Which 223 and moderator

[ian_in_the_midlands]

I am looking to purchase a .223 in the near future.

It needs to be lightweight as I do a lot of walking.

I want to shoot a light bullet (40gr) so twist rate needs to be considered.

Any recommendations?

 

I have condidered a Tika Lite. Why was I recommended to steer clear of the Llite when I purchased my M595?

Browning... Anyone any experiance of the A-Bolt and X-Bolt?

Also... why do people draw an intake of breath when I ask about the CZ centerfire rifles? I have now owned 3 CZ rimfire rifles (22LR, 22WMR and 17HMR) and all were very good (After fitting a trigger kit).

 

And finally, the moderator.

I use a scope mounted lamp and have had problems with light reflection in the past when using a T8.

Are there smaller diameter moderators that people would recommend that would reduce the problem?

How else could I reduce reflected light into the scope at night? Maybe a shorter barrel or are there other tricks?

 

Thanks.

[Dekers]

I am looking to purchase a .223 in the near future.

It needs to be lightweight as I do a lot of walking.

I want to shoot a light bullet (40gr) so twist rate needs to be considered.

Any recommendations?

 

I have condidered a Tika Lite. Why was I recommended to steer clear of the Llite when I purchased my M595? The balance on a full length light in .223 is ****! ESPECIALLY if you fit a mod!

 

Browning... Anyone any experiance of the A-Bolt and X-Bolt?

Also... why do people draw an intake of breath when I ask about the CZ centerfire rifles? I have now owned 3 CZ rimfire rifles (22LR, 22WMR and 17HMR) and all were very good (After fitting a trigger kit). CZ make excellent VFM rimfires, there centrefires are variable, many are excellent but there is a lot more choice of centrefires out there and their centrefire reputation is not what their rimfire reputation is!

 

And finally, the moderator.

I use a scope mounted lamp and have had problems with light reflection in the past when using a T8.

Are there smaller diameter moderators that people would recommend that would reduce the problem?

How else could I reduce reflected light into the scope at night? Maybe a shorter barrel or are there other tricks?

 

Get a moderator that does the job and suits your pocket, all my centrefires have the Predator 8 COMPACT, does for me but there are plenty of others out there to look at. Lots of ways to reduce glare, shorter barrel, sunshades on scope, tilt up lamp, blank off bottom of lamp, fit a sock on the mod, make a sunshade for the lamp, etc, etc, etc...Thanks.

[Paddy Galore!]

Gary B has got his titan up for sale in the sales bit, a lot of rifle for the money, as for moderators i've never had that problem with my T8, it's matt black, do they do a stainless one?

[ian_in_the_midlands]

Thanks,

I have the slot on licence but still saving my pennies.

Also - I am looking at buying new.

 

I have not looked at Titan rifles. I will investigate what they ahve to offer too.

 

The moderator was matt black, but the back edge still threw back enough light to make the target difficult to see,

Maybe a shorter barrel and a smaler diameter moderator will allow the back edge to sit in the shadow of the objective lens?

 

 

Anyone eny experiance of the Browning rifles?

[al4x]

It might be worth considering Garys one as it does shoot very well and obviously you could try it before buying so you know it will shoot well, and its not that far from the midlands

 

I've got a remington 700sps with the standard barrel and have to say with a synthetic stock I do like the weight and seems accurate enough. Mine has had a hogue stock and rifle basix trigger fitted which are meant to be their shortcomings. Not sure about bullets that light through it but it loves 55grainers, why are you looking to shoot 40's?

[Beardo]

i was puzzled by the 40gr bullet choice, why is that?

 

i shoot 55gr hollowpoints in my Titan 3 (i have the standard barrel).

 

There are quite a few threads on here if you do a search about lamp light on mods - one of the best ways is to mask the bottom of the lamp with card/tape.

[Billy.]

As has been said, I would have a look at GaryB's it's a top top top rifle and I have seen more foxes killed with that rifle than most will see in 10 years of fox shooting!

 

I've only ever bought one gun from new and I'll never do it again. There's a premium for a band new rifle, in comparison to the used ones.

[Billy.]

...Oh and you get a load of reloading gear with Gary's gun

[al4x]

Have to say bought mine second hand and I'm happier buying a little used .223 because its a pretty tame calibre as far as burning barrels out is concerned, than many other centre fires

[ian_in_the_midlands]

i realise that 40gr bullet is lighter than normal, but I want to have the option to use the lighter bullet to gain speed without having to go up to the 22-250. I may revert back to using 50/55 grains but I plan to experiment.

I do not expect to use heavier bullets than 55 grain.

 

I am sure that many people purchase second hand rifles that that have been well looked after and shoot well, but I am looking at new. Sorry GaryB.

 

Noone yet have any comments regarding the Brownings.

