My son'in'law bought one in 223 and it wouldn't group worth a darn, so he sent it back to the factory. When it came back it was no better so our dealer let him excange the rifle for another and it wouldn't shoot well either. He finally traded it off and bought a Ruger 77 in 223 and he has been happy with this rifle. I have saw many handi rifles in larger calibers than 223 that shoot great. I thought it may have something to do with the rifleing twist rate or something.