Inexpensive but Decent .223 set-up ?

[noway123]

Looking for a decent quality Bolt action .223, set-up for punching paper, vamint out to 200+ yrds.

I don't like the look of the Savage Edge (hear the trigger is not great).

Stevens 200 stock is a bit flimsy.....

Does Marlin have a low end .223 bolt ?, or other suggestions ? Would be looking to have a scope as well, variable out to 16x or so.

Any suggestions.

 

[StevieK]

You could buy a stevens 200 and then get a boyds thumbhole stock. You come out of the ordeal spending very little cash and you've got a great looking rifle.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

What is your max budget for just gun and scope?

Have you considered shopping used?

 

[StevieK]

If the gun will be solely used for paper punching and varmints then you will probably not be carrying it much and you will be shooting from a bench or prone. I would recommend spending a little extra to get a heavy barreled gun, both savage and remington have some pretty decent heavy barreled varmint guns for about $640. You can usually find them used for $500-$600. The heavy barrel will be a little more accurate, but most importantly, you can fire off more shots before it overheats

 

[SoBored]

You could buy a stevens 200 and then get a boyds thumbhole stock. You come out of the ordeal spending very little cash and you've got a great looking rifle.

x2 I was thinking the same thing. Stevens 200 is a great value gun. Buy the Boyds stock if the factory one really proves inadequate or as funds allow.

Others also think the Marlin X7 has good value.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502665&highlight=Marlin

 

[Ron AKA]

I don't like the look of the Savage Edge (hear the trigger is not great).

Actually in my opinion the Savage AccuTrigger is very good. The standard ones can be set to a nice crisp pull at 2.5 lbs, by the user. Not many standard factory guns can do that. My Target AccuTrigger is currently set at 7 oz..

 

[KDX]

If accuracy is what you want, look at the Savage products.

 

[pizdets17]

Tikka T3 lite. Total cost with scope $850

 

[StevieK]

Actually in my opinion the Savage AccuTrigger is very good. The standard ones can be set to a nice crisp pull at 2.5 lbs, by the user. Not many standard factory guns can do that. My Target AccuTrigger is currently set at 7 oz..

Most people do not dispute that the accutrigger is a nice factory trigger however the edge does not have the accutrigger

 

[Katana]

Tikka T3 lite. Total cost with scope $850

Did you buy it new or used???

 

[enfield303t]

Thompson Centre Venture.

Great shooter in .270 so should be the same in .223.

 

[angrysoldier]

i dont think his scope is big enough!

 

[Ron AKA]

Most people do not dispute that the accutrigger is a nice factory trigger however the edge does not have the accutrigger

I would step up to a Savage that has the AccuTrigger then. No sense dragging the very bottom of the barrel.

 

[pizdets17]

New. It was cheaper than EE prices lol

Did you buy it new or used???

 

[pizdets17]

Well there is a 3" sun shade on it. But yea its an 8x32-50, so its a telescope lol. But now I bought a Tikka Tactical so this one will go on it and I got a 4x16-50 illuminated for the Lite.

i dont think his scope is big enough!

 

[Norma]

I just picked up a Tikka T3 Lite in .223 on special at Ellwood Epps for $630.00
My fourth Tikka, you can't go wrong for that price. Good Luck

 

[pizdets17]

yep same place I got mine

I just picked up a Tikka T3 Lite in .223 on special at Ellwood Epps for $630.00
My fourth Tikka, you can't go wong for that price. Good Luck

 

[Northman999]

I'd try the stock on a Stevens 200 before assuming it needs replacing.

I have them in 22-250 and 300 winmag and they are very accurate; I've never noticed any issues with the factory stocks in my two rifles.

 

[hakx]

Stevens with a Boyds aftermarket stock. Enjoy.

 

[dpopl8r]

I'd try the stock on a Stevens 200 before assuming it needs replacing.

I have them in 22-250 and 300 winmag and they are very accurate; I've never noticed any issues with the factory stocks in my two rifles.

Same here. My .223 stevens shoots well off the bench and bipod very well with the factory stock - no modifications or bedding has been required. I don't think accuracy can get much better even with a replacement stock.