I can't imagine one would have much cash left over for ammo when breaking a $1000 on a new rifle today.
Affordable 223 shooter under a 1000 bucks
- Thread starter Singh1313
- Start date
I can't imagine one would have much cash left over for ammo when breaking a $1000 on a new rifle today.
Not sure how this opinion was formed but I’ve owned several Tikkas and a Ruger American and my experience is very different. Agree that the Tikka’s are excellent for the money but the Ruger also performed well. Yes it was rough around the edges — literally and figuratively — but more importantly it was accurate and reliable. Surprisingly so, making it great value. If someone wants a cheap, competent truck gun or handy general-purpose rifle then it would fit the bill 100%.
Agree on the heavier 75 grain+. The .556 Ranch is 1:8 twist so it stabilizes them very well. Same with the Tikka .223 1:8, like the CTR.
Well I will tell you how this opinion was formed. I owned 2 ruger americans, both bought new. Neither one would feed reliably, would never feed a full magazine without jamming, usually the 2nd round. Tried 4 different magazines all through warranty and nothing changed. One was a .223 and the other a 22-250 and neither one would do better than 5 shots in an inch and a half at 100 yards with anything I fed it. I have several other guns of other makes none of which shoot over 1/2 MOA with proper loads. The ruger had an extremely rough action, crappy trigger, flimsiest stock imaginable and would rust if you looked at it. It was bought to be used as a "truck gun" but couldn`t even begin to cut it as that. Now you know.
Have owned probably 100 or so rifles over my lifetime and those two rugers were by far the absolute worst. I would take a Savage axis over them any time. Shooting buddy of mine started out with a Savage Axis .223 and once I taught him how to reload he shot fairly decent with it. As he progressed and got better than the gun he sold it and now shoots a Tikka T3 Varmint and says he should have bought the Tikka in the first place.
My 527 is more accurate than I can shoot ! Haha. I may have lucked out but I got one for $800 used. Having said that I also have a cz 557 .308 I am trying to trade for a RAR either 5.56 or x39 not picky , I have everything I need for ammo and reloading for both.
Comparing the Savage Axis to a Tikka is like comparing a Toyota Corolla to a Lexis
Exactly. You know the old saying, "you get what you pay for"? Both the corolla and Lexus will get you there, but which one is nicer and more fun to drive? I personally drive a corvette.
And after you have driven a Lexus or Corvette do not try to tell me you will be happy with a corolla. I make no apologies for liking quality and nice things, life is too short to shoot (or drive) junk.
Having said that, buy the best you can afford and enjoy it.
Mine has been the exact opposite. I've owned mine since 2018, and it has been pretty much flawless. It's been run hard, hunted with hard and has put 6 whitetails in the freezer. It's gone bang every time from +40 to -40 and will still put 5 rounds in 1/2" all day as long as i do my part. Maybe i just got lucky, or you really unlucky.
Buy used and save some money for ammo and optic, that is what I did, didn’t buy a 223 but found a 222 rem in mint condition for $600 a beautiful BSA nice wood stock and blue steel like I like them, even has open sights!!
223 would have been better in the ammo availability but I reload so not really an issue!
223 would have been better in the ammo availability but I reload so not really an issue!
I just like results haha. Rifles smooth enough that the bolt slides back and forth by tilting the rifle like an M14 tilt test, decent trigger, feeds smoothly. Shoots under an inch. Maybe it doesn't have fine walnut and deep rich bluing but thats about the only knock. They do look good in a Boyds stock at least 
But the OP has a budget. He said $1000. You won't get a Tikka, a scope, and some ammo for $1000 these days. Meanwhile, you can drop $500 on an Axis, another $300 on a scope, and still have ammo money.
I'm sure your Corvette is fun to drive, but it wouldn't be much fun if you blew your budget on the car and couldn't afford insurance or gas.
