Thread: Advice for new 223

[QUOTE=wire hunter;992445]SWeet @bill999 was just about to pm you regarding the feed issue. In regards to the action is it smaller than say the tikka but Im guessing larger than cz527 if you have seen one? somewhere inbetween.

Kimbers are crf .708 bolt is 20mm shorter than 223 cz527.
My cz has syn stock which is going to be replaced with a walnut one, when I get time and find the right piece of wood to build it.
Both awesome rifles but would lean toward 527 for 223 even though it not stainless.

Originally Posted by joelhenton

I've got a South Fort Labs carbon stock fitted to my CZ 223 and mil-spec coated. Also got a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08. If you don't like the CZ safety (backwards to Tikka) you might hate the Kimber safety, personally I think they're unusable for quick and quiet release of safety.

There is always something. I have become used to the cz saftey. Just seems it would be safer for safe to be in the reward posistion so as you move forward it cant be wiped backwards as I sometimes am moving on saftey. If that makes sense

[QUOTE=nevereadyfreddy;992467]

Originally Posted by wire hunter

SWeet @bill999 was just about to pm you regarding the feed issue. In regards to the action is it smaller than say the tikka but Im guessing larger than cz527 if you have seen one? somewhere inbetween.

Kimbers are crf .708 bolt is 20mm shorter than 223 cz527.
My cz has syn stock which is going to be replaced with a walnut one, when I get time and find the right piece of wood to build it.
Both awesome rifles but would lean toward 527 for 223 even though it not stainless.

Is crf controlled round feed? so round has to be in mag to be fed is that right? Wasn't aware of the south fort labs stock for the cz as mentioned by previous poster that is another plus for the cz in my case.

Kimber is three position safety which enables you to crank cartridges out safely from the blind mag.
I have never used the safety for anything but this.

You can poke the round into the action and the bolt will close over it.
The 527 has 5 round mag and you can buy extras if your needing fast turnaround on mobs of goats etc.
Am not sure if you can top load 527 while it is in gun. Guess you will know already.

[QUOTE=wire hunter;992484]

Originally Posted by nevereadyfreddy

Is crf controlled round feed? so round has to be in mag to be fed is that right? Wasn't aware of the south fort labs stock for the cz as mentioned by previous poster that is another plus for the cz in my case.

Yep, controlled round feed. The stock had to be custom inletted but they should have a cnc file for the inletting now. Got the Super Pig or whatever it's called, the Duley's stock. South Fort Labs make them. As for the Kimber safety, it's a three position Model 70 Winchester safety, and as mentioned above is safe for loading and unloading the blind mag. But it's let down in my opinion because unless you have an ape like thumb, you can't reach the safety with your hand gripped in the shooting position, and even if you can, it's so far forward that you can't release it without a terrible 'click'. So I don't use it, I would like to but don't find it practical. Saving grace is a very good half cock.

Originally Posted by nevereadyfreddy

You can poke the round into the action and the bolt will close over it.
The 527 has 5 round mag and you can buy extras if your needing fast turnaround on mobs of goats etc.
Am not sure if you can top load 527 while it is in gun. Guess you will know already.

Yeah cant top load mag in gun. Was carrying a 3 shot and two 5 shot mags then lost the three.

What he said.
Only go to one up the spout and halfcock if a shot is likely.
Dog will normally tell me.

Originally Posted by nevereadyfreddy

What he said.
Only go to one up the spout and halfcock if a shot is likely.
Dog will normally tell me.

With the cz half cock the safety can be on so you cant close the bolt I tried using it like this so i could hold the bolt there firmer. but then occasionally you would release safety close bolt and pull trigger and click, pin would hit primer but not fire round. This has probably happened 3 times. tried to replicate it one day at a range and fired every time so I don't know whats up with that could be ammo i guess which is factory but only ever happened in that scenario. Round would fire once re cocked

Originally Posted by wire hunter

SWeet @bill999 was just about to pm you regarding the feed issue. In regards to the action is it smaller than say the tikka but Im guessing larger than cz527 if you have seen one? somewhere inbetween.

Tons smaller I'll take a pic side by side with a tikka and a howa mini tomorrow as I have all three

I have a Remington 700 223 stainless with a MacMillan stock on it. Love it. My mate has a Montana 223. Both shoot sub inch. We weighed them and mine was actually slightly lighter. We were both surprised. There is nothing in it though. Dimensionally the Montana is smaller and I think the rifle and action are perhaps the nicest fit for a 223. They are a lovely wee rifle. Interesting to hear of the feeding issue. My mate has had none but not to say any rifle cant have problems. I would steer clear of the Howa unless you are fixing the magazine and stock issue. Which I have done on mine. By the time you have done that you may as well have a model 7 or a Montana. If I was in your shoes I would hold out for a Montana with a CF stocked model 7 as a back stop. Enjoy.

Perhaps I’m the only one that doesn’t like the Montana? I had one for a year and just couldn’t get used to the child sized stock.
I’d pick a tikka/mod7/rem700 cut to 14inch in a carbon stock any day over the kimber.

Originally Posted by Bill999

Tons smaller I'll take a pic side by side with a tikka and a howa mini tomorrow as I have all three

That would be awesome cheers

Originally Posted by Freezer

Perhaps I’m the only one that doesn’t like the Montana? I had one for a year and just couldn’t get used to the child sized stock.
I’d pick a tikka/mod7/rem700 cut to 14inch in a carbon stock any day over the kimber.

Might find out the hard way on that one.

Greetings to Wire Hunter and All,
One important piece of advice just touched on is barrel twist. Please consider getting a .223 with a fast twist barrel say 1 in 8 inches. My first new .223 was a Remington 700 VSSF that I bought in 2005. At the time I would have liked a faster twist but there was nothing available that appealed. Great rifle and a companion to the Sendero but limited by its 1 in 12 inch twist. Its still here. 2016 saw a Tikka T3 light .223 with an 1 in 8 inch twist sneak into the safe. It is generally loaded with 69 grain Sierra BTHP projectiles but shoots the 55 grain projectiles just as well for practice. Another great rifle. I just wish the VSSF had a faster twist.
Regards Grandpamac.