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Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

Andy T

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 10, 2007
420
44
Northeast
I am leaning toward purchasing a .223 rem bolt action rifle since the max range I have is 300 yards.
I have the following rifles to consider:
Remington 700 series (SPS, 5R, XCR, LTR)
Tikka
FN
Savage

I am leaning towards Rem 700, due to commonality of parts, price and stocks - I plan on getting a chassis or aftermarket stock.
Does the premium that is asked for FN and Tikka worth it? Are there any other rifles I should consider? Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

The SPS is earning a pretty good reputation for accuracy but the stock isn't the greatest.
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

I saw some TIkka Heavy barrels with 1-8tw. Thats what I would look for. I am building a little light 223AI rifle. Savage action, shilen 1-8tw rem varmint barrel (barrel nut delete), 22", MCS-T with just ADL config. Shooting 75gr AMAX bullet.s
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

My stock R700 SPS 223 sitting in a McRee stock will shoot sub 1" 5shot groups at 250 yds in the wind. For the price tag they are tough to beat. Even with the price of the McRee stock your just over a grand.

The Remington's hold together well is another plus. If you get the bug to shoot some longrange you have a solid base to build from. Lastly they hold their value and resell quite well
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

You can read through mine and Phylodogs test shoot on the sps tactical.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...195#Post3310195


Keep in mind you need to ditch the houge stock that comes with the rifle. Any type of chassis, Mcmillian, or Manners stock will be worth the investment.

If I didn't buy the SPS I would have purchased a Tikka heavy varmint with the 1/8 twist and dropped it into a whiskey chassis.

It's a fun gun and with a little load development my 6 year old son has little problem ringing the 400 yard gong.
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

The premium paid for a tikka out of the box is definitely worth it.

You will have a great shooting gun out of the box, and it is just as customizable as a rem 700 SA if you get the itch to upgrade.

6 months and a couple thousand dollars later, I'm very very glad I went with a Tikka for the base of my build. And if I kept it stock I'd have made the same decision.

Parker
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

What does the Tikka premium get you? Is the rifle noticeably more precise? Work with a wider range of ammo? Does it come with a better stock?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TexasClassIII</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The premium paid for a tikka out of the box is definitely worth it.

</div></div>
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

I've got a Savage 12FV in 223...excellent rifle that shoots 0.5MOA with the 75gr Hornady HPBT with the factory 9 twist barrel. Its the rifle in front with the black Bell & Carlson A2 stock.

IMG_0494.jpg


If a 26" barrel isn't a dealbreaker you might take a hard look at one; they run $559 from Bud's.
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

The stock is plastic garbage, but the action is unbelievably good from the factory.

Parker
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

I just went through this myself and settled on the FN TSR XP USA. Do a search and you will see why...
 
Re: Suggestions for .223 bolt gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PappaSniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went 5r Remmy. No regrets. </div></div>


http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...864#Post3187864

here is a link to my 5r in 223 I did.. I asked all the same questions that you did.. I would do another one in a heartbeat

with the can on it kicks like a freakin pellet gun lol..

def will be happy with the 5r and like mine you can get em in factory threaded 20in...oh ps with 68gr hpbt its a hammer