best VALUE .223 bolt-action rifle

[StevieP]

There is a problem there.

The scope on a take down 10/22 mounts to the receiver and the barrel attaches and reattaches to the receiver also. This creates the possibility for inconsistencies in how it zeros.

If its just a plinker than it shouldn't be a big deal. But if you are trying to build an accurate 10/22, starting with a take down is not the way to go.

My use case for .22lr is plinking, spinners, etc shooting offhand 50 yards and in, and maybe punching paper from a bipod or rest out to 75 or 100. Possibly small game hunting /survival / truck or backpack gun. Looking at a 2 -7 variable scope or possibly red dot.

I've been checking out takedown reviews and build & pic threads on rimfirecentfal and rugerforums. Your concern about loss of zero was mentioned. Can be mitigated wifh tension adjustment, or by not taking it apart.

 

[KMM696]

is that image reversed, or is it left handled bolt?

You do understand that some people are in fact, left-handed?

 

[Jenska22]

You do understand that some people are in fact, left-handed?

yes I do, thats why I asked

 

[LuvDog]

They are both great trainers. I'm easing my way into PRS and as someone from the northeast who is typically limited to 300 yards, I've found shooting a .22 to be great fun. A .22 drifts and drops as much at 250 yards as a 6.5 CM drifts nd drops at 1200 yards.

I'm in the process of putting together a .223 trainer specially because it can go out 800 ish yards, which is again, more than I'll ever regularly get to in the Northeast. And I can reload it for about 30 cents per round.

Since these rounds are being loaded for a Zermatt arms bolt action using AICS mags, I can load the round hotter and longer than SAAMI spec (It won't fit in an AR mag) which lets me use heavy 77 gr bullets that fly better.

This gives me all the gun I need for distances I actually have access to, and nothing more.

Cheap to load for
Easy to load for with plentiful components.
Accurate
More drift than larger heavier bullets which will force me to develop wind reading skills.

View attachment 900301

So you’re the one who scooped up that TL2. It was a great price and I kept going back to it. My only issue with 223 is the limited match factory ammo. Sure plenty of ammo but not great projectiles. I need to get my press setup.

Maybe I’ll keep the Origin I had listed and get a new bolt head and barrel it for 223

 

[dcmdon]

is that image reversed, or is it left handled bolt?

Left Handed. Bergara B14R action in a MDT XLR Chassis.

 

[dcmdon]

So you’re the one who scooped up that TL2. It was a great price and I kept going back to it. My only issue with 223 is the limited match factory ammo. Sure plenty of ammo but not great projectiles. I need to get my press setup.

Maybe I’ll keep the Origin I had listed and get a new bolt head and barrel it for 223

It's got a .223 Wylde chamber. This has more freebore than standard .223. If you are shooting factory ammo, this is a bad thing. It means more jump than necessary and reduced accuracy.

If you are reloading, it means more room for longer bullets without having to stuff them in the cases. It's really meant for someone who reloads.
You won't find commercial ammo loaded like this because if someone sticks it in an AR with a .223 chamber, the bullet will be hard against the lands and will probably over-pressure.

Yes. I was watching it (On snipers hide). Then he dropped the price to $995. I didn't even negotiate.

To build something equivalent with a Bartlein Barrel, Bighorn/Zermat receiver, huber trigger, 20 moa scope base and an AICS mag, would have been $2500 new. I scored big. Though I haven't yet shot it. ha. Fingers crossed.

 

[dcmdon]

My use case for .22lr is plinking, spinners, etc shooting offhand 50 yards and in, and maybe punching paper from a bipod or rest out to 75 or 100. Possibly small game hunting /survival / truck or backpack gun. Looking at a 2 -7 variable scope or possibly red dot.

I've been checking out takedown reviews and build & pic threads on rimfirecentfal and rugerforums. Your concern about loss of zero was mentioned. Can be mitigated wifh tension adjustment, or by not taking it apart.

A good friend has a Tac-Sol take down. It's a laser out to about 75 yards. Then it all falls apart.

 

[AJK129]

TIKKA T3X. Once you shoot TIKKA, you will hate every other bolt action rifle.

As far as scopes, this is hard to answer due to the amount of scopes out there. The middle line ATHLON have really nice glass. They are not the scope you can drop from a helicopter, but for $500-600 you get very clear glass

I would stay away from REM 700, they are junk unless they have custom work done.

This is true, I thought my Bergera was good, and Im dissapointed in it every time now after trying a Tikka (I think your Tikka was my first time trying one?)

