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Ideal .223 Bolt Action Plinker (?)

GS455

GS455

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 14, 2013
131
80
Nashville
#1
I'm mainly a milsurp guy but have put together a couple of new/commercial bolt action rifles, supressed, and thinking about going further.

My RPR in .308 is astonishing (to me) for the money. Just landed a 1" group @ 300yds wi 175gr FGMM.

An RAR in x39 in a nice Boyd's stock has delivered 1.5" @ 100yds wi 1970s Romy milsurp.

Have a sh_t ton of various 55gr backed up and three nice ARs in .223 but am bored with em.

Sooo, thinkin about a bolt action in .233. All cursory web scanning a steers my towards another RAR. It really appeals to me to use standard 10-20rd mags that I already have .

Thoughts, ideas?
 
#2
GS455 said:
I'm mainly a milsurp guy but have put together a couple of new/commercial bolt action rifles, supressed, and thinking about going further.

My RPR in .308 is astonishing (to me) for the money. Just landed a 1" group @ 300yds wi 175gr FGMM.

An RAR in x39 in a nice Boyd's stock has delivered 1.5" @ 100yds wi 1970s Romy milsurp.

Have a sh_t ton of various 55gr backed up and three nice ARs in .223 but am bored with em.

Sooo, thinkin about a bolt action in .233. All cursory web scanning a steers my towards another RAR. It really appeals to me to use standard 10-20rd mags that I already have .

Thoughts, ideas?
Click to expand...
budget?

Those 55’s might not be the best option.
 
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#4
GS455 said:
Budget? I dunno. I'm not really looking to build up a $2k chasis + custom everything rig tailored to hand loads.

Kinda the point is to get something besides an AR to start burning through this ammo.
Click to expand...
id say just grab another off the shelf rifle and toss on a budget friendly scope and get to blasting. I’d prob seek 1:9 for 55’s
 
#5
D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷ said:
id say just grab another off the shelf rifle and toss on a budget friendly scope and get to blasting. I’d prob seek 1:9 for 55’s
Click to expand...
Agree on the 1:9 for 55’s. My 110 Storm shoots that weight great. My 7 twist Savage Model 12 LRPV literally threw them all over the lot the first trip to the range. Almost 2k rounds later have shot nothing lighter than 68 grain.
 
#8
For money spent, the Ruger Ranch would be a good choice, scope it and have fun. If you plan to start f'ing with it, then look at something like the Tikka. Big thing is, decide what you want and don't try to make something it's not. Example being buying the Ruger and spending 1500 or so with a new barrel and chassis.
Me, I have the RR, great little gun, stock. I also have a couple custom builds, nothing like the RR though with price, weight and performance but also not "match guns"
You could find a decent "traditional" stock, AICS mag BM, Origin action, prefit from PVA(light-med Palma) and have a really nice compact useful rifle. The easy button is a KRG Bravo stock.
 
Last edited:
#12
There are good buys to be had in 223 Remington 700's including 40x.
I have purchased a few in the last few years since Remington went belly up.
Gun Broker is a good resource if you vet the seller.
I have not had one disappointing purchase in the last 10 years. But I don't purchase anything but NIB or rarely used.
Last purchase was a 223 40X Varmint Special. new in the box, never fired with everything that the old Custom Shop provided.
Why do individuals purchase this stuff and never use it????
-Richard
 
#16
GS455 said:
I'm mainly a milsurp guy but have put together a couple of new/commercial bolt action rifles, supressed, and thinking about going further.

My RPR in .308 is astonishing (to me) for the money. Just landed a 1" group @ 300yds wi 175gr FGMM.

An RAR in x39 in a nice Boyd's stock has delivered 1.5" @ 100yds wi 1970s Romy milsurp.

Have a sh_t ton of various 55gr backed up and three nice ARs in .223 but am bored with em.

Sooo, thinkin about a bolt action in .233. All cursory web scanning a steers my towards another RAR. It really appeals to me to use standard 10-20rd mags that I already have .

Thoughts, ideas?
Click to expand...
Aero Solus .382" action, with a 16-20" 1:7 twist PVA Osprey prefit built by @bohem ... His barreled action specials are extremely affordable for what you get.
 
