What Rifle Am I Looking For?

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Wise_A

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Evenin', gents. I've been kicking around the idea of getting into riflery, mostly planning on target shooting only, 100-300 yards. Problem is, I don't know which one to get. Here's what I've been looking for:

  • Budget -- ~$500-ish for the gun
  • Action -- Bolt. My state neuters AR15s, and $500 buys either a terrible AR-15 or a pretty good bolt-action.
  • Caliber -- .223. I can reload it economically and Wise_A Sr already has a Mini-14
  • Barrel -- I'd kinda like a heavy bbl

I'm checking out the used market, but it's a little light around here. I plan on looking until Thanksgiving/Christmas, before committing to new.

I started out looking at the Remington 700 ADL or SPS Varmint, but then I heard that the 1:12 twist might be a bit marginal. Not to mention the easiest way to get an ADL would involve spending money at Dick's/F&S (ugh).

I tried out both the Tikka T3 and CZ 527 at a local shop. Super-great, but both came with $600 price tags and sporter barrels. I think that without the heavy barrel, I'd be more inclined to just grab a Savage Axis II and re-stock it.

Lately, I'm thinking that my best bet might be to suck it up and make the 200-mile drive to the nearest Cabela's/BPS for a Savage 12FV for $420.

Are there any other rifles I should consider? If I end up ordering from Cabela's, is there anything funky going on with their firearms policy? In other words, if I show up and the chamber is littered with burrs and half the rifling is missing, am I SOL?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Ruger makes a ranch compact rifle in 223 18" short stiff barrel that will take ar mags.That should run about $450 without tax. Ammo is fairly inexpensive,available and ar mags can be had cheap.I have the compact rifle in 7.62x39 ammo is all over, takes mini 14 mags fairly cheap. this is of course no optics and no iron sights. Use the Burris weaver zee rings which mount to the picatinny rail on the receiver. I haven't decided on what scope to use right now. Hope this helps. Once you start talking long heavy barrels prices go up. Savage may offer one of their model 10's in the FCP line in 223 and the barrels have a good rep for accuracy out of the box. Frank
 
Don't own one, but have heard good things about the Ruger American Predator. Another option, if the heavy barrel isn't mandatory, would be the T/C Compass. Got one in 6.5 Creedmoor and love it. Needed a $20.00 trigger job, but can be found online for under $280.
 
Have to recommend saving up a bit more for a CZ Varmint in .223........ the 527 comes standard with a single set trigger. IMO the CZs are the best value going....Mauser action and good to great walnut stocks. The 527 has a mid-size action ...... sized for the .223/5.56 (CZ will shoot both) and the 7.63x39 rounds.

Great value for the $$$s..... I've accumulated 3; two very lightly used 527s Americans and a new FS/mannlicher carbine....... all were MOA at 100yds. out of the box. I also have several CZ rimfire rifles in .22lr,.22 magnum and .17hrm.

I have a RAR in .22magnum and have been looking at one of the new ones that uses ARmags in .223/5.56 ...... while nice rifles at a reasonable price.... I view them both as Utility rifles..... also shooting off a bench with the RAR with a 10rd AR mag may present issues...... I believe there is another version that uses Ruger 5round rotary magazines.
 
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FOR TARGET/BENCHREST TYPE SHOOTING.

You are on the right track with your caliber choice (223), +1 for bull barrels & single shots! Strong/simple/accurate/tanks/better suited for new shooters, simply open the action & you are safe. Look for a PM.
 
Ruger American Predator has the heavier barrel and detachable magazine and are usually very accurate for under $400. Remington SPS makes a heavy barrel version and I really like Rem 700s, but it has a blind magazine.
 
Ruger American is good. Anything on the Savage classic action is good (10, 110, 12, 112 etc.) Savage is a little more versatile if you like to tinker as you can swap bolt heads and barrels easily at home with not very expensive tools to change calibers down the road.
Do you have a local FFL that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for buying over the net and doing a transfer? If so keep your eyes peeled on some of the "usuals" that will have a deal from time to time like CDNN, Palmetto, and others.
 
Although it isn't a heavy barrel....I REALLY like my Savage Axis in .223, mine gets shot a lot on prairie dog towns and has tremendous accuracy.

Just a thought....got mine with a Nikon 3x9 BDC scope for $275.00 in a local pawn shop.

Randy
 
I had a Savage 110 Heavy Varmint (happened to be in 243) but it is available in multiple calibers. It was used on Prairie Dogs out to and past 500 yards. Accuracy was up to the job. The factory trigger is adjustable and I had mine set at 1.5 lbs. A buddy bought a 223 and had the same opinion, great rifles for low price. But, don't dismiss the cost of a scope you will probably put on it, or the fine Iron sights. You will be looking at $300 to $600 for for something decent.
 
