Looking for recommendations for a 223/5.56 bolt gun

Mossberg MVP, BCR MRX Bison and Ruger American Ranch 5.56 all take AR15 type mags. I have a Ruger American Ranch which I really like. This forum has oodles of information on all these rifles.
 
The Mossberg MVP's can be hit or miss. I've tried three now and one was great. The other two had issues. One had striker issues. The other didn't seat mags well. I would encourage you to be careful if you buy aused one.
 
My buddy has a Ranch rifle not a bad gun, handled the MVP but the bolt was sloppy and the bolt seemed very fragile.

Bought an BCL Bison couldn't be happier.

It is heavy, but compared to a hollow Tupper Ware stock it just feels like a real rifle and is tough.

The Bison does something all the others cannot, it can use AR magazines and as well as BCL magazines that don't fit ARs. Why is this a big deal? If the Government goes after AR magazines, a Bison can use a different magazine. Now I did have an ejection issue, a call to BCL resulted in new parts to my door in a couple of days. Problem solved, and the Bison is now my go to 5.56 fav bolt action. Mine seems to really like 55 grain ammo.

Only been able to do a close range 48 yard grouping tests it has been winter, would love to see some other 50 yard bolt action groups to compare.
 
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randyhub said:
My buddy has a Ranch rifle not a bad gun, handled the MVP but the bolt was sloppy and the bolt seemed very fragile.

Bought an BCL Bison couldn't be happier.

It is heavy, but compared to a hollow Tupper Ware stock it just feels like a real rifle and is tough.

The Bison does something all the others cannot, it can use AR magazines and as well as BCL magazines that don't fit ARs. Why is this a big deal? If the Government goes after AR magazines, a Bison can use a different magazine. Now I did have an ejection issue, a call to BCL resulted in new parts to my door in a couple of days. Problem solved, and the Bison is now my go to 5.56 fav bolt action. Mine seems to really like 55 grain ammo.

Only been able to do a close range 48 yard grouping test s it has been winter, would love to see some other 50 yard bolt action groups to compare.
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Have they produced the proprietary mags yet?
 
Supposed to be ready very soon, I called BCL they ran into supply chain issues, which put them behind as so many other companies, I will be buying 3 of them.

ht tps://blackcreeklabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MRX-MAG-Spec-Sheet.pdf
 
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I have the MVP and so far it’s been great. I am however thinking of getting a Bison. I like that it has a 12.5 barel and will take both mags
 
Thanks everyone. Seems to be between the Ruger and Bison. I like the idea of the Bison having the ability to use AR and their own mags. Now the hunt begins to find one
 
I moved spare AR parts to mine plus a bipod and flip up sights, the modularity did it for me plus no cheap plastic stock feel and Canadian support of course.
 
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pond_hockey_champ said:
Not lar mags but a howa mini 1500 or a tikka ctr worth a look.
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If the mag options=deciding factor? Maybe the Bison. I would like to own one myself, and have considered it.

What .223 am I actually planning on buying? Tikka CTR. Mag cost is about $200, but I've found I never use spare mags for centerfire bolt guns. I hunt/target shoot with them, no quick mag changes req. I think if you handled/cycled a CTR vs. any Mossberg/Ruger Ranch...the choice might be obvious. Then again, I've become a big fan of the Tikka brand over the last 4-5 years. For good reason.
 
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