 

[Broc Tuah]

This is true, I thought my Bergera was good, and Im dissapointed in it every time now after trying a Tikka (I think your Tikka was my first time trying one?)

TIKKA ruined all my other rifles.

 

[AJK129]

TIKKA ruined all my other rifles.

Its definitely on my short list of guns to buy next, just waiting for a more hipster caliber now that 6.5 creedmoor seems too popular

 

[Broc Tuah]

Its definitely on my short list of guns to buy next, just waiting for a more hipster caliber now that 6.5 creedmoor seems too popular

There are plenty if hypster calibers, but you have to reload for all of them.

You could go with 6.5-300 Weatherby, I believe it shoots flatter than 6.5cm.

 

[AJK129]

There are plenty if hypster calibers, but you have to reload for all of them.

You could go with 6.5-300 Weatherby, I believe it shoots flatter than 6.5cm.

I have to get back into reloading, or sell all my supplies. I was thinking 300win mag could be fun too

 

[LuvDog]

Tikkas are great, but I ended up selling all of mine. If you leave them original and just do a simple spring change for the trigger, then it's a no brainer.

If you think you'll want to upgrade parts, then just start with an Origin, Mack Bros, or ARC CDG. More cost upfront, but cheaper in the end if you think you can't leave OEM alone.

My T3x were great shooters with just the $10 spring change. I should have stopped there.

 

[Broc Tuah]

I have to get back into reloading, or sell all my supplies. I was thinking 300win mag could be fun too

That is a good one to reload.

 

[dcmdon]

300 Win Mag is a great cartridge. But if you are going to reload, there is better. The 300 PRC has essentially the same sized case. But the SAAMI spec allows a much longer case overall length. (COAL). So you can use longer, heavier bullets. And just like in the .243 Win vs 6mm Creedmoor discussion, rifles in .300 PRC tend to have faster twist rates to stabilize longer bullets.

If you will be reloading for it, there really is no reason to choose .300 Win Mag over .300 PRC.

**edit. Maybe one reason. Because of the longer COAL, .300 PRC requires a magnum length action and magazine. The .300 Win Mag has the same COAL as 30-06 so it can use shorter actions and mags originally designed for use with the 30-06

 

[StevieP]

I took our young friend to the range this morning, stopping at three gun shops on the way, looking for a takedown. None had one. I did pre-emptively pick up a Hawke 2-7x32 scope at one of the shops for a good price, and a couple BX25s at another. As luck would have it the range pro shop had a gently used 10/22 takedown in mossy oak camo with the stainless barrel, threaded with a flash hider. came with a single 10-round mag and a nice backpack/case. Just gotta find suitable QD rings to mount the scope. It's a good shooter with open sights plinking to 50 yards, steel plates, etc.

 

[Billy2]

The OP said he has an 18 year old who wants to get into shooting. Im guessing you missed that.

A 308 would be a terrible choice for someone new to rifle shooting. Too much recoil and noise for most people to start off with and to do well.

A .223 with a brake on it will kick like a flea, allowing the new shooter to focus on the fundamentals.
It's much easier to not develop a flinch or push than it is to fix one that's developed from shooting heavy recoiling guns too soon.

I realize that recoil will largely be dependent on the weight of the gun. But most of these reasonably priced rifles will be pretty light.

I have an A-Bolt micro that weighs 6.5 lbs with a scope. I've also got a custom shop Savage with a 24" barrel in an Element chassis with a 56mm objective scope that weighs 16 lbs. Both are chambered in .308. The A-Bolt micro is for carrying a lot and shooting a little. The Savage is for shooting a lot and carrying a little.

The op said he has one and his kid likes it

I'm sorry but a .223 is not a do it all gun. I didn't suggest 300 win mag.

 

[dcmdon]

I'm sorry but a .223 is not a do it all gun.

It is if "getting into shooting", which is what the OP said, doesn't include hunting.

If it includes hunting, then I agree. If it includes punching paper or ringing steel, then it's just about the perfect do it all gun.

 

[crookedteeth]

The best value gun is probably the CVA Cascade which you can get for less than $700 or the Ruger American Gen 2 Predator $600. Savage Axis $400 usually shoot well but are pretty cheaply made. Weatherby Vanguards $750 are pretty good. Sportsman warehouse has a Tikka T3X superlite stainless on sale right now for $789. That might the best option. There are plenty of good guns once you get to the $1000 price range.