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.

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.
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 bought a Stevens 200 when they first came out. it was intended for a project that never materialized. Went on a prarie dog shoot witha friend who needed a rifle. I unwrapped the Stevens, cleaned it, mounted a scope and we went shooting. That thing will shoot 5/8" all day with bulk Federal Ammo. It has a 9" twist so will handle the longer bullets too.

Has a standard sporter weight barrel but given the small bore, it doesn't heat too fast.

Now you know why the project never materialized.

My old pre-accutrigger Savage 10FP had a heavier barrel and was also a great shooter.

I have three .223's, A Ruger, the Stevens, and a CZ. All will shoot sub-moa easily but only the Stevens has the fast twist you require. The newer Rugers have a 9" twist.

I like the Savage. I woud ditch the trigger and get one from Sharpshooters. Works great and easy to install. mine is adjustable to about 4 ounces.
If it doesnt come with the larger bolt handle I would also get one from sharpshooters. No I am not a salesman or hold any interest excep what I get works.
I cant help it, I modify all my rifles to fit my liking. and If you can afford it get a nightforce scope. I never shot many 1 hole groups untill I got it.
Dave

Another vote for Savage. Seeing that a the tactical aspect interests you, I would recommend the Precision Carbine. A while back I was looking for a 308 Win that had the same criteria that you are looking for in a 223. Scottfromdallas recommended to me the Precision carbine as he has one in the 223. I am glad he did because I'm thrilled to death with mine. Perhaps Scott will chime in to give you his experience with the 223 PC that he owns.

The accutrigger can be fussy such as on your 12 bvss. I have trouble with mine in 204 Ruger if I close the bolt too hard. I have NOT had any problems with the accutrigger on my PC.

There are a lot of fine rifles out there but in my experience you'll have a hard time getting a bigger bang for your buck than the Savage.

Rog,

I'm a Savage fan too because they cater to Lefties.

Although you're not a L/H shooter; so ..... if it was my cash money on the barrel-head I'd opt for the simple, inexpensive, 20" heavy-barreled Howa with a Hogue rubber-coated stock in either Black, O.D. Green or Tan - all three look pretty spiffy for my taste and I've adjusted some of their tiggers to a very satisfactory pull,too.

Every time I go back to South Dakota to pot P-Dogs, all my Buddies shoot them in .223 Rem & 308 Win and rave about value & accuracy; when they get shot out they have a new barrel screwed on - Violá.

If they made a Leftie in that Model there'd be one living in my Safe.

Have fun looking for your .223 Shooter.

Why 223? Prepping?
Single shots?
I would love to see a Ruger Scout rifle in a 223 that takes ar15 mags.

Hands down -COOPER-

I own a Montana Varmiter that shots it 1/4 on the rare days I do my job- and its just average amounts those my friends have. One hole groups are the norm.

Several models, most with fairly heavy barrels.

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
I bought a Stevens 200 when they first came out. it was intended for a project that never materialized. Went on a prarie dog shoot witha friend who needed a rifle. I unwrapped the Stevens, cleaned it, mounted a scope and we went shooting. That thing will shoot 5/8" all day with bulk Federal Ammo. It has a 9" twist so will handle the longer bullets too.

Has a standard sporter weight barrel but given the small bore, it doesn't heat too fast.

Now you know why the project never materialized.

My old pre-accutrigger Savage 10FP had a heavier barrel and was also a great shooter.

I have three .223's, A Ruger, the Stevens, and a CZ. All will shoot sub-moa easily but only the Stevens has the fast twist you require. The newer Rugers have a 9" twist.

Owned the Mod. 200. It shot just fine but even after I reworked the trigger It wasn't the rifle I am now looking for. Thanks roger

An 1885 with the 28" octagon barrel. That's what I have and it shoots very tiny groups...plus the extra velocity of the longer barrel, w/o making the rifle too long helps a lot. They sure do look purdy too.

Check out the new Howa's. It's very similar to a Sako action, butter smooth, superb quality and the new two stage triggers are awesome. They have some great packages available which include hogue stocks and Nikko scopes. For a hundred bucks you can get bottom metal and a detachable magazine. They are also available in just a barreled action configuration. For years I looked down my nose at Howa's, but after checking them out they seem like a great value.

i'll throw in a vote for the various cz 527's

I sold off 2 ,223 rifles and a 222 in the last year and decided I needed another. I ended up with a Tikka t-3 in 223. I like the clip magazine, I like the trigger and I like the fact it shoots sub 1 inch groups at 200 yds from the bench. They are worth a look.

Thanks for your input. roger

i just got back from the sportsman warehouse, they have a savage 11 hunter model 223 with scope. no accu-trigger $399.99

My votes go to either a Tikka varmint which shoot very well and the trigger is easily adjustable, or the CZ 527 Kevlar model, a gun I used to own. Love those easily adjustable single set triggers, never cared about all the crap about the backwards safety's as I seldom use a safety. Never cared about the hanging down mag as I can't see when I'm shooting my bug hole groups. And if it really bothers you Calhoon sells a very nice single shot adapter and he has done some bolt bending for CZ rifles so you do not have to use high rings.
I use these single shot adapters for all of my CZ hornet rifles including my 19 Calhoon, why hurt your old arthritic fingers and thumbs if you don't have to. FS

Roger,
I have a 700 Remington that I bought used, cleaned the bore, free floated the barrel, and adjusted the trigger to my liking and it flat shoots! The barrel cleans up very easily.
The first group(5 shots) you can cover with a dime and have some change left over.
In case you're interested the load is as follows: Once fired Remington brass, Rem 7 1/2 primers, 21.5 gr. RL 7 and 55gr. Sierra spitzers. This would be my pick If I were you.
And being USA made doesn't hurt either.
That's my 2 cents.PM your mailing address and i'll send you a copy of the target if you want.
I used to think the barrel had to be as big as a truck axle to shoot, it ain't so, this one is a sporter weight, no more 13# plus rifles for me.

