223 bolt action suggestions ?

[spike1]

I have a real nice Savage 10FP in 223 . It does the job it was intended to do.

I am now looking for a very light weight, bolt action, nothing fancy 223. Does anyone have any suggestions ? Cheaper is better but sometimes a little more buys a lot more.

[270man]

Spike1,

I think you and I have similar ideas on 22CF rifles. I currently have a Rem 700BDL sporter with 24" barrel for varmints. It sports a Leupold 12X scope and has more than enough accuracy for my uses. I once had the Rem 700V with heavy barrel but found that the sporter BDL was just as accurate and much lighter to carry around.

Now to focus on your question: Several years ago I bought a Winchester Model 70 Lightweight (a cheaper version of the Featherweight) in 223Rem, with 20" barrel and a splinter fore-end. I don't care for the fore-end and have thought about getting a synthetic stock for the M70, but the rifle is amazingly accurate and easy to carry around. It is my general purpose carry rifle when scouting, hiking or just looking for targets of opportunity. I have scoped it with the Leupold Vari-XII 2x-7X, which is a perfect size for this compact rifle.

The new Winchester company may not offer this model any more, so I recommend you look at the Remington Model 7, with 20" barrel. There may be other models of similar size at lower prices.

270man

[wrenchman]

I hae seen that savage has made a new gun in light calibers i am not sure as to the model # but it does look rather light and compact.
You could go the single shot route with rossi or h.r. Rem has real neet one with a twisted barrel looks like it might be fun to play with.

[Catfish]

The Savages are hard to beat, espectally if your just wanting a good carry gun that will get beat around alot. If your looking for something with alittle more class the CZ 527 is also a great choice. It also comes with a single set trigger that is reall great when you have the time to get set up and take your time with those longer shots. These are my first 2 picks, but there is nothing wrong with the 700 Rem. eather and there are several others on the market that will do the job. Alot depend on your personal preferances.

[spike1]

Yes, a Savage is hard to beat. One of the rifles I have been looking at is the Savage 25 Lightweight Varminter for about $550 They also have a Savage/Stevens STV M200XP BA 223 with a scope for about $350. I don't know anything about "Stevens" but it sounds like a good beater ???

[GoodOlBoy]

On the light catagory if you still want a good stiff barrel look at the remmy model 700 VTR. Mine groups just about every factory ammo in 1" or less (most in .75" or less) at 100 right out of the box with no break in period. If I had time to work up a load (or even just shoot more I am sure part of that big ol groupin is me) I am sure it would reduce. It isn't the lightest gun in the fleet, but its triangular cross section barrel is lighter by far than a full bull barrel, and even when shooting several magazines full without stopping it does not noticeably warm. The factory trigger in it is more than fine (crisp and light but not too light) for target to field.

Dad loves his savage. . . .

GoodOlBoy

[skeet]

I happen to have a few 223s. The Remington bull barreled gun is very accurate. But I have a 223 Sporter and for all intents and purposed it is about as accurate as the heavy gun. I haven't shot it in any long sessions so the light bbl might wander a bit as it got a bit hotter. But that won't happen here now. Coyote times here now so I use my Bushmaster Varminter. Even if you shoot it alot..it won't get too warm at 0 or below I have a friend with the Savage in 223 and he is very happy with his. It does have an accu trigger too

[Okie Hog]

Look at the CZ 527. It is built on a minature Mauser action. I have a left hand CZ 527 American. Despite its light weight; the gun makes consistent .5" three shot groups at 100 meters using my handloads.

http://cz-usa.com/products/by-catego...terfire-micro/

[Larryjk]

Spike1, If you haven't looked at a Howa 1500 in .223, you should look. I have had one since the early 1980s called a Smith & Wesson. They were discontinued, but it shoots really well. I always say it will get p-dogs as far as I can see them. The Howa barreled actions are the same as a Weatherby Vanguard. They are available with Hogue or B&C stocks, and some have laminated thumbhole stocks. Fairly economical. You get more than you pay for with a Howa.

[spike1]

I found it, a nice low budget Stevens/Savage. It was on sale at Cabela's . Camo stock, free Bushnell scope 3-9X32. I'm not sure I like the Camo stock. I know they charge more for Camo ???? so I took it. They said the scope was bore sited, I guess that means it's not on backwards. LOL Didn't take much to get it shooting straight. It has an internal box magazine. I had to open the lips a bit to be able to load it easily. For under $400 out the door I am very happy with it. Today (2nd time out) I went to the high power range and did the 300 yard 8" steel. Sweet rifle for cheap.

[Gil Martin]

I have a Winchester Model 70 Lightweight Sporter in .223 that I bought off the used gun racks years ago. This is a fine rifle and has accounted for a lot of groundhogs around where I live. If you can find one in decent shape at a reasonable price, they are worth a close look. All the best...
Gil