"Starter" .223 recommendations

RangeRover

RangeRover

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My son, aged 13, and I were out at the range this week, with an 8mm and a .22 but he got the chance to fire a .223 at some 300m and 500m falling steel and he absolutely loved it. So now I guess I'm looking for some recommendations for a good (read relatively inexpensive) .223 that I can put some reasonable optics on. A muzzle brake might be nice too.

Advice on other things to watch for greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
I don't have any first hand experience with them but there are lots of folks that have good things to say about the Stevens 200. Moving up from that you could look at the heavier barreled Savages.
 
savage 10fp

Savage 10FP. I got one last year, and for 600$ I'm very impressed. Heavy barrel, very accurate with handloads, and easy to upgrade later. Can't go wrong. 1 in 9 twist barrel so it shoots everything from 62 to 75gr equally well so you'll have no trouble getting out to 500m.
Good luck,
Ahlsy
 
Just my opinion, but I would think twice about the muzzle brake. A .223 already has hardly any recoil, and even firing a few shots without hearing protection could cause permanent hearing damage. But back to the original question...

In addition to the recommendations that have already been made, Remington makes a few different lower prices .223s with the 700 SPS models.
 
If you can find them, the Savage 12BVSS might just be the ideal rig for you and your son. The new recoil pads a ooey gooey good. Recoil will be nil.

The lam stock is really nice and with stocks becoming such a PITA to find in Canada, better to start off with what you want now. An accustock varminter type rig (not sure what their numbers are) would work too.

Have the action bedded, trigger lightened (you can do this yourself) and reload a quality match bullet behind some Varget or Benchmark, CCI 450 or 400 primers and live happily ever after.

I have seen the 55gr Vmax smoke milk jug sized rocks at 1000yds so don't discount the light bullets either.

If I can help with barrels and accessories, please PM me.

Jerry

PS Cdnredneck t3, I am glad that I have been able to be such a 'bad influence :)
 
Obtunded said:
Tikka, Remington, Savage. They all make good rifles. Buy whatever feels comfortable and fits your budget.
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Agreed ... mentally, you need to be prepared that you'll spend about half on the rifle and half on the optics. And then you'll have an 'oh crap' moment and find out you need another half on the ammunition/reloading. But it's worth it!
 
A bunch of 223 brass came in the mail the other day, wife says "you don't have anything in 223 do you," i reply "well since i have the brass now and bullets are cheap, it would be finacially responsible to buy something in 223 now would it??"...trip to the flower shop and i am good to goLOL
the savage fv, fb bvss all look appealing to me...
 
How about Howa?

Thanks for the advice so far. It has been very helpful. A friend also suggested I look at the Howa products. Anyone have any experience with them?
 
Most 223 I have shot seem good. I am a coyote hunter & not a long range target shooter. I have a very acc rem SPS & a ruger 77 both in 243 that are great. The XL7 has agood rep. but might not come in 223. I would get a Savage/Stevens before a Howa if for no other reason than acc. and resale. Good luck & great to see you working with your son. :)
 
Its pretty hard to find a bolt action .223 that won't group well, its like the .17HMR of the centerfire world.

FYI; I just bought a new Stevens 200 for Coyote that goes MOA with crude handloads and very little effort, but yes- the stock does flex/twist terribly, if that matters to you.
 
RangeRover said:
Thanks for the advice so far. It has been very helpful. A friend also suggested I look at the Howa products. Anyone have any experience with them?
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Nothing wrong with them al all, its just that if you catch the bug real bad, it is not a great platform on which to build and improve.
 
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