Which. 223 bolt gun?

[GunnSlinger]

Looking for facts and opinions about purchasing a 223 bolt action. Since I already keep a decent bit of ammo on hand to feed the ARs I figure a bolt action would fit in to help hone distance shooting skills. Uses include range targets and coyotes out to lets say 600 yards. Budget is $ 1500 Max for rifle and optic. Currently was thinking a Rem 700 SPS Tactical but let me hear what you guys shoot and like.

 

[42769vette]

Remington or savage would be fine choices.

If I were putting a rifle together on your terms

Savage 10fp. 500ish
Badger 20 moa base 100ish
Seekins rings 100 ish
Vortex PST 4-16 sfp/? 700
Ss trigger 100 ish

 

[IndyGunworks]

Remington or savage would be fine choices.

If I were putting a rifle together on your terms

Savage 10fp. 500ish
Badger 20 moa base 100ish
Seekins rings 100 ish
Vortex PST 4-16 sfp/? 700
Ss trigger 100 ish

Agreed, with his budget thats EXACTLY what i would do.

 

[indyjohn]

Savage 10fp. 500ish
Badger 20 moa base 100ish
Seekins rings 100 ish
Vortex PST 4-16 sfp/? 700
Ss trigger 100 ish

Can't beat that setup with a stick.. I'd say winner out of the gate... The inexpensive and accurate Savage bolt gun is well documented.

Alan- would you say hand loads in that rig would make a decent group at > 750 yards?

 

[IndyGunworks]

Yep, if you load heavy enough i think you should be about to keep right at or slightly above MOA at that distance if you make good wind calls.

 

[ghuns]

If you're a hack like me, who has never been able to shoot better than an average rifle is capable of shooting. And you have a decent collection of AR mags. Why not check this out...

The Mossberg MVP

This is from a guy who would rather throw rocks than shoot a Mossy, but it's supposed to be a really nice little gun.

 

[42769vette]

I bet you could do 5 inch groups at 750 on your good days. I have this exact setup in 308. Most of my groups at 750 are in the 6 to 7 inch range and get as low as 5 imchs

 

[42769vette]

If you're a hack like me, who has never been able to shoot better than an average rifle is capable of shooting. And you have a decent collection of AR mags. Why not check this out...

The Mossberg MVP

This is from a guy who would rather throw rocks than shoot a Mossy, but it's supposed to be a really nice little gun.

I'm not saying the MVP is a bad gun, but savage and remingtons are in a diffrent league than the Mossberg

 

[indyjohn]

I bet you could do 5 inch groups at 750 on your good days. I have this exact setup in 308. Most of my groups at 750 are in the 6 to 7 inch range and get as low as 5 imchs

Where I was thinking..

Yep, if you load heavy enough i think you should be about to keep right at or slightly above MOA at that distance if you make good wind calls.

Ha- You're describing yourself.

 

[ghuns]

I'm not saying the MVP is a bad gun, but savage and remingtons are in a diffrent league than the Mossberg

No doubt about it, but it's just so darn cute with that AR mag hanging out. Might not shoot a coyotes eyes out at 600 yards, but aim for center of mass and it'll hit something that makes him say ouch.

 

[downzero]

If I had an AR, I'm not sure I'd have much use for a bolt gun in .223. Just get yourself a 20 or 24 inch upper and slap a scope on it.

 

[Westside]

Add me at a to that setup!

I am about to start my .308 project and am looking at that setup.

 

[remauto1187]

Just a heads up....Wally world has Remington 700 synthetic stock .223 with scope/mounts for $420 !

 

[GunnSlinger]

Great info guys keep it coming. I had thought of a new upper but seems like I don't take as disciplined shots with my ARs. I just can't help myself from rapid succession shots. Its the kid in me I guess. Give me a bolt gun though and I tend to take each shot more seriously. Iwill take a look at the Savage line. I have a friend with a model 12 and its been very accurate for me.

 

[avboiler11]

I've got a Savage 12FV 223 takeoff barrel (26", 1:9 twist) on an older 110 long action. I bought this barrel used off Gunbroker about 2 years ago with Lord knows how many rounds down it.

This barrel shoots a 75gr Hornady HPBT over 24.0gr Varget at 2860fps into no-joke 5-shot, sub-0.5MOA groups to at least 200yd (as far as I've tried). It rings 8" steel at 650yd with boring reliability.

That may not win any benchrest competitions, but considering 1. that load was literally the first I tried in the barrel, 2. the stock isn't bedded, and 3. I'm behind the trigger I find that to be pretty damn good from a factory barrel.

 

[sloughfoot]

The ONLY reason why I don't have a .223 bolt gun is because I don't know of any factory rifles with a 1X8 twist barrel. They are all 1X9 or slower twists and for 600 yard shots, I really think you want the heavy bullets.

For 300 yards or less, the 1X9 with 75 BTHP or lighter bullets would be OK. But then, I have plenty of AR's for that.....

 

[avboiler11]

The Tikka T3 offers a 1:8 barrel in 223 Rem; the Savage 12VLP can be had with a 1:7 barrel.

The 75gr HPBT does just fine to 650yds from a 1:9 barrel. That said, my 22" 1:7 223AI tube should be here Wednesday and I plan to launch the 80gr A-Max @ 2900fps+.

 

[phylodog]

I've been more than pleased with my 700 SPS in .223. The only mod to the barreled action was a cut & thread at 18" and it's a consistent sub MOA rifle.

(on the left)

 

[churchmouse]

I've been more than pleased with my 700 SPS in .223. The only mod to the barreled action was a cut & thread at 18" and it's a consistent sub MOA rifle.

(on the left)

OK, now you are just showing off....totally impressed and a bit jealous.
Sweet looking guns.

 

[indyjohn]

What's all that shiny stuff on your patio?? Is it... water????