Need help to choose a .223/5.56mm target rifle!

[Heimdall1982]

Hello there, i need some help to choose a good rifle.Im bored of shooting target with my 22lr rifle so Im looking for a .223/5.56mm bolt alction rifle (with a maximum barrel length of 20") It will be my first precision rifle so i want something under 800$ (rifle only,i'll look for optic later). I'll buy an ar-15 rifle soon too and i'm a little confused about the .223/5.56 difference... but i want to shoot the same ammo with both of my rifle. I don't really need a highly customizable rifle since it's a "learning platform". Im looking for a rifle to shoot target at 200-300yds max.

Here's what i found so far:

1-Ruger american ranch rifle
2-Remington 700 Sps varmnt
3-Ruger american rifle compact
4-Savage Axis 2
5-Mossberg MVP Varmint
6-Savage 11/111 trophy Hunter
7-Savage model 25 Walking Varminter
8-Remington 700 Vtr

Which one would you pick? (Or you can add other candidates)

 

[twosmokinspades]

Have a look at tikka. Do you want a heavy barrel or hunting contour? Pm sent

 

[Collint2005]

I would get the savage 111 or the sps Remington.
The axis would be a cheaper option. Generally very accurate but cheap
Don't have any experience with the rugers but saw a few bad reviews on here for the American. Was really poorly machined. The MVP would use the same mags as an AR if that interests you. No idea on quality of mossberg but they're generally budget minded guns.

 

[Collint2005]

There is maybe a sticky somewhere on 556-223 differences. Just search for it on here.

 

[Heimdall1982]

Have a look at tikka. Do you want a heavy barrel or hunting contour? Pm sent

Heavy barrel, it will be mostly a target rifle.

 

[ericrose]

SPS varmint. Ya I know it longer than 20", you can thank me later.

 

[BioPace]

Yeah I'd buy the Rem 700 out of that list.

Though I had a Savage 10 PC in .223 that was turning in some decent groups regularly with reloads.

 

[Tenguns]

I'd look at a Tikka. I know it's not on your list, but it's awesome.

 

[chrismc]

Rem m700 or Savage 11, SPS as a third choice- whatever one has an 8 twist

 

[Sherlock Gnomes]

Rem m700 or Savage 11, SPS as a third choice- whatever one has an 8 twist

I agree with the above. Savage 11 would be my way but generally you want a heavy barrel rifle for LR distance shooting. If you limit to 20" barrel you will likely be shooting 300 to 600 max distance

 

[Pr589]

I really like Savage's but the recent changes to warranty service in Canada make me wonder if that's the way I'd go next time. Also parts like bolt heads, etc. are really hard to find.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Have a Savage 12BTCSS very accurate but hard to find

 

[Heimdall1982]

I agree with the above. Savage 11 would be my way but generally you want a heavy barrel rifle for LR distance shooting. If you limit to 20" barrel you will likely be shooting 300 to 600 max distance

300 to 600 look like a big distance for a .223. I want to shoot max 300 with this rifle that's why i want a 20" max barrel. I don't really see a lot of advantage to go longer than that. Once i learned to shoot i'll go to bigger caliber and also i think the .223 is a nice round for learning, my son and wife gonna shoot this rifle soon or later so having a "compact" rifle is great for them too.

 

[Heimdall1982]

I'd look at a Tikka. I know it's not on your list, but it's awesome.

I've looked for Tikka with a heavy barrel under 800$ and they are kinda hard to find

 

[MackForce]

rem 700 sps varmint

 

[Heimdall1982]

SPS varmint. Ya I know it longer than 20", you can thank me later.

Any advantage to go for a +20" barrel for a .223 rifle? I'm gonna shoot this max 300y

 

[Suther]

Any advantage to go for a +20" barrel for a .223 rifle? I'm gonna shoot this max 300y

A bit more velocity. The paper will never know the difference...

 

[bobfortier]

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...need-to-start-in-F-TR-!-(Rifle-and-component)

PM sent, I'll be at Batoche Range on the Valcartier base with it this weekend

 

[Rod B]

Take a look at a Savage 112BVSS or a 112LRPV. In a Remington a 700 Varmint VLS.

The rifle Bob Fortier is selling would be an excellent choice. If I didn't have two .223 rifles I would be on that like a dog on a bone.

 

[Travis_m]

I wouldn't go with the 700 unless you want to put money into it for a trigger and stock. Remington 700 would be good for a long term project but my opinion is that if you are on a budget there are better choices that will get you shooting pretty accurately right out of the box. For starting out I would look for a Savage with the accutrigger and accustock. I have an fcp-k in 223 and it is a shooter with off the shelf ammo. I can't wait until I develop a hand load for this gun. I put a Bushnell fixed 10x on it for a scope.