#19
For the love of god don't buy a 1/9 twist 223 bolt gun. 1/8 and 1/7 will both shoot lighter bullets fine, some of the best groups I have shot with one particular 1/7 barrel were with 50gr hollow points. 1/8 and 1/7 will allow you to shoot stuff up to 85 grain and still shoot the lighter stuff.

*Also, just buy a Tikka of choice. You will not regret it.
 
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#22
I don't know how the Gen 2 RAR was, but I bought the Gen1, for the exact scenario you describe. It would be an awesome truck or ATV gun, but it sucked as a serious plinker. Stock is terrible (cheap, thin, flimsy), action drags, trigger is heavy. In basically every case I would rather have had a nice AR. I ended up building a 700 clone in .223 (using an ARC action) and that is what I spend most of my time shooting - .55 grainers out to 400. No recoil, ammo is basically free compared to .308 or 6.5C, just a ton of fun. I'd try to track down a CZ before I went back to a Ruger, and I've been really hoping Sako would get back to offering a mini action .223 with a stainless/synthetic combo. Lots of people say the Tikka is the way to go, and they are probably right for the price.

TLDR the Ruger RAR sucks (but the price is awesome).
 
#26
tacoman69 said:
8 twist Tikka is the easy button
Click to expand...

I know most people have had Tikka's that shot everything with the 8 twist. Mine would not. It shot 77's into 1 hole, but anything lighter was not good. Some stuff was 4-5 moa bad. So, while probabilities are on your side, it's not 100% the easy button.

Used 9 twist 700 or model 7, the CZ I mentioned before was also 9 twist, a Savage will bang out one holers as well, and for next to no money since everyone turns their nose up at them. Just don't put any money into any of them and have fun burning through your ammo.
 
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#27
My Gen 1, RAR in x39 is a great little rifle. I paid $425 a couple years ago from an outfit called Family Firearms down in Alabama. I dunno if it was on blow-out, cuz the Gen 2 came out 6 months or so later. They’re outta business now. some kerfuffle with the ATF or something.

I cycled the zipper bolt hundreds of times with some bore past and lapping compound. Smooth as glass now. The Gen 1 “Rubbermaid” stock was okay. Put it in a Boyds stock and eventually a better bolt handle, is all I’ve done to it. Mags are a skootch loose fitting and nose dive from time to time with that Boyds “bottom metal” adaptation. Aside from that frustration I’m extraordinarily pleased with it. Pulled off the groups below with it just today. So much for the vaunted Yugo M67. Doesn’t like it. But regularly pull of 1” groups with Barnaul, Golden Tiger and surprisingly, 1970s Rommy green tin milsurp. Trigger has a nice clean break that I was able to adjust down to 3lb, 10oz.

A Tikka’s gonna be near a couple grand, no? I looked into the CZ 527 in x39. Wonderful, but they are long disco’d. Some PITA issue for scope mounting as I recall (???) and mags are unobtainium, no ? Rem 700 ?

I’m leaning towards another RAR (Gen1 if I can find one) and an aftermarket stock again. Not sure I’d wanna spend the money on the Gen2 just to change out the stock as well. And I plan to fire suppressed so no need for the brake they now give you. What else might be special about the Gen2 that’s worth a couple hundred more $ ?

20231105_151729_resized_2.jpg


Barnaul

RAR x39 Barnaul.jpg


Golden Tiger

RAR x39 Golden Tiger.jpg


1970s Rommy Milsurp

RAR x39 Rommy.jpg


Yugo M67 (blech). I thought this stuff was supposed to be amazing.

RAR x39 Yugo M67.jpg
 
#28
Chickentoast said:
I know most people have had Tikka's that shot everything with the 8 twist. Mine would not. It shot 77's into 1 hole, but anything lighter was not good. Some stuff was 4-5 moa bad. So, while probabilities are on your side, it's not 100% the easy button.

Used 9 twist 700 or model 7, the CZ I mentioned before was also 9 twist, a Savage will bang out one holers as well, and for next to no money since everyone turns their nose up at them. Just don't put any money into any of them and have fun burning through your ammo.
Click to expand...
My Model 12 LRPV with a 7 twist will throw 55 grain bullets literally all over the lot. Everything from 68 grains and up, no problem at all.
 
