Factory .223

hlpressley

hlpressley

Sergeant of the Hide
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May 25, 2017
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Charlotte, NC
#1
Looking to pick up a factory .223 bolt gun to play around with inside of 1k yards. I can’t think of a situation where I would ever use it for competition, but would like to have one setup somewhat like a competition rifle more so than a hunting rifle. With that, what options are available? Are the new Remington SPS Varmint any good? I’d love to have a Tikka T3X Super Varmint but not sure I want one $1700 worth. What options do we have? What do you have? What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
I had an old R700 SPS, it might have been the AAC model, in 223. It has the slower 1:9 twist but loved Varget and 77SMK bullets. With a 16" barrel it was a laser. Highly recommend if you see one laying around for cheap. It shot easily sub 1/2 MOA in a B&C stock modeled after the M40 with a Vortex Gen I PST on it. Still regret selling it.

Or snag an Origin and have Josh and the crew at PVA spin up a prefit.
 
#3
EDIT: No .223. My Bad.
Solus or Howa in a Bravo seems to be the best "Basic" trainer setup to me.
**Solus doesn't have a 223 bolt???**

PVA Solus with the 4th of July sale is pretty cheap.
Choose from oem or Osprey barrel
Throw it in a KRG Bravo?
FFTC2024 code

Factory stocks are trash so why bother?
 
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#5
Just keep an eye out in the PX and pick one up. I have acquired a ARC Nucleus and Curtis Valor both in .223 here in the PX. Both shoot lights out. Price was good for customs. Just be patient and one will be listed as a complete or barreled action. Finish out with your choice of stock and accessories and your way ahead of a factory rifle.
 
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#7
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#8
#10
Sorry, just thinking out loud with you haha
Bergara B14 has a Wylde chamber available.
Their heavy barrels are as much as a Tikka thouggh.

I guess with no Howa available and what, under 1k? Savage 110 or Rem700 heavy/Varmint?
 
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#11
saddlerocker said:
Sorry, just thinking out loud with you haha
Bergara B14 has a Wylde chamber available.
Their heavy barrels are as much as a Tikka.

I guess with no Howa an available and what, under 1k? Savage 110 or Rem700 heavy/Varmint?
Click to expand...
The Bergara may be an option. Like to have a longer barrel than the 18” that the Ridge has but at just over $700, it seems fairly priced.

Looked at the new Remington SPS Varmint and it checks all of the boxes with a 24” heavy barrel. But, who knows what the Rem Arms stuff is like from a quality perspective?
 
#14
saddlerocker said:
Lol nope.

This + a KRG Bravo?
Or do you think you'll be fine with a factory stock?
www.brownells.com

HOWA 1500 BARRELED MINI ACTION 223 REM 20" THREADED HEAVY BLUE | Brownells

Check out the HOWA available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com

There used to be complete Howa rifles in a KRG, but they seem to be out of stock everywhere now.
Click to expand...

This is out of stock and I'm pretty sure they don't make bravos for this.
 
#15
Welp, appears I don't know jack lol.
I didnt realize Tikka did away with T3x Varmint and CTR for $1k.
Didnt realize Howa is out of stock everywhere. (And the 223 is a mini action)

Carry on. 😆
 
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#17
tacoman69 said:
8 twist tikka in a bravo is my trainer. Dont think you need a super varmint. stainless would be fine.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I did, well almost. I did the Tikka T3 Stainless Superlite 223 and replaced the factory stock with a Manner's EH1-TK, have since replaced the Warne rings with a Murphy Precision Titanium rail and Vortex PMR low rings
IMG_4278.jpeg
 
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#18
Darryle said:
Exactly what I did, well almost. I did the Tikka T3 Stainless Superlite 223 and replaced the factory stock with a Manner's EH1-TK, have since replaced the Warne rings with a Murphy Precision Titanium rail and Vortex PMR low rings View attachment 8452706
Click to expand...
Are there any options for larger capacity magazines? 3 round mags kinda suck! 😬
 
#21
tacoman69 said:
The larger capacity OEM tikka 223 magazine seems to be the only tikka mag that can have some reported functioning difficulties. 3 Rd/OEM stock no problems though. I use the 10 round polymer aics in a bravo and have had no issues
View attachment 8452709
Click to expand...
I dig the camo cerakote! Makes the Bravo look even better! Did you do that yourself?
 
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#22
hlpressley said:
I dig the camo cerakote! Makes the Bravo look even better! Did you do that yourself?
Click to expand...
Yea thx sponge painted myself. Action barrel is midnight bronze cerakote to try and give some protection and different look.I know I recd the stainless but I got the 20in compact as this will be what I will get my toddler started shooting hunting on and wanted the compact stock.
 
