'Tactical' .223 on a budget

[aus_Rob91]

I recently bought an extremely light weight .308 that I intend to take up the cape of Australia on a hunting trip when I can afford the $3k. I have taken it to the range and off a bag have been getting pretty consistent 2 shots in 1 hole, and then the 3rd opening up to about 1-1.5inch. Now I am looking at getting a .223 as I seem to be punching a lot of paper (and enjoying it). I have been tossing up between savage and remington, but due to the reasonable prices on the 700's at the moment, I am more leaning to that side.
Is there anything I should know or look out for before trying to buy one of the 700sps tacticals in .223? I can't seem to find any good reviews other than on a sniper website, but that guy seems to just be an awesome shot to begin with.
Also, when it comes to outfitting said rifle, does anyone know any good one piece bases that ship to Aus?

 

[Remoah]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Consider a .22 if you don't have one.
You'll get a ridiculous amount of practice from it compared to .223

 

[Ring]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Remoah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Consider a .22 if you don't have one.
You'll get a ridiculous amount of practice from it compared to .223</div></div>

get BOTH!

 

[JD42]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Just got a Rem 700 SPS in .223 1/9 twist barrel. I am in the same boat. I have a 700 SPS in .308 In a AI chassie. Great rifle. Kind of nice haveing a little brother. I plan on adding a AAC atachment for adding a Suppressor at some time. I like the 1/9 twist. Larger selection of bullet weights. I had a Rem 700 Varmet in 1/12. Liked the lighter bullet weights. Got to get it out and see how well it shots.

 

[turbo54]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

I wouldn't just buy a factory 223 for your (our) purposes, as they never twist them right. My suggestion is to find a cheap used Savage or Stevens 223 rifle, and a quality pre-fit 223 (or 223AI) barrel with 1:7ish twist. For $600 you can have an excellent shooting 1000 yard 223. Just my $0.02

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Not to throw another wrench in the mix, but did you ever consider a Tikka T3 Varmint in .223 it comes with a 1/8 twist and is an amazing shooter.

 

[aus_Rob91]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Thanks for the replies ppl. First of all, I just wanted to say that where I live in Queensland, there is only 1 or 2 gunsmiths, so I want to have to do as little as possible to the rifle that requires smithing (I am seriously considering moving to the US to improve my options).
That is the primary reason I am leaning more towards the remington than savage or other brands. The barrels and actions seem satisfactory on the tac models straight out of the box. The whole thing stock may not be quite as accurate as the savage or as a stevens with a new barrel, trigger stock etc, but I'm still thinking it should be much less than MOA accuracy. I think the Tikka's would be excellent rifles, however, as I said, I already have a nice light hunting rifle in my new Browning and the varmint Tikkas just don't do it for me like the more 'cool' looking rifles. Each to their own

So back to my question haha... one piece bases?

 

[aus_Rob91]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Oh and I already have a little .22 and a tacticool stock .17hmr

 

[AKayl]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeeprider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not to throw another wrench in the mix, but did you ever consider a Tikka T3 Varmint in .223 it comes with a 1/8 twist and is an amazing shooter. </div></div>


Plus one for the Tikka inexpensive and boxed lasers. I own two an older M595 and a newer T3 both are amazingly accurate. And the action makes the remington 700 feel like dragging a 4x8 sheet of steel across a gravel yard. And yes I own a model 700 also it is accurate, but not smooth.

 

[Jester308]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

The SPS Tac with a 1:9 barrel will be a good rifle, but might want to consider a stock upgrade as the hogue isn't the greatest for maintaining consistency off a bipod or bag.

I'll also throw in a good word for the Tikka T3, if your not after the varmint then have a look at the new 20in scout, basically a tikka tactical with a shorter 20in barrel, will shoot lights out all day mate, without breaking your bank.

As for bases, im pretty sure brownells will still ship bases over here, otherwise theres a number dealers who have Badger, NF, EGW available over here, just depends again on your budget and what model your chasing.

JJ

 

[JD42]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

I have mine set up with a Weaver 1pc base. With 20moa. Great base for the money. At present I have a 10x super sniper on it. That I got used for less than $225 (US.) With low TPS rings.I will post some pictures. In Orgeon its dead winter. Lots of rain. You guys down under this is Mid Summer?

 

[SigKev]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

My son has had great success with his Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .223. The new rifle was around $600 US shipped and then we put it in a 1.5 AICS chasis. The Tactical barrel profile and AICS make it pretty heavy for hunting, but we mostly use it at the range. Performance has been excellent. Only other upgrade was to have Phoenix install a bigger bolt knob. You really cannot go wrong with the R700 Tactical.

