Advice please on choice from a .223 shortlist.
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 10:56 pm
Background Info:
I’m busy convalescing here and have plenty of time to do some research, so have read pretty much everything here on .223 / first rifle suggestions…
This is getting a little ahead of myself I know, as I am moving in a few weeks time, and expect to be close to a rifle club that does small and full-bore to 100 yds. I haven’t actually shot full-bore yet, but did a a few weeks of .22LR 30 years ago – enough to know that I enjoyed it, a LOT. Then life took a different turn.
Excited about the chance to learn something new.
I’ve read the thread on the Lead ban and so thought I’d have some fun with these for 18 months, and then see where things go...
I’m planning on shooting .22LR. prone jacket / sling plus probably get one full-bore rifle.
The plan from what little I understand (but open to suggestions), is:
- use a .223 (cheaper to feed / more practice & less recoil than .308)
- use factory ammo (at least for now)
- will be used for target shooting only and competing (mostly against myself). i.e. No stalking or varminting.
- I will be able to shoot it at the local range to 100 yds. But would like to use the same rifle to 300 yds and maybe eventually 600 yds (even if I need to change the load etc).
The brief: I’m looking for a .223 rifle ...
(happy to change belief system depending on others experience here).
- much prefer look and feel of wood and laminate over tacticool / synthetic.
- budget say £500-£1000. Realise that at the lower end this would include a scope, and at the higher end probably won’t incl a scope.
- prefer something older and better quality, than newer and noticeably less well built.
- think I’d be happy with bolt action single shot (no need for magazine)!
- not sure if I’d want to use it with iron sights / scope. Or sling / bipod. Maybe it's a bit early to decide all this until I’ve got some experience, but I’m busy convalescing with plenty of time to think. Others experience is always useful and i may as well use the time to start reducing the short-list / what to keep an eye out for to test.
I guess I should be looking at 1:8 or 1:9 and 24-26”+ barrel???
I’m guessing that rules out some of the old wooden stock with too slow twists .223’s: E.g.
- Steyr
- Tikka M585 (1:12) - which is a shame as I really like the look of these and they seem to have a very good reputation!
- Sako 85 (1:12)
- Ruger M77 (1:12)
- Jaeger 10 (1:12)
Which leaves a shortlist of:
CZ527 1:9 22/24” barrel (avoid pre 2012 1:12)
Howa 1500 1:9
Kimber 84M 1:9 22/24” barrel (beware some 1:12)
Savage 12 1:9 or 1:7?
Tikka T3 Need to research twist rates / barrel lengths.
Tikka T3X 1:8
Which would you choose?
Any other .223’s I should be considering?
Some general questions:
- is there any noticeable difference between the Tikka 3 & 3X from a beginners perspective
(presumably the older one would be better Value for money hence more to spend on glass and ammo).
* can a Bipod or sling be used on a Kimber 84M?
- can something labelled as a ‘Varmint’ or ‘Super varmint’, be equally suitable as a good target rifle?
Is it better to go for £500 rifle and £1000 ammo. Or £1000 rifle and £500 ammo in year 1.
Did anyone go for the cheaper rifle option and wish they had saved up for a bit longer? (as I’ll have at least 6 mths probation / FAC time to deal with and a .22LR to develop skills with, plus hopefully club rifles to borrow / hire, it is not exactly like I’ll be missing out by waiting a bit longer)
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Cheers.
Keith
I’m busy convalescing here and have plenty of time to do some research, so have read pretty much everything here on .223 / first rifle suggestions…
This is getting a little ahead of myself I know, as I am moving in a few weeks time, and expect to be close to a rifle club that does small and full-bore to 100 yds. I haven’t actually shot full-bore yet, but did a a few weeks of .22LR 30 years ago – enough to know that I enjoyed it, a LOT. Then life took a different turn.
Excited about the chance to learn something new.
I’ve read the thread on the Lead ban and so thought I’d have some fun with these for 18 months, and then see where things go...
I’m planning on shooting .22LR. prone jacket / sling plus probably get one full-bore rifle.
The plan from what little I understand (but open to suggestions), is:
- use a .223 (cheaper to feed / more practice & less recoil than .308)
- use factory ammo (at least for now)
- will be used for target shooting only and competing (mostly against myself). i.e. No stalking or varminting.
- I will be able to shoot it at the local range to 100 yds. But would like to use the same rifle to 300 yds and maybe eventually 600 yds (even if I need to change the load etc).
The brief: I’m looking for a .223 rifle ...
(happy to change belief system depending on others experience here).
- much prefer look and feel of wood and laminate over tacticool / synthetic.
- budget say £500-£1000. Realise that at the lower end this would include a scope, and at the higher end probably won’t incl a scope.
- prefer something older and better quality, than newer and noticeably less well built.
- think I’d be happy with bolt action single shot (no need for magazine)!
- not sure if I’d want to use it with iron sights / scope. Or sling / bipod. Maybe it's a bit early to decide all this until I’ve got some experience, but I’m busy convalescing with plenty of time to think. Others experience is always useful and i may as well use the time to start reducing the short-list / what to keep an eye out for to test.
I guess I should be looking at 1:8 or 1:9 and 24-26”+ barrel???
I’m guessing that rules out some of the old wooden stock with too slow twists .223’s: E.g.
- Steyr
- Tikka M585 (1:12) - which is a shame as I really like the look of these and they seem to have a very good reputation!
- Sako 85 (1:12)
- Ruger M77 (1:12)
- Jaeger 10 (1:12)
Which leaves a shortlist of:
CZ527 1:9 22/24” barrel (avoid pre 2012 1:12)
Howa 1500 1:9
Kimber 84M 1:9 22/24” barrel (beware some 1:12)
Savage 12 1:9 or 1:7?
Tikka T3 Need to research twist rates / barrel lengths.
Tikka T3X 1:8
Which would you choose?
Any other .223’s I should be considering?
Some general questions:
- is there any noticeable difference between the Tikka 3 & 3X from a beginners perspective
(presumably the older one would be better Value for money hence more to spend on glass and ammo).
* can a Bipod or sling be used on a Kimber 84M?
- can something labelled as a ‘Varmint’ or ‘Super varmint’, be equally suitable as a good target rifle?
Is it better to go for £500 rifle and £1000 ammo. Or £1000 rifle and £500 ammo in year 1.
Did anyone go for the cheaper rifle option and wish they had saved up for a bit longer? (as I’ll have at least 6 mths probation / FAC time to deal with and a .22LR to develop skills with, plus hopefully club rifles to borrow / hire, it is not exactly like I’ll be missing out by waiting a bit longer)
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Cheers.
Keith