223 "crossover" thoughts and options

I have a problem - too many 223s. I have a heavy Rem 700 with a 1:8 twist light parma weight Keiger barrel. Shoots great but too heavy. I have a CZ 527 with 1:12 barrel, shoots great but only for 3 or so rounds, is very light and a delight to carry, but not so easy to shoot for those out there shots that need a very steady position.

I got a Sako 75 223 for a cobber, they are a good bit heavier than a CZ but less than a "varmint" barrel.

I reckon I need to replace both my current 223s with a "cross-over" configuration something like what Litggow has done with their LA101 22 and LA102 centrefires (yes they do a 223 but they are long action based).

Anybody running a 223 like this, are there any factory options out there?? Thoughts??

Anything Tikka/Sako :)

Not as flash as what you have but a Howa mini might be worth considering.

Firstly, its impossible to have too many 223's. But explain what you mean by "crossover" for me. Do you mean one rifle to do it all?

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Originally Posted by Tentman

I have a problem - too many 223s. I have a heavy Rem 700 with a 1:8 twist light parma weight Keiger barrel. Shoots great but too heavy. I have a CZ 527 with 1:12 barrel, shoots great but only for 3 or so rounds, is very light and a delight to carry, but not so easy to shoot for those out there shots that need a very steady position.

I got a Sako 75 223 for a cobber, they are a good bit heavier than a CZ but less than a "varmint" barrel.

I reckon I need to replace both my current 223s with a "cross-over" configuration something like what Litggow has done with their LA101 22 and LA102 centrefires (yes they do a 223 but they are long action based).

Anybody running a 223 like this, are there any factory options out there?? Thoughts??

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I have a mate that has one and like the .22s it is extremely accurate and well made. If they did a lefty I would sell
My tikkas and buy one in 223 and 308. Awesome but if
Kit and you can get aftermarket mags (lucky 13s)

To me "cross-over" is about half way between a sporter weight and a varmint weight barrel . . . I'd be thinking about 8.5 lbs with a decent forward balance

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Originally Posted by Tentman

To me "cross-over" is about half way between a sporter weight and a varmint weight barrel . . . I'd be thinking about 8.5 lbs with a decent forward balance

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The goldilocks theory :yaeh am not durnk: not too heavy not too light.....just right :yaeh am not durnk:

https://www.greatdanerifles.com/legacy.html

Tikka 8twist and run pills from 65 to 69 and you are in the money. First lot come from USA and second lot come from Matakohe. My mate runs an X bolt which I load with 55gr TSX. He slaughters deer. Another mate runs an 8 T3 which I load 55gr Hornady. He head and neck shoots all his deer. Some lies some truths. A tight twist puts you into different territory. Running up 100 55gr GMK for a mate to run in his Tikka. No pleasing everybody. LOL. Powder is BM2. No lies there.

Beautiful @Tahr but too light. I want to run up to 80 gn boolits but not for hunting . . . .

Really would be hard to go past the tikka for your intended use mate

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Originally Posted by Tentman

To me "cross-over" is about half way between a sporter weight and a varmint weight barrel . . . I'd be thinking about 8.5 lbs with a decent forward balance

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8.5lb is pretty damn lightweight depending on what scope you go for.

A Tikka CTR is what I'd think of as a perfect crossover rifle, 20" light palma-ish profile. If you were to go a custom build a Bartlein 3b profile is probably what you want.

I've found a 10-12lb rifle to be the goldilocks zone of heavier enough to shoot nicely but still not too bad to carry.
A good 2 point sling helps immensely with carryability.

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

8.5lb is pretty damn lightweight depending on what scope you go for.

A Tikka CTR is what I'd think of as a perfect crossover rifle, 20" light palma-ish profile. If you were to go a custom build a Bartlein 3b profile is probably what you want.

I've found a 10-12lb rifle to be the goldilocks zone of heavier enough to shoot nicely but still not too bad to carry.
A good 2 point sling helps immensely with carryability.

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Yeah 8.5 lbs plus scope! I've just built a 6.5-284 with an all up weight of 10.5 lbs and its fantastic to shoot and carries nicely. A 223 in the same league or just a tad lighter would be fine - the current fetish for lightweight just doesn't do it for me, give me balance and pointability every time (except in a take-down packable rifle).

