings supplied with the rifle will accomodate up to 44mm.
This barrel does heat up in a hurry. I found groups of more than three shots really started to grow. For hunting I do not feel this is a major issue.
The CZ comes from the factory with an adjustable trigger. Mine measured 4 lbs out of the box, it's currently set between 2-1/2 and 3 lbs.
I'm quite pleased with mine and have no qualms in recommending it.
Take Care
 
Thanks for the advice. I will be getting a CZ-452 rimfire rifle so maybe I'll just stick with the same company.

"Geezerdom" Hehe :) Despite the name on the left, thats not a problem for me just yet...
 
I didn't know Remington made a 700 in .223 caliber!

I haven't gotten a Remington catalog for a long time! Is the black polymer stock avalable? Wow! Now I want a 700 in .223! (And my wife want's to shoot you. :)) Maybe she'll shoot me. I think I'll just sit here for a while!

Kentucky Rifle
 
Well, I picked up my new Remington PSS in .223 today. 1-9" twist, so it should shoot the heavier bullets a bit better.

My LTR was tendered in trade. It was great with 52gr match, and did well with 55gr ball, but did not like the 68gr match. I guess I prefer the roadhugging weight.

The big surprise was a perfect 3 lb. trigger! From the factory! :)

The LTR has a 3-9X40 Leupold Tactical, but I think this need a bit more magnification for woodchucks and thumbtacks. Maybe I'll rob a 6-18 Leupold off one of my .22RF.

Yes Kentucky, the stock is black, but not polymer. HS-Precision, aluminum and kevlar.
 
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