Which 223 rifle???

2tall2 said:
There are different twist rates for the .223 barrels, even with the same manufacturer. Check the their websites. My Rem 700 XCR Tactical 26" has 1/9" same as the 700 SPS tactical 20", but the Varmint rifles like the 700 VLS 26" has 1/12" twist.

Do some googling and you'll find some references like
twist rate ........ good for bullet up to
1 in 14 ........... 55gr
1 in 12 ........... 65gr
1 in 9 ............. 73gr
1 in 8 ............. 80gr
1 in 7 ............. 90gr
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but you can't always go but this either... My .308 had the 1 in 10 and everyone keeps telling me to shoot the 168gr out of it. But im only shooting to 300yrds and closer with 110gr pills and its out shooting the 168's. It all comes down to what the gun likes. not always what the good for twist rate is.

but thats just my opinion.
sorry for the hack.

I myself am going to the SPS TAC. just because i have shot one and loved it. tho for hunting i'd probly go for something else.
 
I am in no way saying those numbers are 100 % for every rifle. It was a google find and maybe just a general guide for the .223. I haven't even shot my own new .223 yet. I did buy a bunch of different factory stuff today to try. 55gr to 64 grain, and different manufacturers. Couldn't get lighter, or heavier at the store I was in. I hope my rifle likes one of the factory loads well enough. I don't hand load at this point.
 
I have a Savage 10PC....maybe bias!!! How are you planning to use the gun in hunting situations? For walking I have shooting sticks and when I'm calling I use a Harris swivel bipod. The nose heavy feeling isn't there with these supports. Target shooting is also done supported so the only situation that the 10PC wouldn't work for you is off hand! How often do you plan on this kind of shooting. If you really like the Savage I suggest you go back to the store with some sort of bipod and see if that works for you!!! If not a Tikka T3 Lite is a great option!!!
 
cath8r said:
Savage 14 in .223, I'm definitely jonesing one...
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Great looking rifle, but the classic wood stock isn't what I envision for this gun.


nemesisincanada said:
Savage Model 12 Long Range Precision Varminter

Extra heavy 1:9 twist 28inch barrel.
HS Precision stock.
Target accu-trigger

What's not to like.
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This rifle seems to get a lot of good feedback, but the barrel is longer than I want right now.


brianzchuk** said:
I have a Savage 10PC....maybe bias!!! How are you planning to use the gun in hunting situations? For walking I have shooting sticks and when I'm calling I use a Harris swivel bipod. The nose heavy feeling isn't there with these supports. Target shooting is also done supported so the only situation that the 10PC wouldn't work for you is off hand! How often do you plan on this kind of shooting. If you really like the Savage I suggest you go back to the store with some sort of bipod and see if that works for you!!! If not a Tikka T3 Lite is a great option!!!
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I'm going shopping again tomorrow, and I'm trying to narrow down some kind of list, and even though I initially ruled this out I keep looking at it online and thinking... this is the one! I'm going to go give it a second chance and check it out again.

I'm really intrigued by the Weatherby Vanguard S2 also, but that 1:12 twist barrel gives me hesitations.

I think the "right" decision would be the Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but I have this feeling like its the boring choice. It doesn't really speak to me in any special way other than basically having all the features I want in my price point. But its so blah looking, and ... typical I guess?

I dunno, I'm also toying with the idea of a Stevens 200 and put a Rifle Basix trigger on it for now and upgrade the stock and barrel later.

Decisions... decisions...
 
1-12 twist is for the lighter bullets = more wind drift and less coyote stopping power. Good for a .22-250 but for a long range .223 I think a faster twist is prefered....not the be all end all of accuracy of course, the shooter is always the limiting factor!!!
 
The heavy barrel is often not needed. I have a heavy sporter weight Shilen-barrelled 7mm Remington Magnum using a pre-64 Win model 70 action and Timney trigger, original stock that shoots 1/2 MOA and weighs 8 pounds with scope. But also have an original older Husqvarna .270 featherweight glass bedded with 3.5 to 10 Leupold scope that does close to the same thing sub MOA but weighs only 7.3 pounds.

To hunt coyotes you may find no need for a heavy barrelled target or tactical rifle. Depends upon what you want.
 
Alright its a done deal... went out today and picked up my rifle....

Drum Roll Please.....


Its a Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP!

Pretty anti climactic decision eh?

Anyways here is what came to my decision.

I realized I didn't know how much I need or want a heavy/varmint barrel yet, and figure I can start with a sporter barrel, then decide later if I want to upgrade this gun, or get a seperate precision only rifle later.

Looked at the Stevens 200... I like the upgradeability, like the action, like the 1:9 twist, disliked the stock and the basicness of the gun.

Didn't like the Axis at all.

Really liked the Weatherby Vanguard S2, the action was nice, the stock was nice, but the 1:12 twist barrel and the fact that its not free floated held me back.

Liked the Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but I didn't love it for reasons I can't explain.

Decided the Savage 10PC was at the really top end of my budget, and I didn't feel like I needed to spend that much to get what I want... for now.

Browning and Tikka obviously had some nice rifles but they were out of my price point.

So I found the 11 Trophy Hunter XP at Cabelas. I already like the 10/11/110/111 action, really like the accutrigger. The stock seems slightly better than my 111FCXP3 package rifle has, the weaver scope with the Ballistic-x reticle it came was a bonus, and gets me started until I invest in a real long range quality scope. The price was good and it gives me all of Savage's upgradability options.

I was kind of torn between the Savage 11 and the Weatherby Vanguard S2, but in the end I felt I got more for my money with the Savage, and didn't have to compromise on much.

I think in the coming months I will look for a barrel upgrade, and see if maybe a 10PC stock comes up on the EE or elsewhere (does anyone know if I could swap these across without modification?). I might also get ambitious and try to paint this stock with some kind of digi-camo pattern similar to the 10PC that I liked so much.

Anyways enough rambling, I hope to get out to the range tomorrow and test out the new rifle, and I'll keep you all posted.


I know its not a real "precision" rifle, but maybe in the end it will become one?
 
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