Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles A small action .223

I'm looking for a small action .233 bolt gun. The Sako at two grand does not amortize out too good at age 76. Likewise Anschutz.

I do not really like the 1:12 twists on the Zastivia and the CZ , but I can live with it. If they only handle bullets up to 55, so be it. 60NP would be nice. We do not have many prairie dogs and few other colony varmints any more. I don't think I can tolerate the hang down magazine on the CZ, and they have dropped the low capacity flatter one.

I see some forums in different places that the Zastivia has potential, it does need a lot of internal and wood attention. I can handle that.

Ruger and Tikka have tighter twists, but I really want the small action and a trim barrel. Is there a brand that I have overlooked. Remington is out and Winchester doesn't even make one.

I have a fairly accurate Mini-14 and a G2 Contender 16.25" carbine in that caliber already. I just NEED a bolt gun. The Mini is too heavy. The TC is light enough, it is unwieldy to me, so it never gets used.

Jack

Kimber Montana. 1-9 twist.

Look for an older Sako. Slow twist but small action and you could rebarrel. NULA also

Might want to look at the Browning A-Bolt Micro. It uses what Browning calls a "SSA" action. I suppose that stands for super short.

The new X-bolt is also an option.

pacecars - "Look for an older Sako." An excellent sggestion...the L461 VIXEN (sporter or HB) fits
this to a T. No wasted length or weight. Mine dates
to the mid-70's. IF you can live w/ a slower twist
than you'll be a happy camper.
Homesteader

Sako's are awesome. Also REALLY like this rifle, although I don't use it much. Krico 600 something. Double triggers, petite action size, man sized length but petite in the wrist with a palmswell and slim forearm. A real slender feeling rifle with GREAT trigger feel, and excellent accuracy with factory Hornady ammo. Never measured twist...

I paid $1,000 for the Kimber SSV on the top, $800 for the SAKO A1 in the middle & $300 for the A1 in a Mcmillian stock at the bottom. I really like the earlier SAKO small action rifles.

Cool Krico FB. The Sako L461/AI actions are excellent...have them in 222 and 222 MAG and they're may favorites (Once you have one, you'll want more). Most older Sako 223's are twisted 12 though. The Kimber twisted at 9" would be sweet a well.

I have a Sako Riihimaki in 222 and an L-461 in 223. They can be found for around $1,000 at gun shows etc. and I second, (or is it third?) the idea that you just keep on the lookout for one.

My Pastors Sako Vixen with 1 in 12 twist shoots even the long for weight 50gr Barnes TSX bullets quite well.

1 in 12 is actually a faster twist than most 222's or 223's of that era were traditionally twisted, with the long held twist being 1 in 14 for a very long time, and those rifles shot great. A 12 twist will shoot a lot of good useful bullets in these calibers.

I would think you want small action for the weight. The Tikka Superlight from Sportsman's Warehouse is 5 lbs. 12 OZ with an 8 twist at $699. Only problem is you have to purchase it there. They are too stupid to ship to an FFL.

Old Sako Vixen or RickyTicky.



Travis

This.

Yeah, nothing quite as svelte as a 223 on a long action (read: abortion).

Yes, I would pick the Kimber first. OP said he didn't want to spend $2000, so I figured $1400 might be out as well. Not necessarily svelte but not 8 lbs. either.

Svelte means slender, graceful, and elegant, and does not necessarily refer to weight. A long actioned plastic 223 does not possess those qualities.

Where are you seeing $1400 Kimber Montanas? Try 1150ish new.

Jack, I purchased the 527 CZ as an opportunity, not because it did anything particularly for me at the time. It's turned into my personal favorite and goes with me most everywhere. I thought the hanging mag would be a pain in the azz but I cant think of one time it's been in the way. It points like a wand.

My family shot deer with the dang thing last fall...it loves the 55gr TSX FB...and for something with a little more frontal the 64 gr Nosler Solid Base dose well with the 12 twist too.

Just food for thought....

Thanks, for the English lesson but I know what svelte means.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/923062727/Kimber_84_M_Montana_223_Remington.htm
$1359 plus shipping and FFL fees comes to over $1400. Where are the $1150 ones? I want to buy one. Once again, I did not say the Tikka was svelte, only light with an 8 twist.

That looks like a longer barrel than the Carbine. I have often thought of buying the carbine in 7.62X39 for the kids.

A Agree 100% that sticking a 222 or 223 round in an action designed for and large enough for a 30/06 or even a 308 size cartridge is a horrific idea. Sloppy at best IMO. You might want to look at the new Savage 223, I think it is called a model 23 or 24? Looks to be a correctly sized action. Also, for as little as the Zastava Mini Mausers cost, I would be temtped to get one and then have the metal and wood massaged a little. The end result might cost around $1,000 or so, but would be a quite spectacular little rifle.

The little CZ's are awsome, too. I just personally cannot like the bass ackwards safety and know of no place to get a different one for those little rifles.

I would much rather have a small action light 223 in an 8 twist for around $800 but I don't think such an animal exists. The Tikka may be large, but it's light and I bet it shoots very well.

Fireball2 - nice rifle. Have several CZ's, while heavier than SAKO, also have set triggers. Love them at the range. Homesteader.