#30
GS455 said:
I'm mainly a milsurp guy but have put together a couple of new/commercial bolt action rifles, supressed, and thinking about going further.

My RPR in .308 is astonishing (to me) for the money. Just landed a 1" group @ 300yds wi 175gr FGMM.

An RAR in x39 in a nice Boyd's stock has delivered 1.5" @ 100yds wi 1970s Romy milsurp.

Have a sh_t ton of various 55gr backed up and three nice ARs in .223 but am bored with em.

Sooo, thinkin about a bolt action in .233. All cursory web scanning a steers my towards another RAR. It really appeals to me to use standard 10-20rd mags that I already have .

Thoughts, ideas?
Click to expand...
What are your intended targets and maximum ranges you will be shooting?
 
#31
I have seen some 1-7 twist barrels that couldn't shoot 55's worth a shit (ball type ammo), since we are talking a stash of 55's, I'm guessing most are M193 loads, generally about 4 moa loads out of a good rifle. The 1-8 twist is an excellent compromise, fast enough to stabilize the 77's not so fast as it causes as many problems with the crappy ball projectiles.
www.brownells.com

HOWA M1500 223 REMINGTON 20" HEAVY THREADED BARRELED MINI ACTION

Check out HOWA M1500 223 REMINGTON 20" HEAVY THREADED BARRELED MINI ACTION available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com

 
#33
fdkay said:
I have seen some 1-7 twist barrels that couldn't shoot 55's worth a shit (ball type ammo), since we are talking a stash of 55's, I'm guessing most are M193 loads, generally about 4 moa loads out of a good rifle. The 1-8 twist is an excellent compromise, fast enough to stabilize the 77's not so fast as it causes as many problems with the crappy ball projectiles.
www.brownells.com

HOWA M1500 223 REMINGTON 20" HEAVY THREADED BARRELED MINI ACTION

Check out HOWA M1500 223 REMINGTON 20" HEAVY THREADED BARRELED MINI ACTION available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com

Click to expand...

Ball type ammo isn't really precision ammo though.

For those saying their 7 twist didn't shoot 55s good enough, did you do load development and try to find a load? Or did you just try some random mass produced non precision ammo and decide that way?

I'm sure one could find 77 grain ammo that shoots like shit out of 7 twist barrels.

Not all ammos shoot half minute groups in all barrels with all twists. I think if the barrel manufacturer is good and the chamber was cut good, you have a higher likelihood of finding more loads to shoot good. A faster twist in and of itself would not be the first thing I blame for a load not shooting good.
 
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#34
xm193 out of a factory barrel, no matter what the twist will never impress. You'll soon realize you want to try 75-80gr stuff for shooting more than a couple hundred yards and then you will be limited by the 1/9 twist. The only reason I would buy a 223 with a slow twist is if I was going to shoot super light 40-50gr Varmint bullets loaded as hot as possible and only shoot those.
 
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#35
stello1001 said:
Ball type ammo isn't really precision ammo though.

For those saying their 7 twist didn't shoot 55s good enough, did you do load development and try to find a load? Or did you just try some random mass produced non precision ammo and decide that way?

I'm sure one could find 77 grain ammo that shoots like shit out of 7 twist barrels.

Not all ammos shoot half minute groups in all barrels with all twists. I think if the barrel manufacturer is good and the chamber was cut good, you have a higher likelihood of finding more loads to shoot good. A faster twist in and of itself would not be the first thing I blame for a load not shooting good.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

Big difference between factory loaded 55gr cannelured FMJ and something like a 55gr Berger hand loaded for the gun. Factory ammo no matter the grain weight is always a crap shoot, each guns barrel is different and will like particular bullets/loads more than others.
 
#37
OP
stello1001 said:
Ball type ammo isn't really precision ammo though.

For those saying their 7 twist didn't shoot 55s good enough, did you do load development and try to find a load? Or did you just try some random mass produced non precision ammo and decide that way?

I'm sure one could find 77 grain ammo that shoots like shit out of 7 twist barrels.

