223. rifle

[James swan]

hello, looking at putting in a variation for a 223.
the minefield that it is, I'm looking at recommendations for models, twist rates, barrel length etc.
have looked at a Tikka T3 24" barrel, varmint, but there is a 6-9month waiting list (which if its worth waiting for, then of course i will.)
others i have considered are the Howa (i have 2 already but i find they are picky with what factory ammunition they like), Remmington 700, and the CZ.
it will be a foxing Rifle, replacing my 243. i understand that everyone will have differing views but would just like recommendations to be able to do some research, price points etc.
Thanks in advance James

 

[NP435]

My vote is CZ, or Savage and Ruger. All rifles may have quirks regarding ammunition . Twist rate 1-9 or faster

 

[nf-fuse]

hello, looking at putting in a variation for a 223.
the minefield that it is, I'm looking at recommendations for models, twist rates, barrel length etc.
have looked at a Tikka T3 24" barrel, varmint, but there is a 6-9month waiting list (which if its worth waiting for, then of course i will.)
others i have considered are the Howa (i have 2 already but i find they are picky with what factory ammunition they like), Remmington 700, and the CZ.
it will be a foxing Rifle, replacing my 243. i understand that everyone will have differing views but would just like recommendations to be able to do some research, price points etc.
Thanks in advance James

To be honest I would just go for a sporter barrel not a varmint. I think my max number of foxes in one night is 4 plus a few rabbits.

I would add the mauser m18 or m12 to your list (not sure the m12 is available in 223 tbh).

Anyway like I say I don't think the weight of the varmint barrel is doing you any favours imho. Guess it depends on your foxing. I tend to walk about quite a bit.

I have a Remington 700 in 223 for the foxes. It's fine but the bottom plate and bolt release are a pain.

 

[nf-fuse]

My vote is CZ, or Savage and Ruger. All rifles may have quirks regarding ammunition . Twist rate 1-9 or faster

Really? I think 55g ballistic tip is more than fine for foxes.

 

[Will the chippy]

Sporter weight for me. I bought a howa 1 in 8 and put it in a grs laminate stock. It's a great bit of kit.

 

[NP435]

Really? I think 55g ballistic tip is more than fine for foxes.

You are correct but a faster twist gives room for experiments with heavier/ higher BC projectiles.

 

[UpNorthMI]

James,

I was in a similar position about 12 months ago and ended up with a Tikka T3X lite in .223 for my UK fox shooting, I cannot remember the barrel length (maybe 20") but know they are available in 16", 20" and 22". I use an over the barrel moderator (Stalon X108) which will extend the length a little, I selected a 1:8 twist as I also wanted to shoot 62 grain ammo for smaller deer, it works great with 50-55 grain fox loads. I fitted this gun with a scope rail built to take Blaser QR mounts as I shoot a Blaser R8 and wanted to have quick change using a regular scope, thermal scope and red dot scopes all while maintaining zero and being able to swap to my Blaser R8 rifle too.

I was also buying a .223 night shooting rifle in the US at the same time, I split my time between the US and the UK, I would have purchased another Tikka T3X but they don't come with threaded barrels here in the US. My final choice was a Ruger American Gen II Ranch rifle which came in a 16.1" barrel. I really like this little Ruger and it was nearly half the price of the Tikka. We don't get many over the barrel moderators so I went with a short end of barrel moderator it was like having a 22" barrel. I fitted this gun with a high end Pulsar thermal, it is only used at night. Ruger also sell a Standard model which has a 20" barrel and Predator model with a 22" barrel. The Rugers also come with a factory scope rail installed. All of the new Rugers are 1:8 twists in .223 / 5.56.

I really like both of these rifles but I'm also a CZ fan. I own several older CZ and Ruger rifles in .223 but they are all with a 1:12 type twists and generally in my opinion do not stabilize bullets that are over 55gn very well. Personally I would not buy a Savage, I've only purchased 2 Savage rifles and both had to go back to the factory for rework.

Good luck in your decision making and search, it's always fun getting a new rifle.

 

[nick.308]

using a Tikka Super Varmint T3 20" 1:8 twist with 60gr vmax
Heavy but doesnt bother me.

 

[nick.308]

Using a T8 moderator, which I like coz it sounds like a M1 garand ping on last round

 

[pablo.222]

Get a semi custom t3 from @BE Precision precision on here. Barrel to suit your needs. he has tikka action. Can add aftermarket stock or stick with factory.