Sounds like you need a carbonlite bro

That Sako 75 you mentioned initially sounds like a good option to me.

Just reprofile the Remington barrel. You can make them smaller with the careful application of a lathe. Sell the other rifle and max out on a nice scope.

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Originally Posted by Ross Nolan

Just reprofile the Remington barrel. You can make them smaller with the careful application of a lathe. Sell the other rifle and max out on a nice scope.

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Haha Ross - that is an option on the table!! But ya gotta see what else ya can smoke out!

There was a rumour Bergara are bringing in a 223 , never heard anymore about it though.

I've got some lead solder bars I can send down. If you glue them onto your current setup that would increase weight at minimum cost.
:P

Maybe have a cruise through the Savage site. They have some good semi-iight varmint rifles. Not sure how hard it would be to get one. Savage are invariably accurate, eh.

https://www.savagearms.com

So I rang NZ Asia Trading re the Bergara's. Its still only a work in progress but Bergara are working on thier own "mini" action and expect to be getting an update at the Shot Show.

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Originally Posted by Shearer

That Sako 75 you mentioned initially sounds like a good option to me.

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thats what I was thinking too, heavy but not too heavy and Id bet it will shoot bloody well
tikka t3 barrels probably fit like they do on my medium action 75 if you wanted a 8 twist later down the road

The t3x elite have a heavier profile barrel than the lite but bring the weight down with fluting.... not sure twist rate on 223 though.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Yeah 8.5 lbs plus scope! I've just built a 6.5-284 with an all up weight of 10.5 lbs and its fantastic to shoot and carries nicely. A 223 in the same league or just a tad lighter would be fine - the current fetish for lightweight just doesn't do it for me, give me balance and pointability every time (except in a take-down packable rifle).

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Unless you go for a 35+ oz scope I'd think you could achieve 10lb with a Tikka CTR.

Sounds like you need a 6x45, my 223 gets left in the gun cabinet now.

so rebarrel the 2nd rifle with a medium weight profile and/or add suppressor ,see how it fits and sell the first one.
but you will then want lightweight to carry.....

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Originally Posted by Doon

Sounds like you need a 6x45, my 223 gets left in the gun cabinet now.

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Thats part of the problem, I have a CZ 6.8 SPC, its very light and handy, better suited to my ability to place (or misplace) shots on bigger game so for me a 223 is more often used as a varminter and gong gun.

@Tentman do you want to have a play with my .223. I have a love affair with it. It may give you food for thought ? I’m
Back in Invercargill Sunday night.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Thats part of the problem, I have a CZ 6.8 SPC, its very light and handy, better suited to my ability to place (or misplace) shots on bigger game so for me a 223 is more often used as a varminter and gong gun.

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so maybe youve answered your own question right there......
dont use the .223 for hunting big game LOL....

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

so maybe youve answered your own question right there......
dont use the .223 for hunting big game LOL....

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Yes MD I have sworn off using a 223 if I might see a deer. I think reconfiguring (just a reprofile of the barrel) od the Remmy 700 is the most likely option at this stage!

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Yes MD I have sworn off using a 223 if I might see a deer. I think reconfiguring (just a reprofile of the barrel) od the Remmy 700 is the most likely option at this stage!

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That turning down a barrel to a contour that suits works. @Brian 's gunsmith up here has done a few heavy target etc for him and its worked well. Means a reblue or cerakote for the Molly barrels though. Cost efficient way to get what you want.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Yes MD I have sworn off using a 223 if I might see a deer. I think reconfiguring (just a reprofile of the barrel) od the Remmy 700 is the most likely option at this stage!

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well more along lines of,dont take the .223 if specially TARGETING deer... but know if one pops up you are capable of poking pill in where it will count if it does.
having rifle set up for longer range hares etc with suppressor is a LOT of fun..and even though heavy as hell it sometimes comes out and nails deer. its all about what you decide you want to do for the day.
took my semi lightweight rifle for a walk today and yip its good to have one,had the heavy one came along the end result may well have been quicker for the deer,cheeky sod wouldnt stand up and only gave me head through tussock as aiming point,but it came home in my back pack all the same.