looking for a hunting rifle in 223

J

jay smith

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first off thanks for all of everyone's replies to my last post "new hunter how many calibers?" lots of good advise.

i have decided to go with the 2 rifle idea.
i would like to get one in 223 at some point this year as mentioned in one of the replies i can use my 12 gauge as a slug gun for deer for the time being.

just looking for some opinions on particular rifles

I am after a bolt action with more of a hunting then bench shooting platform.
I would like to get a good one, I plan on it being my only rifle in 223.

im not sure what barrel is better stainless or blued carbon steel.
also not sure what length and twist are best.
as for price it looks like for what im after starts at 1100.00 then goes up.

i do like that the browning has detachable mags. other then that
most brands have equal sales pitch.

last note id want one that's not to difficult to find parts for i don't know if that's even an issue with the major brands.

thanks.
 
Nice to see you took the advice..... and that you are willing to buy once cry once...

All of the above suggestions are great, and I will add a Ruger M77 to the mix....
 
I would add Weatherby S2 the newer ones have a 1-9 twist the older ones 1-12 twist they may run you about $700 ish you can use the rest of your budget for good rings and a scope. Typically a 3-9x40 is adequate for most applications. Buy three of four different brands of ammunition to see what your .223 likes. A couple more things follow the break in procedure for your rifle using cheapo Winchester white box ammo (40 rounds) - keep all your brass.

Finally ask as many questions as you feel is necessary on CGN University

Cheers
 
I just bought a Ruger American Predator in 22-250 & I am very happy with it. Twist is 1 in 10 so you can stabilize heavier bullets... Same for the 223, the twist is 1 in 8...

Here's how it all worked out price wise...
Rifle was $539 on sale at Cabelas
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 4.5-14x44 Scope was $333 (after 10% off because it was the display model)
Millet steel rings (can't remember the price)
And with tax you're in the ballpark of $975

Cheers
Jay
P.S. Here it is set up & how it shoots...







 
Superbrad said:
Nice to see you took the advice..... and that you are willing to buy once cry once...

All of the above suggestions are great, and I will add a Ruger M77 to the mix....
Click to expand...

Solid suggestion there.

Personally, I would suggest a 1-8 twist, simply so that you can ring as many bells at once as possible. You won't be hamstrung on bullet choice right out of the gate, and there is simply no downside to choosing a rifle that will allow you to use almost all available projectiles on the market. That said, The Ruger American, while a budget class rifle, is twisted and throated appropriately for anything you might want to do. You would however, have to be moderately mechanically minded and only be possessed of no more than 3 left thumbs to do the 15 minutes worth of modification to the issued magazine to properly utilize heavy for caliber bullets.

Stainless is never a bad choice for barrels and actions.

If you are going to buy quality though, it's tough to beat an upper end Ruger, or if you are willing to spend a bit more, get a Kimber Montana. (Those are twisted 1-9" though, so you can get hung up trying the heavier bullets, depending on your elevation.) Still a lot of rifle for the money though.
 
^ The opposite can be true and he may end up having issues with light bullets if the twist is too fast..... that being said, I consider a 1:9 to be the best all around in my experience and I may be splitting hairs here...... lol
 
There is a brand new CZ 1-9 twist 223 with rings and optional nikon scope right in your budget.In the EE.
There's also an x bolt,tikka t3 and a vanguard s2 range certified in the EE. Great time to be shopping for a 223.I myself have T3 varmint SS and it's very accurate although might be too heavy for you.
 
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This thread bolsters my faith......... some great reccomendations here......

The lowest reccomendation here is Jay's American (sorry bud)....... and having handled a couple, and set them up for friends, my only complaint is bolt smoothness........ it really does make that zipper sound...... and wouldn't be what I wanted to own "long term"....... but it does leave you cash for optics you can transfer and will put your bullet where you aim it...... it's still a solid entry level rifle..... and heads and tails over an axis or rem 793......
 
I echo what some others with great advice have said.

- Remington Model Seven
- Howa Mini
- CZ 527

All great choices.
 
A real question that I don't see asked or answered yet would be- What do you want to do with this rifle, and what do you want to hunt with it? And of course- where/what terrain?

Are you going to shot gophers from a bipod or other rested position? Or use it in the timber for deer in the steep stuff?
 
Superbrad said:
^ The opposite can be true and he may end up having issues with light bullets if the twist is too fast..... that being said, I consider a 1:9 to be the best all around in my experience and I may be splitting hairs here...... lol
Click to expand...

In a 223 it would be pretty tough to grenade a light bullet I think. I've driven 40's pretty fast in the kids Ruger 1-8, and seen some pretty stellar accuracy. I'm of the opinion that 8" is the best of all worlds, great goo factor with the light bullets, and good stability with heavies. 9" is just a bit too iffy to ensure adequate rpm's on the heavy bullets from what I've seen.

My Montana 223AI shoots the 75 amax into itty bitty little groups way out there, but I think I'm on the edge of stability. This tends to have that particular bullet hold together really well for me, and I've had some fantastic success with it as a medium game rifle.

Mind you, you are fairly correct that I'm fairly certain we are splitting hairs....
 
Gatehouse said:
A real question that I don't see asked or answered yet would be- What do you want to do with this rifle, and what do you want to hunt with it? And of course- where/what terrain?

Are you going to shot gophers from a bipod or other rested position? Or use it in the timber for deer in the steep stuff?
Click to expand...

good question. i was talking about that in my last thread and should have included it in this one.
i mainly want it for coyotes and would like to save the furs. would prob be in fields and clearings.
i like that i can get better price ammo in order to get good with the gun so i will spend some time at the range.
its job is hunting though and want it to reflect that.
i dont have an urge to go deer hunting at the moment the idea is to get a second bolt gun prob model 70 in 308, 06 or 270 later on.
after that i should be set for any hunting in canada.

thanks for all the replies. i have some reading up to do.
 
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