Have a very nice, but also very heavy Ruger Hawkeye AW in a walnut stock with a nice scope. If I were looking now, I’d look pretty hard at one of the Howa Carbon Stalker Minis. 8” twist. About a grand. I replaced the DM on my Grendel with a floorplate, but for a .223 I’d probably just replace the plastic guard with aluminum and run the mags. 4.11 pounds. A SS Tikka would be okay too.
Some new rifles are 5.56/.223, but many are .223 only. Something to consider if ammo availability is the issue.
