looking for a hunting rifle in 223

[Boomer]

There is little point in carrying a rifle large enough to be chambered for full size cartridges, if its chambered for the .223. The CZ 527 and the mini action SAKOs resolve the problem perfectly with high quality products that have actions scaled to the size of the .223 cartridge. Between the two, the CZ 527 is my preference, but probably because my old SAKO L461 .222 Magnum has an unhandy, and unnecessarily long, heavy barrel, where the full stock 527 is short, light, quick, and equally accurate.

I think the .222 Magnum is a better cartridge than the .223, but the fact is overshadowed by brass availability, cost, and quality. Another plus for the CZ 527 is that they use CIP rather than SAAMI chamber specifications, thus it has a slightly longer throat that accommodates 5.56X45 ammo, which can also be a benefit to the handloader who prefers to seat his bullets long.

Some are put off by the 527's magazine which extends below the line of the stock, but I like the look, and it provides rapid and positive reloading if you have more than one magazine (I have 3). Unfortunately the additional magazines are a little pricey.

NECG makes a dandy ghost ring/peep/receiver sight sized for the CZ 527's narrow 16mm dovetail, which provides an excellent sight picture when combined with their brass faced, rectangular post Patridge front sight blade if shooting with irons interests you. You might have to trim the length of the threaded aperture post a few threads to get the aperture low enough. I chose medium height Warne QD 16mm rings, so I can switch easily between irons and optics.

 

[gks]

Hi , look at the Savage lineup of rifles. I have a 223 in the model 16 weather warrior which is excellant

 

[hoytcanon]

Boomer clarifies a valid point in action size. For this rifle though, I would make a stainless/synthetic rig a priority... coyote hunting is often in the snow and on the ground... my coyote rifles get far rougher treatment and see damper circumstances than my big game rifles... the CZ 527 and Howa Mini recommendations are good and they are fine rifles, but I would peraonally go with a 7/77/700 stainless for this one, regardless of action length.

 

[diemaco]

The cz 527 can be had with different bottom metal and a 3 round flush fitting magazine if the protruding magazine bothers you.

 

[double gun]

Boomer clarifies a valid point in action size. For this rifle though, I would make a stainless/synthetic rig a priority... coyote hunting is often in the snow and on the ground... my coyote rifles get far rougher treatment and see damper circumstances than my big game rifles... the CZ 527 and Howa Mini recommendations are good and they are fine rifles, but I would peraonally go with a 7/77/700 stainless for this one, regardless of action length.

The mini howa is being made in stainless.

 

[Highwind]

typo

I have recently handled a CZ 527 LUX in a gun shop and can not say that I've shouldered a nicer rifle in 223. Very well done with the bluing, finish on the stock and the nice raised cheek piece - making this a well balanced unit. This rifle can be had with a 1:12 or a 1:9 twist rate which would stabilize hunting bullets in the 60, 62 and 64 grain class... and would work quite well in your intended applications. This rifle left a definite impression on me - and one may find it's way home sometime in the future.

I have this view that when one finds a rifle such as the CZ 527 LUX in the price range that one has set for the purchase. It will be easy to find the bullet weight, bullet velocity and a scope that will match this type of rifle for hunting.

I presently own a 223 predator rifle with a 24 inch fluted barrel with a 1:9 twist and find it shoots very well. I have also owned a Tikka Varmint with a 1:8 twist and found that it was a decent rifle also - but parted with it some time ago.

 

[hoytcanon]

The mini howa is being made in stainless.

There ya go... however, like the 527, I hate the magazine & location... right at the balance point.

 

[2tall2]

There ya go... however, like the 527, I hate the magazine & location... right at the balance point.

hotycanon, not to derail the thread, but you have posted a picture of some of your Ruger 77 All Weathers in the past. I don't remember what thread it was. Are the barrels polished, brushed, or matte?

 

[hoytcanon]

hotycanon, not to derail the thread, but you have posted a picture of some of your Ruger 77 All Weathers in the past. I don't remember what thread it was. Are the barrels polished, brushed, or matte?