Not all ammos shoot half minute groups in all barrels with all twists. I think if the barrel manufacturer is good and the chamber was cut good, you have a higher likelihood of finding more loads to shoot good. A faster twist in and of itself would not be the first thing I blame for a load not shooting good.
Click to expand...
OP states he has a stash of 55 grain 223 ammo.
Most likely M193 ball or generic 223 loads. He is not looking to handload match ammo, he wants a good, accurate plinker to shoot up his stash of ammo as he is bored with shooting it out of an AR.
Handloading isn't on the table, buying more ammo, apparently isn't on the table. So, you're questions and statements have no merit concerning this particular topic. They certainly have merit if he was asking about precision loads. If he decides that he enjoys shooting the bolt gun and wants to explore better loads, then, again, your questions and statements have merit.
M193 is 4 moa ammo on a good day, nothing wrong with that as long as you don't expect to suddenly shoot 1 hole groups because you got a different rifle. Some rifles WILL shoot 55 grain ball pretty well and not all 55 grain loads are created equally.
 
#39
Since I got tagged in the discussion I'll throw in a few thoughts, though largely this has been covered by folks:

  1. The ammo being assumed as M193 ball or similar quality is 4-5MOA spec ammo, the bolt gun will shoot it fine but it's good for breaking clay birds inside of 200 yards or so.
    1. Reloaded M193 ammo with developed loads shoot about 2-2.5MOA for me and we let the kids bang away at 5MOA steel on a buddy's farm with it.
  2. Building a custom or semi-custom rifle around this ammo is a bit of a wasted endeavor because you'll get the same results from the ammo anyway.
  3. If you want to build a rifle to shoot this ammo and then move on to other, quality stuff, I understand entirely and in that case I would got AT LEAST to an 8 twist but my recommendation is to run a 7tw even if you plan to stay with 75-80 grain bullets. At long distances, past 1s of flight time, you will see improved performance with the 7 over an 8tw.
  4. I/We can readily build you something to work from and you'll get farther down the road with a custom rebarrel on a factory action like a Tikka than if you were to sink the money into an aftermarket action and skimp on the quality of the barrel you're putting the ammo through.
    1. Tikka's rock, I wish I could reliably buy the stripped action and trigger.
    2. We make replacement barrels for Ruger Americans and they hammer, but the gun feels like what it is: A rack grade rifle meant to hit a price point (at walmart) not a precision built machine.
Just a few thoughts to kick around, I'm happy to discuss if you want to give us a call. A 223 bolt gun is a blast, everyone should own one!
patriotvalleyarms.com
 
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#40
What would be neat would be finding an RPR in .223/5.56. Kind a scarce and probably more money than you are willing to spend. So, an RAR or maybe, if you want to spend a bit more, (less than 1K) would be something like a Howa barreled action with a Boyd’s stock.

www.brownells.com

HOWA M1500 223 REMINGTON 20" HEAVY THREADED BARRELED MINI ACTION

Check out HOWA M1500 223 REMINGTON 20" HEAVY THREADED BARRELED MINI ACTION available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com
 
#41
fdkay said:
OP

OP states he has a stash of 55 grain 223 ammo.
Most likely M193 ball or generic 223 loads. He is not looking to handload match ammo, he wants a good, accurate plinker to shoot up his stash of ammo as he is bored with shooting it out of an AR.
Handloading isn't on the table, buying more ammo, apparently isn't on the table. So, you're questions and statements have no merit concerning this particular topic. They certainly have merit if he was asking about precision loads. If he decides that he enjoys shooting the bolt gun and wants to explore better loads, then, again, your questions and statements have merit.
M193 is 4 moa ammo on a good day, nothing wrong with that as long as you don't expect to suddenly shoot 1 hole groups because you got a different rifle. Some rifles WILL shoot 55 grain ball pretty well and not all 55 grain loads are created equally.
Click to expand...

I understand reloading or high grade precision ammo is not on the table. That said, all I was trying to point out is that a 7 or 8 twist does not necessarily mean it is only limited to heavy stuff and will shoot 55 bullets like shit. A 7 or 8 twist can and will shoot 55 grain bullets well enough if components are decent and chamber job is good. If the mass produced, non precision, factory ammo shoots like crap, it's more likely the ammo not a 7 or 8 twist like many might suggest.


But yall carry on and get 9 twist barrels to shoot only 55 grainers.
 
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