223 rifle

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ScottB

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Looking at picking up a mag fed bolt action 223. I have a lot of 223 and 556 that needs shooting. Tikka CTR, Ruger American, CZ600 Ergo, MRA Renegade are on my list. Other suggestions welcome.
Anything that people really don't like about any of those guns? I like that MRA and Ruger use stanag mags, I've never owned a Tikka but they seem to have a good rep.
My 223 use is just range and gravel pit shooting.....and at this time of year, blowing up pumpkins.
 
I don't have any experience with the ERGO so I'll leave that out.

The MRA is straight pull and very modular so if that's important to you then it's your only option on your list

Between the Tikka and the Ruger, the Ruger will save you about $600 and will use stanag mags instead of expensive and less reliable Tikka mags. Accuracy isn't going to be much different. The Tikka has some more refined features around the receiver, but you get a few more extras on the Gen 2 Americans, like a stock that has adjustable LOP and a muzzle brake.

I only have experience with the Gen 1 Americans but they work really well. I also have a Tikka .223 and 2 out of the 3 mags don't work very well, the spring doesn't seem to want to lift the last 2 cartridges. Maybe with some tinkering I could get them working better but you shouldn't have to do that with a $100 magazine when a $35 stanag mag works perfectly for thousands of rounds.

All 3 rifles have a number of aftermarket options, the MRA the most, of course.

For your purposes they all should work just fine. If I had to pick a traditional bolt action I would go for the Ruger as it's better value and if I wanted an infinitely modifiable modern looking straight pull, the MRA is your choice.
 
If its 556 I'd go with the Ruger American. They've served me well in shooting a lot of 223 and 556. Like todbartell said if it was 223 only I'd go with the Tikka

The Renegades are cool looking and easily accessorized thats for sure. Had one briefly with nowhere near the round count of the Rugers. No complaints, just was a lot of money for what it was to me.
 
I own a couple Ruger Americans in 223/5.56 Nato.

Both are very good shooters with my loads.

I use a lot of bulk ammo in my Ranch (which I swapped into the prairie stock cuz its enough effing FDE already!) version and it shoots 1-1.25 Moa with my bulk loads which mimic any given ball ammo load from Federal, PMC, etc.

With handloads it is under 1 moa.

I also have a Prairie in 223 which I put in an MDT chassis.
It is easily .5-.75 moa with my handloads.

Mine are both Gen II but I had a gen 1 ranch for a while and it shot as well but I like the upgrades in the Gen II.

And for the hyper-scrupulous 5-0 out there, I replace the rivets in all my mags if they come pinned in the side (IRG does this) with one in the back prior to use.
 

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I bought a weatherby vanguard heavy barrel in a mdt chassis when my AR was banned.
Shoots amazing. 300yrd shots are almost boring it's so accurate.
 
Gatehouse said:
I don't have any experience with the ERGO so I'll leave that out.

The MRA is straight pull and very modular so if that's important to you then it's your only option on your list

Between the Tikka and the Ruger, the Ruger will save you about $600 and will use stanag mags instead of expensive and less reliable Tikka mags. Accuracy isn't going to be much different. The Tikka has some more refined features around the receiver, but you get a few more extras on the Gen 2 Americans, like a stock that has adjustable LOP and a muzzle brake.

I only have experience with the Gen 1 Americans but they work really well. I also have a Tikka .223 and 2 out of the 3 mags don't work very well, the spring doesn't seem to want to lift the last 2 cartridges. Maybe with some tinkering I could get them working better but you shouldn't have to do that with a $100 magazine when a $35 stanag mag works perfectly for thousands of rounds.

All 3 rifles have a number of aftermarket options, the MRA the most, of course.

For your purposes they all should work just fine. If I had to pick a traditional bolt action I would go for the Ruger as it's better value and if I wanted an infinitely modifiable modern looking straight pull, the MRA is your choice.
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Same experience here. The Ruger bolt feels like it is rough as a cob,BUT, the rifle is reliable . I can get 1" 5 shot groups with handloads. It is a relatively cheap rifle. I found a nice muzzle brake for it . A fun gun and a cheap way to use up all that AR food. I have a Tikka heavy barrel 223 also. I get 200fps more velocity with it's longer barrel. BUT, the Tikka magazines are not good. They don't feed reliably. The 3rounder works abit better than the 4 round mag (doesn';t take much to be better than piss poor).
 
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I've shot 556 through an American with mags it clearly didn't like. However, it might still be the best option if you're wanting to chew through 556.

A Tikka CTR is the best of the rifles mentioned if you ask me, but I also think it's too nice and capable a rifle to throw cruddy bulk 556 through. I had one for about year, cloverleaf groups with factory Hornady BLACK 75gr. BTHPs. Only sold the rifle because the bullets proved to be poor performers on varmints. (pass-through) Gun was easy to shoot well.
 
big bear said:
Same experience here. The Ruger bolt feels like it is rough as a cob,BUT, the rifle is reliable . I can get 1" 5 shot groups with handloads. It is a relatively cheap rifle. I found a nice muzzle brake for it . A fun gun and a cheap way to use up all that AR food. I have a Tikka heavy barrel 223 also. I get 200fps more velocity with it's longer barrel. BUT, the Tikka magazines are not good. They don't feed reliably. The 3rounder works abit better than the 5 round mag (doesn';t take much to be better than piss poor).
Click to expand...

Unfortunately lots of people have found themselves in this predicament thanks to our Liberal overlords.

For the cheap 55gr stuff I feel that a pump is a better fit (or the new semis that are available which are better still but it remains to be seen if they have a long life under this Liberal regime). Fast-ish blasting at close-ish targets. I found the 55gr bullets a poor choice for distance.

For my stash of 75gr and 77gr bullets I built a higher end bolt gun with a 223 Wylde chamber and shoot gongs at 500M.
 
big bear said:
Same experience here. The Ruger bolt feels like it is rough as a cob,BUT, the rifle is reliable . I can get 1" 5 shot groups with handloads. It is a relatively cheap rifle. I found a nice muzzle brake for it . A fun gun and a cheap way to use up all that AR food. I have a Tikka heavy barrel 223 also. I get 200fps more velocity with it's longer barrel. BUT, the Tikka magazines are not good. They don't feed reliably. The 3rounder works abit better than the 5 round mag (doesn';t take much to be better than piss poor).
Click to expand...

My 223 Tikka mags were 4 round. Never had a problem. Was using the Mag3d printed ones to have a longer COAL with 75gr ELDM tho.

.22LRGUY said:
I've shot 556 through an American with mags it clearly didn't like. However, it might still be the best option if you're wanting to chew through 556.

A Tikka CTR is the best of the rifles mentioned if you ask me, but I also think it's too nice and capable a rifle to throw cruddy bulk 556 through. I had one for about year, cloverleaf groups with factory Hornady BLACK 75gr. BTHPs. Only sold the rifle because the bullets proved to be poor performers on varmints. (pass-through) Gun was easy to shoot well.
Click to expand...

Curious to see what it would have done with ELDMs or TMK
 
Not much love for the Ergo or Renegade? I figured with the ongoing AR replacement therapy the Renegade would have a few more boosters.
I was worried with the price of the American it's quality was going to be like an Axis. I have a 243 Axis that is nothing to be excited about.
 
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