Great reply I didnt know that about the brownings. I can tell you I really like my swift but I know the .223wssm is right there with it.

Yes it was a Winchester Problem. I have had contact with two other folks who had the same model in .223 WSSM, and had similar problems. However, the two with them in ABolt....no problems.

Gentleman, thanks for all your feedback. I think for my 200 yard and less shots here on the Jersey farms, the .223 will do the job as you've all pointed out. The .22-250 is a great one. Sold mine to pay some tuition bill.
I don't want to spend a lot of money as I'm not going to be a regular varminter shooting 200 rounds a day on a prairie dog town! Couple od 'chucks and some problem coyotes for the farmer who's land I hunt. In NJ, anyone hunting varmints must use a 100 grain bullet or less. I used to load Nosler Bal Tips in 50 grain heads for the .22-250 with H414 powder, nice load. Blew them 'chucks apart. To puchase another bolt gun .22-250 would be well over $600 plus a good varmint scope, another $500-$600 bucks minimum. I'm looking for reasonable and accurate. To buy a used varmint gun could mean a rebarrel job soon after if its shot out. I don't have a bore scope to do the viewing.
Is the H&R or NEF single shot a good, accurate gun? I know it comes in .223 from reading their site. What do you all think?

you can get a brand new savage for not much money and they tend to be shooters, top it off with a bushnell or a used leupold and your into it for @ 1/2 what a remington would be.

We have three of the NEF, H&R singles shots. Two in .270 and one .223. They are great rifles for the money. Accurate and simple to operate and maintain. For a budget, they are hard to beat.

Glad to hear you find them worthy, jeepkid. Do you reload for them? How's the accuracy with your loads vs. factory?
Also, what grain bullet are you loading for optimal performance?

We pretty much only shoot reloads so I'm not sure about the factory rounds. The .223 we usually shoot 55 grainers, mainly because thats what my 700 likes so we use them in that too and it shoots great. It's not quite as accurate as my 700 PSS, but it is also about 1/4 of the price. The only problem we've had is not ejecting fired casings. But its an older model and our new model .270's work fine.

Hey JeepKid- took your word for it. Ordered a H&R Ultra Varmint today in .223 Rem, 24" heavy bbl, laminated stock. Should be in within a week. Hope she shoots well. I'll post targets after I get the loads worked out.
Maybe I'll have to send it to the member Dave White, who's a gunsmith on the H&R's. He's posted some very impressive photos and writeups on the work he and his company are doing to these H&R rifles. Could be the start of another customizing job!!!!!

Given the stated purpose and the budget issue I agree the NEF in 223 is a good choice. I've had a couple and for the money they're pretty good. Now, for anyone else considering the 223 WSSM I'll just say I couldn't be happier with my Browning Stainless Stalker. Short, easy to maneuver, accurate with everything I've handloaded. Have varmint rifles in 223 Rem, 22-250, 220 Swift and like them all. . .but this 223 WSSM is a whole new ball game. Shot a deer in the Texas Panhandle last month with a 70 grain Speer and dropped it in its tracks; which admittedlythe others could do too with the right bullet placement. I'll keep using the others but the 223 WSSM is rapidly becoming my favorite.