I recently built a ar in 223 from a kit. It has just the standard shaw hbar in .750 contour with a 11" free float hand guard with monolithic top rail, a good bipod and still has factory trigger. I will be dropping a timney when can afford it into it. I can tell you it is super accurate even with the crummy trigger. Using 27.5 grn of benchmark lc brass and 40 grn vmax bullets, I can one hole 3 shot groups at 100 from sand bags and I am not a great shooter. Shots open up off the bipod a little. I can only imagine what a really good barrel and good trigger could do. You do not need anything longer than the 16-18 inch barrel in the 223 as it just adds weig ht, but you can get 20 or 22 inch kits or get custom barrel with target crown and all instead of the flash hider on mine. A great way to carry a light carry gun. Folks who say they are not accurate just are uninformed or have only shot crappy or shot out barrels or cheap builds. My build was not too bad cost wise as kit was around 500 and free float was like 150 and rec was 75. Scope I have is a Burris 6x18 if mem serves and got it from a gunsmith used. Build was fun and got better quality for much less.
It did take some experimentation with loads to get down to that as the 50 grn vmax over 25 grins did not do as well but still well under 1 inch at 100. 63 grn tsx was about like the 50 vmax. Barrel is standard 1/9 twist

Tikka, Savage or CZ would be at the top of my list...all have nice adjustable triggers, free floating barrels, some have detachable mags...all are available in a light stainless and synthetic combo...and all can be had in an array of calibers (there are better options than a 223...just sayin )

I currently have both a Tikka (204) and a couple Savage's (different models...one in 17 HMR and one in 22-250)...I also have several 223's (2x Mini-14's 2x AR15's, 1 H&R and a Remington SPS)...the Tikka in 204 is my current fav...

I have used my Savage 16 FCSS in .204 & my Remington 700 SPS DM in .243, but you shoulder them.

I now use a AR that I had built in .223 which is on a Magpul one/two point sling and this gun is "at the ready" at all times - perfect for a walking stick !!!

Topped with a Burris Signature Select 4X-16X Illuminated Ballistic Plex Reticle.

BTW - Shoots sub 1" MOA at 100 yards off the bench on sand bags.


Hey BDC, Are you a Elton fan ?

I own numerous .223 caliber rifles. My favorite walking varmint gun is a left hand CZ 527 in .223. From the bench that gun is nearly as accurate as my Remington 700 with it's 26" heavy varmint barrel.

My "walkaround" varmint rifle is a CZ527 Varmint Laminated in .223. In spite of the heavy barrel, it's been comfortable to wander across the sagebrush prairies with and is always good for 1/2 MOA or better out to 500 yards. If you want something even lighter, the 527 American would be my choice. The .22 Hornet I'm working loads up for at the moment is showing nearly the same potential for accuracy in a much trimmer package - it carries more like a .22 WMR.

I have the CZ 527 American .223 with Leupold 2-7.Wicked accurate,light,nice wood and once adjusted the trigger is great.The trigger by the way can be used set or regular.The bolt felt a little rough right out of the box but smooths up nicely with a little use.The American version also comes with scope rings.

I agree with all the fellow CZ-USA Owners here...I just bought a CZ Model 527 in a .204 "Varmint" heavy barrel and really like the way the CZ Rifle looks and shoots....if You were to get one in the .223 caliber American that is lighter and shorter for easier carrying I think You would fall in love with the way it looks and shoots!My .204 has a set trigger where You push it forward and the pull is lighter and ready to shoot something further out.

1/2 inch MOA Or better out to 500 yards? Tell me that's a type-o.

Should be 400 yards, I don't have data for the 527 at 500. So yes, a typo...

My logbook for this rifle reflects seven different days on the range and a group averages of 2.087" from the 400-yard berm, 1.025" from the 200, and 0.493" from 100.

Nowhere but at 100 yards are those groups under 1/2 "inch." You're tracking "Minute Of Angle" and not "Inches", correct?

1 MOA = 1.047 inches at 100 yards. Twice that at 200. etc.? I doubt there are many rifles in existence that will post a 1/2" group at 500 yards (1/10 MOA).

My CZ is the left hand 527 American. It comes with a floated barrel and the best single set trigger i've ever used. My range is limited to a maximum of 250 yards: Using carefully loaded ammo my CZ makes 1.25-1.75" three shot groups at that distance. Not bad for a lightweight gun with a Leupold FXIII 6X42 scope in the hands of a 72 year old shooter.