Very few 223 rifles will out shoot the NEF single shots. In that caliber they will almost all shoot 1/2 inch groups or better at 100 yards. The Savage with Accutrigger has been the one to beat in all of the recent tests I have read on Varmit rifles. I have had a couple heavy barreled Savage 223 rifles and the NEF as well. A synthetic stocked NEF 223 will cost you less than 200.00 at Wally-World. The Savage heavy barreled 223 with accutrigger goes for around 500.00. And worth every dime. I would go with a heavy barrel unless you are going to be carring it around on foot a lot. The heavy barrel Savage will go about nine pounds. The synthetic NEF is a little under 7 lbs.