Thread: Which bolt 223 to look out for

Originally Posted by Macca

I'm personally looking at a Howa 1500 in a regular or mini action and #6 contour stainless barrel/action depending on availability to pair it up with one of these chassis

MDT HS3 chassis $900-$1100
MDT Oryx $700
MDT LSS $900-$1000
MDT LSS XL Gen 2 (not here yet?)
GRS Berserk $800
GRS BiFrost $1000
KRG Bravo $1000
KRG Xray $1100+?

The Howa is guaranteed 1 MOA and is a much nicer rifle than the Ruger American which is sold at the same price here in NZ, but in the US the Howa is the more expensive rifle. Once in the chassis it's going to be even more of a tack driver for varmints, plinking, and precision rifle comps.

Slap on a Vortex Diamondback tactical 4-18/6-24 or Strike Eagle 3-18 and it'll be a sub $3000 build that'll likely shoot 0.5 MOA all day.

Probably gonna try one of the new Greystone Guns K baffle suppressors in either the 4k or 6k lengths.

The Ruger American Ranch is a factory 16" and screw cut when you buy it.

In my opinion the Ruger American also has a better stock and action interface.

I await my chassis and mags as I type this for my Ruger American Ranch

I can't decide whether to go for a .308, .223 or 7.62x39 Howa 1500. .223 would be cheaper to shoot but I don't know if it's ethical to hunt deer and pigs with it, .308 is just expensive, x39 seems like a good middle ground but I think it has accuracy issues with the cheap steel case stuff.

Originally Posted by TheWuce

I can't decide whether to go for a .308, .223 or 7.62x39 Howa 1500. .223 would be cheaper to shoot but I don't know if it's ethical to hunt pigs with it, .308 is just expensive, x39 seems like a good middle ground but I think it has accuracy issues with the cheap steel case stuff.

Contact "The Bomb" as he has extensive knowledge hunting deer with that calibre!

I love the .223 on deer... either a good 55 or 63 gr Sierra and you won't look back

Originally Posted by TheWuce

I can't decide whether to go for a .308, .223 or 7.62x39 Howa 1500. .223 would be cheaper to shoot but I don't know if it's ethical to hunt deer and pigs with it, .308 is just expensive, x39 seems like a good middle ground but I think it has accuracy issues with the cheap steel case stuff.

308 not really that expensive....Try Ammo direct ($140 per 100 rounds) or Belmont $108 per 100 with SP. 308 is a fairly decent choice and has more legs than the x39. I would use x39 on hogs before I used 223 but would usually take the 308 because it covers all.

Originally Posted by timattalon

308 not really that expensive....Try Ammo direct ($140 per 100 rounds) or Belmont $108 per 100 with SP. 308 is a fairly decent choice and has more legs than the x39. I would use x39 on hogs before I used 223 but would usually take the 308 because it covers all.

Completely agree. .308 is one of thr cheapest centrefire to run (along with. 223 and 7.63x39) and in my view the most versatile.
The Belmont ammo, has to be the best deal out there in terms of quality vs price.

Originally Posted by TheWuce

I can't decide whether to go for a .308, .223 or 7.62x39 Howa 1500. .223 would be cheaper to shoot but I don't know if it's ethical to hunt deer and pigs with it, .308 is just expensive, x39 seems like a good middle ground but I think it has accuracy issues with the cheap steel case stuff.

Is recoil an issue for you?.

Originally Posted by TheWuce

I can't decide whether to go for a .308, .223 or 7.62x39 Howa 1500. .223 would be cheaper to shoot but I don't know if it's ethical to hunt deer and pigs with it, .308 is just expensive, x39 seems like a good middle ground but I think it has accuracy issues with the cheap steel case stuff.

Go 308, the 762x39's ok for plinking and under 150m but the 308 will get you to the 300m zone with enough energy left for a good kill. Once you have the 308 you can get the others anyway and a lot of the cheap x39 ammo's drying up. Pretty much only five dollars a box difference now so go the more power option.