223 bolt action

[peterk123]

Back on the 223 bolt action kick. For some reason we need one.

Varmint and predator hunting. Any particular model you would go for? I'm a big tikka fan.

How about barrel length and twist? Is there a twist out there that would handle lighter varmint rounds (50 to 55 gr) and heavier (68g+) coyote rounds?

Thx Pete

 

[paul73]

Back on the 223 bolt action kick. For some reason we need one.

Varmint and predator hunting. Any particular model you would go for? I'm a big tikka fan.

How about barrel length and twist? Is there a twist out there that would handle lighter varmint rounds (50 to 55 gr) and heavier (68g+) coyote rounds?

Thx Pete

But why?
What will bolt .223 do that ar15 can not?

Tikka. Just get any and enjoy.

Usually with bolt gun you will get twist for extra heavy long loads that do not fit into ar15 - 80gr etc

 

[BTSDOG]

But why?
What will bolt .223 do that ar15 can not?

Push 90's to a 1000 yds.
Im having one built, Rem. 700 LH short action, 32", 5 groove RH Bartlein tube with full bore match chamber. Gonna put it in a KRG whiskey-3 lefty chassis with a Atlas PSR bipod. Going to give F-Class a try.......

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

But why?
What will bolt .223 do that ar15 can not?

Tikka. Just get any and enjoy.

Usually with bolt gun you will get twist for extra heavy long loads that do not fit into ar15 - 80gr etc

Why not? You got skin the game or you have a suggestion for the guy? Clearly he needs a fix and who are we to not help get him the right drugs?

 

[paul73]

Push 90's to a 1000 yds.
Im having one built, Rem. 700 LH short action, 32", 5 groove RH Bartlein tube with full bore match chamber. Gonna put it in a KRG whiskey-3 lefty chassis with an Atlas PSR bipod. Going to give F-Class a try.......

For heavy loads - yes, but why to do it for 50-55gr loads?
As you will have to order a barrel with this twist, and it’s permanent.

 

[peterk123]

Why not? You got skin the game or you have a suggestion for the guy? Clearly he needs a fix and who are we to not help get him the right drugs?

You're a good man.

 

[LuvDog]

I just got an email that my 28” Heavy Varmint Mullerworks 223 barrel for my Zeus shipped

 

[peterk123]

But why?
What will bolt .223 do that ar15 can not?

Tikka. Just get any and enjoy.

Usually with bolt gun you will get twist for extra heavy long loads that do not fit into ar15 - 80gr etc

You know, a new upper for my AR with something like a 12 twist may be awesome for hucking light bullets in the 40 grain range.

 

[paul73]

You know, a new upper for my AR with something like a 12 twist may be awesome for hucking light bullets in the 40 grain range.

A pencil barrel with right twist for target loads, yep. Light skeleton handguard.

Or a tikka. I prefer uppers.

 

[Gerbs54]

Howa 1500, 1:8, 22”

 

[BTSDOG]

But why?
What will bolt .223 do that ar15 can not?

Tikka. Just get any and enjoy.

Usually with bolt gun you will get twist for extra heavy long loads that do not fit into ar15 - 80gr etc

Right now im pushing 85.5 Bergers out of a Colt Match H-Bar. Seated .010 off the lnds. Just have to single load, no problem. It has a Kreiger 24" tube with a 1in 7.7 twist.....

 

[paul73]

Right now im pushing 85.5 Bergers out of a Colt Match H-Bar. Seated .010 off the lnds. Just have to single load, no problem. It has a Kreiger 24" tube with a 1in 7.7 twist.....

Single loads sucks. I 3d printed a sled that makes it easier, it still sucks.

 

[BTSDOG]

Single loads sucks. I 3d printed a sled that makes it easier, it still sucks.

Only sucks if you're in a hurry. Im too old and lifes to short to be in a hurry.

 

[paul73]

Only sucks if you're in a hurry. Im too old and lifes to short to be in a hurry.

May be. I do not think it is good for bolt and ejector to smack at a round you push into a chamber this way.
Nothing broke so far, but, dunno.

 

[BTSDOG]

May be. I do not think it is good for bolt and ejector to smack at a round you push into a chamber this way.
Nothing broke so far, but, dunno.

Only problem i had was when i accidentally seated bullets too long and ended up stuffing them .034 into the lands. Blew a couple primers right out. Velocity was pushing high 2800's and bullets were all over the place. Must have been well over 55,000 psi. Gun is fine, no problems whatsoever. I learned a little something with that mistake.

 

[paul73]

Only problem i had was when i accidentally seated bullets too long and ended up stuffing them .034 into the lands. Blew a couple primers right out. Velocity was pushing high 2800's and bullets were all over the place. Must have been well over 55,000 psi. Gun is fine, no problems whatsoever. I learned a little something with that mistake.

Barrel and chamber there are fine up to 120k psi, so nothing will blow. Worst is for brass to rip and send gas into your face, but that is what glasses are mandatory for.

 

[p..]

These are fun, but heavy. Also mag lengths are a little short. Can't load the super long bullets unless single feeding. There was one in the classifieds here a few years ago for I think $700 without glass.