 

[I Am Hero]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

I agree with what SigKev had to say about upgrading the stock. I would recommend a Rem 700 SPS varmint unless you wanted the shorter 20" barrel. I personally prefer the 26" barrel. It has a 1:9" twist on it and shoots 55gr and 62gr Hornadys all day very well. The Hogue stock on the tactical is nothing to write home about but the factory plastic stock on the varmint is a heap of crap. My friend has a SPS varmint and put it in a B&C A2 stock. It is not AICS chassis but it free floats the barrel completely and proves to be a very accurate and reliable shooter. Since you are looking for a .223 on a budget I would assume you are not after the AICS because the stock cost more than any factory 700 SPS you can buy.

I got my SPS varmint 22-250 for $450 used with only 50 rounds through it in like new condition. I put it in a $300 HS Precision stock that free floats the barrel nicely. It is fully aluminum bedded and also proves to be a very consistent shooter with Hornady 50gr Vmax.The factory trigger isn't too terrible but I upgraded mine to a Timney at 1.5 lbs; just enough pressure to be able to shoot crows in the winter with gloves on without popping off unexpected rounds.

I have always like Savages as well, but right now I only own Rem700s so that has my vote. The SPS isn't the most accurate barrel compared to some of Remington's barrels like the Sendero but it is nothing to be ashamed up and I think you will really like what you get out of your money.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Go short and fat!! more than 22 inches is a waste of barrel material and too long to pack around. 9 twist will do if you have to, but an 8 or less would be better.

But it looks like you are going to be stuck with whatever comes in the box, so I'd say this; either the 700 sps tac/varmint, or the Savage SA, a new stock, 1 piece base, and spend about 25-40% beyond your budget on a scope and you will be very pleased with the results

 

[Jester308]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Found these couple that may suit...

FN TSR 223..

Rem 700 LTR 223

Win M70 Stealth 223..

Not sure on you price range/Budget.

JJ

 

[JD42]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Pictures of my SPS .223 buget buld.

Rem 700 SPS
KRG bolt knob
H/S stock inleted for Atals works bottom metal. (came from down under)
S/S 10x fixed scope
Weaver 1pc base
TPS low rings.
Harris Bench rest bipoid.

 

[aus_Rob91]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

Thanks everyone for the great info! Just to make clearer - I bought the .308 with hunting in mind and yeah I pretty much just want a 'cool' centrefire rifle that I can shoot alot.
I haven't seen anythin about the Tikka's with 20"s will have to look. If I did wana tart the rifle up in the future though, I think the Rem would have a clear advantage there... could be wrong.

To the budget thing - I want the rifle to be budget, but I am willing to spend a bit extra on the rings, bases, scope to get something good. I know ppl say to spend more on the scope, but I will prob just look for what is the best for the price and get that. I was thinking either go a fixed 10x mil like a Bushnell which I don't mind and save $$$ or go the whole works and buy a Leupold. Most likely buy the Datsun first while I save for the Ferrari.
Middle of summer here and it is effin hot and humid as sin. Stepping outside feels like a sauna some days. I miss the snow!

How musch does a tac bolt knob cost to install roughly? I have seen you can buy em for a pretty decent price, I'm just wondering how much it costs to get the old removed, threaded?
I think the 1:9 stock barrel would be sufficient for me (I ain't that great a shot). I have also had much better results with short fat barrels (PS that stumpy rifle is really nice and looks like it did a number on whatever those little creatures are)

I would be hoping to get the rifle, base, rings & scope for around $2000. Preferably not over. I know that is tight for a 'good' rifle, but being a part time uni student, I am tight haha

 

[JD42]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

My above SPS came in at approx $850 dollors US. Just shop around. I did most of the work myself doing the inleting for the Ai mags. Good luck!

 

[lessthanfour]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

if your not against building your own my votes for the savage stevens, you might be able to buy one for around 300 bucks. same action and barrel as the model 10, swap out the trigger for a timney and pop on whatever scope you see fit. the stock is cheap tupperware so either acraglass the shit out of it temporarily or go straight for a new stock. this way you pick the stock that fits you the best for you with a gun thats capable of cloverleaf groups.1:9 twist

 

[bulzeye]

Re: 'Tactical' .223 on a budget

+1 for the savage/stevens. you can always change out the barrel yourself to whichever twist/barrel contour you want.