Stepchild

I picked up a Steyr Ultra Light in 223 at a very good price..WAY below retail...its a tack driver. I don't think Steyr could sell them...the larger calibers sold better. Worth looking for.

Another vote for the Tikka.
I won a T3 lite in a raffle two years ago.
It was finicky to start with but I now have two loads it shoots very well,half MOA 5 shot groups at 100 yards.
Trigger is great right right out of the box, but also adjustable. Comes with rings and bases.
The barrel is 1/8 twist which gives you more flexibility with bullet weights.

Howard

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
Why 223? Prepping?
Single shots?
I would love to see a Ruger Scout rifle in a 223 that takes ar15 mags.

Boomy, you like the Amish assault rifle? Your arm will get awfully tired with a 30 round AR mag.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
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.
Been also thinking a good bolt action tactical would be the answer.

Bartsche,

I have a Save Precision Carbine in 223. Most accurate rifle I've ever owned. 1 in 9 twist shoots everything I've tried including 75 Hornadys to dime size groups. Doesn't matter the powder or bullet, just works. Like yours, my accutrigger acts up every once and a while. I just decided to live with it because it's such an accurate rifle.

Scott--Why does your rifle have two sling studs up front? Is one for varmint and the other for deer hunting? BTW my .223 is a Win model 70 and it seems to shoot any jacketed bullet that I have tried, but I have found no cast bullet it will shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
Scott--Why does your rifle have two sling studs up front? Is one for varmint and the other for deer hunting? BTW my .223 is a Win model 70 and it seems to shoot any jacketed bullet that I have tried, but I have found no cast bullet it will shoot.

Ray, one is for the sling and the other for a bipod.

yep, maybe one day I'll attach a bipod.

Roger,
I received you're e-mail but i'm not set up to send pictures, snail mail is my only option.
Send or PM your mailing address and i'll send a copy of the target.

Stepchild

Take a look at the Savage 'Hog Hunter'. 20" heavy barrel,synthetic stock,accutrigger,threaded for suppressor 1-9 twist. What more could you ask for. Mine shoots 1/2" all day long with whatever is the cheapest ammo around. I totally reccommend it. Incidentally it comes with the huge ugly bolt handle which was the only thing I changed. It was a simple job and it makes a decent looking rifle out of it.

Roger,
Did you get the target yet? I sent it to the San Gabriel address that you provided. It was sent on 12-18 and this is the 23rd?

Stepchild

quote:

Originally posted by stepchild 2:
Roger,
Did you get the target yet? I sent it to the San Gabriel address that you provided. It was sent on 12-18 and this is the 23rd? Stepchild

Got the target and thank you . You and that rifle do so nice work. I definitely will keep that rifle in mind. roger

Roger,
This rifle has a 1-12 twist and as you can see does a decent job with 55's. As far as i'm concerned if you want to shoot bullets 70gr or above shoot a 6m/m or above. Merry Christmas.

Stepchild

quote:

Originally posted by stepchild 2:
Roger,
This rifle has a 1-12 twist and as you can see does a decent job with 55's. As far as i'm concerned if you want to shoot bullets 70gr or above shoot a 6m/m or above. Merry Christmas.
Stepchild

I think there is a bit of wisdom in that statement. And a very Merry Christmas to you and your family roger

How about the remington pump made to take AR mags.

I have 6 or so maybe more 223s in the house at this time.

The most accurate by far is the savage tactical when I as doing a little reloading room cleaning I found a 300 yard 5 shot target that is under 1.5 inchs shot with it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by p dog shooter:
How about the remington pump made to take AR mags.

I've shoot the Rem pump and was not impressed for my use. roger

Roger,
It's your money and your choice but in your initial post you said your primary purpose was to shoot targets, back in the day all .224 rifles had 1-14 twist barrels and set benchrest records with that configuration. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Stepchild

Merry Christmas to you and yours and to ALL the Accurate members, you to don.

Roger,
The target I sent was the first group out of this rifle after the earlier mentioned mods.
There's little doubt that up or down a tenth or 2 would shrink the group size a bit, but why?
Love your hat by the way.

Stepchild

quote:

Originally posted by stepchild 2:
Love your hat by the way.
Stepchild

My wife use to make this style hat for the patients at the CITY of HOPE. Merry Christmas to all.

I'm going to call my buddy tomorrow and get prices on the CZ 527 varmint in .223 ,12 twist, walnut stock. Thanks for all the help. I already own the 527 .222 American and love that trigger. The action took a little stoning but now it is a beaut. All your in put really helped and the logic with regard to twist made a lot of sense. I Hope your Christmas was top shelf. roger

DPMS Sweet 16. Shoots sub MOA and will be far more useful than any bolt gun when the poop is flying off fan blades. All you need to add are optics and a good trigger.

Got the CZ Varmint in .223 with the laminated stock. roger

Better than MOA out of the box. roger

Just now saw this thread, and was going to suggest the CZ 527, but see I am too late. Congradulations (again I guess, since you already had another)! I love my American in .223. For awhile I was wishing it had a 1 in 9 twist, but then I came around to the same way of thinking. Really, the forte of the .223 is 40 to 55 grain bullets. Let it do, what it does well, which is a sub 300 yard varmint rifle. If I need more, further, faster, flatter, more whomp-um, then it really is simple. Pick up my .220 Swift, or my fast-twist 260 with VLD's, and let them do what they do best. 40 grainers screaming out of a .223 can be alot of fun too.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Better than MOA out of the box. roger

Congrats Roger. CZ makes a good rifle.