Wise_A said:
Evenin', gents. I've been kicking around the idea of getting into riflery, mostly planning on target shooting only, 100-300 yards. Problem is, I don't know which one to get. Here's what I've been looking for:

  • Budget -- ~$500-ish for the gun
  • Action -- Bolt. My state neuters AR15s, and $500 buys either a terrible AR-15 or a pretty good bolt-action.
  • Caliber -- .223. I can reload it economically and Wise_A Sr already has a Mini-14
  • Barrel -- I'd kinda like a heavy bbl

I'm checking out the used market, but it's a little light around here. I plan on looking until Thanksgiving/Christmas, before committing to new.

I started out looking at the Remington 700 ADL or SPS Varmint, but then I heard that the 1:12 twist might be a bit marginal. Not to mention the easiest way to get an ADL would involve spending money at Dick's/F&S (ugh).

I tried out both the Tikka T3 and CZ 527 at a local shop. Super-great, but both came with $600 price tags and sporter barrels. I think that without the heavy barrel, I'd be more inclined to just grab a Savage Axis II and re-stock it.

Lately, I'm thinking that my best bet might be to suck it up and make the 200-mile drive to the nearest Cabela's/BPS for a Savage 12FV for $420.

Are there any other rifles I should consider? If I end up ordering from Cabela's, is there anything funky going on with their firearms policy? In other words, if I show up and the chamber is littered with burrs and half the rifling is missing, am I SOL?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

HEY Wise A, YOU ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION PERFECTLY ! ! !

MAKE THE TRIP TO CABELAS AND GET ONE OF THOSE FINE SAVAGE RIFLES. JUST CALL FIRST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THAT MODEL IN THE STORE......

IMHO---YOU WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EITHER SAVAGE OR CABELAS, AS FAR AS QC AND/OR CS. A SAVAGE WOULD BE MY FIRST CHOICE, FOR A BOLT ACTION RIFLE. I HAVE DONE BUSINESS WITH CABELAS FOR OVER 30 YRS W/O A SINGLE PROBLEM. YOU DEF WON'T BE SOL ! ! !

FINALLY, THANK YOU FOR NOT DOING BUSINESS WITH DICK'S OR F&S. WE CAN'T SUPPORT ANY ENTITY THAT DOES NOT UPHOLD THE 2ND AMENDMENT ! ! !
 
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Another one you might consider is the Mossberg MVP Predator. I haven't looked at the prices in a while, but I think it's in the $500 range. I have one with the shorter (18.5" ?) barrel, but there is also a 24" version, both "medium bull, fluted" style. It's chambered for 5.56, so might prefer heavier bullets, but mine shoots pretty darn well with Hornady's lower-priced 55gr ammunition. Also uses AR mags, if that matters.
 
Take a look at the Remington Mod. 700 Tactical in .223. Heavy barrel, shoots everything I reload and feed it from 55 gr. FMJ to Sierra BTHP match bullets. Mine is very capable of consistent sub MOA groups at 100 and 200 yards.

The other suggestions are very good options as well. I know nothing about the Mossberg, magazine fed .223, bolt action but, have read good reports on this firearm.
 
I have a 20 " Remington 700 SPS in .223, 1 in 9 twist, which i'm very happy with. Use to be able to find them on sale for around $500. Not sure now.
But by the time you get a good scope ,, trigger,, and maybe a stock that pretty much blows the budget.

Savage has a model with Accu-stock and Accu-trigger which might get you farther ahead. But will probably be over the $500 mark.
I know several folks that have Savage's and are very happy with the way they shoot.

Howa, or CZ ( which I consider the best kept secret out there) also are good bolt guns to consider / look at.
 
It seems like you get a lot with Savage for your buck.
Plan a road trip and make the trip fun !
Call them before you go and make sure it's in stock....driving all that way and coming home empty handed would be a bummer.
Gary
 
223

My vote goes to the CZ 527 heavy barrel Varmit. I believe it was discontinued, but are still available. I shoot a CZ 550 morning n 6.5x55 and I’m sold on their quility.
 
Add another vote for the Ruger American Predator. I own one in 6.5 Creedmoor and have several shooting buddies with the same rifle and nephew that has one in .243 winchester. All shoot pretty much in the 1/2MOA area if we do our part.

As to ordering through Cabela's...if you have a problem with a "new" rifle your dealing with the manufacturer warranty (btw Ruger's customer service is top notch) You will want to double check if buying a used rifles from a gun library that you are going to have shipped to your FFL. They have in the passed always allowed a three day non firing inspection period with no hassle as far as I know that is still the policy on shipments to an FFL. In store purchases are now "as is".

those groups are on targets shoot at 200 yards from the bench with my junky excuse for sand bags.

165830886.CgU8b9Pl.RUGER.jpg


that is a one inch orange spot

165830887.XhHjCUqe.SPLASHTARGET.jpg
 
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