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Which rifle?

Leo_B

I like getting stuff and having it. At some point next year when I've saved up I want another rifle. It will be for going to my local range and seeing what that day holds at 100 and sometimes 200 yards. My criteria are $1000 cap on the rifle and light recoil. I'm using the .243 on this chart as the ceiling although leaning toward making the .22-250 the upper limit. I don't plan to ever compete and won't be toting it through the woods so weight isn't a major factor. Just accuracy. The best for what it will be, a regular rifle. If I come into a windfall we'll adjust appropriately but given how unlikely that is what are the best 1-2 shelf rifles to consider for these criteria? Thanks for any and all advice.
ETA the chart I meant to include. https://backfire.tv/recoil/
 
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I just bought a Savage M110 Varmint in .204 R and it is very accurte (1st groups well under 1". and cost under $700.00.

For your application I would get a .223 as you can't buy any ammo cheaper then the .223 stuff and If you reloads tons of brass is just for picking it off the floor or out of A bucket!
 
I had a Contender Super 14 in .222 long ago. I really liked it. I wish it was more popular still. The .223 is definitely on the list. Others that pique my curiosity are .204 Ruger, .224 Valkyrie, .22 Nosler, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm BR and .22-250. Some of those I know zero about, other than name recognition. The .222 I know I like from back in the day. The .223 is as said, everywhere. The rest are to be eventually researched. Thanks for some great input so far.
 
They don't seem to make it anymore, but if you can find a used Savage 12FV in 223, I absolutely LOVE mine. They made it for Cabela's, but they did away with it in .223 shortly after I got mine. Now it looks like they've done away with the FV variant all together, which is a real shame. Absolute tack driver from the factory built in a 110 action for $350 (regular price). I know a couple of guys who shoot the 223 on a Savage Axis with extremely good results also. They are cheap enough that you can put decent glass on them and bed them into a chassis without breaking the bank. Only issue with the Savage is that you need to like a single stage trigger.

As you said, there are a lot of .223 options out there that will fit your budget. Get something with a relatively heavy barrel, and it should be more accurate than you are with the right load.
 
Leo_B said:
I like getting stuff and having it. At some point next year when I've saved up I want another rifle. It will be for going to my local range and seeing what that day holds at 100 and sometimes 200 yards. My criteria are $1000 cap on the rifle and light recoil. I'm using the .243 on this chart as the ceiling although leaning toward making the .22-250 the upper limit. I don't plan to ever compete and won't be toting it through the woods so weight isn't a major factor. Just accuracy. The best for what it will be, a regular rifle. If I come into a windfall we'll adjust appropriately but given how unlikely that is what are the best 1-2 shelf rifles to consider for these criteria? Thanks for any and all advice.
Click to expand...
A 223 would be my recommendation. I hope you're a reloader, otherwise you'll be at the mercy of chance.....finding a factory ammunition that has the best combination of bullet weight, seating depth, and powder charge for your particular barrel / chamber. For rifles I'd say a Remington varmint. Now, I've always bought them used and mostly with the purpose of re chambering to AI or re barreling to something different. But I've found that their barrels shoot very well, surprisingly well. Thing is, a used Rem. 223 is seldom seen on the used market. Also from what I've read, the Tikka is just excellent......if buying new I'd probably get one of those.

About the Remington factory barrels, this one was a new .223 take off from the gun show, screwed onto an old 722 action. And that 26.5gr load is the one I've settled on, haven't tried other bullets or powder. Easiest accuracy I've ever found. Don't sell the Remington short.IMG_1389.jpeg
 

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The 243 would be a great choice. Fantastic caliber! 6br if you reload would be good too. I have three 6.5 Grendels. Might be a possibility. I’d compare quality ammo if you don’t reloading. The better 223 ammo can still be pricy. If someone asks me for an opinion on accurate factory rifles, I quickly mention Tikka and Savage. They usually don’t disappoint.
 
