Best 223 varmint rifle
 

What is the best WALKING 223 varmint rifle in the market, without sacrificing long range accuracy?

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Being a lefty I prefer a left hand bolt action. For varmint hunting its not really a factor. Its just what I like. I have a Savage 11FL in .223. I put a 4-16X scope on it. This rifle is extremely accurate and is light enough to carry all day. No bull barrel, just a std. barrel and a synthetic stock. It consistantly punches 5 shot groups into tight little cloverleafs at 100 yds. I haven't shot anything at very long range yet. But I have taken fox at 200 yds without any problems.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Ill say a CZ. I ahve a CZ 725 in 204 that is accurate. I can keep all shots in 1in at 200 yards.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I'd go with a CZ, Tikka, or a Remington SPS.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Hey jeepkid,
I figured everyone was going to list their favorite model of Remington and/or Savage, but do you really think that CZ is in the "same class"?

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

For sure, they are about the same price but with a Mauser style action and a single set trigger. If they came in a synthetic .243 I would have one.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Savage model 10 Predator.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Browning a-bolt!!!!!

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Browning A-Bolt!!!!!!

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Remington SPS or AR-15

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Remi Model 7

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I use a HandiRifle but my brother has a Kimber an a bushmaster varminter and he swears by both of them and I swear by mine it's realy your choice what you like and what feels good to you

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I have the stevens model 200 in .223 that is my dedicated walking gun, its basically the Savage 110 but with a cheaper synthetic stock. I have a nikon prostaff 3-9x40 that sits on top of it. This gun is not in the same class as some of the other guns listed but I have found it very accurate out to 250 yds with a good rest and it can take a beating.

I just purchased the Savage model 12fv w/accutrigger in .22-250 for my stalking/calling gun. I absolutley love it but it weighs alittle over 10 pounds with the scope and bipod attatched.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I have a Stevens in 223 and a Encore in 22-250, both are crap. I was reading in American Rifleman about Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter in 204 with the Accu Trigger, smallest group .92 average 1.15. That is true crap with a 204, if it can't shoot average .5 with smallbore it ain't worth it. Walkin gun, get a 22WMR in the Rem 597, if you were sitting and calling I'd recomend a better223 or 22-250 in a bolt action or maybe one of the AR varminters, I've had good luck with accurate ones, better than .92 on a bench.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I have been very impressed with Ruger sporter varmit rifles...

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Crimedog, What's wrong with your Encore that you say it's crap?

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

Not accurate enough for a varmint gun.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I think I'd rather use the 597 as a walking stick.

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

But look at the bright side, the 597 is an excellent teaching tool for learning how to clear stoppages...because that's about all they are good at! ;)

I've only seen one person suggest an AR. If I wanted a wicked accurate rifle for popping varmints/predators on the go, then I'd pick an AR in it's M4A3 variant with a 16" barrel and collapsable stock. Light, compact, very easy to tote around, but in seconds you can pull out the buttstock and have yourself a sub-MOA rifle that can quickly take out multiple coyote without skipping a beat. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a well built heavy BR/Target/Varmint bolt-gun, but I don't fancy lugging a 12-15lb(+) rifle around in the woods. But a 6-7lb scoped that's about 3' long collapsed M4A3 would be a great hiking gun. And you can't complain about the accuracy of the AR clones these days either. I've seen AR's shoot groups that better anything I've EVER shot with a heavy bolt-gun, that I wouldn't have believed if I hadn't seen it done right in front of my eyes. I've really warmed up to the AR lately. Two years ago the bolt-action snob in me wouldn't have even considered the thought of an AR as even a pop can blaster, let alone a serious target/varmint rig, but now I'm not so sure.

Mike

RE: Best 223 varmint rifle
 

I have a Remington Model 788 in .223.Topped off with a VX III,4.5X14X40.One-half in. groups @ 100 yds. all day long.I've had the gun for over 30 years,and it just makes my shooting buddies sick....Bob

Ar platforms are good
 

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.

There is no such animal as "best". Everyone see's things a bit different. I've only had two and a 222Rem. Mod L461 Sako in 223 was a fine rifle. M788 Rem one in 223 and one in 222Rem were fine rifles. The best shooting of the three, 222 Rem hands down.

I think if I was to get one today I'd see if I could get it in either the Stevens 200 or the new Marlin. A 223 for me is more of a beat around gun. If I had my way, my 223 would be a 222, Don't know if they are even chambered any more.

My 222 in the 788 would not move off the target at all when fired, both my 223's did just enough I couldn't watch the bullet hit.

thompson center, only one that guarantee's moa