Best affordable .223 platform...

[coldboreshot]

I've already got a Savage 12 benchrest in 6br which I really enjoy. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a .223 for casual benchrest and/or f-tr use, mostly will be used from 50-300 yards then the 6br from 300+. Would like something capable of .5moa groups with hand loaded ammo.

So far the Savage LRPV looks to be my favorite. Anything else I should look at?

I have a Savage BVSS in .223 that really shoots well. I even use it occasionally for 300 yard TR. Sierra 52 and 69 MK's jumped get the job done. You can also eliminate the blind mag loading by getting a Sharp Shooter Supply single shot follower insert.

 

[zanemoseley]

Twist rate is one of those things that I find odd about the rack guns. A lot of them are just 1:9 twist, the Savage F/TR is the only one I recall seeing with a 1:7. It's weird to me, you can find AR's with a 1:7 from the factory easier than a bolt gun which could really benefit from a fast twist. I guess they're targeting the Varmint guys that use fast smaller bullets.

How heavy can you typically go with 1:9? 77gr?

 

[Texas10]

I don't know what rules apply to F/TR so this may be inappropriate. The BVSS is quite capable, it was my first Savage and shot way better than I did. Bed the stock, torque tune the rear action screw, and install the single shot follower.

If rules allow, buy a Target Accutrigger off the classifieds board and replace that varmint trigger that comes stock on the BVSS. Not much coin, but a whole lot of improvement and it's a drop in replacement. The 9 twist barrel is not going to like anything over 80 gr but throating it specifically for that bullet may give you the advantage you're looking for.

With little more than some careful tuning, you can turn it into a real tac driver.

 

[zanemoseley]

The Tikka T3x varmint is 1:8...

 

[jmm03]

or possibly something here: https://theshooterscorner.com/varmint-rifles/

 

[joshb]

The Tikka T3x varmint is 1:8...

Yup. 1 in 8. The older Tikkas, 595s and such were 1in 12. Tikka responded to the current wants of shooters with a 1/8.

 

[kzin]

Twist rate is one of those things that I find odd about the rack guns. A lot of them are just 1:9 twist, the Savage F/TR is the only one I recall seeing with a 1:7. It's weird to me, you can find AR's with a 1:7 from the factory easier than a bolt gun which could really benefit from a fast twist. I guess they're targeting the Varmint guys that use fast smaller bullets.

How heavy can you typically go with 1:9? 77gr?

77 maybe
69 yes

 

[Uncle Mike]

I own a Savage LRPV with 7 twist stock barrel that shoots 90 Berger VLDs under 1/2 inch at 100 yards and maintains that level of accuracy at 300. But velocity suffers with the big bullet small powder capacity equation...around 2300fps with my load. The new 90s are recommended for 6.5 twist but will still stabilize in a 7 twist according to The Berger rep over the phone but with a 4% sacrifice in BC. I just had a .223AI built so the Savage will be retiring soon. Interested?

 

[DirtySteve]

Buy a Remington 700 action, KRG Bravo chassis and a Remage barrel...

 

[rsmithsr50]

no but i maybe able to find some 100 .2 and less.
look at the DESCRIPTION of the rifle. single shot target rifle, not a 16" chrome bore blasting gun

Got any pics of those easy 300 yd 1/4 moa 12 twist AR groups?

 

[dthomas]

As others have said the tikka is 1 in 8 twist. I use the berger 80.5 bullets without a problem but not at magazine length. If using for f/tr you will be single loading anyway.

 

[grovey]

no but i maybe able to find some 100 .2 and less.
look at the DESCRIPTION of the rifle. single shot target rifle, not a 16" chrome bore blasting gun

I read it. .2's is getting it done in an AR platform from what I'm told. That said... .2's @100 does not equate to 1/4 moa @ 300 no matter the platform.

 

[Kurz]

look at the DESCRIPTION of the rifle. single shot target rifle, not a 16" chrome bore blasting gun

This is a cut and paste of your exact reply. No mention of single shot follower or benchrest. Often we mistake what we THINK we wrote as opposed to what actually gets written. We've all done it.

if you really only want 300 yards( 1/2 of what they are good for) then build an ar with a custom varmint bbl
like a Krieger 1/12, 1/14
very lite trigger, 3" flat fore arm egw bag traker rear stock ad on
quality scope
shoot lite bullets 1/4" moa is easy with a chamber that matches the bullet.

 

[Kurz]

I own a Savage LRPV with 7 twist stock barrel that shoots 90 Berger VLDs under 1/2 inch at 100 yards and maintains that level of accuracy at 300. But velocity suffers with the big bullet small powder capacity equation...around 2300fps with my load. The new 90s are recommended for 6.5 twist but will still stabilize in a 7 twist according to The Berger rep over the phone but with a 4% sacrifice in BC. I just had a .223AI built so the Savage will be retiring soon. Interested?

I'm just guessing but it appears by your information that you found that 1st accuracy node and quit. 2300 fps is a low threshold when compared to my competition load. Of course you don't list OAL or powder selection either... Just a curiosity.

I'm running the Berger 90 gr. VLDs at 2700+ from a 26" barrel at 2.660" seated over AR-Comp powder. You can also run CFE 223 at a lower pressure while achieving 2700 fps at the same seating. VVN-540 is another possibility. This is all from a single shot, bolt action rifle fired from prone on a bipod.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the process!

 

[VaniB]

View attachment 1160429
as a comparison:
View attachment 1160432
Good luck!
Josh

Does anybody else get annoyed too with the games merchants play when they call this fired Tikka and their other used items a "demo"? But isn't it funny when you offer to sell your very desirable new-in-box unfired Colt AR15 to a large local gun shop in 2009 during Obama panic years they offer you $400 and tell you "It ain't nothing but a used gun". lol (sold it privately for $900 a week later)

 

[rsmithsr50]

APPLY THE WORDS.
3" WIDE FLAT FOREARM
egw bag tracker rear stock ad on
sounds like a bench gun to me

This is a cut and paste of your exact reply. No mention of single shot follower or benchrest. Often we mistake what we THINK we wrote as opposed to what actually gets written. We've all done it.

 

[joshb]

Does anybody else get annoyed too with the games merchants play when they call this fired Tikka and their other used items a "demo"? But isn't it funny when you offer to sell your very desirable new-in-box unfired Colt AR15 to a large local gun shop in 2009 during Obama panic years they offer you $400 and tell you "It ain't nothing but a used gun". lol (sold it privately for $900 a week later)

I’m not sure that gun was fired. Worth a call!
During that scare, I sold a Valmet 308 for $3000. I paid $500 for it!
Never ever EVER sell a gun to a gun shop!!!

 

[Kurz]

APPLY THE WORDS.
3" WIDE FLAT FOREARM
egw bag tracker rear stock ad on
sounds like a bench gun to me

Well unfortunately for you, there are 3" flat forearms which can be attached to the AR platforms along with bag riders for the butt stocks so what you wrote and only partially described is still faulty and lacks clarity since the initial reference was for the AR platform. If that troubles you, you might consider reading through something before you bang it out on your phone and post it.

Other than that I really don't care. Have a great day!

 

[joshb]

From another thread but I thought you should read this:

 

[500yards]

Id say Rugers Mini14 would have to go in there somewhere. It is one of few semi auto high cap 223s that doesn't look like an "ugly black rifle".