I'm in the market for a new bolt action. Looking for accuracy mainly. I was thinking of the Savage 16 lightweight hunter. Who would you prefer?

In that price range you can't go wrong with the Savage or Ruger American Predator.

I would get a Rem 700.
There are several choices with wood, or plastic stocks, blued, or stainless.
I have had very good luck with many of them and there are lots of after market accessories.

My 700 is a tack driver.

I'd try to find one of these! I know I was very happy to find this one.









But what do I know I just bought this one as well.

I have two Savage rifles: a Stevens 200 in .223 and an LRP in .243. The LRP is pure out-of-the-box but I replaced the trigger and stock on the Stevens.

Both are very, very accurate.

You might consider this from GunBroker. Looks like a pretty good deal.

All the full size receivers seem way overkill for the 223. I'm pretty happy with my howa mini:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6711043/m/1491041322

The small sako bolt actions are nice, but hard to find. The cz527 is small, and some are pretty accurate out of the box.

My Tikka T3 is very accurate but the action is not sized for the caliber...too large.

quote:

Originally posted by 7kongoni:
My Tikka T3 is very accurate but the action is not sized for the caliber...too large.

Do you feel there is any degradation of accuracy, handling or velocity because of this?

I have a Savage Lightweight Hunter 223. It's a true ultralight rifle with a pencil barrel, so if tiny groups or long shooting sessions are your thing there are better choices. A heavier barrel Savage is the best way to spend your money if cloverleafs are what you want. That said I love the Lightweight Hunter rifle. For a lightweight it balances well. I have only had mine at the range one time for the initial sight in. I have done no real load development for it. This is my final sight in group.

I'm a big Tikka fan. In fact they are my "go to" rifles for everything except Cape Buff and bull elephant. It's just I feel the .223 would be a "neater" package if it were built on a small action rather than a standard size action.

quote:

Originally posted by B L O'Connor:

quote:

Originally posted by 7kongoni:
My Tikka T3 is very accurate but the action is not sized for the caliber...too large.

Do you feel there is any degradation of accuracy, handling or velocity because of this?

Agreed. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by 7kongoni:
I'm a big Tikka fan. In fact they are my "go to" rifles for everything except Cape Buff and bull elephant. It's just I feel the .223 would be a "neater" package if it were built on a small action rather than a standard size action.

quote:

Originally posted by B L O'Connor:

quote:

Originally posted by 7kongoni:
My Tikka T3 is very accurate but the action is not sized for the caliber...too large.

Do you feel there is any degradation of accuracy, handling or velocity because of this?

I bought a little Howa Mini. As accurate as any custom I own.

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
I bought a little Howa Mini. As accurate as any custom I own.

Alas, I can say the same about my Stevens 200. 5 shots in 0.45 in at 100 yards . . . so . . . how can I justify buying expensive rifles? (Okay . . . the Stevens does have a Rifle Basix trigger and a Boyds stock . . . but still . . .)

C'mon Paul! Help me!

Even with the backwards safety and mag hanging out the bottom I still like the CZ.

I like the older ones with the Schweine zurück stock.

I have several savage 223 varmint models they all shoot like a house on fire.

Well I got a price check on the Savage at the local gun shop, 670 bucks. Still shopping around. I just want one by the time rock chucks come out.

I've had the CZ Varmint, the Savage Varmint, the Stevens 200, the Ruger 77 Varmint and a Ruger #1 .223s which were all MOA.
The Ruger #1 was the most finicky with bullets and load, but not all bad.
The Stevens 200 required a little experience squeezing a stiff trigger.
The Savage Varmint was great when working. The accutrigger would jam up and required frequent cleaning. It was so repeatable that I sold it to a friend who said he'd willingly put up with the trigger.
Once you stoned some burrs and sharp edges the CZ was just fine.
Right from the git-go the The 77 Ruger was a class act. After about 200 rounds it is being protected in my cousin's safe.
Never cared much for the .223 till about 2004. Now my greatest hole puncher is my put together .22PPC Varminter.
roger

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I have several savage 223 varmint models they all shoot like a house on fire.

Your search is over!

http://www.cabelas.com/product...EGORY_SEQ_1044661680

For $319 with an Accutrigger . . . WOW!

And if you find the stock sucks, pay $100 for a Boyds!

Does any company other than Ruger make a 223 with a Winchester style 3 position safety? I am not interested in a custom gun or one with a lot of safety retrofitting

Thanks for the information

quote:

Originally posted by barryw:
Does any company other than Ruger make a 223 with a Winchester style 3 position safety? I am not interested in a custom gun or one with a lot of safety retrofitting

Thanks for the information

Yes. Winchester does.

I like the older Sako's but there is an 85 XS in an action well matched to the 223 Rem.

I own a Savage! Great shooting rifle right out of the box!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I own a Savage! Great shooting rifle right out of the box!

Congratulations! I wish you well!

And dude! I just this week swapped a rifle (I'd had it since childhood) for a Savage LRPV, in .223. I did so because it had lost its accuracy (> 1 MOA) and I had two Savages that are absolute tack drivers (a .223 Stevens 200 and a .243 Savage LRP).

I'll shoot my new LRPV (with a crappy scope on it) on Friday. Wish me luck!

About a year ago I ordered a Howa rifle in .223 with a scope, base and rings, Hogue stock shipped for 510$
I couldn't be happier, sub MOA with everything factory I try in it and around a half MOA with handloads.