Thread: What sort of 223?

OK, I have a little 223 I can sling on my back for the odd bigger critter when rabbit shooting but I'm not overly fussed with it. Looking at options for something slightly better. The big question is what to look for? I want something I can carry all day, so obviously not a three day long heavy varmint barrel, I'm a weedy little chap and not as young as I used to be. So that takes me more into the sporters: Marlin, Savage, Remington, Tikka, Howa, and possibly stretch to the Browning at $1399 (A-bolt?) ... or anything else. It will be suppressed with a Gunworks over barrel and probably shortened. It is likely to be used on wallabies, pigs (some a fair size), fellow, maybe goats, ... whatever else I come across. There are bigger calibres in the safe that I'd take for a deer hunt. I reload.

Points I've noted: The Tikka is available in 12" or 8" twist, the American stuff seems to be 9" twist and the Japanese 12" twist. I like the Savage 3 stage safety and the barrel nut arrangement. I don't overly like the look of the T3 bolt release, looks like an afterthought, but I have no experience with it. have heard good things about the Howa but think a higher twist rate might be better; thinking could have 55gn pills loaded for usual small game but slap in something bigger for a big pig or deer.

What are everyones thoughts?