 

[gixer1]

You would struggle to go wrong with the Tikka, there will be endless options for aftermarket items, mounts etc for it.

I have a lovely Supervarmint with a 20” barrel, 1/8 twist, it gets used for long range gong bashing out to silly distances and is a joy to shoot - the 20” heavy barrel doesn’t make it that heavy and it’s still a rifle you can carry around all day.

Of course, there is also a nice Sauer .223 for sale in the classifieds…..

 

[sillbeam]

My vote is CZ, or Savage and Ruger. All rifles may have quirks regarding ammunition . Twist rate 1-9 or faster

None of the above are a patch on a Tikka!

 

[gixer1]

None of the above are a patch on a Tikka!

To be fair most people over the pond will be familiar with the Savage, Ruger and CZ’s…

Seems like they are catching onto Tikka now and realising how good they are, I remember recently seeing Erik Cortina being asked to review a Tikka and guessing it was far higher value that it was…they are catching onto Tikka.

Not being cruel but I wouldn’t want a savage as a gift based on the previous ones I’ve seen but I guess they likely have improved over time.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[shbangsteve]

Just spoil yourself and buy a Shultz and Larsen Legacy. Enjoy your shooting be it work or leisure.

 

[Greenmist]

Using a T8 moderator, which I like coz it sounds like a M1 garand ping on last round

I've just gone back to using a T8 from a Northstar, certainly quieter to my ears and groups shrunk

 

[NP435]

None of the above are a patch on a Tikka!

All are far superior based on the sheer numbers of tika issues seen in this forum.

 

[old keeper]

I passed a Howa 223 over to my shooting mate a couple of years ago, and unlike the OP we both found it a very accurate and reliable rifle; it certainly wasn't picky about ammo.

 

[UpNorthMI]

To be fair most people over the pond will be familiar with the Savage, Ruger and CZ’s…

Seems like they are catching onto Tikka now and realising how good they are, I remember recently seeing Erik Cortina being asked to review a Tikka and guessing it was far higher value that it was…they are catching onto Tikka.

Tikka is huge here in the US but I feel they have fallen down on a couple of points in the past, the biggest is that they did not come with threaded rifle barrels, this was unbelievable for me when trying to buy one with a pre threaded barrel. US gun manufacturers have really stepped up and we are now seeing threaded barrels on most smaller caliber rifles (under .30 cal), Moderators have been available for many years but as of January 2026 you can now buy a moderator without paying the previous $200 federal tax stamp that was applicable to every moderator sold. Blaser barrels do not come threaded in the US either.

Last year I voiced my complaints at every show where Tikka was represented and also wrote directly to them as a frustrated consumer. As of 2026 we are now starting to see threaded barrels on many Tikka models, they are also arriving with cammo stocks and other features.

The challenge for Tikka in the US is now cost, they are at a premium price point. There are a lot of other rifle options at at about half of the Tikka price, I agree Tikka are a much higher value product but the masses often buy on price. Still taking a small percentage of the largest market must remain very important to Tikka / Sako / Berretta Holdings.

 

[Ludders]

I’ve got a lovely Sako 85 xs for sale in the classified section, same barrel as used in the tikka's

 

[gixer1]

Tikka is huge here in the US but I feel they have fallen down on a couple of points in the past, the biggest is that they did not come with threaded rifle barrels, this was unbelievable for me when trying to buy one with a pre threaded barrel. US gun manufacturers have really stepped up and we are now seeing threaded barrels on most smaller caliber rifles (under .30 cal), Moderators have been available for many years but as of January 2026 you can now buy a moderator without paying the previous $200 federal tax stamp that was applicable to every moderator sold. Blaser barrels do not come threaded in the US either.

Last year I voiced my complaints at every show where Tikka was represented and also wrote directly to them as a frustrated consumer. As of 2026 we are now starting to see threaded barrels on many Tikka models, they are also arriving with cammo stocks and other features.

The challenge for Tikka in the US is now cost, they are at a premium price point. There are a lot of other rifle options at at about half of the Tikka price, I agree Tikka are a much higher value product but the masses often buy on price. Still taking a small percentage of the largest market must remain very important to Tikka / Sako / Berretta Holdings.

I believe all Tikka’s in the US are now threaded (most 5/8 24) due to the recent increase in moderators there.

I agree with you on price and I would have thought with the volume in the Is there would be volume discounts for importers.

I remember being surprised when I lived in the US that I didn’t see many Tikka’s at all on gun dealer shelves…but you would find Ruger and Savage annd Remington everywhere!

Regards,