Ackman said:
A 223 would be my recommendation. I hope you're a reloader, otherwise you'll be at the mercy of chance.....finding a factory ammunition that has the best combination of bullet weight, seating depth, and powder charge for your particular barrel / chamber. For rifles I'd say a Remington varmint. Now, I've always bought them used and mostly with the purpose of re chambering to AI or re barreling to something different. But I've found that their barrels shoot very well, surprisingly well. Thing is, a used Rem. 223 is seldom seen on the used market. Also from what I've read, the Tikka is just excellent......if buying new I'd probably get one of those.

About the Remington factory barrels, this one was a new .223 take off from the gun show, screwed onto an old 722 action. And that 26.5gr load is the one I've settled on, haven't tried other bullets or powder. Easiest accuracy I've ever found. Don't sell the Remington short.View attachment 1705537
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Pretty rifle. Why oh why did Remington change to the current bolt handle?
 
Richard Jones said:
Pretty rifle. Why oh why did Remington change to the current bolt handle?
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Remington didn't change the handle. That's a modified 722 bolt done by some former owner. The rifle was an otherwise factory 722/222 from a pawnshop back in the 1990's. I really like that bolt handle, feels perfect. I notched the tang like a 700 for a 700 safety, installed a 700 trigger and now it's a 700, Fits 700 stocks without opening up for a 722 safety.
 
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Ackman said:
Remington didn't change the handle. That's a modified 722 bolt done by some former owner. The rifle was an otherwise factory 722/222 from a pawnshop back in the 1990's. I really like that bolt handle, feels perfect. I notched the tang like a 700 for a 700 safety, installed a 700 trigger and now it's a 700, Fits 700 stocks without opening up for a 722 safety.
Click to expand...
Yes, that bolt handle is just classy. I should have said that Remington should have changed the bolt handle. Pretty work.
 
like said above, used savage, very good value for money. Used Tikka HB. Or some kind of mixmaster 700, or a barrel nut 700. 223 is common and can be very accurate. I forgot to mention the flat top, pre accutrigger HB rifles with cheap plastic stock, shoot lights out. prices can still be very reasonable.
 
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Your criteria is accuracy and a price cap of $1000.00. Heavy barrel .223 is really your only choice. Forget the .243 unless you plan on hunting med to small game with it.
Don't be too influenced by the influencers on youtube. They get paid to push stuff and most of these guys don't know as much as they think they know.

The hard truth is accurate rifles are where you find them. Your odds of getting great groups leans toward the heavy barrels in .223. It gives you most possible choices in ammo and bullets if are a reloader, plus the years of develpmont in the cartridge.

So, now that I have selected the chambering for you (LOL) go find yourself a fat barreled .223 and get to the range!!
 
Leo_B said:
I like getting stuff and having it. At some point next year when I've saved up I want another rifle. It will be for going to my local range and seeing what that day holds at 100 and sometimes 200 yards. My criteria are $1000 cap on the rifle and light recoil. I'm using the .243 on this chart as the ceiling although leaning toward making the .22-250 the upper limit. I don't plan to ever compete and won't be toting it through the woods so weight isn't a major factor. Just accuracy. The best for what it will be, a regular rifle. If I come into a windfall we'll adjust appropriately but given how unlikely that is what are the best 1-2 shelf rifles to consider for these criteria? Thanks for any and all advice.
ETA the chart I meant to include. https://backfire.tv/recoil/
Click to expand...
Will you be reloading or shooting factory ammo?
 
Heck, just now a HB Sako (recent vintage) 223 just sold for 1050 on gunsinternational. pay attention to gunsinternational, there are a LOT of bargains on there. you can get a heck of a shooting iron for 1K. Good luck.
 
Heavy barrel 223 in 8 twist. The HB tikkas are probably out of your price range. In you price range is a howa barreled action from brownells for about 300. That leaves you 700 for a stock or chassis and a magazine. KRG makes the bravo for 400ish, but not sure it works with the .223 Howa. It might only work with 308\creedmoor size.
 
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