A 223 for the range. What to buy?

mb571

mb571

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Hi folks,
I am researching the purchase of a 223 and interested in opinions. I am a relatively new shooter.
I spent a lot of time with my middle of 3 boys and his baseball. So I said to the youngest, "What can you and I do together?" He said he wanted to get into shooting.
So I got my PAL last Feb. As is, I am impressed with Canada and the current laws. Sad how the Lib's are misinforming the public that they need changing.
I got a couple .22's for my 3 boys and I. My one son bought an SKS. I enjoy shooting tight groups and my 3 boys kinda like making noise.
I currently have the cart way before the horse and started re-loading 223. I need a gun I can enjoy shooting for accuracy. Our range goes out to 250 yds, and if desired, there are places to shoot farther, a ways out of town.
I have been reading myself crazy on the net and think I want a Tikka T3X Varmint in 223.
Any thoughts if I should consider something different?
After spending $1300 plus on the gun, I will need some time to save up for a scope. I can't find many reviews of the new Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP series. Any opinions on that?
I would like to shoot the gun while saving up. Those of us with lovely wives that we want to keep have to be sly and wise with the $$ when jumping into the black hole of a new sport (obsession). I have a Simmons 22 Mag on one of my 22's. For the intern, would it handle the kick from a 223?
 
The Simmons will hold up fine but the reticle is a little thick for the longer range stuff. If you can split a 1" circle into 4 quarters at 100 yards with your reticle then it should make for a pretty decent target scope.
 
.223 target

Hi there,
The Tikka would be a very good choice. These rifles shoot amazingly. I have a T3 Lite in .223 that I bought for my son when he was just over 10. I put a SWFA 10X Tactical scope on it. These scopes are incredible for the money, however need to be imported from the U.S. , which is not all that complicated.
Check this guy's video out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRpBxLbxhAo

The T3 Lite that I bought has a 1:8 twist so that it can shoot the heavier high BC bullets for long range. My son recently shot his first sub quarter moa group using Hornady Superformance match 75gr BTHP ammunition. He has also rang steel at 700 meters and is very consistent at 500 meters if we read the wind correctly.

I have no experience with the Vortex you mentioned but have found some favorable reviews on it and was considering one for my .375 H&H.

I think that your choice of rifle/scope combination would do a very good job for your son.

Regards
Perry
 
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PWear 57 said:
The T3 Lite that I bought has a 1:8 twist so that it can shoot the heavier high BC bullets for long range. My son recently shot his first sub quarter moa group using Hornady Superformance match 75gr BTHP ammunition. He has also rang steel at 700 meters and is very consistent at 500 meters if we read the wind correctly.
Regards
Perry
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I will look forward to reloading a little heavier down the road for sure. At the moment I have lots of 55 grain FMJ bullets to load with. Some Hornady and some Campro. I have read mixed stuff about 8" twist for 55 grain. I am hoping that it is still enjoyable/usable to shoot the cheaper 55grain also???
 
If you’re set on 223, the Tikka T3x will serve you very well. I have one in 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots half MOA. The SWFA scope recommendation is a great one, either the striahgt 10x or the variable 3-9x. Both offer great quality and features and won’t break the bank.
 
propliner said:
The Simmons will hold up fine but the reticle is a little thick for the longer range stuff. If you can split a 1" circle into 4 quarters at 100 yards with your reticle then it should make for a pretty decent target scope.
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SteelCap said:
Ive used Simmons on 7.62s and no problem.
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Yeah... no. When your Simmons breaks, you’ll be $50 to $100 out for no return. Spend a tiny bit extra and get a low level Vortex, and if (sometimes when) it breaks, you’re not out anything. A little shipping and a brand new scope comes your way.
 
I have a Tikka T3 223, have had it for years. Really nice action and trigger.

But for shooting, I prefer my Ruger Precision Rifle 223. It comes with two 10 round mags, adjustable stock, and the weight+brake mean you can see the hole open in the paper. I prefer shooting it prone on a nice Cabelas shooting mat with bipod and rear squeeze bag.
 
Tikka varmint and cz 527 varmint are both super nice. Have owned both and currently have a cz carbine. I’d go handle both these rifles and choose one. Their both my top picks in this price class. Tikka has more aftermarket support.
 
I have a Ruger American in 223. I also had a Tikka T3 Hunter in 223. The Ruger shot as well as the Tikka, so i sold the Tikka.
The Ruger has a Nikon 4-12 P223 Scope. It is absolutely my favourite gun to make custom loads for and shoot.
The scope is extremely nice and clear and the adjustable turrets are very nice.
I am, however, looking to get a heavy barrel or varmint barrel. The regular barrel heats up too fast. Too much time between 6 round volleys.
Tikka, Ruger, or a CZ are all solid bets. Take a look through the Nikon p-223, you may just like it. Excellent value, I feel.
 
Speaking of scopes: I just ordered a Bushnell Elite 3500 3-9x40 on sale for $192 with free shipping and tax included. They are usually listed for $225 online and $250 at Canadian Tire and very often listed on the EE. This is actually my third Bushnell Elite (they are made in Japan, btw) because I have been very impressed with the quality of the glass for the price. In daylight there is very little difference between the Bushnells and my Leupolds. Leupolds pull ahead in low light but that doesn't matter for a range gun or Alberta hunting (only 1/2 hour after sunset vs 1 hour in BC). And there's a huuuuge difference in image quality between the Bushnells and the Simmons on my rimfire. I fully regret buying the Simmons. Zero regrets on the Bushnell Elites. The way I see it now: Simmons is just a waste of $50 to $100.
 
woofer2609 said:
I have a Ruger American in 223. I also had a Tikka T3 Hunter in 223. The Ruger shot as well as the Tikka, so i sold the Tikka.
The Ruger has a Nikon 4-12 P223 Scope. It is absolutely my favourite gun to make custom loads for and shoot.
The scope is extremely nice and clear and the adjustable turrets are very nice.
I am, however, looking to get a heavy barrel or varmint barrel. The regular barrel heats up too fast. Too much time between 6 round volleys.
Tikka, Ruger, or a CZ are all solid bets. Take a look through the Nikon p-223, you may just like it. Excellent value, I feel.
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Not sure if you are aware. The Ruger American and Ruger Precision share the same action, so a RPR is effectively a heavy-barrel Ruger American in a chassis.
 
I've got a tikka varmint rifle, it's accurate but one draw back is its plastic stock.
I've also got a Savage model 12 VLP, also very accurate and comes from the factory with a quality laminate wood stock. Of the two, I'd choose the savage as the nicer gun. ☺
 
Blastattack said:
Yeah... no. When your Simmons breaks, you’ll be $50 to $100 out for no return. Spend a tiny bit extra and get a low level Vortex, and if (sometimes when) it breaks, you’re not out anything. A little shipping and a brand new scope comes your way.
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i'm not sure if i agree. I have a tikka3 1:8 twist with a vortex crossfire 2 scope mounted that I reload 68grain bthp for and the scope is defintley the limiting factor. the glass gets miragey around 200 yards. the diamond backs are said to be better. I think the bushnel elites are very good for the money. Also 3x9 magnification is limiting after 200 yrds. that my opinion
 
How's the magazine on the Ruger American? Are the latches on the polymer mags holding up all right?

I have an Ruger American Rimfire, but thought it would be interesting getting a bigger .223 or .308 down the road.
 
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