Need Advice on Best Factory .223 Bolt Rifle for $1,000 or Less

[drover]

There may be others but in my opinion the Tikka T3X is hard to beat especially in the heavy varmint model.

Pluses: Smooth action, excellent extractor system, excellent factory trigger, stock is stiff enough for precision shooting, out of the box accuracy with tailored reloads sub 1/2 moa (at least mine is).

Negatives: None

Improvements: Not crazy about the polymer magazine - had one on a Browning X Bolt wear out after one season of heavy field use but maybe Tikka's are better made - time will tell. Would like a three position safety to unload on safe. Would like if they offered the 12" twist 223 Rem in the US since I like to shoot 50 and 55 grain bullets for varmint and predator hunting.

I don't understand why you feel the need for a 12 twist for 50 and 55 gr bullets. I have two Tikka t-3 Sporters, one with the 1-10 twist and the other with a 1-8 twist, and I primarily shoot 40 gr Nosler BT or Hornady V-Max and they both will shoot 5 shots into a half-inch 100 yard group. A few years ago I had a 1-12 and it shot the same sized groups with the same bullets. - never an issue.
Actually it should be easy to pick up a T-3 with 1-12 twist easily since the tactical crowd has convinced everyone that it is not cool unless your rifle has a fast twist to shoot heavy bullets.

drover

P.S. - to the OP,
Just buy a Tikka and save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration in trying to find something else in the under $1000 market that will shoot as good as a Tikka that only requires mounting a scope on and you are ready to go.

 

[CharlieNC]

Similar to other advice hero an eye in the classifieds for a good used rifle.

Or source a cheap Rem rifle for the action, or buy an action alone. Buy a prefit Criterion barrel with the specs that suit your desired bullet and load. Spend what's left on a stock, with the design which best suits your shooting style. In this way everything will be customized to your desires, and the barrel will be a shooter vs the crap shoot you risk with a factory barrel.

Yes you can do this with a Savage and I have on several. It will shoot but the range of components is less, which will limit you in the long run.

 

[JSH]

I'm looking for the best factory .223 bolt rifle for around $1,000 for rifle only. Rifle will be used for distances up to 800 yards and would like to have at least 1:8" twist to run 75 grain projectiles. I have not found the obvious choice...yet.

I won’t say what is better than another. I have tinkered with a few factory rigs the past 4-5 years. At your price point of $1000, a bit more studying and reading here and other places should help you make a decision, rather than others opinions.

As others have said have patience and keep an eye on the classifieds. Better yet, inquire on the classifieds and you may get a good deal. I have searched and watched classified looking for an item, then post on what I am looking for and have it in short order.

Unless you are easily satisfied, your $1000 is just the tip of the iceberg. So you have. Even fairly warned, lol.
Jeff

 

[loud_noise]

Tikka T3x Varmint with the 1:8tw.

I have one and it is hands down my favourite rifle. Will surprise people in F-class comp and is superb hunting rig for the sort of game you take with .223.

 

[K22]

I don't understand why you feel the need for a 12 twist for 50 and 55 gr bullets. I have two Tikka t-3 Sporters, one with the 1-10 twist and the other with a 1-8 twist, and I primarily shoot 40 gr Nosler BT or Hornady V-Max and they both will shoot 5 shots into a half-inch 100 yard group. A few years ago I had a 1-12 and it shot the same sized groups with the same bullets. - never an issue.
Actually it should be easy to pick up a T-3 with 1-12 twist easily since the tactical crowd has convinced everyone that it is not cool unless your rifle has a fast twist to shoot heavy bullets.

drover

P.S. - to the OP,
Just buy a Tikka and save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration in trying to find something else in the under $1000 market that will shoot as good as a Tikka that only requires mounting a scope on and you are ready to go.

I have two Tikka's 223 Rem's, the Lite and Varmint versions both with 8" twists. Both shoot the 55 Nosler's quite well but I had to reduce the load to about 2,800 to 2,900 f/s to obtain 1/2 inch groups.

Where as my 12" 223 Rem's push the 50 and 55 grain bullets at about 3,200 to 3,100 f/s with sub 1/2 moa groups. Since I'm primarily a varmint and predator hunter I prefer the more flat shooting twist rate with these bullets. The vast majority of my shot opportunities are under 300 yards - actually I don't attempt anything over 275 yards with the 223 Rem. The scopes I use don't have reliable / repeatable dial up / down adjustments so I use hold over at distance beyond 250 yards which works well enough out to about 275 yards. The flatter shooting combo is easier for me to use in the field.

Don't get wrong, I like the Tikka's but I use them primarily for winter practice and some deep woods predator hunting where distances are short.

 

[drover]

I have two Tikka's 223 Rem's, the Lite and Varmint versions both with 8" twists. Both shoot the 55 Nosler's quite well but I had to reduce the load to about 2,800 to 2,900 f/s to obtain 1/2 inch groups.

Where as my 12" 223 Rem's push the 50 and 55 grain bullets at about 3,200 to 3,100 f/s with sub 1/2 moa groups. Since I'm primarily a varmint and predator hunter I prefer the more flat shooting twist rate with these bullets. The vast majority of my shot opportunities are under 300 yards - actually I don't attempt anything over 275 yards with the 223 Rem. The scopes I use don't have reliable / repeatable dial up / down adjustments so I use hold over at distance beyond 250 yards which works well enough out to about 275 yards. The flatter shooting combo is easier for me to use in the field.