I am surprised, having seen so many advertised on the pages of guntrader.

[Beretta28g]

If there are a lot advertised it may be that people dont like them!

[Beardo]

the only review i've heard so far of an a-bolt is pretty dire

[jamie g]

i think you should look secondhand. far to much money is lost when buying new. if you sell the rifle on later. also your gain some extras most the time when buying secondhand. like mounts,mod,etc

[Mr_Logic]

I wouldn't get a Browning, trigger is pretty naff.

 

CZ centrefires are excellent, I've had 3, still got two. All of them shoot or shot 1/2MOA and the triggers can be adjusted to beat any other factory trigger with no additional expense or smithing work required.

 

However, I would go with a Tikka. Mine shoots very well, as do all the others I've come across. They also have a good trigger with a simple adjustment, and more importantly you can either add a Picatinny rail for a scope or their own dovetail allow a bit of flexibility. With my CZs, the scope mounts can only sit in one place, which means if your scope has the right eye relief and eyebell size, then it works. With a Tikka, you just mount it how you need it - much easier!

[Mungler]

Get a second hand tikka or a new CZ.

 

That's about it really.

[garyb]

I've just purchased a New Tikka.

 

Whilst in the shop, I had a look at brownings new offering - the A bolt.

 

Shocking... Old bits of glue between the action and the stock, gaps in the finish, a real spit and sawdust kind of rifle....

 

No idea how they shoot mind - I put it back on the shelf PDQ. Seems to be made to a price, a price that would get you a CZ

 

Love my 223, cracking gun lots of life in it yet - still thinking about keeping it, I for sure won't let it go for silly money I owe it more than that!

[ian_in_the_midlands]

Thanks all for for the input.

Interesting to hear about the Browning quality.

It is looking like it may be a new Tikka. I can not find a bad thing said about them.

I need to look at twist rates. I still like the idea of using lighter bullets.

 

I also need to investigate the moderators - I see there are plenty of other posts on the subject so I won't drag that out on this thread.

 

If you are fretting about selling your 223 garyb then don't.... I still wish I had not sold my M595.

[Billy.]

If you are fretting about selling your 223 garyb then don't.... I still wish I had not sold my M595.

 

If he's fretting, it's because the .243 needs paying off...

[garyb]

Ian,

 

Be careful.

 

T3's in .223Rem can come in two twist rates.

 

1 in 8 and 1 in 12

 

Make sure you know which one you hand over your hard earned for.

 

The RWS Titan3 is also worth a GOOD look at IMO.

GB

[Dunkield]

After all that

I've just purchased a New Tikka.

Which one did you get and what made you go for it?

[garyb]

T3 Super Varmint in 243Win

 

See - http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/rifles/39...fle_review.html

 

Why?

 

1 - Heavy Barrel

2 - Good rep

3 - Factory Cut

4 - Adjustable Trigger

5 - Light(ish)

 

To be honest, all the things my 223 has! Ok maybe not #2 - but that's no fault of it's own. Remember they are imported by RUAG, the same people behind perazzi shotguns... and they are far from naff.

 

Anyway.... I've already done a "custom" on it... Got rid of the silly 6 shot magazine, and replaced it with a standard 3 shot one that sits flush to the action.

Edited June 30, 2010 by garyb

[al4x]

Thanks all for for the input.

Interesting to hear about the Browning quality.

It is looking like it may be a new Tikka. I can not find a bad thing said about them.

I need to look at twist rates. I still like the idea of using lighter bullets.

 

I also need to investigate the moderators - I see there are plenty of other posts on the subject so I won't drag that out on this thread.

 

If you are fretting about selling your 223 garyb then don't.... I still wish I had not sold my M595.

 

 

the sportsman gun centre seem to knock a lot of Tikkas out in packages at the moment with a Zeiss scope and mod thrown in so may be worth a look if you are down that way. Your big issue in my mind is do you really want to shoot the 40 grainers enough to have the ideal twist rate for them which won't be as ideal for the heavier bullets. The 1:12 tikka would shoot them better but the 1:8 will shoot the heavier stuff better, For ref the remi 700's I believe are 1:9 which seems to work well not sure what the Titan is but am sure Gary will let you know

Edited July 1, 2010 by al4x

[Dunkield]

T3 Super Varmint in 243Win

Looks good, certainly heavy enough.

Does it have QD studs on the side of the stock and forend as well? it looks like it

 

[harv]

Looks good, certainly heavy enough.

Does it have QD studs on the side of the stock and forend as well? it looks like it

 

Nope that's a peephole sight for squirrels running up the sides of trees

[wildfowler.250]

T3 Super Varmint in 243Win

 

See - http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/rifles/39...fle_review.html

 

 

Iv got a hell of a craving for one of those atm!

 

 

 

 

Let me know how she shoots