Despite being outstandingly accurate, I sold my Remington 700 VS - just too heavy, long and unweildy for me. I like a rifle that is easy to carry and handle. The Ruger compact bolt guns look pretty slick - and handy with a barrel length of only 16.5 inches. I'm looking for a new .223 bolt gun. I'm considering the Ruger compact, Remington model seven, and a couple others. Does anyone have a Ruger compact in .223 or .243? Pros? Cons? Thanks in advance.

I bought one in a 243 when they first came out for my son to use. They are great little rifles, just plan on getting a trigger job done on it as is with most Rugers. He has killed deer at ranges up to 190 yards and done that when he was 9 years old so they are accurate too. Ruger should send me a commission check as I have been responsible for 5 more of them being bought by my friends. They make a good calling rifle for coyote hunting. Mine is the laminated/stainless model and it weighs 5 pounds and 5 ounces without the scope.

I have shot several Rem Mod 7's, 223, 243, 6mm, 308's and a 350 RM. ALL have been very good shooters.

Ferdinandd: You might do well to check out the CZ 527 carbine and fullstock. The 527 is a true micro-length Mauser action. They seem to have very good accuracy as well. The carbine model has an 18.5 inch barrel length, a 37.4 inch overall lenght and weighs in at six pounds. It has a detachable magazine. They hang down like the British Enfield rifles. I thought I would hate the magazine sticking down like that, but now that I own one I do not. The run less than $500. I own one in .223. The carbine comes in .223 and 7.62x39 and the fullstock model, really a pretty little rifle, comes in .22 Hornet, .222 Remington and .223 Remington. If you do a search for CZ-USA you can get the website and take a look at them. At any rate, have a nice day! Tom Purdom

I have a good friend who picked one up to keep as a truck rifle. He was initially concerned over the velocity loss in a 16.5 inch barrel. However he tested some of the Blue Dot loads and he found since it is a shot gun powder it is burned up in a relatively short barrel length, so the shorter barrel is not loosing the velocity. Same thing in TC and Encore hand guns.

He settled on a 40 grain Ballistic Tip, VMax, Blitzking load and a 46 grain Winchester Hollow Point load. Accuracy was outstanding as always with this combo.

I also loaded some ammo for a local guy with the 243 and he was estatic over the accuracy and not loosing much velocity once again using faster powders, than normally used in the cartridge.
If one has any access to any TC/Encore load data for the same cartridges in pistols, that is the route to go for the Ruger 77, short barreled rifle, or the model 7 with an 18 inch barrel.

Cheers
seafire

I got a CZ-527 American to complement my Savage varmint model 10, both in .223. It is surprising how well the little CZ shoots! Half-inch groups are common with 40 and 50 gr Ballistic Tips or V-Maxs. It also likes Speer 50 gr TNT HPs.

Thanks all for the responses. I'd feel comfortable with any of the recomendations now, based on the comments. Based on my experience with CZ's, I'd agree that they do make a very good rifle, and deliver excellent value. I've owned a 452, and it is an outstanding shooter. It lacks the fit, finish and refinement of the Ruger or Remington though. However, I'm inclined to buy something U.S. made, as I feel that it is important to support workers here. Yes, I understand the global economy, but I have seen the havoc that it has created here in the manufacturing heartland. I think that I'm going to save up for a Ruger or Remington - sound like either will meet my expectations. Again, I appreciate all of the responses.

If your Ruger Compact is anything like my Ruger Ultra-Lite you need to down size the load.
For a 55 grain bullett 21.5 grains of Winchester 748
For a 60 grain bullet 25.0 grains of Winchester 748

Madison, what is prompting you to "down-size" the load - muzzle blast, noise, or accuracy concerns? Thanks.