Don't get wrong, I like the Tikka's but I use them primarily for winter practice and some deep woods predator hunting where distances are short.

Take a look at the Nosler data on this link - I am getting over 3400 out of the 50's and just slightly less out of the 55's, and they all hang right around 1/2" at 100 for 5 shot groups out of mine. VV-133 is pricey, Benchmark is reasonable and in my Tikkas gives good accuracy but I didn't get the good accuracy with the Benchmark until the upper end of the load data.

drover

 

[Indiana6547]

Similar to other advice hero an eye in the classifieds for a good used rifle.

Or source a cheap Rem rifle for the action, or buy an action alone. Buy a prefit Criterion barrel with the specs that suit your desired bullet and load. Spend what's left on a stock, with the design which best suits your shooting style. In this way everything will be customized to your desires, and the barrel will be a shooter vs the crap shoot you risk with a factory barrel.

Yes you can do this with a Savage and I have on several. It will shoot but the range of components is less, which will limit you in the long run.

This is great advice. I like it.

 

[Hohn]

I went the 12FV route and rebarreled with NSS criterion.<$800 all in. I went longer throat and 7tw, but I think 8tw and 80s or less would be excellent.

If you can get into a Tikka varmint for $800 or less, you’ll get at least as good accuracy and a superior action.

 

[Indiana6547]

I went the 12FV route and rebarreled with NSS criterion.<$800 all in. I went longer throat and 7tw, but I think 8tw and 80s or less would be excellent.

If you can get into a Tikka varmint for $800 or less, you’ll get at least as good accuracy and a superior action.

Surely, you did not keep the POS 12FV stock?

 

[Dgd6mm]

I went the 12FV route and rebarreled with NSS criterion.<$800 all in. I went longer throat and 7tw, but I think 8tw and 80s or less would be excellent.

If you can get into a Tikka varmint for $800 or less, you’ll get at least as good accuracy and a superior action.

I put a SAVAGE .223 20" threaded muzzle in a MPA Chassis with a 12x SWFA... BAD TO THE BONE!

 

[Hohn]

Surely, you did not keep the POS 12FV stock?

Yes and no. Since I actually have a pair of the 12FVs, I have a GRS Bifrost that I use with either of them. Whichever barreled action isn’t in the Bifrost gets parked in the OEM Tupperware.

The OEM stocks have awful ergonomics but I haven’t seen an accuracy change between the stocks.

 

[Hohn]

I put a SAVAGE .223 20" threaded muzzle in a MPA Chassis with a 12x SWFA... BAD TO THE BONE!

Huge fan the 12x SWFA mil quad. I also have the 10 moa version for my rimfire.

 

[K22]

Take a look at the Nosler data on this link - I am getting over 3400 out of the 50's and just slightly less out of the 55's, and they all hang right around 1/2" at 100 for 5 shot groups out of mine. VV-133 is pricey, Benchmark is reasonable and in my Tikkas gives good accuracy but I didn't get the good accuracy with the Benchmark until the upper end of the load data.

drover

Thanks for the advice. Haven't tried Benchmark in the 8" twist 223's but did some time ago with the 12" twist rifles and it shot very well with 50 and 55 grain bullets. I did get pressure signs at the upper end of the load data so I back it down about a .5 grain.

I'm currently using H4895 which does well in all my 223 Rem's and 308's. I'd be very satisfied with 1/2 moa precision so I'll give Benchmark a try in the 8" twist Tikka's at some point in the future.

 

[drover]

Thanks for the advice. Haven't tried Benchmark in the 8" twist 223's but did some time ago with the 12" twist rifles and it shot very well with 50 and 55 grain bullets. I did get pressure signs at the upper end of the load data so I back it down about a .5 grain.

I'm currently using H4895 which does well in all my 223 Rem's and 308's. I'd be very satisfied with 1/2 moa precision so I'll give Benchmark a try in the 8" twist Tikka's at some point in the future.

It does get a bit edgy at the upper end but it does not seem to be as temperature sensitive as some other good 223 powders.

drover

 

[K22]

It does get a bit edgy at the upper end but it does not seem to be as temperature sensitive as some other good 223 powders.

drover

The only powders I've had trouble regarding pressure surges with large temp changes is ball powders, H335 in the 223 and H380 in the 22 250. I found that "stick" powders tend to be more resistant to large temperature swings.

 

[1raggedhole]

Take a look at Savage 12 LRPV in 8 twist. These are super accurate, with excellent stock, target trigger and nice action. You can usually find the 223 under $1k.

 

[tsyarnall]

P.S. - to the OP,
Just buy a Tikka and save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration in trying to find something else in the under $1000 market that will shoot as good as a Tikka that only requires mounting a scope on and you are ready to go.

+1

 

[TAJ45]

You have had excellent advice given, along w anecdotal.

I will have to second the Bob White Shooters Corner as a very viable option. Peruse his listings, it will be worth it.

 

[Dave Zander]

I just bought a used Ruger Precision Rifle in .223.
It has a one in seven twist, and magazines allow to load long. 3 lug bolt, decent adjustable stock.
Foldable stock, flush cups. Triggers pretty decent . Muzzle brake. Only thing wish the barrel was 24".

 

[Indiana6547]

I just bought a used Ruger Precision Rifle in .223.
It has a one in seven twist, and magazines allow to load long. 3 lug bolt, decent adjustable stock.
Foldable stock, flush cups. Triggers pretty decent . Muzzle brake. Only thing wish the barrel was 24".

Yes, I think that is a very valid option. You can always change out the barrel.