I'm trying to decide on a new .223. I've narrowed it down to a Remington 700 ADL, CZ 527, or Tikka 595 Whitetail Synthetic. I've only thrown the Remington in there because of price but I'm leaning more towards the other two. I liked the set trigger on the CZ but hated the feel of it if you didn't use the set trigger. Way to much take up and creep. I also didn't like the safety being bass ackwards to most other rifles. The Tikka felt better and had a pretty good trigger out of the box. I have heard of problems with them feeding however. If I have to spend money on these rifles to make them shoot then I'll just go with the ADL and spend money on it. Help and opinions would be greatly appreciated as I'm going to order one of these in the next couple days. Thanks.

Walk around coyote rifle that can also be used for rabbits.

[ 03-20-2003, 05:19: Message edited by: SH00T TO K1LL ]

You didn't say what kind of shooting you are interested in. Since you are concidering the ADL, I'm thinking a wlaking around rifle. I like the little CZ full stock Mannlicher carbine. I'm thinking of one in .22 Hornet for myself.

I'm prejudiced because I expereinced lousy warranty service on my CZ 527 when I brought it home and discovered a split fore end. I hate mailing the whole gun back, so I asked them if I could just send the stock back. Nope - had to send the whole gun so they "could bed it properly." When I got the gun back finally, the stock was nowhere near the quality of the one they replaced, it was not free-floated at all and the checkering looked like a junior high kid did it in shop class. In fact, the barrel channel was rough and raspy and didn't look like it had been finished. I complained and did not even receive the courtesy of a response. I also do not use the set trigger much.

Now my Tikka .338, bought after that, has been a joy. I get sub-moa groups consistently - in fact, most of the time, it shoots between 1/2 and 5/8 inch groups at 100 yards. Not bad for a mid-size mag!

So my admittedly prejudiced response would be to get the Tikka and never look back.

Get a Rem Model 7 Stainless Steel in .223 It weighes only 6.25 pounds and has an adjustable trigger.

SHOOT TO KILL,
Good choices all -- Pick the one you like best and go for it. I do have one observation to pass on to you concerning the CZ.. I have the CZ550 American, 6.5x55SE, and when I received the weapon the regular trigger was just as you described. I contacted Mike Eagleshield, In house gunsmith for CZ-USA, via -e-mail and had a response with full directions on how to adjust the trigger. It required about 15 minutes and I now have a crisp,no creep 3lb pull. My only negative observation on the rifle is, as the other responder remarked, is the checkering on my particular rifle is less than good. But that is something I can live with as the rifle performs beautifully. I personally think its one of the best buys for what you get on the market today. I really love that single-set trigger.

Ol' John

thanks for the opinions. I think I'm leaning towards the Tikka.
Next question, what scope should I put on it? I'd like to stay around the $300 range. I'd like to keep it light so I'm thinking no bigger than 40mm. Since I'd like to use it to plug the occaisional rabbit, I don't want anything bigger than 3x for the bottom. Midway has a Sightron S2 3-12x42 for $235. Good choice? I know nothing about Sightron. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I was about to jump in here until I saw you already made a wrong choice, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.

Thomas, what is wrong with Tikka in your opinion ?

As to scopes,I'd stick to a known brand name from a local dealer that you trust. derf

cant go wrong with the tikka. 100 times better than any remington out there. its the best out of the box rifle on the market.

If you decide on a Remington and get the ADL find one that is pre J-lock. I have the VSSF and it is a bit heavy for a true walking varminter. Tikka's I've seen several of them at the range. I have yet to see one that is not a shooter in calibers from 22 center fires to 338 Win. Mag.

For a "walk around varminter" I would have to go with harkm as that is what I bought for my wife. I have never seen a Remington Mod 7 that did not shoot real good, no matter the caliber. As to the scope if you want to stay light I recommend the Leupold 2.5x8. If you can go a little bigger the 3.5x10 is a good choice. Both of these scopes have good click adjustments. The Leupold 3.5x10 Police has the target knobs if you like that feature. You can also have target knobs [or just one on the elevatiion turret] installed on the 2.5x8.

I agree with your decision to go with a Tikka. But wait....Tikka is about to bring out a whole new line up, called the T-3. They are closer in looks and design to the Sako 75. That can only make a great product even greater. The price is supposed to remain the same as well.

As for the scope....I would go with a name you can trust, Luepold. Since you want a varmint caliber, I would lean toward the 4-12 power.

In 223, I like the Interarms Mini Mauser (currently imported by Charles Daly), Sako L-461 and Brno ZKK-601. I own all of these and the first two are particularly accurate.

fla3006, Sir what is your opinion on the ZKK-601 ? I got one some years ago and kind of like it. Mine is quite accurate and the action is as smooth as silk .

The T3 is getting closer to the Sako 75 in looks than the older line which will be discontinued. That doesnt at all make it worse. However my dealer tells me that the T3 will be vailable in fewer versions and only one action lenght.

GBF: I like the ZKK-601, just not quite as accurate as the Sako or Mini Mauser. Heavier also, actually too large for the 223. Still a very nice rifle with desirable features, genuine Mauser characteristics.



[ 03-27-2003, 06:38: Message edited by: fla3006 ]