The best part of finding a gun is the hunt. Take your time. Advertise in the Want to Buy section on this forum.

I did the same thing years ago, and bought the sweetest Belgium made heavy barrel browning in 222. Safari grade and built on a Sako short action. With a tuned handload at 100yds, I can cover 5 rounds with a nickel and sometimes smaller.

Unless you are dead set on a 5.56 or 223, look for one of these. Beyond that look for a heavy barrel Ruger 77 in 222, 223, 22-250

Enjoy the hunt!!!

Wouldn't a new striker spring have fixed all that nonsense?

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Release the Kraken

Another shout out for the CZ 527 line........I've had one now for over a decade and they are great shooters. the .332/5.56 are built on a mid size Mauser action and good to great walnut stocks.... classics. Note: The CZ owner's manual says it's ok to shoot either .223 or 5.56 in these guns.

I now have three; two Americans (3rd flush fit and 5rd mag versions) and and a FS/Mannlicher.

All have single set triggers standard, all have been sub MOA. I got the Americans used; first for $300 from a friend at the range who wanted to "upgrade"to a CZ 527 heavy barreled Varmint version and the second for $400 at a LGS. The FS/Mannlicher [highest MSRP) was $700 new. I love mannlicher stocked guns.

5rd Mags are interchangeable in all three .. all wear Leupold scopes.

Highly recommend! An old school classic rifle! Some stocks are collector grade.

I also have the Ruger American that takes AR mags.... good shooter but a "utility" rifle IMHO.

I have two. A Remington 700 Tactical (20" heavy barrel ) which is very accurate and especially loves the lighter bullets for some reason. I've probably had it 15 years. Recently I found a used Winchester XPR in .223 with FDE metal and the Strata camo stock at good price and took a chance on it. It has a 22" sporter weight barrel with a brake on it. It seems like a good shooter so far, just getting started working with it. It takes a detachable magazine, I wish it took AR mags, that would be great. I'm. Wanting it to shoot 60 to 64 grain bullets for coyote calling and such. I had a Nikon Monarch 4.5-14x that seemed appropriate for it, so that's what it's wearing for now.

I agree the CZs are super-nice. A buddy has one in .223. If I were after a "looker" as well as a utility rifle, that's what I'd buy. I like that they are appropriately sized to the .223 cartridge.

Absolutely. Unfortunately, the rifle became “unreliable” in the last few years. I put way more effort to find parts/ repair that rifle than any other firearm I have owned. Originally, I was willing to trade a Model 28 for the b/a .223. Instead, I took the $$, added $150, kept the 28. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

BAM BAM did you know the quit making the 527.they replaced it with the 600. Reviews are not great. I’ve been looking at some 527s on my quest for the MKX. I want a small blue and walnut mannlicher stocked 223