Is .223 Rem dying as a hunting round?

It just shocked me that Winchester has completely dropped the .223 Rem cartridge from it's 2011 catalog. I just don't understand why they would do that. And like I said, it looks like H&R has dropped the option from their Handi-Rifle also. If the round is so popular and versatile, why would Winchester stop offering it?[/QUOTE]


The X-Bolt is not offered in the 204, does that mean it's declining in popularity as well????

I doubt it??

Kevin.
 
223 is going strong!!

Among a group of eight coyote shooters here in Moose Jaw there are SIX 223s, one 22-250 and one 204. All kill coyotes just great but the reason more of us shoot 223s is because there are a lot of inexpensive rifles that are very accurate. In fact the 22-250 shooter has to replace his barrel and is just going to buy a new rifle in 223. Three of us are shooting Rem 700s and NONE of them are tactical rifles. Search for Rem 700 Varmint and you will find them!! There are two savages and a Tikka. Your call as to the make and model but this round will not die out. It is popular with target shooters, gopher shooters and varmint hunters. Just because Winchester doesn't list it doesn't mean it is dead - they still make ammunition for it!! Good luck in your selection process!!
 
Steve33 said:
Hey all!

... It also kind of looks like .223 has been removed from the H&R Handi-Rifle but I cant confirm that as different pages say different things.

...
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The H&R website still lists .223 Remington calibre in Handi-Rifles and Ultras in several variants:

Handi-Rifle with and without iron sights, Handi-Rifle (bull barrel), Handi-Rifle Survivor, Handi-Rifle Synthetic (no sights), Handi-Rifle Compact (with iron sights), Superlight Handi-Rifle Compact, Handi-Grip HandiRifle and the Ultra Hunter, Ultra Varmint Hunter, Ultra Varmint Thumbhole Stock, Ultra Varmint Fluted.

Perhaps you overlooked them.
 
Nathan231 said:
This is almost as ridiculous as the thread about is .308 losing popularity.
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We could really do without your input, in a lot of threads. He had a good question about why the .223 was dropped by Winchester (a big move), another poster answered it in that they dropped production of their push feed action (thankfully) and are only making .473 and .532 bolfaces in CRF. Seems every thread I come accross this 'nathan231' guy's comments in, he's trying to feel smart. Tone 'er back a bit and don't be so fast to jump on the bandwagon, it's not winning the popularity points you think it is. :)
 
it's a cost effective thing a rifle action/ magazine for a .308 works with .243, .260, 7mm-08,308 and .358 without any modifications except a barrel swap, a rifle action/magazine for .30-06 works with .25/06, .270, .280, .30-06 and .35 whelen. Where as an action/ magazine for .223 really only works with .223 same goes for .22-250 so if they are going to set up the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of tooling to make those actions they better have a damn good demand for them.
 
clearly everyone who's anyone is shooting yote's with their Tavors, Swiss Arms, and Robinsons Arms, thats why winchester hasnt listed any 223's. Their just not cool anymore.
 
Uh...well I have a stainless Vanguard chambered in .223. I can tell you it uses the same magazine as the .308. There's simply a little metal L shaped plate which shortens it to the .223 length. They are fit side by side in the magazine. Looks like the same receiver as the .308 too with the bolt face being smaller obvious. So - same receiver, same internal magazine with a simple removable part which adapts it. Only difference is the bolt and barrel!
 
Ardent said:
.22-250 is by convention put in a standard .308 action, regardless in small length differences in cartridge specs. That's why many varmint guns are offered in .22-250 and .308.
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For sure i agree they are close enough its not a big deal to chamber a .308 action for .22-250. all im trying to say is its way less of a deal to do it with cartridges that have the same case. Browning isn't going to screw a .22-250 barrel onto a .308 action and and throw in a clip for a .308 and be done. They are going to have to design a different magazine and slightly change the bolt face and thats going to take time, cost and tooling. If they wanted to do that with .243, .260, 7mm-08, .358 they could go right ahead and even use the same magazine.
And many varmint guns are made in .308 because they are also chambered in .243 so its just a simple barrel swap. if half an inch is only a small length difference why not just chamber .30-06 length actions in .308 theyre only half an inch apart.
 
Well have a Rem 700 ADL in .223 and I can just put the cross-hairs on the yote,don't

even have to touch the triger or safety it just goes off by itself!

Great Rifles them Remingtons!

Bob
 
It's not dying. I frequent a lot of these boards which are based in the states. For some reason, it seems most american hunters will argue to the ends of the earth that .223 is an excellent round for hunting deer.

What a bunch of idiots...
 
Soon as Marlin starts making a XS7 in .223 I will be buying one. Better be soon, I've been waiting atleast 6 months soon, if they arent out by september I will have to buy another tikka .223.
 
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