New Bolt Action .223

A-bolt243

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Trying to figure out options for a new bolt action .223. Originally I was sold on the ruger ranch gen 2 and it is nice that they take LAR mags but I was also looking at the tikka roughtech ranch or a tikka CTR. By the sounds of it there is no way to get a tikka to take lar mags but bottom metal available for acis mags. Looking into opinions for the best option, really would be used for predator control around the farm and plinking with the kids.
 
I have the RAR Gen II and I replaced a GEN I with it.
Both have been pretty awesome. Very light and handy and easily MOA with handloads.
Once they are available in Canada, I will be getting a Standard RA in 223, maybe a 6 ARC.
The only drawback to the Stanag imo is mag length.
 
If you're gonna be shooting heavy bullets seated longer than 2.260 AR mag max length, go with the Tikka. I was using Mag3d.ca mags. Cheaper, worked great.

For AR mag length ammo, I like older Ruger Gen 1 Ranch rifles. The Gen 2 doesn't offer anything to me personally. You might want different features tho.

I like them both a lot...but I wish either was 1:7" twisted.
 
If you're gonna be shooting heavy bullets seated longer than 2.260 AR mag max length, go with the Tikka. I was using Mag3d.ca mags. Cheaper, worked great.

For AR mag length ammo, I like older Ruger Gen 1 Ranch rifles. The Gen 2 doesn't offer anything to me personally. You might want different features tho.

I like them both a lot...but I wish either was 1:7" twisted.
I more or less "upgraded" to the GEn II for the bolt knob and 3 pos safety.
Not a huge fan of spiral fluting.
Now the patrol is out dangit.

Also wish the Gen II 223 was available in a standard short action length instead of all STANAG.
 
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I more or less "upgraded" to the GEn II for the bolt knob and 3 pos safety.
Not a huge fan of spiral fluting.
Now the patrol is out dangit.

No kidding, wish that was an option when I bought my first Gen 2 as well lol
 
I really like my Howa Mini too (6.5 Grendel) but I have had to spend a whole bunch of cash to make it more useful to me.
The stocks are not great, the bottom metal is pretty brutal.

To be fair, I have also put my RAR's in chassis and upgraded bolt knobs and muzzle devices.
 
Canadian tire has a savage 110 ( maybe) it has an heavy barrel but has open sights, which I haven’t seen before.
Also has enlarged bolt knob
Anyway it’s on sale for $750
Anybody have any experience with this rifle?
 
Canadian tire has a savage 110 ( maybe) it has an heavy barrel but has open sights, which I haven’t seen before.
Also has enlarged bolt knob
Anyway it’s on sale for $750
Anybody have any experience with this rifle?

Sounds like the hog hunter
 
If its that one, yep!

https://savagearms.com/firearms/sku/57018

Why they made a heavy barrel, expressy for hogs, with a 1:9" twist is beyond me
Yes that’s the one.
1-9 don’t really make a difference to me as I have about 4000 55 g projectiles.
Unless I’m missing something?
CT is asking $750 , is there something better for equivalent prices

I have an opportunity to buy a rem model 7 , laminate stock, open sights for the same price.
 
If you are predominantly doing bench shooting and minimal bush walking, have been very happy with my TIkka T3x Varmint Stainless. It is a heavy barrel rifle and not light but, for my first Tikka, it's buttery smooth and just works while being highly accurate. I will definately get another. Compared to my other Savage Model 12 target rifile - no comparision in action smoothness and, in my opinion, build quality.

If I was a hunter I wouldn't want to use it as it's heavy (like mil sup rifles)...but for accurate shooting with no recoil - I have no complaints. For what it is worth, the Howa 1500 series seems like a high quality made in Japan "low flyer" most people don't consider. A lot cheaper than Tikka but less aftermarket. Would have been another option - just didn't want to upgrade later...buy once cry once :). CTR is nice but it is really more of a "Tactical" rifle - between the base hunter rifles and the target varmint + other similar rifles. Believe the CTR defaults to 10 rounds (vs 5). Just be aware that the Tikka mags are expensive and not always easy to find...believe the CTR ones are more expensive...

You could probably get away with a "cheaper" based model T3x Lite which sometimes are on sale around $1k new - in .223 it's fine. For 300 win lol you'll be learning lots more colourful words....

Good luck!
 
Yes that’s the one.
1-9 don’t really make a difference to me as I have about 4000 55 g projectiles.
Unless I’m missing something?
CT is asking $750 , is there something better for equivalent prices

I have an opportunity to buy a rem model 7 , laminate stock, open sights for the same price.

No just thinking pig hunters may like heavier bullets as I do, since the guns marketed to them after all.
 
No just thinking pig hunters may like heavier bullets as I do, since the guns marketed to them after all.
It’s basically only gonna be a range gun for me, since the Semi ban I’ve got tons of components but nothing to shoot them in.
I think for $750 the HB savage should do.

Thanks for the input
 
It’s basically only gonna be a range gun for me, since the Semi ban I’ve got tons of components but nothing to shoot them in.
I think for $750 the HB savage should do.

Thanks for the input

I hear ya. A Ruger American is serving the same purpose here. Well two, a 7.62x39 as well.
 
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