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#24
Modoc said:
I have been thinking about a used Wetherby Vanguard SA in 223 (Howa Action) and adding a KRG Bravo or MDT Field for my 223 trainer. Currently I’ve been rebuilding my 30 year old 10-22 so the 223 is on the back burner.
Click to expand...

Yes! This would be sweet. If you can find this action in stock, you're good. I know the howa minis are hard to come by. Plus, I prefer the short action over the mini action for better stock options and mag options. If you go mini, there are almost no mags and you're kinda stuck with the plastic factory mags.

Go short action if you can. The Weatherby will be a sweet rifle.
 
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#25
Modoc said:
I have been thinking about a used Wetherby Vanguard SA in 223 (Howa Action) and adding a KRG Bravo or MDT Field for my 223 trainer. Currently I’ve been rebuilding my 30 year old 10-22 so the 223 is on the back burner.
Click to expand...
If you decide to get the Weatherby, don't be afraid to purchase the base model. Mine in .25-06 that I paid very little over $500.00 in 2014, has been one nice hunting rifle. I keep repeating this. Out of a cold barrel, first shot is at point of aim, as fast as you can work the action and get back on target, it will put the next two also at the point of aim and all three fall into a group under an inch. Not precision but darned hard to beat in a hunting weight rifle that costs a half a K.
 
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#26
Dead Eye Dick said:
If you decide to get the Weatherby, don't be afraid to purchase the base model. Mine in .25-06 that I paid very little over $500.00 in 2014, has been one nice hunting rifle. I keep repeating this. Out of a cold barrel, first shot is at point of aim, as fast as you can work the action and get back on target, it will put the next two also at the point of aim and all three fall into a group under an inch. Not precision but darned hard to beat in a hunting weight rifle that costs a half a K.
Click to expand...
I built up two Howa Mini barreled actions for my father as very light hunting rifles (post back surgery) for <300yds and with handloads/premium ammo they are sub moa at 100 yards for 3 shots. I still need to work up a load for the 22-250 SA.
 
#27
I have a howa Mini action 20 inch heavy barrel 223 . I swapped out the plastic trigger and magazine housing for a DIP aluminum trigger and magazine housing . I also ordered 3 extra magazines at the same time they were back ordered but I got them in 2 months . I also installed an outer limit's 20 moa scope mount rail . It shoot's 77 grain matchkings and 55 grain hornady BTHP match sub moa 5 shot groups 64 grain power points fly around 1 moa and thats good enough for deer , coyotes and occasionally a ferrel hog . I'm still using the factory stock since the rifle shoot's just fine the way it is . It's a shame they can't get off their ass and put out more product .
 
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#28
sparky702 said:
I have a howa Mini action 20 inch heavy barrel 223 . I swapped out the plastic trigger and magazine housing for a DIP aluminum trigger and magazine housing . I also ordered 3 extra magazines at the same time they were back ordered but I got them in 2 months . I also installed an outer limit's 20 moa scope mount rail . It shoot's 77 grain matchkings and 55 grain hornady BTHP match sub moa 5 shot groups 64 grain power points fly around 1 moa and thats good enough for deer , coyotes and occasionally a ferrel hog . I'm still using the factory stock since the rifle shoot's just fine the way it is . It's a shame they can't get off their ass and put out more product .
Click to expand...
Both of the ones that I built up are the Sporter barrels in Pendleton CF Stocks with Oregunsmithing and Jefferson Outdoors BDL Style bottom metal because my father prefers them to a DBM.
 
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#29
hlpressley said:
Looking to pick up a factory .223 bolt gun to play around with inside of 1k yards. I can’t think of a situation where I would ever use it for competition, but would like to have one setup somewhat like a competition rifle more so than a hunting rifle. With that, what options are available? Are the new Remington SPS Varmint any good? I’d love to have a Tikka T3X Super Varmint but not sure I want one $1700 worth. What options do we have? What do you have? What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
" Competition rifle more so than a hunting rifle '" Does that mean you want a heavier gun with a heavy target barrel? You never said ( or maybe I didn`t see it ) how much you want to spend. Have to assume less than 1700 (?).
 
#32
It`s interesting. I know that there are those who buy rifles and shoot them in factory, out of the box stocks, but if posts here and other sites are any indication, they are in the minority. I`m beginning to wonder if ANYBODY shoots a Tikka in a factory stock!
 
#35
Turkeytider said:
It`s interesting. I know that there are those who buy rifles and shoot them in factory, out of the box stocks, but if posts here and other sites are any indication, they are in the minority. I`m beginning to wonder if ANYBODY shoots a Tikka in a factory stock!
Click to expand...
get a comb raiser vertical grip and you still have a pretty good stock. it's only 30 oz (34 with comb raiser) and the SRS hunter rail gives it arca/pic capabilities too.
Screenshot 2024-07-10 7.06.25 AM.png
 
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