.223 single
- Thread starter Stosh
- Start date
Serious target shooting would require a bolt action single like a Savage M12 etc... but it sounds like you want an inexpensive break action for plinking with the grandkids... I would recommend an H&R Handi rifle... they are robust and simple and safe for kids... and they can be very accurate... if not out of the box, accurizing is simple and do-it-yourself... Epps has one in stock for $286 new.
Get one of the cheaper Remington 700's or Savage models. Decent guns for a decent price. Especially for just doing some fun target shooting. Not single action though.
If it is with the grand kids (depending on age) maybe a 22LR would be just as much fun.
J
If it is with the grand kids (depending on age) maybe a 22LR would be just as much fun.
J
- Location
- Golden Lake
If price isn't a consideration - have a look at a Thompson/Center Encore. Mine isn't a tack driver but is quite accurate.
Any good quality 3-9X scope.
Any good quality 3-9X scope.
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I have the H&R Ulra Hunter in .223 Rem and love it. You need to mount the scope (of your choice) high, for hammer clearance. That deal from Epps sounds good....have fun
.. yes .. mine is pretty good for accuracy too and they offer lots of flexibility. BUT remember that all these types (except the Ruger No.1 and 1885 types) require that you "break" the action to reload. IMO it is easier to train a young shooter in the prone position and also more likely to get off better shots (which will reinforce success) if you can keep the young shooter in a comfortable prone position without too much movement (if possible) shot to shot - if that makes sense. That is almost impossible to do with T/C etc . Anyway .. I like the bolt actions for this and I think Savage makes a single shot rifle in .223 that will surely keep up with their advancing skills. As will any bolt action for that matter as most will operate quite happily with one round at a time
I've found that for kids that the target they shoot at is more important than the rifle they are shooting. Steel targets that dance and go DING are a lot more fun than punching paper. A rimfire rifle and one of the Caldwell flip and reset targets will keep them going for quite some time. Just don't shoot anything BUT .22LR at them.
If you're still set on a center fire then why not just get a basic bolt action rifle and simply single load it instead of using the magazine?
As for a break action I agree with all that the others have said. But the fact is that if shooting rested from a table the break action style rifle gets to be very cumbersome. I know, I've got a TC Encore that I really like. But it's simply a pain due to the break action unless I use the custom pillar rest I made for it so it can break open then sit in the rest. This rest is pretty tall as a result and requires me to sit tall to shoot the rifle. That's fine for a medium to taller adult but not so fine for someone shorter.
If you're still set on a center fire then why not just get a basic bolt action rifle and simply single load it instead of using the magazine?
As for a break action I agree with all that the others have said. But the fact is that if shooting rested from a table the break action style rifle gets to be very cumbersome. I know, I've got a TC Encore that I really like. But it's simply a pain due to the break action unless I use the custom pillar rest I made for it so it can break open then sit in the rest. This rest is pretty tall as a result and requires me to sit tall to shoot the rifle. That's fine for a medium to taller adult but not so fine for someone shorter.
I've played with a Rossi single, and I think that the H&R is a far superior rifle for only a few dollars more. Similarly, I've owned the Baikal single (which nowadays seems to be more expensive than the H&R), and aside from the Baikal's very cool spiral-finished barrel, I think the H&H is a better gun...far better trigger and usually better accuracy.
I've never owned or even shot one, but for the money I might be tempted to get an Axis and just single-load as mentioned above. A break-barrel is indeed a PITA from prone or off the bench.
I've never owned or even shot one, but for the money I might be tempted to get an Axis and just single-load as mentioned above. A break-barrel is indeed a PITA from prone or off the bench.
Thank you all for the great info. I'm leaning toward a bolt action. Seems more versatile, and way easier to use from the shooting bench/prone position. Not sure which one to go for. I like my Ruger American .22 and may go for a Ruger American .223 as well.
Thanks
Stosh
Thanks
Stosh
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The next time we find ourselves saddled with a Liberal government, chances are the magazine capacity of semi-auto rifles will be further reduced. Be the first kid on your block to own a single shot AR-15!
Seriously though, if its a single shot rifle I'm looking for, the answer is clearly the Ruger #1, arguably the best looking factory rifle in production today. While I don't have a huge amount of experience with them, the ones I've used have proven to have decent triggers and shoot well. For recreational target shooting, there's no need to go with a match grade bolt gun, unless that's what floats your boat.
When it comes to glass the problem is a bit more complicated because the rifle could be used under so many different circumstances. But if we stay with the premise that the purpose of magnification is simply to allow once to see his target, and that .223 targets tend to be on the small side, I'd look hard at a 4-12X40, probably a Leupold VariX-II.
Seriously though, if its a single shot rifle I'm looking for, the answer is clearly the Ruger #1, arguably the best looking factory rifle in production today. While I don't have a huge amount of experience with them, the ones I've used have proven to have decent triggers and shoot well. For recreational target shooting, there's no need to go with a match grade bolt gun, unless that's what floats your boat.
When it comes to glass the problem is a bit more complicated because the rifle could be used under so many different circumstances. But if we stay with the premise that the purpose of magnification is simply to allow once to see his target, and that .223 targets tend to be on the small side, I'd look hard at a 4-12X40, probably a Leupold VariX-II.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I hadn't noticed this when I posted, and being fond of bolt actions too, I can little fault with your choice. Although I'm personally leery of the bargain basement rifles that have appeared over the last number of years, I haven't yet laid eyes on a Ruger American. For all I know they might be great, although saying so feels a little counter intuitive. But if they handle well, have triggers that allow them to shoot well, and produce competitive accuracy, which is paramount with a small bore, its all good.
Epps used to carry them.
