Thread: Which bolt 223 to look out for

So I’m looking to get a bolt action 223, I’ve started to look online for the various option and whilst I’ve looked at a few I’ve also been told to look for certain production years as I was considering rem 700 range.

I’ve looked at a sako vixen but that whilst a beautiful rifle had a 1/14 rate of twist, I’ve also looked at Howa, weatherby
And tikka, tikka May well be another option?

I would prefer a rate of twist in the 7-9 range, a heavier barrel contour and length doesn’t phase me, nor does stock construction. I reload and can easily develop a load.

Use, once my disk in my back stops bulging, will be to get out on wallaby’s through to light to medium framed deer.

I note in the 700 range a considerable amount of various models, I also get that the ability to drop in a better trigger group etc, just really interested in the feedback from you all around which models etc to look at. I know this will possibly be like asking how do you like your steak with all the possible replies but before I settle on a rifle would like some thoughts you have

Thanks

Others to look at would be Browning and Savage.

There's a Tikka CTR at Shooters Supplies in .223/adj cheek riser - 1/8" twist - 20" model. Could chop 4" off it and put a can on it? That would put total weight at around 3-3.5kg. I had a fondle the other day, the bolt is smooth as butter and stock is very comfy to hold.

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

There's a Tikka CTR at Shooters Supplies in .223/adj cheek riser - 1/8" twist - 20" model. Could chop 4" off it and put a can on it? That would put total weight at around 3-3.5kg. I had a fondle the other day, the bolt is smooth as butter and stock is very comfy to hold.

Didn't know they even did the CTR in 223.
The new T3x stock is pretty nice, especially for a facory stock.
The CTR is a very well balanced rifle considering the 24" heavy barrel, with it cut down to 20" and suppressed would not be to unwieldy for a hunting rifle.

I was in Guncity today and looked at a heap of rifles, Tikka, Bergara, Howa, Ruger, Remington and CZ.
Ive always been a Tikka slut and I just confirmed it again, between the action, trigger, magazines, stock shape and just the best synthetic stock (IMO) it's really hard for me to look past the Tikka.

The CZ 527 was nice and other European rifles are nice, but value for money it's hard to look past the Tikka.

Sako Vixens are 1:12 unless its been rebarreled with a 1:14 or reamed from 222. Maybe should should look at the Howa Mini.

I have a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, 1:9 twist. Shoots anything from Sierra 53gr match to 77gr SMKs like a laser. Current favorite loads are with 62gr Barnes and 69gr TMKs.

Mark - I picked up a suppressed Marlin XS7 recently. A nice little unit actually - fluted bolt, pillar bedded, adjustable trigger etc - and it's shooting 0.5" groups with Federal Powershok 80gr at 100 and 0.7" with Highland 100gr factory ammos. That's good - and will improve with reloads. Welcome to come over and check this one if you wish - and mate has Howa nearby. Show you the new Maxtoch..

There are some very sharp shooters available in 223 for not too many dollars. Savage, Marlin, Howa etc. This is a case where you could spend alot more and get less.

Purely to ensure a full and frank discussion, I would encourage you to you also consider the Tikka 1:8 barrel in .223.

Mine shoots 69gr Sierra like a laser on a Boyd’s thumbhole stock. Very happy w it

I rate my 1:8 twist Tikka Light, I've had it for around 10 years and shoots all ammo well, can get some nice direct fit 10 round mags for them too

Sako 85 carbonlite has 1:8" twist.
Mechanically better than the vixen action.
Spare mags available if you need high volume. They hold 6.
If you plan to go to carbon, this would avoid obtaining a bespoke inlet and bedding job on a stock never designed for the extra short action.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

Sako 85 carbonlite has 1:8" twist.
Mechanically better than the vixen action.
Spare mags available if you need high volume. They hold 6.
If you plan to go to carbon, this would avoid obtaining a bespoke inlet and bedding job on a stock never designed for the extra short action.

100%

Thanks guys all extremely positive comments, @mudgripz I’ve been following the maxtoch evolution, we will catch up soon, but I agree you can spend a whole lot more to get less, I’ve reloaded for one of the guys at the handloaders club and that was a weatherby, it shot very nicely in the end.

The vixen I looked at looked as if the barrel was aftermarket, it had a heavier barrel, could be wrong though, the action was very nice.

Thinking a little further along, as I’ve been caught out with a rifle I used to own, mag length, I don’t want to find that a mag length would hinder my ability to reload to a longer seating depth, I know there are after market mags I could try and get, are there any particular makes that this could be a problem in?

Again thanks for the comments, I’m in no immediate rush, just doing some due diligence first, but the comments are already comming in very handy

wallabies and light deer/fallow why not a 1 in 10-12 you dont need more than 55grns of weight in fact 50 will do it just fine...mine does...so I would look out for a Zastava mini mauser.

As another option what do people think of the Ruger American predator or Mossberg MVP. Main reason would be to utilise some still legal AR mags lying around and a half full can of belmont ammo.