Best affordable .223 platform...

[zanemoseley]

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?

 

[dthomas]

Tikka t3 varmint

 

[Dub]

Remington 700 SS 5R

 

[Adam in WI]

Define affordable

 

[long40shot]

Remington VLS

 

[xswanted]

Tikka t3 varmint

Plus one on this.

 

[Herzo]

CZ 527

 

[zanemoseley]

That 700 SS 5-R is pretty sweet but the trigger only goes down to 3 pounds. Of course being a 700 there are tons of aftermarket options.

Budget is say about a grand. Basically nice rack guns not custom. Would love a custom rifle some day but it will be a bigger caliber.

 

[jonbearman]

Check Buds gunshop and see what he has in stock. You may be able to get just what you want at a good price.

 

[Sieg]

Tikka T3x Varmint in KRG Bravo. Federal Gold Medal 69SMK.

 

[rsmithsr50]

way too big, but factory ammo and a factory rifle.

Tikka T3x Varmint in KRG Bravo. Federal Gold Medal 69SMK.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

That 700 SS 5-R is pretty sweet but the trigger only goes down to 3 pounds. Of course being a 700 there are tons of aftermarket options.

Budget is say about a grand. Basically nice rack guns not custom. Would love a custom rifle some day but it will be a bigger caliber.

That would be the reason to get this rifle, because you can add a great trigger.

 

[rsmithsr50]

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.

 

[joshb]

I have the Rem 5r and a “few” Tikkas. The smoothness of the bolt operation is exceptional on the Tikka. I bought my Remington before I shot a Tikka. These days, I only buy Customs or Tikkas. Buy a $10 Yo Dave spring for the trigger and it’s ready to shoot. I searched Eurooptic’s website and found you a deal I saw the other day. It’s still there.

as a comparison:

Good luck!
Josh

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm a Savage fan.....but the Tikka's are nice. I own two KRG Bravo Chassis's, nice. There is a company out there making Criterion pre fits, nuts, and wrench for the Tikka. Go to today's Bulletin and scroll towards the bottom.

 

[grovey]

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.

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

 

[dolek]

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.

That's a sweet story bro....

 

[dolek]

OP, what weight bullet will do you anticipate shooting ?

 

[Ned Ludd]

The problem with using .223 Rem factory rifles in F-TR is that you may not always know the freebore, and therefore the weight/length bullet you can effectively load, until you actually have the rifle in hand. Heavy, high BC bullets in the 80 to 90 gr range are what it takes to be competitive in F-TR matches, even those that only go out to 300 yd. If the rifle isn't throated sufficiently long and/or doesn't come with a sufficiently fast twist rate, you could be limited to hand loading bullets of 77 gr or less, which is not ideal. I had a .223 Rem built as an F-TR "trainer" that is throated very short but it shoots FGMM77 ammo exceedingly well. I've used it on numerous occasions in 300 yd matches and done reasonably well when the wind conditions were mild. I have also shot 90 VLDs out of a couple dedicated F-TR rifles in 300 yd matches on many occasions and there is simply no comparison.

Regardless of the rifle you decide on, one solution for a freebore that is too short for heavies is to either have your smith extend the throat, or buy a .223 Rem Uni-Throater kit from PTG and do it yourself. If the available twist rate is also a problem, the most expedient approach is probably just to have it re-barreled with a quality barrel straight out of the gate, and have it properly throated for heavier bullets at the same time. In a rifle with a 7-twist barrel throated sufficiently for Berger's 90 VLD, [within reason] you can still load shorter/lighter bullets. If any of the rifle prospects listed herein appeal to you, I'd try to find out the factory barrel twist rate and maximum bullet length/weight you can load from someone that actually owns one before making any final decision.

 

[Dub]

Excellent advice Ned