Depends on the picture... they kind of all blur together over time... I have had a couple dozen stainless 223's over the years... I did have a set of M77 Hawkeye All-Weather matte-stainless rifles, I believe in 223, 22-250, 260, 7-08, 308, 338F & 358W. I prefer the MKII series with "bright" stainless though and those Hawkeye rifles have been sold off... I have a set of M77 MKII stainless rifles in .22-250, 270 and 350 RM (seen below), with a matching 223 on the way...

The 350 RM is in the process of becoming a 21" RS model in a McMillan.

 

[hometownhero]

If you want only one gun don't cheap out on these new budget plastic guns. Get something worth their weight. Cz 527 would be my pick. Also look for a 9 twist so you are able to shoot 68/69gr match bullets when that itch comes up. I had 2 different 223's both 9 twist and both shot 40gr great as well as all the way up to 68gr easily.

 

[hometownhero]

The mini howa is being made in stainless.

To bad mag length is so short.

 

[madashell]

The mini howa is being made in stainless.

I could be 100% wrong on this ...

Could have sworn I read somewhere on here the Weatherby Vanguard stainless was not actually stainless. If that's correct, wondering if the Howa's are same ?

Howa mini in stainless would be awesome. First I've heard of this option !!

 

[2tall2]

Depends on the picture... they kind of all blur together over time... I have had a couple dozen stainless 223's over the years... I did have a set of M77 Hawkeye All-Weather matte-stainless rifles, I believe in 223, 22-250, 260, 7-08, 308, 338F & 358W. I prefer the MKII series with "bright" stainless though and those Hawkeye rifles have been sold off... I have a set of M77 MKII stainless rifles in .22-250, 270 and 350 RM (seen below), with a matching 223 on the way...

The 350 RM is in the process of becoming a 21" RS model in a McMillan.

That was the picture I remembered. Nice set. I have a matte barreled 77/17 Hornet, but don't care for the finish. Guess it might take some looking to find MKII in the bright finish now.

 

[double gun]

To bad mag length is so short.

If you want a scaled down action, yes the mag will be shorter. If you want to seat them long, buy a regular short action with a mag spacer - it's tough to have it both ways.

 

[double gun]

I could be 100% wrong on this ...

Could have sworn I read somewhere on here the Weatherby Vanguard stainless was not actually stainless. If that's correct, wondering if the Howa's are same ?

Howa mini in stainless would be awesome. First I've heard of this option !!

If that's true, that's cheesy. Sako does the 223 action the best, but more money and stoeger seems to like importing the varmint models more than the sporter weight 223's

 

[Slamfire]

Might consider the 223 Savage Hog Hunter. It will set you back only 6 notes and change. It has a very good (but not perfect) pull-adjustable trigger. Built for rugged use. Mine is quite accurate with the right load -

 

[hoytcanon]

That was the picture I remembered. Nice set. I have a matte barreled 77/17 Hornet, but don't care for the finish. Guess it might take some looking to find MKII in the bright finish now.

I agree... I believe yours is what the called "Target Grey", which is slightly different than the current "All-Weather Matte Stainless." About 25 years ago, I had a 77/22 Hornet in the Target Grey, at that time I paired it with a Redfield Golden Five Star 4-12 scope in a matte grey finish that matched the Ruger finish perfectly.

 

[pizzadigest]

Ar-15 ;^)

 

[2tall2]

I agree... I believe yours is what the called "Target Grey", which is slightly different than the current "All-Weather Matte Stainless." About 25 years ago, I had a 77/22 Hornet in the Target Grey, at that time I paired it with a Redfield Golden Five Star 4-12 scope in a matte grey finish that matched the Ruger finish perfectly.

Yes, target grey. Don't care for it. I find it marks easily.

Ar-15 ;^)

Might have a long wait for coyotes at his local range.

 

[hoytcanon]

Yes, target grey. Don't care for it. I find it marks easily.

It does, and it is impossible to buff out. The new stainless matte is not much better... the MKII bright stainless is tougher and can be buffed back to the original finish... I have several of the MKII bright stainless rifles in 77/22, 77/44 and M77 centerfires.