Tikka T3x Sporter

Pure sportsmanship

www.sako.global

 

[paulleve]

I've got three .223 bolt guns (Savage Axis, Ruger Predator, and Tikka T3x) and get surprisingly good accuracy out of all three with 68 and 77 grain hand loads. The Tikka is by far the smoothest, and is the best shooter out of the three. The factory stock was pretty cheap, but once I realized the accuracy potential of the rifle, I upgraded to an MDT Oryx.



Tikka has recently released their new ACE model, but it's not yet available in the US. This one comes with a heavier barrel, chassis, fluted bolt, and lots of other nice upgrades for around $1650 MSRP. Considering the price of buying a rifle and adding a chassis, rail, hand grip, magazine, and extended bolt handle, this price is a pretty good deal!

 

[Demoman]

I had the same iche couple years back bought savage axis put votes glass on it. Told the wife it was for the kids. Yup glass was more than the rifle. Good times

 

[ware]

6.5 creed

 

[paulleve]

I had the same iche couple years back bought savage axis put votes glass on it. Told the wife it was for the kids. Yup glass was more than the rifle. Good times

I've had an Axis in .223 for about four years now, and it was collecting dust until I decided to try out an MDT Field stock that was on sale for Black Friday. Like you, the scope and stock cost as much or more than the rifle, but I do believe I made this Axis look pretty sexy!



The first time I took it to the 100 yard range (in current form) I tried a few hand loads I had with me that were developed for my other .223 bolt guns. The left one is a five shot group of Hornady 68 grain BTHP on H335 in some old Federal cases that came in at about 0.460". The middle group is Sierra 77gr Match Kings on Varget, and this one was just over .5". The last one was a group of 77 grain Midsouth specials that the rifle did not like.



I was pretty shocked at how well it grouped ammo that wasn't even tuned for it. Thumbs up for the MDT stock. I'd definietley look into this option in the future.

 

[Demoman]

I've had an Axis in .223 for about four years now, and it was collecting dust until I decided to try out an MDT Field stock that was on sale for Black Friday. Like you, the scope and stock cost as much or more than the rifle, but I do believe I made this Axis look pretty sexy!

View attachment 977324

The first time I took it to the 100 yard range (in current form) I tried a few hand loads I had with me that were developed for my other .223 bolt guns. The left one is a five shot group of Hornady 68 grain BTHP on H335 in some old Federal cases that came in at about 0.460". The middle group is Sierra 77gr Match Kings on Varget, and this one was just over .5". The last one was a group of 77 grain Midsouth specials that the rifle did not like.

View attachment 977323

I was pretty shocked at how well it grouped ammo that wasn't even tuned for it. Thumbs up for the MDT stock. I'd definietley look into this option in the future.

So you telling me I need to go furniture shopping.

 

[paulleve]

So you telling me I need to go furniture shopping.

I doubt you'll be disappointed if you upgrade the factory Savage stock! That MDT Field is about 1000x better than the one it came with. Plus you can use AICS magazines instead of factory Savage which run for about $50 each last time I checked. I've only had the stock since November, but had had no issues with feeding since I intalled it.

It's also about finding the right ammo. I bought this rifle before I got into reloading, so I had only tried factory ammo up until recently. I was surprised by how well it grouped, but it was no way near the results I've gotten recently. I also had a 6.5C Axis that grouped well with decent factory ammo, so shout out to Savage for making a very affordable rifle with such good accuracy potential.

I hate to continue adding $$ to this project, but I think a lift kit and extended bolt handle would help make the rifle run smoother. Plus it's fun getting hits on the 6" gong at 500 yards with a $300 rifle - that has now cost me far more than $300!

 

[PatMcD]

Push 90's to a 1000 yds.
Im having one built, Rem. 700 LH short action, 32", 5 groove RH Bartlein tube with full bore match chamber. Gonna put it in a KRG whiskey-3 lefty chassis with a Atlas PSR bipod. Going to give F-Class a try.......

The AR can do that with ease. Get a 6.5 twist. It'll still shoot 55's fine, too.

 

[LakeTrout]

Howa 1500, 1:8, 22”

I like the idea of building one on this action. But then 22 ARC came out, and I’m wondering if 223 makes sense, unless you don’t hand load.

 

[peterk123]

I like the idea of building one on this action. But then 22 ARC came out, and I’m wondering if 223 makes sense, unless you don’t hand load.

I've been very tempted going the 22 ARC route.

 

[nullpointer]

The new Henry Supreme in 223 looks interesting. Not a bolt action, but looks to be a tack driver, probably ok in commie states.

 

[peterk123]

I like the idea of building one on this action. But then 22 ARC came out, and I’m wondering if 223 makes sense, unless you don’t hand load.

You know, the 204 ruger doesn't suck neither.

 

[Gerbs54]

I like the idea of building one on this action. But then 22 ARC came out, and I’m wondering if 223 makes sense, unless you don’t hand load.

Mine is also in an Oryx chassis. At the moment I don’t hand load. It shoots 3/4 MOA with just about any factory ammo with a 65gr or heavier bullet. I got it as a barreled action from Brownells which saved a few bucks knowing I was going to drop it in a chassis. I will say chassis options are limited for the mini action.

 

[PatMcD]

You know, the 204 ruger doesn't suck neither.

I have a 204 in a Savage 12. I won it in a raffle. It's my dedicated porcupine gun. It turns them inside out. I've never shot it past 100 yds, but I'm going to assume it's going to get thrown around quite a bit by the wind beyond 300.