.223 Advice

[Barky 24]

Hi guys, recently got my variation back for a .223, but I really don't know what rifle to go for I want to spend about £1000 maybe abit less. I've already got a scope so just a rifle and a mod. What would you guys recommend? I know reading from other posts that most of you go with the tikka t3, but what are the howa 1500 like or the brownings?

Thanks

[walshie 2,804]

I've got a Howa 1500 and a Tikka T3. both good guns, but you can feel the quality in the Tikka. My son has a Howa in .223 and he loves it.

[SportingShooter 0]

A Browning A or X bolt or a Tikka T3 are the only guns really to consider in that bracket.

 

I like the Tikka personally, but you need to go and fondle a few in a shop and see what you think.

[jacknife 2,005]

I have the Tikka with heavy barrel in .308 and the Browning X bolt in .223

I do prefer the shape and feel of the Browning

 

Moderator i like the Ace SL5

[andyf 144]

Not withstanding the brand, you need to determine what you are going to be doing with your rifle.

I carry mine a 'zillion' more times/miles than I shoot it, so a heavy varmint barrel, with a bipod, a massive

moderator etc etc is all well and good, but it's HEAVY and cumbersome.

On a range fine, but for Foxing a sporter weight barrel, NO moderator is the way to go (for me), the noise is

not important as I only fire it once or twice, mostly hours apart, no louder than a shotgun anyway.

Back to brands I own a Browning and a Sako (nearly a Tikka), both excellent, I also own a Heym and a Ruger, my

choice for a lightweight 22 cf would be the X-bolt.

[Tremo 138]

I have Tikkas and wouldn't swap them for any other rifle. Excellent straight out of the box. I did contemplate the X Bolt at one time. Plenty of good features, but the trigger lets it down in my opinion.

 

As the guys have said, weight is one of the primary concerns. If you are going to lug it around for hours and are not expecting to make a number of shots in quick succession then go for a sporter (lite) barrel. A Varmint barrel will allow you more shots before you have to let it cool down, but is it significantly heavier.

 

Moddy? I use Ase Utra. Not light, but arguably one the best on the market.

 

Ultimately it has too "feel right" to you, so get yourself down to your local RFD and handle a few.

[shovel leaner 7,650]

The Cz 527 is a very good rifle , light accurate and sensible price . But all modern rifles are accurate but the triggers let them down the Cz I have has a set trigger and is very smooth . I have just got a 6x42 Schmitt and bender no bi pod or sound mod . I can carry it all day because it's not much heavier than my rim fire . It's nice and short so when I'm in the truck it's easy to point out of the window . Unless noise is a real issue because of houses . I wouldn't bother with a mod , because it doesn't affect the foxes one bit . I don't go for massive scopes for lamping , 6x42 is enough at sensible ranges . All the magazines say you need more kit, bigger kit , better kit . Bollocks , just get a rifle you like , stick with it . But if you haven't got it with you because it's too heavy and it makes your shoulder hurt . I guarantee you will see that fox you were after .

[Alsone 789]

Back to brands I own a Browning and a Sako (nearly a Tikka), both excellent,

 

Intersting take. I always understood the Tikka to be a cheaper version of the Sako with Sako being the premium brand and that's the way seem to be priced. I somehow think you got a better gun there Andy than maybe you realised. Either way, very good guns though. My mate had a Sako Finnfire and loved it. I also have another friend with a Browning A-Bolt in .22-250, and she loves that.

 

Barky, both Sako and Tikka are part of the Beretta Group.

 

Can't see anyone going wrong with either Browning or Beretta products, but equally wouldn't rule out CZ or Howa at the cheaper end should budget issues arise. All very good guns.

Edited June 30, 2015 by Alsone

[Barky 24]

Thanks for the advice guy still saving at the moment but going to look at a few this weekend want to get a feel of the tikka x bolt and the howa! As for what I'm using it for it will be foxing and targets, most of the land I shoot will be out of a 4x4 so weight isn't to much issue but obviously don't want it silly heavy!

[Deker 3,478]

There are very few bad makes out there so it is simply a matter of tailoring the rifle to your needs and pocket.

 

Someone mentioned weight already, personally I just don't understand people who buy massive heavy rifles and walk round the fields all day, a complete waste of time and energy in my opinion, but then again some like them, such is life.

 

This is very underrated in my opinion, I speak from first hand experience of its incredible performance and relatively modest price.

 

http://www.czub.cz/en/catalog/81-centerfire-rifles-cz/KL/CZ_527_SYNTHETIC.aspx

[cheggs1978 0]

Tikka,sako,browning or howa very smooth bolts,two great triggers. browning and how a good bolts triggers not brilliant but can be worked on other than that great rifles all accurate. Sporter if walking about. Ase mod