Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Your choice of dedicated deer/antelope rifle in .223?

I've injured the rotator cuff on my right shoulder for the second time in a few years. The first time, it came back pretty well after a few months, but I had to give up most magnums. This time, it's taking longer and a 7mm-08 seems to be my max, but even then not for many shots.

I'm really thinking a .223 bolt action could be fun - cheap practice ammo, good factory ammo, easy and inexpensive to reload. I have a 3-9x40 and a 4.5-14x42 scope waiting in the closet, and I'm waffling over which one would be best on this little slayer.

So if you don't mind, give me your experience with and opinions of the best choice for rifle, then choose one of the above scopes to mount on it.

Categories:

1. INEXPENSIVE (think Ruger American, T/C Compass, Howa 1500, etc.)
2. MODERATE price (Ruger Hawkeye, Tikka T3X, Browning X-bolt, Rem Model 7 Predator, etc.)
3. UNLIMITED (Christensen Arms, one of the chassis rifles, Barrett Fieldcraft, etc.)

It doesn't get any softer than an AR.

Czech
On the cheap Ruger American and on the moderate I would grab one
of the Remington Model 7 Predators before they are gone. I have one in 22-250 and it is a nice little rifle. Above that level it’s up to how good the rifle feels to you.
GreggH

I believe having a 223 class rifle is always a good thing for practicing but think there are better all-purpose deer cartridges.
Buy a 204 AND put a muzzle brake on your 7-08 then shoot it only when deer hunting. Get 204 on a similar platform as your 7-08; try 120’s and Varget or H 4895.
You will scratch the new rifle itch and still have a very effective deer hunting rifle.

Used T3, not T3x, goes in the INEXPENSIVE category. Buy one, then pm me for load data. 1-8” is preferable.



P

I have a Ruger American Predator in .223 and its probably the most accurate rifle I have.

First off....get your shoulder repaired. I dealt with rotator cuff problems for over 2 years and finally got it fixed about 3 months ago. I consider myself lucky, because mine is my non-dominant shoulder (knock on wood).

Second....You got a good list. Pick the one you like and go for it. I have experience with a few Tikka's in fast twist 223 and loved them. The only thing that bothered me about them is that Tikka builds them on the long action. I now have a Ruger American Ranch in 5.56 in 1-8 twist. Love it as well, but it is a cheaper rifle.

And of course, there's all price ranges of AR's out there now. Nothing wrong with that, either. And it could serve a dual role as a defense arm as well.

another +1 for the RAR Predator. I love mine.

I have an older Bushmaster Predator /8" and it is super accurate, and very easy to shoot. In bolt guns, just try to find one with a fast twist and use the 75gr Swift or lighter Barnes, or even a 77gr OTM, but it will be messy, etc. A 223 should work very well on the little thin skinned/light boned antelope!

so a faster .22 is off the table for you, i.e. 22-250?

My first choice would be a Tikka with a 1 in 8 twist....



Not a deer..but you get the idea....its an antelope....but not a pronghorn ..

Shooting a 55 gr. Barnes TTSX..never seen a deer or antelope I wouldn't use that combo on. You don't have to shoot heavy bullets to make a .223 a killing SOB...you just have to shoot good bullets...Barnes, Speer Gold dots, Swift Scirocco, etc.

A good friend will sell me his NIB Ruger Hawkeye (wood/blue) that he hasn't touched in years for about what I can get a Ruger American new at the local gun shop.

I like the Hawkeye, but I'm leaning toward aTikka T3 because I'm imagining the accuracy will be better.

Does this make sense?

If I had one that fit that description, (dedicated deer/antelope rifle) it's my light Mauser in 25-06.

The Hawkeye should not disappoint ...at all. And its has a 9 twist IIRC....

OK, I've settled on the Hawkeye.

Now, 3-9 or 4.5-14 scope?

4.5x14 small bullets, aim small. I call it "finessing the shot"...:)

Do you think the on-game performance between the 50 and 55 grain TTSX is significant? I have a great load with the 50 grain.



P

Not a gunwriter and it isn't on your list, but you should look hard at a CZ 527 (1-9 twist)



(especially considering you screen name)

I could not agree more, the tikka is a great rifle but a long action. the CZ-527 is made for the 223, a great barrel, trigger and the action is just the right size.
Have a few AWESOME !!!!!!!

I do, that is why I went with the 62gr TTSX on a recent hunt. Don't really like the mono's but they made me go mono to save the Condor's
favorite deer bullet for 223 is the Sierra 65gr SBT game king

I do also have a AR15 with a 1-8 twist that shoots 60 grain Nosler Partitions very well, but I have not killed any antelope with it.