looking to buy a .223, what is important and what is BS?

First post on this forum, so hello everyone.

I'm looking at getting a 223 bolt action for working on my shooting technique. Currently have a 270 and it's a bit hard going after 20 rounds at the range.

- will mainly be used at the range and maybe a bit of varmint shooting
- keeping ammunition cost down is part of what i'm after too, so will be reloading
- I've heard that its good to try and get a faster twist rate for stabilizing heavier projectiles (62gr etc), like 1:8 or 1:9 vs 1:12, true or BS?
- what about a heavy varmint type barrel? is it worth the extra $$ or just go with regular barrels. is the accuracy potential that much better vs a well worked up handload on a regular barrel?

appreciate any comments.

Mark

Twist is important.A fast twist will stabilise heavy projectiles but will destabilise light varmint rounds. If your varminting do you need to fire heavy projectiles? If your mainly using on the range get a heavy barrel.Remember a 22 cal hole is pretty small so regular should be fine. I was in the same boat a couple of years back and almost bought a heavy barrelled varmint but ended up with a T3 1:12 and haven't had a problem. If I want to shoot heavier projectiles I use my 308 or 30-06.

I wouldn't bother with a heavy barrel for 223. The hole down the middle is so small any barrel is a "heavy" barrel.

Hey Mark, these are my thoughts for what they are worth.

Firstly Reloading, it's a very accurate cartridge that has a huge range of components to reload from, once you have the load the rifle likes it will prove very accurate.

Varminting is all I do with mine, great round, very destructive and accurate, shooting from 10 yrds to approaching 500yrs. Small target that needs an accurate base ( rifle ) to perform from, good optic's help also.

I have had both a 1:9 and 1:12 rifles, the 1:9 I did find more versatile in the range of projectile weights it can shot well. However my 1:12 is fantastic, you just gotta find what it shoots best.
Heavy barrels I like and ok from a benchrest or static position but they can get bloody heavy after a few hills .

As for brands....I run a Tikka T3 , standard barrel and if I do my part it does half inch at 100mtrs, Tikka, Howa, CZ, Rem 700 and many others will do the job.

Tikka do the T3 in a 1:8 barrel option and Howa often have a 1:9 , you need to check.

One thing you haven't touched on is a suppressor, gotta have one mate, just turns a nice calibre to shoot into a dream to shoot. Good luck I love my 223 and it's probably my favourite centre fire.

As the others are saying. I shoot a Tikka T3 in .223 (standard barrel and stock, trigger etc). My barrel is a 1:8" twist and frankly the rifle shoots better than I can.

I use factory .64grain projectiles. Hoping to explore reloading soon.

I got my barrel threaded the same as my .308 so I use my .308 suppressor on it. I kept the length (I'd shortened the .308) and have never been bothered by the 'extra' length.

Watch out for a spare (higher capacity) magazine to go with it to.

I use mine mainly on wallabies. Great hunting and lots of fun.

i have 2 rifles in the .223 class cartridge i use for varminting . . . a light weight sporter barrel in a walnut stock ( Sako ) and a heavy fluted stainless barrel in a heavy thumbhole laminated stock ( Remington ) both are completely different handling rifles, one is not better than the other, they're just more specialised.

for you i would suggest a light sporter . . later as you get more experience you will have a better idea of what you want to achieve.

good luck . . . R

I like 1/8 twist, have found it stabilizes everything I have tried from 50-80gn. As is said any normal barrel is fine, unless it's on a semi that's going to see a lot of rounds quickly-something if find does happen with me if there is a face covered in rabbits

I think a 1-8 twist is more versatile, mine is fine with everything used from 55 gr, 62/64 gr, 69 gr and just got some 75 gr boattail hollowpoints to try.
1-12 will limit you to 55 gr and maybe the shorter 62/64 gr projectiles.
Half the fun with an accurate .223 is trying out all the different loads!

Cheers for all the info! much appreciated guys.

The 223 Howa mini actions look like they fit the bill quite nicely. Well priced, 1:9 twist and the reviews look pretty decent.

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Originally Posted by MGNZ

Cheers for all the info! much appreciated guys.

The 223 Howa mini actions look like they fit the bill quite nicely. Well priced, 1:9 twist and the reviews look pretty decent.

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The only problem with them is the mag is only 59mm long internally, which limits seating the heavier projectiles out to get a decent powder charge behind them.

The non-mini action howas are pretty good. The remington 700's with floor plate allow longer seating, and if you want to convert to a mag, then you can.

Only one to buy IMHO is a T3 Tikka 223 1-8 with suppressor.

Easy enough to extend the magazine to shoot the heavier projectiles.

As previously mentioned the 1-8 will work great for 50-80 grain.

The bigger Amax & TMKs are awesome for long range varminting :)

I am biased as own a zastava and love it to bits and have taken one hell of a lot of animals with it no fuss no bother, personally dont bother with heavy pills as dont see the need. I usually only shoot bigger animals under 200 yards and the 50-55grn pills do that fine. accurate enough that a shot outside of inch is me pulling shot not the rifle..if I fed her all the same rounds group size would be 1/2" but with allsorts it still hovers around the inch.
have seen cheap norinco .223 that with trigger job and bedding shot really well.
maybe find .223 in same rifle as your .270...sort of a matching pair/little brother.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

maybe find .223 in same rifle as your .270...sort of a matching pair/little brother.

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This would seem like a very sensible suggestion

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Originally Posted by res

This would seem like a very sensible suggestion

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Friend had 2 vangards, a 223 and a 270. Went hunting once, grabs rifle and bolt and out the door he goes. Arrives at the hut unpacks and finds he has the wrong bolt and enjoys 2 days of glassing and photography. He now owns a vangard and a savage so he can tell which bolt is which.

thats why my bolts get fitted BEFORE they go into gunbag along with ammo.

Thanks for all the feedback. My 270 is a tikka t3x and very nice... was looking to get something a bit cheaper. One of the Forum members has offered me a 1:9 twist Savage model 16 for a good price so going to give that a crack and see how it goes.

Cheers,
Mark

Noted that you're going for the Savage but I would endorse the value of keeping same model rifle (T3).

My .308 and .223 are both T3 and it's comforting that their actions parallel each other.

Yes you need to check that you have matched the bolt and magazine correctly before locking the gun-safe!

Same rifle model also makes it v easy when you upgrade and fit scopes.

As Kiwi Greg recommended - tikka t3 you cant go wrong, but as a left field choice maybe a ar15 they can be bloody accurate and addictive.