223 recommendation for father-in-law

bandoleer

bandoleer

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Hi there
My wife's dad has a PAL and to-date owns only a 12 gauge.
He wants to get something for target shooting but it must have a wooden stock (he's 79 and doesn't appreciate synthetic).
I already have a 22lr, but he wants something a bit bigger; I'm thinking a 223.
It should preferably be new/retail and his budget is $500 before taxes.
Any recommendations?
 
See if you can get your hands on a Savage Model 25 in .223. Have one and love it, semi heavy barrel, a bit heavy if you plan on a walking hunt. Laminate Monte Carlo stock.
Very accurate.
 
Kick in the extra $400 yourself and buy him a Browning X Bolt in .223. I bought one for my daughter a year or so ago and she absolutely loves the rifle. Browning quality and appearance, just over 6 1/2 pounds, and she can shoot it all day long without a recoil problem. She has become an avid shooter and her shooting has improved to the point she is shooting coyotes out to 200 yards with no problem.

Looking at current used gun prices there is no advantage to buying a used firearm at all. A new Browning becomes a family heirloom worthy of passing down to future generations.
My two cents.
Regards,
Dave.​
 
Assuming you want to stay with bolt guns (and not an H&R, single-shot) I'd say try to pick-up a used CZ527 Varmint. I don't know which new Savage models come with wood stocks, but my Savage 10 has a synthetic and I like it more than I thought I would. Since his will be for target shooting, heavy barrel is best and will serve him better in that role. I think it should be easier to buy a nice .223 bolt gun for $500 than it actually is, but such is life. Guess if you are able to kick-in a few $ yourself (or get everyone in the family to chip-in) he'll end-up with a nicer gun, and it will be a nicer gun when the day comes that he no longer needs it and it gets passed-on.

.223 is a great round for target shooting and varmint hunting, it's one of my favorites. A heavy-barreled gun will eat up what little recoil .223 has to begin with, and make for a nice shooting experience. If $500 is the absolute cap, and he wants something with a little more kick than .22lr, you could consider a rifle in 22WMR. (22 mag) Should be easier to find a wood-stocked gun (new CZ455s are $499) and it has allot more punch than .22lr. Almost zero recoil, and ammo is even more affordable than .223...which is "affordable" by centerfire standards anyway.
 
Friend of mine just picked up a Savage model 12 BVSS with a 26" fluted Stainless Steel Barrel, Detachable 5 shot mag and the 1-7" twist which is excellent for 55 and up grain ammo.. It has a laminated wood stock which i think looks really good... We quickly mounted a scope on it and took it to the range with some factory 68gr Honady Match bullets and had it clover leafing 5 shots at 100.. I know if a bit more than what your budget allowed.. but remember.. you get what u pay for.. For 500$ i think it will be hard to find a 223 in that price range with a wood stock, and it that with a scope of whats the scoop with optics?

I agree with 22LRGUY. A CZ would be a very nice rifle and are known for there accuracy. Personaly. Spend the extra little cash and get him a 223 that will he not only love, but feels great, looks great and when u see the smile on his face when exploding pop cans at 400.. it will be worth every penny.
Just my 2 Cents
Josh
 
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