Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which 223 bolt action?

I’m happy with my Montana. I have loads for the 55 SGK, 65 SGK and the 70 grain Speer Semi-Sptizer which is more of a round nose IMO. I use the 70 Speer on deer and it works well, just don’t expect the type of blood trail you would get from a larger rifle. I haven’t had a deer stop that bullet yet, but the exits are small in comparison to deer that I kill with bigger cartridges.

BUDGET???


BARRETT ????

If you don't mind $700 Tikka. If you want to keep it closer to, or maybe under $400, the Ruger Predator. My brother has an 8 twist Tikka and I have the Predator. Both shoot 1/2 MOA groups with decent ammo. I've had good luck with 75 gr Hornady ammo. Not sure if my brother has tried anything that long in his Tikka.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Budget? Kimber Montana is probably close to the top.

Barrett? Does Barrett have a 223 yet?

Have a Kimber Montana 223 and I would recommend that. Might try a Fieldcraft myself someday if they ever get it out.

Barrett does not have a .223 out yet.

For Barrett money, you could do a Tikka in a McMillan/Manners, inlet for m5 dbm and run 5 rd Accurate Mags.

Kimber isn't making a .223 Montana anymore either fwiw

Or look for a Barrett in 22-250. There were some on sale for ~$1200 earlier this year. Not sure if there are any still floating around at that price. Whittaker’s might know.

Best part about a 22-250 Field Craft is you could punch it .22 Creedmoor, which isn't a .223 last I checked.

Sucks about CDI. Didn’t know that.

100% yes on the Fieldcraft 22-250. No on the Fieldcraft 223 if ever produced due to short mag box.

I have a Ruger American 1-8” 22-250 for sale in classifieds. Whittaker special with the fast twist and stainless barrel. And you can use the better mags, which I do.

I have had quite a number of 223s over the years. The only one that has stayed, and will never leave, is the Kimber Montana. More precisely, once I got it the rest became dust collectors.

A no-brainer, be patient and find a used one.

True, but Whittaker’s had twenty-five 223 Montana’s from Kimber’s final run of the caliber back in late Feb. that were priced at $1150.00 shipped. Might be worth a call to see if any are left.

I like the little Howa Mini 223 with 22" tube. The magazine is not my favorite but have gotten used to it. It accurate, lightweight and well balanced. 1:9 twist on these.

I own both a Tikka and several CZ 527 rifles, including .223, .222. 204 and .22 Hornet. For the money, buy a CZ and never look back. One of the most accurate out of the box rifles you can own, center fire or rim fire. But, I also own a Savage .204 that cost less than either a Tikka or a CZ and it will also shoot .5", or less groups.

If you move forward with the Tikka purchase the larger magazine and replace the bolt stop to utilize the longer OAL.

For the stated purposes, you don't really need a long mag box or a fast twist. As has been said, Hornady 60 grain & Sierra 63 SMP would do both jobs splendidly all day long, even in a 1:12 twist.

For similar purposes to yours, I ended up with a Marin X7S that has a blind box & a 9-twist. It was goin' too cheap, & felt good in my hands. Such as it is, I don't live or hunt in an area where I could watch longer bullets show their stuff. I've used the previously mentioned bullets, along with the 55 grain TTSX with complete satisfaction.

Just another opinion. No doubt you'll get plenty more.

Let us know what you choose.

FC

Take a hard look at Howa's Mini Action Rifle in .223. All the current Howa Mini's are 1-8 twist in .223.

https://www.legacysports.com/wp-content/uploads/LSI_Catalog2019_web.pdf#page=14

I’d hunt down a used Kimber 84m in 223. Mine is sweettttttttt.

I wanted to follow up with what I purchased. I found a Tikka T3 locally at a good price. I have wanted to try a Tikka and a 223 so this rifle fits both wants. What is the best for mounts and rings for the Tikka?

I’m a big fan of the sportsmatch. Several threads in the last year on the same topic if you do a search.