ollie Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Hi guys I think it is about time I put in for a centrefire and I am thinking .223. I am just wondering can I pick your brains as to which .223 you would recommend? I would idealy like something with a stainless barrel and possibly a thumbhole stock; I have saw a Howa 1500 with a laminate thumbhole stock and stainless barrel, what's your opinions on this gun? Also would you recommend anything else? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka.223 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 I have a Tikka T3 Varmint in .223 and I'm more than happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonevo Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 tikka or sako Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Howa 1500 - does what it says on the tin :yp: Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 your budget makes the biggest difference. Some like Howas some don't Lez above must have had his all of a fortnight he liked it that much Mungler had a horror story of one I'm sure he'll like to tell you about. The tikkas are fine but the stocks are very plasticky and the heavy barreled ones are exactly that very heavy. I've a Remi 700 sps in .223 and really like it pretty cheap and dead easy to get add on bits for so you'd get a thumbhole aftermarket stock very easily, with a replacement trigger and hogue stock mine shoots very well for the money and being the light barreled one is easy to carry. Personally on a foxing gun you don't need a heavy barrel as it won't heat up, if you want to do range work then it is different. Though I find mine may heat up reasonably fast but it also cools quicker as there is less metal to retain the heat. Generally people will recomend what they've got it just depends how many they tried in getting to that decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 i have a browning x bolt in 223. seems like a nice piece of kit. if this weather decided to clear off i might even get a chance to go out and use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alvin Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I've tried lots of rifles.Including remington, howa, tikka, steyr,cz and sako. MY favourite factory rifle is the sako 75. My advice would be try as many as you can and see what YOU like. With a 223 you also need to decide what you want to use it for. eg if you see yourself wanting to try shooting longer range you will, ideally, want a fast twist 1 in 9 or faster for heavy bullets. If on the other hand you want to use 40gr vmax for explosive effect on varmints you'd be better with a 1 in 12 twist. This can narrow you choice down a bit as not all manufacturers offer more than one twist rate. hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 your budget makes the biggest difference. Some like Howas some don't Lez above must have had his all of a fortnight he liked it that much Mungler had a horror story of one I'm sure he'll like to tell you about. The tikkas are fine but the stocks are very plasticky and the heavy barreled ones are exactly that very heavy. I've a Remi 700 sps in .223 and really like it pretty cheap and dead easy to get add on bits for so you'd get a thumbhole aftermarket stock very easily, with a replacement trigger and hogue stock mine shoots very well for the money and being the light barreled one is easy to carry. Personally on a foxing gun you don't need a heavy barrel as it won't heat up, if you want to do range work then it is different. Though I find mine may heat up reasonably fast but it also cools quicker as there is less metal to retain the heat. Generally people will recomend what they've got it just depends how many they tried in getting to that decision Thanks for the advice mate . It will just be a foxing gun, there will be no range work. I like the look of the Tikka's; however, because I have a CZ Style the look is very similar so I would like something a bit different. I really do like the thought of a thumbhole stock; what sort of price would you expect to pay for an aftermarket stock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Can only offer an opinion on those I' actually shot with....Remi'700 BDL,Sako 75,Tikka T3 and Tikka T3 Tactical.I have a Remi'700 which i love,but the nicest to shoot with in my opinion,is the T3 Tactical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alvin Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 (edited) Have you tried a thumbhole stock? I used to like the look of them too but tried an AI stock and hated it. Others I know love them. Edited December 6, 2010 by alvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Have you tried a thumbhole stock? I used to like the look of them too but tried an AI stock and hated it. Others I know love them. Yes mate I have tried Glensman's 10/22 which has a thumbhole stock. I really do like them and I find I am a lot stedier over a shot with a thumbhole stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I cant believe you started another 'which .223' thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I cant believe you started another 'which .223' thread! Well I have never really red any of them before now. Stop being a smarta$$ & give me some useful advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Useful advice: Remmy 700, great action- good gun, millions produced lots of aftermarket stuff for when you're flush and want to modify. Howa 1500, possibly a better action, nicer bolt, cheap and shoot well. Tikka, **** stock, great barrel, v light. Sako, Just an alround class gun, but the price reflects... And here's the best advice you'll get- STAY AWAY FROM HEAVY BARRELS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I'm really surprised no one has recommended a CZ, so let me do so. The 527 is not expensive and it is considerably better quality than their rimfires (and they are great value for money) e.g. in terms of set trigger and a smooth bolt, and even their varmint barrels are not too heavy by comparison with Sakos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I'm really surprised no one has recommended a CZ, so let me do so. The 527 is not expensive and it is considerably better quality than their rimfires (and they are great value for money) e.g. in terms of set trigger and a smooth bolt, and even their varmint barrels are not too heavy by comparison with Sakos. I have a CZ .22lr and I love it, so I wouldn't hesitate getting another one. However, I am looking for a rifle that will shoot well out of the box with a stainless barrel(do CZ do a stainless barrel in .223?) and a thumbhole stock would be a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastiebap Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I have a Browning A Bolt, out of the box accuracy was impressive, lightweight and bolt has a fairly short throw. Also has adjustable trigger as standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 (edited) get yourself around the gunshops and try ( weight / balance / smoothness when working the bolt / build quality / trigger pull / magazine ) as many as poss in your price range, I'll be surprised if you don't end up with a tikka 595 or t3 Edited December 6, 2010 by Paul223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 get yourself around the gunshops and try ( weight / balance / smoothness when working the bolt / build quality / trigger pull / magazine ) as many as poss in your price range, I'll be surprised if you don't end up with a tikka 595 or t3 Yeh that is the plan, but with this weather at the moment I don't really want to travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka.223 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Yeh that is the plan, but with this weather at the moment I don't really want to travel. Get yourself upto Tam Glass outside Clough and have a look at what he has,he usually carries a good selection of rifles so you can compare them side by side. I wouldnt be put off buying a heavy barrel T3 as theres under 1kg off weight difference between the heavy barrel and the T3 Lite. A friend of mine has a CZ527 Laminate and its a nice looking gun aswell and shoots very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 get yourself around the gunshops and try ( weight / balance / smoothness when working the bolt / build quality / trigger pull / magazine ) as many as poss in your price range, I'll be surprised if you don't end up with a tikka 595 or t3 Can you get a stainless 595? I would rather a 595 than a T3 myself... But I'm the same as Ollie, it Has to be stainless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka.223 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Can you get a stainless 595? I would rather a 595 than a T3 myself... But I'm the same as Ollie, it Has to be stainless! i believe you can get the 595 with stainless barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Get yourself upto Tam Glass outside Clough and have a look at what he has,he usually carries a good selection of rifles so you can compare them side by side. I wouldnt be put off buying a heavy barrel T3 as theres under 1kg off weight difference between the heavy barrel and the T3 Lite. A friend of mine has a CZ527 Laminate and its a nice looking gun aswell and shoots very well. I am a regular customer at Tam's shop so I will call in some evening when this weather clears up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Can you get a stainless 595? I would rather a 595 than a T3 myself... But I'm the same as Ollie, it Has to be stainless! yes, minsterly had one in a few years back, i remember looking at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 i believe you can get the 595 with stainless barrel. They did a stainless/laminate 'all weather' I have a 695 version and won't ever be selling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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