Best low-cost .223 bolt-action?

Flying Beaver

Flying Beaver

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
43   0   0
Location
Alberta Free State
Hi All,

Looking for some input on .223 bolt-action rifles in the "cheap" price range. Main use would be at the range and for varmints.

So far I've had recommended to me the Savage Model 10 in stainless with the 26" fluted barrel, and the Stevens 200.

Looking for a good shooter, doesn't have to be especially pretty.

Any suggestions welcome. (Yeah, I know, save up until I can buy an AR....:rolleyes:)
 
The best shot I ever made was with a savage .223. I found it heavy and impossible to freehand though. (12BVSS)

In an effort to reduce my ammo consumption and have less money tied into the hobby, I have moved to an NEF Survivor. Its a single shot .223 with a 20inch heavy barrel. Those stevens rifles are great though.

I did not have good results with it the first time out because the trigger pull was just under 9lbs. But since going through a little bit of grief to clean it up, I have a much more respectable 3.5lb pull. I have only been able to shoot it once ince then and cant say I have any decisive results yet. But I have hopes it will be a decent shooter to 300. (for gophers some day)

I know alot of people say they are junk. And I read that you are looking for a bolt gun. But if cheap is your first concern, NEF might be worth a look. I have had my hands on the norinco .223s. The only good thing about them is the parker hale trigger. The 3 way adjustable trigger is rather cheaply made and requires smoothing out before you can begin to adjust it. But once you do that, it gets alot more enjoyable to shoot.
 
Stevens 200 or a Remington SPS-V (the latter will give you more potential down the road, just drop it in an HS Precision, McMillan, etc and replace the trigger and you have a nice rifle. the Stevens is also a bit longer in the receiver which makes mounting compact scopes more of a pain).

i cant believe that the thread title is 'low cost' and the AR was mentioned :rolleyes:
 
'My Stevens 200, glass bedded shoots 1/2" at 300 meters.'

Forget about a $300.00 gun - that would be awesome for a $3000.00 gun! what is that, like 0.1MOA?
__________________
 
Well, it's nice to see that the Stevens has some fans. That's good news for a really low-budget start to .223. I was looking at a Savage Model 10 in Black/Blued with the long heavy barrel. Funny part of it is the price difference between that and the stainless fluted long barrel is not very much. Still a lot more than a Stevens, though.

I will keep checking the EE and live in hope...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom