Help selecting an affordable bolt action in .223

Phlach

Phlach

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My son's 15th birthday is coming up this summer. In addition to his FID, I would like to buy him a bolt action rifle in .223. The variety of models available makes my head spin. I've only been shooting for a year, and could really use some help. He has a .22 lever action rifle already (in my name of course) that his grandmother passed on to him from his grandfather, and he is a pro with my pistols, AK, and shotgun. I know he would love a bolt action rifle in something more than .22, and .223 seemed like it would be an affordable and readily available round. It would be used solely for punching paper (and other non-living targets) at the range (we're not into hunting). I think he would also want to put a bi-pod and scope on it.

A quick web search showed me prices from under $300 to well over $1000. I think $500 would be a max for the rifle itself, but if I could get something decent for under that it would be a real plus. To start, we would be shooting at 50 - 100 yards, but I know he would be eager to work up to 300 yards (the max range at our club).

Any advice on specific models to look at would be very much appreciated.
 
Real tough to beat a savage with the accutrigger for the money. I have a left handed hunting model .308 and can shoot clover leaf groups at 100 yards with factory hunting rounds. Savage makes a heavy barrel tactical model in your price range that is a tack driver that will shoot accurately out to 600 no problem.
 
savage 10fp
super accurate. fully adjustable AccuTrigger.
heavy barrel, mild recoil. durable synthetic stock.
new around $600
probably can find used on GB for less.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I would go with a Stevens 200. It uses all of the same parts as a Savage model 10, but comes with a cheap plastic stock (lightweight) and a hunting-profile barrel (again lightweight). As he grows up, and if he shows interest, you can work with him on upgrading stuff like the trigger, stock, barrel, etc. The stock is cheap enough that if he even wants to try out his own custom spray paint camo, he won't be putting something expensive at risk.

You can get them for around $300 and are very accurate out of the box.
 
Agree on the savage. Possible alternatives could be a Ruger mod 77. Or maybe a CZ. If you are looking primarily for a target gun, I don't think you can do better than the savage police model though.
 
Thanks all. Any thoughts on the savage 110GXP3? Looks like perhaps it's their base model with a factory installed scope. I know the glass that comes on it is probably low end, but that could be upgraded in time. FS has them for under $540 which seems reasonable. Should I spend a little more for a 10fp or cp? Or is it basically the same rifle?

http://fsguns.com/fsg_new_lg.html (about 2/3 of the way down the page)

Thanks again all.
 
Not to derail this excellent thread, but my 16 year old's favorite gun to shoot is one of my Mosin Nagants with a scout scope. The gun and scope cost about $175, and you can buy about a lifetime supply of ammo for $159. It doesn't have a bipod, nor would I suggest adding one, but we shoot it off bean bags at the range. He can hit 4-5" groups at 100 yards.

His other favorite gun is my Winchester 30-30, but that ammo is a little pricy, so he doesn't shoot it very often.

Good luck, it sounds like it's going to be an unforgettable summer for your boy.
 
I would recommend a Savage 110 or a Stevens 200, the Savage Axis line is the low budget non-accutrigger version with a different action, but it is durable and reliable. Frequently these come with a scope. I also think the new budget line Ruger American Rifle should be checked out (don't know if it is available in MA yet).
 
I borrowed a savage with accutrigger(not sure which model) in . 223 for a day. It was great, very accurate i was hitting clay pigeons easily at 200 yards, and i am not the greatest shooter.
 
Phlach said:
Thanks all. Any thoughts on the savage 110GXP3? Looks like perhaps it's their base model with a factory installed scope. I know the glass that comes on it is probably low end, but that could be upgraded in time. FS has them for under $540 which seems reasonable. Should I spend a little more for a 10fp or cp? Or is it basically the same rifle?

http://fsguns.com/fsg_new_lg.html (about 2/3 of the way down the page)


That has a nicer wood stock, bas, rings, scope and a hunting profile barrel. It's def not a bad deal.

Thanks again all.
Click to expand...

the off the rack police model will (generally) have no rings or base will have the plastic stock (3 mounts (2 sling and bipod)), but the seller is the bull/ target bbl.

if it is primarily a target gun, I'd opt for the police. if it is going to be hunting and target then the G is a nice way to go.
 
mark056 said:
I would recommend a Savage 110 or a Stevens 200, the Savage Axis line is the low budget non-accutrigger version with a different action, but it is durable and reliable. Frequently these come with a scope. I also think the new budget line Ruger American Rifle should be checked out (don't know if it is available in MA yet).
Click to expand...

I had forgotten about the new Ruger. They are reportedly a good rifle for the money.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...rd1364972&WTz_l=SBC;BRprd1364972;cat105523380

Not that anyone would buy it from Cabela's, but here is the info. Calibers out so far are .243 , .270 , .308, and 30-06
 
jar said:
The OP mentioned it was for paper punching out to a max of 300 yards and that price and wide availability were important. I can't think of anything better than 223 for that application, can you?
Click to expand...

Sure, it would be fine for that very narrow set of requirements. If he ever wants to do anything more he'll be looking to upgrade though, and a used .223 bolt gun isn't going to sell very easily. I'd probably go at least .243 so there's a potential hunting application (even if he's not going to hunt, the guy he ends up selling it to might.)

Whatever, I was just curious as to the thought process.
 
I've been casually looking for something similar for myself in 308 and the savages seem to be the best choice for the budget.

I think there's a used .223 in the NES classifieds right now
 
mclina said:
Not to derail this excellent thread, but my 16 year old's favorite gun to shoot is one of my Mosin Nagants with a scout scope. The gun and scope cost about $175, and you can buy about a lifetime supply of ammo for $159. It doesn't have a bipod, nor would I suggest adding one, but we shoot it off bean bags at the range. He can hit 4-5" groups at 100 yards.

His other favorite gun is my Winchester 30-30, but that ammo is a little pricy, so he doesn't shoot it very often.

Good luck, it sounds like it's going to be an unforgettable summer for your boy.
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention this. A mosin was actually an alternative (and certainly more affordable) option I was considering. He fired one a friend of mine owns a few times and the "kick" (which at first was part of the fun) got old fast for him. I'm sure we could both work on our form to absorb the recoil better, but he's all skin and bones and I don't want a sore shoulder to be the reason he stops shooting for the day. After 5 rounds in my friend's mosin, he was ready to go back to my AK for a while.
 
i have a savage axis in 243 that cloverleafs at 100yds and bugholes on occasion. cheap, accurate, and durable. just what a young man needs for his first real rifle! not to mention he can punch paper with the 243 at all kinds of distance, hunt varmint with it, and hunt creatures up to white tail with it. even if you dont get an axis, i highly recommend savage rifles. The accuracy and quality control they have along with affordability hands down rules, and with a large aftermarket for them he will never outgrow a savage bolt.

Dom
 
jasons said:
Sure, it would be fine for that very narrow set of requirements. If he ever wants to do anything more he'll be looking to upgrade though, and a used .223 bolt gun isn't going to sell very easily. I'd probably go at least .243 so there's a potential hunting application (even if he's not going to hunt, the guy he ends up selling it to might.)

Whatever, I was just curious as to the thought process.
Click to expand...

Ya, I'm leaning toward .223 just mainly for the affordability and availability of the round. I'm sure (or at least I hope) the rifle will have some sentimental value to him as the first one I bought him on his 15th birthday, so I'm not too worried about ease of resale or resale value at this point.

If he surprises me and gets into hunting in 5 or 10 years, he can obviously purchase whatever he wants at that time, but I would be shocked if he does (just knowing his personality).

Thanks again all for your advice.
 
MassMark said:
Echo most everyone else. Savage 10, or Savage/Stevens Edge..Affordable, upgradeable and accurate...
Click to expand...

Really i was looking at them but couldnt find a whole lot of accessories compared to a regular savage?

Also look at howa, CDNN had some for just under 400$ i liked mine and it was a pretty decent gun. Thinkin about getting another one soon
 
SteveCase said:
Really i was looking at them but couldnt find a whole lot of accessories compared to a regular savage?

Also look at howa, CDNN had some for just under 400$ i liked mine and it was a pretty decent gun. Thinkin about getting another one soon
Click to expand...

Accessories? Like what?

The Stevens and Axis/Edge are very different. The Stevens 200 is the same as a 10 (short action) or 110 (long action). The Axis/Edge is a different rifle and the parts are not interchangeable. The Stevens 200 will accept all Savage 10/110 parts.
 
mike93lx said:
Accessories? Like what?

The Stevens and Axis/Edge are very different. The Stevens 200 is the same as a 10 (short action) or 110 (long action). The Axis/Edge is a different rifle and the parts are not interchangeable. The Stevens 200 will accept all Savage 10/110 parts.
Click to expand...

yea i know that the savage and stevens 200 are compatible and that the axis/edge are different i was talking about the upgradableness of the rifle. i hadnt seen any stocks, triggers or anything to customize that rifle (Axis and Edge).
 

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