I need a lightweight .223 bolt gun - Suggestions?

prairieguy said:
Hello CGN.

Courtesy of our overlords I now have optics, reloading gear and a supply of ammunition in need of a rifle.

I am looking to tap into the collective wisdom of CGN for some suggestions about .223 bolt guns.

Ideally I would like to find a lightweight rifle suitable for coyote hunting with aftermarket trigger and accessory choices should I decide to tart it up.

I have been doing my own research but not coming up with much of anything that fits the bill. I am hoping to find something off the shelf rather than go the custom build route.

What I'm not interested in are cheap single shot break open action rifles, anything made by Ruger, and oddball items without aftermarket options.


Here are my requirements:

Caliber: .223 / 5.56 Nato
Barrel twist: 1 in 7" (No 1-9" or slower twist)
Max barrel length 20"
Threaded action. No pressed in barrels
Weight: as light as possible. No heavy barrel varmint rigs
Action will accept a one piece picatinny rail scope mount
Detachable magazine


Any and all suggestions welcome.
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Howa Mini 1500 is as close as you will get to your wants ! I have one in 6.5 Grendel - weights exactly 7 lbs with a Elite 4-12 scope ! jmo RJ
 
Have a T3 1/8 20" sporter since years for fox/vermin. She performs well with 69 NosCM, Hornady 68gr BTHP and 75 A-max as well as lighter stuff. Have her in a few different carbon stocks. 75 A-Max needs the longer MDT mag and can be loaded nicely just off the lands, in my case COL 62.7mm.
Picking off fox cubs at the hedge row.

OrNylNe.jpg


edi
 
rosconow said:
Cz 527 carbine. 6.1 lbs, open sites, 5rnd detach mag, single set trigger. Not much for add on's, cause it doesn't need any.....
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Seconded. Nice and light. CZ quality.

Have one in 7.62x39mm. My favourite rifle.

That set trigger is incredible.
 
I have a savage 10t sr from cabelas, it would be perfect for your needs, can’t remember the barrel twist on it but you can get the rifle on sale for under 700 and it has a pic rail on it already so your optics will bolt right on
It also has an aluminum chassis built into the stock and the end of the barrel is threaded
Rifle is accurate too!
 
There are some exceptionally long VLD bullets used for target shooting that might require twists as fast as 1-7, even 1-6 1/2. 1-8 is fine through 80gr. OP is interested in a light .223 hunting rifle, not a specialized long range setup.
1-7 is common in AR type barrels. Military type barrels might be used with 5.56 tracer projectiles; these are very long, so the 1-7 is required.
Specifying 1-7 in a lightweight hunting rifle is going to eliminate the overwhelming majority of factory rifles. Perhaps a custom barrel would be the best solution.
 
tiriaq said:
Why 1-7?
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Primarily to stabilize heavy bullets in the 75 -90 gr range. I would rather be over twisted than under.

Perhaps I am being too rigid in my thinking and a 1-8 will also work.

If I have to buy a 1-7 barrel and re-barrel an of the shelf rifle I might as well go full custom from the start.
 
I support the CZ 527

I have a walnut and also bought a synthetic stock model in 7.62x39 and I like the rifle so much that I also bought a synthetic 527 in 223/556. I have fired about 20 rounds out of the 223 model and right out of the box with iron sights I was grouping 1" or less.... Couldn't ask for better than that plus the recoil is next to nil. Both models are light, easy to handle and easy to carry out in the woods. Only trouble is the 7.62x39 model seems to scare deer away as I haven't seen any in the last 3 years that I carried it for the hunt lol.
 
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