Im thinking of getting a bolt action .223?

Question

Im just going use it for target shooting, and im looking for suggestions. Im looking to spend 500 to 700 dollars on it

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

Building a target rifle can be an expensive proposition. I would suggest that you consider a Remington 700 Varmint as the chassis for your project. Presuming you are looking at NRA type target competition versus informal target shooting at your local range, you would need to make the following modifications:
1. install micrometer target sights (all NRA target matches, except some 1000 yard matches, are fired with iron sights)
2. replace the 1x12 twist barrel with a 1x7 or 1x8 twist bull barrel (to stabilize the heavier bullets fired at the 600 yard line)
3. install a heavy marksman style stock with accessory channel
4. fabricate a stripper clip guide to accomodate quick reloads in the rapid fire stages.

A rifle built like this would be fired in the match rifle category and would still be servicable for hunting.

While ammunition in the not-too-distant-future may become scarce and more expensive, the .223 will still be less expensive than .30 caliber ammo. This is a point to consider when weighing the size of your wallet and the amount of shooting you will be doing.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I know that you are going to use it for target shooting, but I would not spend $500-$700 on a bolt action .223. I would do one of two things.

1) Buy a semi auto 5.56 (2.23) in the AR-15 style rifle. Look at Bushmaster or a comparable brand. These semiautos are used by long range target shoots and are priced at about $700 for a base model. You can build on it later.

2) Bolt actions make great hunting and target rifles, but the .223 is a poor hunting cartridge. If you are set on a bolt action, why not get a different caliber, maybe a 7mm, .270, 30-06, so that you can also hunt with it. You will have an easier time selling it if it's in a hunting caliber cartridge.

Answer 3

Do not get a "cheap" .223 for target shooting. Hunting guns do not need to be as accurate as guns for target shooting.
Quite the contrary. Hunting guns can be less than target accurate and get the job done. You have the right idea with the $500-700 range. That should jus be for the gun. Then spend money on optics.

Answer 4

As usual ist all a difference of oppinion,
Are us brits so different from the rest of the world,,, im starting to think were un normal, Remmington, ruger, browning ect are not the guns that would be suggested to you over hear.
The suggestion would be a tika t3 or cz and in british £ between £400 to £1500. The advantage it the ammunition for the 223 is not all that expensive compared to moust other callibers.
Do you research first then make your decision,,,, Remember this though Never by the gun you dont wish to be stuck with.

Answer 5

I'm going to say that you shouldn't get one but the question doesn't ask for comments, so I won't.

Here are a couple that you should consider

Browning A-Bolt II Stainless Stalker (bolt; .223, .243)
Kimber 84M LongMaster Classic (bolt; .223)
Kimber 84M SVT (bolt; .223)
Remington Model 700 LV SF Light Varmint (bolt; .223, .22-250)
Remington Model 799 (bolt; .22 Hornet, .222, .223, .22-250)
Ruger Model 77R Mk. II (bolt; .223, .22-250, .220, .243, 6mm)
Savage Model 16FSS (bolt; .223, .22-250, .243)
Weatherby Mark V Special Varmint Rifle (bolt; .223, .22-250)
Weatherby Vanguard Stainless (bolt; .223, .22-250, .243)

Answer 6

Tony, I used to own a Remington 788 (bolt action/detachable mag.) in .223 with a bull barrel. I equiped it with a 4x Simmons scope. It was extremely accurate and fun to shoot. I intended to let it be my son's first deer gun but soon learned that the .223 is inadequate as a deer rifle. The three deer we shot with it died too slow in spite of dropping in their tracks.

It is great for target shooting and varmint though.

Best.

H

Answer 7

D58 is right on the mark concerning the Ruger M77 rifle, about the only other thing I would add would be to consider a Remington 700 chambered for .223 as well. I would advise you to stay away from remington 710 series as they seem to have a wide variety of malfunction issues in their various caliber offerings, and they aren't as well made as the 700 series are.

Answer 8

I have a Ruger M77 Mark II Stainless Steel 223 that is as nice as you could ask for.
I’ve had it for 6 years and use it for varmint hunting and target.
I would never hesitate to buy another M77 it shoots and handles like a dream.
Before you buy go to your gun shop and pick up one to see how it feels.
The only other I truly like is the new Thompson Center Icon .
Links attached.

Hope this helped






http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FASubType?type=Rifle&subtype=Bolt%20Action

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/icon.php


D58

Answer 9

Especially for such serious coin, why settle for a 'poodle shooter' round, instead of moving up to a more serious chambering , as the .308Win.(7,62 NATO), especially as .223 surplus is soon to be scarcer and MORE EXPENSIVE than .308.
Above and beyond that, you can't even legally hunt anything bigger than "dogs" with it, either.

Answer 10

not to bad of a gun if you just want to use it for target shooting