A project for next year

Festive greetings folks.

So new project for next year.

223 factory rifle with a 1 in 8 twist.

To be used for- neck shooting reds to 200 max, goats to 300 and other smaller rabbit sized critters further out.

16" or 18" barrel.

To be handloaded for with 65gr + projectiles.

Scope something in the 2- 10, 2-12, 3-12,4 -12 with a fire dot or comparable type reticle. With the ability to dial a single turn like like a leupold ZL turret or Burris signature HD.

Also to be used by my son when he comes of age and has got the skills behind a 22 to shoot a rabbit with said 223 and then go pop a fallow or red to sleep.

Been a while since I had a 223 since horse face took my last one in 2019 so I'm after feedback on how realistic I am with the 223 idea.

Hot barrels

My howa mini is 1:8 twist has a 10 round mag and is super accurate, mine wears a 4-16×40 Nikon monarch have hosed several goats with it at 200+y I will say it is not an emphatic killer with 55gn soft points at that range unless your shot placement is spot on. No doubt hand loads and 65gn would be far better.
My 12yr old daughter learnt to shoot centerfire with mine, I suspect that it will be the same no matter what brand of rifle you will have the same issue with the L.O.P being too long for the wee ones to shoulder the rifle properly.
That said I have no intention to hand load for the 223, so I got my daughter to try my suppressed 308 with lighter loads 125-130gn and she was ok with it. She will likely shoot her first deer with it early next year all going well.
I'll be much happier with her tagging a fallow with a light 308 round over the 55gn 223 round.
That said still get one, they are great fun, cheapish to feed and a better pest rifle than a 17hmr imo as can be used to dispatch bigger critters with well placed shot if the situation arises.
Also a great teaching aid for youngens stepping up to louder centerfire rounds but with little recoil.
That's my 2 cents anyway.

Ruger ranch or howa mini , the howas are a bit long in the stock and a prick of a mag release where the ruger takes ar mags so you might have some 10s left over like me as they paid fuck all and also ambi safty on grip , Both can be cleared with safety on as a bonus

What sort of $ are you thinking??

I get that the 223 will be your project, but had you thought of a 243 ?
Since you already hand load, you could develop a ‘soft’ load to start with.
Might be worth considering.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

What sort of $ are you thinking??

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Sub 1500 on rifle ideally less

Well if Bergara made a extreme hunter In 223 I'd be all over it.

They are definitely coming next year according to at least two retailers. .
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