New .223 Rifle

[Hyperlight66]

Primary Purpose: Target and Varmint Hunting

My first rifle, everything else I own are shotguns, pistols or rimfire.

What I’m looking for:
-Bolt Action
-Thinking of mounting a 4-12, 4-14 or 4-16 scope on it. Nikon P223 or Vortex, would prefer to have turrets
(Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16X42mm w/ SF for $330)
-Able to mount a Bipod to it
-I don’t have any stock preference
-I plan on reloading my own rounds for this rifle

I have access to a rifle range close to work, with benches at 100, 200 and 300. I plan on using it as a training tool to learn and get better at shooting. My goal would be a prairie dog hunting trip. I love target shooting, but I want to shot further then a .22lr and shooting 12ga sabot slugs is no fun and expensive $4-5 per shot.

What is a good budget to have on this rifle? The gun alone can range from $350 to endless. I mean I could buy a Ruger American ($350-400), Remington 700 (SPS for $650-750, VLS for $800-900 or Cooper or Howa (a lot). What kind of expectations should I have with a .223 rifle, as in accuracy? If I’m going to spend a lot of money on a rifle, I would rather have it on a nice .308 or .280/7mm.

So I’m just looking for help and ideas on bang for your buck on gun i'll be happy shooting and learning with!! Thanks!

[xd ED]

CZ 527 Varmint;won't be the cheapest, nor most expensive production gun, but among the most accurate out of the box
If this ad is current, right now $500 @ Cabelas http://www.cabelas.com/product/CZ-Varmint-Centerfire-Rifle/1401376.uts

ETA: Ad appears to be at least 2 years old; I don't find any CZ centerfire rifles when going through the Cabela's shopping site.

[JJ]

+1 on the CZ 527 Varmint. I love my Varmint and American variants. 1/2-3/4 moa with good bullets, and 3/4-1 moa with Dogtown/varmintextreme/bulk 55g dogging bullets.

Can't beat em with a stick

[striped1]

I would also look at Savage. Free floated barrel and best trigger for the money. Your scope budget is as low as I would go. Make sure you buy a good mounting system as well.

[my1stpistol]

Just got a Savage Axis II in .223 myself. I have about 100 rounds through it. So far I like it. Can hit a 10" gong from about 300 pretty good off a bean bag resting on my atv. Accutrigger is awesome

[LePetomane]

I'd go with the CZ 527 American. It is a little pricey. It has the micro Mauser action and is well built. The walnut stock is of very good quality. Great for shooting varmints, steel, etc. The Ruger Hawkeye is another good one but it is heavier than the CZ.

You mentioned Cooper. Beautifully made rifle. I have a 30-06.

[2in2out]

I think the Ruger Americans are an extremely good value (I own one), but every time I look at a CZ I'm impressed.

Talk to Thunderjohn about the price difference - it could be worth it to step up to the CZ.

[Currahee]

CZ... without a doubt.

[aht_six]

You can't beat the Savage 12 FV with the accu-trigger.

[Sammichman]

I own both Savage and CZ I like them both. I prefer the 110 series to the new Axis. the CZ would be my first choice

[Sammichman]

I own both Savage and CZ I like them both. I prefer the 110 series to the new Axis. the CZ would be my first choice

[yuppiejr]

Killer price @ Cabelas for that CZ rifle, +1.


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[yuppiejr]

You can't beat the Savage 12 FV with the accu-trigger for $420.

Got a link to that price? My search fu is weak today.


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[aht_six]

You can't beat the Savage 12 FV with the accu-trigger for ...

Got a link to that price? My search fu is weak today.

The link is to Cabelas, but upon further review...it doesn't appear to be current.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Savage174-Arms-12-FV-Bolt-Action-Varmint-Rifles/1994604.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D1000006412%26Ns%3DMIN_SALE_PRICE%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dwinchester%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch%26WTz_stype%3DSN%26search%3Dwinchester%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts&No=0&Ntt=winchester

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[Hyperlight66]

I had to stop at GM to return a gift last night, so I decided to take a look. Here are a couple of my observations after looking at the Ruger American, Remington 700 SPS Varmint, Savage (I forgot the Model number)

Ruger American: Nice gun, no frills, The bolt wasn't as smooth as the savage but for a $350 rifle still a nice gun. If I was buying a Deer Rifle on a budget, this would be on my list. But for a target/varmint gun the barrel was much thinner then the next 2 options. So I liked the gun, but off my list.

Remington 700 SPS Varmint: $699 Rifle Only or $629 w/ the redfield scope combo (remember its GM, so things don’t make sense…I could take the scope and rings off sell it for $40-50 and have a $580-590 gun) This gun had the weight and fell of the gun I’m looking for. Bull 26” barrel, over molded stock. The part that disappointed me was the action, I felt like it was on par with the Ruger. After I picked up a savage with a jeweled bolt, it felt without a question smother then the Remington.

Savage: I wish I remembered the model number, but it was listed at $530. Had a mid-weight barrel, I think it was 24” long. I didn't have much time, but definitely want to spend some time researching a savage.

I didn't ask or have time for the kid helper to take the trigger locks off to test any of the triggers. I also don’t know anything about the CZ rifles, but after many people talking about them, I’m going to have to research them also. Next time I’ll make sure to stop at a gun shop that has workers that know the product a little more !!!