Within the last couple years I've gotten rid of 3 .223s and no longer have one.
I am looking to buy the best over the counter rifle I can get. Roll Eyes

The chosen rifle will be mostly used to accurately punch holes in paper but will not be competition grade. It will need a 1:9 twist and perhaps a stout varmint barrel. The most resent .223 I sold was a Savage 12 bv ss-s. It was just fine (<1MOA)except the accutrriger acted up a couple times.
popcorn Been also thinking a good bolt action tactical would be the answer.

What I'd like to have from you are recommendations based on actual experience or acquired knowledge.
In summary it should be an over the counter .223 of good quality, adjustable trigger, capable of <1 moa. with bullets up to 75 grains, not intended for competition.
Your help will be appreciated. roger

I'd suggest an CZ527 Varmint, 1:9" twist 24" heavy contour barrel, beautiful walnut stock, and single set adjustable trigger all at a reasonable price!

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-527-varmint/

CZs are great, so is the Howa line of varminters. I'm generally a Savage fan too, but the little .223 case head creates some ejection issues for the Savage system. An unreasonable number of their rifles won't kick the case out; it just lays there on the next round and has to be removed by hand. The ball under the extractor is undersized for the hole and it allows the extarctor to sit in a position too far away from the rim. If you get one of these guns, a slightly larger ball (.140) will often remedy the problem. I have a 223 Savage police carbine and it gave me fits until I learned the fix.

kinda depends on $$$ you have to spend. cooper strikes my mind as one of the better choices, but the cost is right up there. i
've always had excellent luck out of kimber. Remmy's have always been good. I just can'
t get into savages, although they certainly are gain quite a reputation for accuracy. and don't discount a good ar, they can be a blast.

I picked up a Sako 75 stainless laminated varminter with the set trigger and it is awesome. I have the faster twist and it shoots everything in a ragged hole. I paid $1100 for mine and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Thanks to all. roger

A good AR is DPMS Sweet Sixteen. It is one of the least expensive rifles they have. It comes with a couple of clips,Varmint weight 16 inch SS barrel. 1:9 twist. Mine shoots surplus powder and some 52 grain match seconds I bought at a gun show real good. Only hitch is the trigger is rough. I am going to work on mine myself to stone surfaces carefully measure repeat until I get it right. Great rifle for the bucks. Should be able to get one for less than a Cooper or Kimber. Not nearly as pretty though. Not nearly.

I'm looking strongly at the CZ 527 Varmint 9 twist, Have one in .222 American and after it was smoothed up it functions just fine. Still have an open mind , however.

TC, venture or Icon. I have 2 and both with shoot well under 1" and both where under $500 with <1 moa guarantee

Hi try a tikka tactial with 1-8 twist it will fire from 50 grain to 75 grain heads and with that rate of twist it will shoot the 1000 yards with 75 grain amax

quote:

Originally posted by raamw:
TC, venture or Icon. I have 2 and both with shoot well under 1" and both where under $500 with <1 moa guarantee

Can you tell me what twist they are? roger

I have one of the bvss-s guns. Amazing how it will shoot with the 60gr vmax. No trouble with the trigger. My other is a Rem XR-100 single shot rifle. I would suggest one of those, if you can find one

Roger,
I have been very happy with my Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .223, especially after I put a Timney trigger in it. The last time I had it out, I shot 4 5 shot groups with it, Fiocchi 40 gr V-Max, Federal American Eagle 50 gr Tipped Varmint, handloaded 40 gr Z-Max, and handloaded 55 gr Nosler Varmageddon. Each group was under 3/4 of an inch for 5 shots at 100 yards from the bench. I think the best was around .50, can't remember which one it was and too lazy to go downstairs and look. Don't know if the current models are as good, mine was built over 5 years ago. It has the 26" heavy barrel with a 1 in 12" twist. Fine with me as my favorite loads use the 40 gr V-Max, Z-Max, Ballistic Tip and Varmageddon Tipped at around 3700 fps. It does just fine with bullets up to 55 gr.

I still have two 223s none of them are for sale i had a rem 700 lam 26 inch barrel very accurate with reloads Iam sure you could find one on gunbroker my budy just baught a new cz light barrel very accurate for the money I think cz the best bang for the buck Kevin

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by raamw:
TC, venture or Icon. I have 2 and both with shoot well under 1" and both where under $500 with <1 moa guarantee

Can you tell me what twist they are? roger

The venture lists a twist of 1:12 for the .223, couldn't find a listing for 223 cal for the Icon though

bartsche,
My bolt action .223 is a Remington 700VTR. I fell for that triangle barrel. It is a 1-9 twist and shoots well but I wanted a .22 centerfire to do better so I just bought a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in 22-250 It is not letting me down shooting 5 shots I can cover with a nickle with factory ammo while breaking in the barrel.

However back to the .223 I have 8 loads that will do 1 inch or better 5 shot groups with bullets from 50 grain to 60 grain. With it liking 55 grain bullets best so far. Just adding options.

quote:

Originally posted by CoyoteKiller82:
I'd suggest an CZ527 Varmint, 1:9" twist 24" heavy contour barrel, beautiful walnut stock, and single set adjustable trigger all at a reasonable price!

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-527-varmint/

That's good advice right there!

My belated Christmas gift to me from me is the CZ 527 Varmint .223 with 12 twist and laminated stock. Paid for it today. roger

I have a savage predator model in .223. It stacks my nosler hanloads 1,2,3 in a horizontal line around .75"
I fired several hundred rounds thru it over the last 3 years, never had a malfunction of any kind.

I have a CZ 527, and I love it! Everything about it is great, including the price. I've never owned a gun with better balance.

I would take a hard look at the Savage Model 12's. They are hard to beat for the money. I have two. One in a 223 and one in 204.

Dave