Thread: Range rifle in 223

Ive currently got an AR15 and i probably wont have one soon. thats the backstory, you all know the rest, will leave it at that.


Spend moost of my time putting holes into paper at the range and would like a rifle to replace the AR for this purpose. dosent need to be light, would preffer chasis based. It appears Ruger has stopped production fo the .223 model precision rifle soo what else should i be looking at? rather keep cost $2500 or less and must be .223

Tikka T3 with a DPT chassis? The rifle plus the long range chassis will be a little out of your price range. But the hunter grade chassis would be in.

There are chassis around for the Howa 1500 and the Howa Mini, both come in .223. Given the rifle will cost about $1k leaves you with $1500 for the chassis. Assuming budget doesn't include optics...

Plenty for the options for Rem 700's too.

I'd be tempted by the Howa Mini myself...

Yeah budget is purely for the rifle, optics and mounts will come off the AR.

A quick google search will show plenty of options within your price range.

The ruger RPR is nice for the range but heavy, I have one in 6.5cm and it shoots nicely. But Ruger have discontinued with the .223 model so might be hard to get you hands one one.

Have you thought about a Tikka CTR or Varmint in .223?

Think I will be replacing my A-cat AR with a ruger ranch in .223 depending on how things go, but probably wont suit your range plans.

Tom

Son has a Steyr 223 Pro-Hunter with the 22" light varmint barrel, set trigger, S/S, 5 round rotary mag etc. $16-1900.
Upgrade would be to add an aftermarket stock.
The standard one is OK for paper shooting but if you side load the stock it will touch the barrel.
Z

My son & I started FTR target shooting with a Savage Model 12 DBM in .223. 28" 1:7 twist barrel. Great rifle, very accurate with handloads using an 80 gr projectile.

Two thoughts... A Tikka 1:8
Build one.... For that money, if your smart and shop around you can get a Barnard action... $1500 maybe $1200 if you wait for a 2nd, (paint scratched) the s fits a Remington short action stock.
Rem stock, $500
Barrel $500
Trigger $500 for the best, or spend less.

Ok, it's over budget at $3k but shop around you may get a nice trigger for cheap. Maybe buy a rifle for parts, then on sell.
You get the best parts, built to your specs, barrel length, contour etc.

It's what I did but different calibre. An option to think about anyway.

been poking around the net today, come to the conclusion that the Tikka T3TAC1 is horrendously overpriced, near 2k extra for a chasis and a mag, well done berretta NZ. Getting a varmint barrel model and putting it into a DPT chasis is an idea.

The HOWA HCR looks to be a nice budget choice, the Savage 10 Stealth evolution is top of the want list albeit a tad overbudget.

Been burnt by Remmington before with a faulty Sendero so wary of buying anything with that stamp on it.

I think Bergara make a chassis rifle, never handled one but hear they’re reasonable.

I will be after the same in lefty configuration soon

Might be time to join the wood and blue brigade <gasp> !

If getting into a chassis, perhaps think of supporting DPT, they are a forum sponsor, and this doesn't all happen by magic. I have had a poke and a prod of one of his early ones, and it's really nice

Mossberg MVP Varmint... mine in 223 is an absolute laser at the range.

Originally Posted by Tommy

If getting into a chassis, perhaps think of supporting DPT, they are a forum sponsor, and this doesn't all happen by magic. I have had a poke and a prod of one of his early ones, and it's really nice

Agreed. Friwi brought one to I think it was the first or second Toby shoot. Lots of clever design features, I was impressed. Plus DPT is an all round good bugger with awesome customer service.