Best budget .223 rifle?

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45C

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I’m looking at getting a .223 bolt for target practice.
Three I’m looking at are around same price point.
Mossberg MVP patrol
Ruger American Ranch
Savage 110
Any thoughts on which one

Thanks
 
223 rifles hold their value better then most ime. I’d consider stepping up to a model 700, model 70 or even a T3. You’ll be further ahead in the long run.
Of the ones you listed I’d go savage because they generally are pretty good shooters too.
 
Local Canadian Tire has the Savage 110 with a cheap scope( vortex Crossfire) and I do have $300 Canadian Tire pesos.
But I was saving that to go towards a nice Leupold VX3I 4.5-14x40 CDL-ZL.

Is the model 70 a Winchester?
If so, I can’t find one anywhere.

Decisions decisions… lol
 
I have really enjoyed my Ruger American (not the ranch model.) It outshot both my Tikka T3's, which I subsequently sold. None of the 3 were heavy barrels. I did notice that the Ruger barrel got hot after 6 rounds, and very hot after 10 rounds.
For this reason, I bought a Remington 783 Heavy Barrel, which I'm not sure they make anymore. It is as accurate as I can be.
I load my own, so really like tailoring a load to each rifle.
Honestly, most guns are very accurate these days, I think a lot of the cost is now how the gun is finished, as most sub $1200 rifles are probably very close in accuracy.
I always like to do the most with the least, but also appreciate a good product made with higher end materials, so will probably buy a Tikka CTR or Varmint in the near future.
Of the rifles listed, I would probably go with the Ruger.
 
I can't talk for the Ruger or the Savage. But I've owned both the 223 and 308 Mossberg patrol.. great rifles short barrels fixed sights and take AR and M14 mags.
 
45C said:
Local Canadian Tire has the Savage 110 with a cheap scope( vortex Crossfire) and I do have $300 Canadian Tire pesos.
But I was saving that to go towards a nice Leupold VX3I 4.5-14x40 CDL-ZL.

Is the model 70 a Winchester?
If so, I can’t find one anywhere.

Decisions decisions… lol
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Yes you’ll have to scour the used market as no Rem 700 or Winchester 70 223’s are available new as far as I know
 
My Ruger American ranch was a very good shooter. Poorly finished like all of them, will not single feed with the rotary magazine and the magazine sucks generally. Not sure if this issue exists with the AR mag models
 
After extensive experience (thousands of rounds) with the Ruger Americans I would have no problem endorsing them for an inexpensive target practice rifle. They aren't very refined but they are reasonably accurate and Ruger American and a case of .223 paired with targets at different ranges and adopting field positions while you engage the targets will make you a more effective shooter for hunting.
 
Chumlee Bumsnag said:
I'm looking for a .223 H&R Handi rifle with a bull barrel. I have the .17 HMR one and it's fantastic.
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I had one; traded for it so I could use up left-over ammo from my AR I can't used anymore. It was OK, but just can't get excited by .223.

If you can find one, Baikal made a single shot in .223; really nice solid gun with a better trigger; but good luck finding one, I could not.
 
conor_90 said:
My Ruger American ranch was a very good shooter. Poorly finished like all of them, will not single feed with the rotary magazine and the magazine sucks generally. Not sure if this issue exists with the AR mag models
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My AR Mag Ranch has been fantastic and is my go to rifle for so many things. Very accurate. Handy. Highly recommend.
 
45C said:
Any pros/cons for the mini action?
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Mini
Pros it's lighter and shorter action, designed specifically for short short action cartridges like 223.
Takes LSI 5 and 10 round mags.
Cons the LSI mag well is cheap plastic and the mag release is on the front and easy to accidentally drop the mag unintended. Stuck with LSI mags even if you go with an MDT chassis down the road.

Regular
Pros Steel/alloy hinged floor plate. If you are going heavy barrel the difference in weight is moot really. Can always be equipped with the LSI mag thing if you really want it, or AICS mags if you go MDT chassis down the road.
Cons...none really for a heavy target rifle, they are a heavy action for light recoil hunting rifles, but for HB target they are well suited.
 
So it’s a toss up .. lol
I’ve narrowed it down to either the Savage 110 or the Howa.
Gotta check and see if Howa barrels are prefit.
 
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