Which 223.

[Lloyd90]

If you had to choose a new 223 rifle, which would you go for?

CZ 527 - most likely the 19" barrel carbine as they have discountinued the model etc and these seem to be what the few places I have visited have in, also would consider the American or Night sky (both 22" barrels), I believe all 3 are 1:9 twist. Tempted by these, decent price, good reputation etc, although slightly off put by the awkward safety etc. Benefit from a proper scale 223 action etc.
Think they price in around the £900 mark.

Tikka T3x - either the hunter or lite synthetic stainless version, both seem light enough, obviously well respected rifles, however they are a one size fits all action and not a small size action like many 223's.
Benefits from great reputation, known for accuracy, build quality etc.
Available in either 1:8 or 1:12 twist rate.
Tikka T3x lite roughtech fluted 223 - £1350 - quite like the look of this one.
Tikka T3X SuperLite Stainless Fluted - £1270
Tikka T3X Lite Stainless - £1185

Sako 85 XS action, a proper scaled down 223 size action.
Sako 85 hunter - £1735
I can't seem to find the regular stainless synthic Sako 85 in 223, only laminate etc.
Unless you want the Carbonlight for over £2750+ :O

 

[Malxwal]

Howa Mini ? Scaled action. Has its flaws, which are it's plastics. But an 8 twist as standard.

 

[nick.308]

Ive got the tikka t3 super varmint. Comes with picatinny rail, Tactical knob, adjustable cheek piece. 1:8 twist.
shoots like a laser and wouldnt want anything else.
not as lightweight as what your after but I prefer heavy barrels. I only put 60-75gr bullets through it so cant really say much outside that weight but they are deadly accurate.

 

[Lloyd90]

Howa Mini ? Scaled action. Has its flaws, which are it's plastics. But an 8 twist as standard.

I actually handled one in the shop the other day, gotta be honest didn’t like it at all, felt plasticky and the bolt was awful (at least on the one I handled).

 

[Lloyd90]

Ive got the tikka t3 super varmint. Comes with picatinny rail, Tactical knob, adjustable cheek piece. 1:8 twist.
shoots like a laser and wouldnt want anything else.
not as lightweight as what your after but I prefer heavy barrels. I only put 60-75gr bullets through it so cant really say much outside that weight but they are deadly accurate.

Sure they are lovely but I should have mentioned in the original that I am after something light weight that is a joy to take out for a walk around the shoot and shoot the odd vermin, fox, crow, magpie etc during the walk.

Needs to be light and handy

 

[Malxwal]

I actually handled one in the shop the other day, gotta be honest didn’t like it at all, felt plasticky and the bolt was awful (at least on the one I handled).

It definitely has a feel about it which screams "needs polished". But mine was very accurate with an arbitrary load of N130 under 50gr Vmax, for £700.

 

[Lloyd90]

It definitely has a feel about it which screams "needs polished". But mine was very accurate with an arbitrary load of N130 under 50gr Vmax, for £700.

Yes the bloke reckoned they’re very accurate and it was light weighing in about 6lb.

Has your bolt improved with use?

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a look at the Rem 700. They come in all sorts of grades from the basic SPS on up. Low grades are a little rough, but they are the basis for a project.

CZs, Brno Fox and the small Sako’s all are lovely little rifles. But the cream I think is the Shultz & Larsen legacy. Beautiful little rifle.

But it also rather depends on what you want. I have a Rem 700 with 26” long heavy barrel. Its a bit of a lump but shoots very well. But a little CZ, or S&L Legacy would be an ideal little lightweight walk about rifle for Roe, Muntjac and Foxes.

 

[Malxwal]

Yes the bloke reckoned they’re very accurate and it was light weighing in about 6lb.

Has your bolt improved with use

Yes the bloke reckoned they’re very accurate and it was light weighing in about 6lb.

Has your bolt improved with use?

Only had about 100 rounds through it, still feels like it's riding over machining marks. But it feels solid, agricultural.

 

[antsa]

If you had to choose a new 223 rifle, which would you go for?

CZ 527 - most likely the 19" barrel carbine as they have discountinued the model etc and these seem to be what the few places I have visited have in, also would consider the American or Night sky (both 22" barrels), I believe all 3 are 1:9 twist. Tempted by these, decent price, good reputation etc, although slightly off put by the awkward safety etc. Benefit from a proper scale 223 action etc.
Think they price in around the £900 mark.

Tikka T3x - either the hunter or lite synthetic stainless version, both seem light enough, obviously well respected rifles, however they are a one size fits all action and not a small size action like many 223's.
Benefits from great reputation, known for accuracy, build quality etc.
Available in either 1:8 or 1:12 twist rate.
Tikka T3x lite roughtech fluted 223 - £1350 - quite like the look of this one.
Tikka T3X SuperLite Stainless Fluted - £1270
Tikka T3X Lite Stainless - £1185

Sako 85 XS action, a proper scaled down 223 size action.
Sako 85 hunter - £1735
I can't seem to find the regular stainless synthic Sako 85 in 223, only laminate etc.
Unless you want the Carbonlight for over £2750+ :O

A little off topic maybe but I was just browsing Sako.fi and noticed, at least for the Hunter and the Varmint series that these were no longer listed in the 1:12" twist - only 1:8".

Cheers

 

[Redroof]

I own all three brands although not all in the model or calibre stated.
I recommend the tikka or sako. The Tikka has a wider selection of mounts and rails.
Imo the sako is smoother and of higher quality / finish.

 

[Kiwiguy]

The Schultz and Larsen Legacy is a real joy to hunt with, very light and handy. It can be supplied with either a 1:8" or 1:10" twist barrel. Being a switch barrel design also gives you the ability to have a 222 or 30 BLK rifle as well.

 

[PhilSN12]

All the rifles mentioned will do the job, so then it is down to budget and what feels right for you.
I do love my Schmeisser M4FL 14.5" barrel, it shoots Federal 55g Nosler tips without any fuss.

 

[Stumpy2]

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[User00040]

It definitely has a feel about it which screams "needs polished". But mine was very accurate with an arbitrary load of N130 under 50gr Vmax, for £700.

How much did the 'Trigger's Broom' treatment cost?

 

[User00040]

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I'm a big fan of Rem Model 7's, own one in 7mm08 myself, but can't reccomend them as being 'good value' (sorry if it's your ad @Stumpy2 ...)

The one above might have a picatinny rail, but it's not a quality EGW one as the rear bridge portion does not match, factory sythetic stocks are notoriously butt-heavy and the factory triggers leave a lot to be desired as well... not to mention that the tightest twist Remington ever put on a .223 (in their last incarnation before the 'Remington Arms' takeover) was 1:9, could even be a 1:12 tube on there...

Only advatage of the Rem Model 7 is the fact it's shorter than a Sako Vixen/Howa Mini yet takes a 2.8" COAL... which is a very big advantage for someone wanting to run a 1:7 barrel with AICS magazines, but that is as far away from 'factory' as you can get!

Back to @Lloyd90, I'd say either a 1:8 Tikka T3x or 1:8 Howa 1500 S/A (blued, not stainless) if you need to buy a new rifle. Tikka's are overpriced now IMHO

 

[Stumpy2]

No worries @caberslash not my add! Although value is subjective....

 

[bumpy22]

Have a look at T3 polyfade

 

[404Shooter]

Another vote for the Schultz & Larsen Legacy. Lovely engineering and lovely to shoot. Steve Beatty at Ivythorn might have one you can handle. You’ll be impressed.

 

[3.5mag]

T3x laminate stainless?
Bit heavier than the lite but easily managed & feels good