Howa or Savage

[hlpressley]

Looking to put together a range toy bolt gun in .223. Primary use of the rifle will be to just have some fun at the range and in the reloading room. Will also be used to introduce new shooters to precision style rifle shooting. Admittedly, I’m a Tikka fan but finding anything in .223 with more than a 3-4 round magazine is virtually nonexistent. With that, I’m looking at picking up a Howa Mini Action from Brownells and dropping it in a chassis (Oryx or XRS). I recently came across the Savage Axis II Precision which essentially comes in an Oryx chassis from Savage. Price is close enough to not matter.

Which would you choose and why? Looking to stay at or under $1000 for the rifle/chassis so if you have other ideas that fit that criteria, please feel free to share those.

Thanks in advance!

 

[spife7980]

Howa between the two

I had gone with a bravo chassis on my howa 223 plus an aftermarket barrel but I also like the oryx if you don’t want to modify add or delete anything.

Went with a ruger American in the oryx

I like the xrs a lot, mines rem700 based. It’s my favorite of the three but I have also added a lot to it from its factory form as well making it a significant step up in price with fore ends and weights from the basic models

 

[Dirty D]

Cough cough

Firearms - Howa mini action 223

Just like the title says Howa mini action 223 with 3 factory magazines, optic and mount not included in price $500 delivered CONUS, your FFL must accept firearms from an individual.

www.snipershide.com

I even have an Oryx chassis I could make a package deal on…

 

[Dirty D]

… had gone with a bravo chassis on my howa 223…

KRG told me that they didn’t make the Bravo for the mini action, did you build that on a standard short action?

 

[hlpressley]

Cough cough

Firearms - Howa mini action 223

Just like the title says Howa mini action 223 with 3 factory magazines, optic and mount not included in price $500 delivered CONUS, your FFL must accept firearms from an individual.

www.snipershide.com

I even have an Oryx chassis I could make a package deal on…

Haha. I would definitely be putting it in a chassis of some sort if I got one. The factory stock would just take up space in my shop until it found its way to the dumpster.

Curious to your opinion on how it shoots?

 

[spife7980]

KRG told me that they didn’t make the Bravo for the mini action, did you build that on a standard short action?

Oh, yes. Normal short action, not a mini. Failed to remember that detail when replying.

 

[Dirty D]

The previous owner wasn’t thrilled with accuracy but I took everything apart and torqued to spec and ran Hornady match ammo thru it and averaged 3/4” 5 round groups at 100 yards. It’s a hoot to shoot but I’m neck deep in 223 rifles and want the cash to finish my CdG 30-06 build.

 

[mi650]

Howa over the Savage.

But if you can find one, RPR.

 

[Turkeytider]

Have two Savage rifles in .223, both almost boringly accurate and have been functionally flawless ( well, except for a magazine/feeding issue with my 110 Storm when I first got it, since resolved ). Cannot compare them to a Howa as I`ve never owned/shot a Howa.

 

[MO Fugga]

Howa.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Howa. Friends don't let friends shoot savage...


Unless your getting paid to shoot savage like alwine.

 

[sierracharlie338]

To throw another solid option out there, Tikka makes a 223 with 8” twist that shoots well. Bought my daughter one but I’ve been shooting it more than her

 

[hlpressley]

To throw another solid option out there, Tikka makes a 223 with 8” twist that shoots well. Bought my daughter one but I’ve been shooting it more than her

Is it the T3X Lite? Tikka is what I’d really like to have.

 

[corsairpilot62]

Remington 700 ftw! But between the two. Howa. Savage sucks.

 

[hlpressley]

Remington 700 ftw! But between the two. Howa. Savage sucks.

Which 700? Are the new ones any good? I hear various things about them.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Is it the T3X Lite? Tikka is what I’d really like to have.

Yeah it’s the lite compact (short stock with modular length of pull)

 

[corsairpilot62]

Which 700? Are the new ones any good? I hear various things about them.

That is a tuff question. I prefer the older 700s I personally like C serial prefix or earlier.

 

[hlpressley]

Yeah it’s the lite compact (short stock with modular length of pull)

Looked at those. The lack of a threaded barrel and the 3-4 round magazines threw me off. Seems more like a hunting gun.

 

[corsairpilot62]

Looked at those. The lack of a threaded barrel and the 3-4 round magazines threw me off. Seems more like a hunting gun.

Not ideal, but you can have a smith thread the barrel. And maybe replace bottom metal?

 

[hlpressley]

Not ideal, but you can have a smith thread the barrel. And maybe replace bottom metal?

May be the way I go. They aren’t too expensive so I guess it would make sense.

 

[corsairpilot62]

May be the way I go. They aren’t too expensive so I guess it would make sense.

Option to consider if you would like to stay with Tikka.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Looked at those. The lack of a threaded barrel and the 3-4 round magazines threw me off. Seems more like a hunting gun.

Yep smith is threading hers now and will end up in a chassis feeding from 10rd aics mags.

 

[sierracharlie338]

And there’s a lot of stock options for the Tikka now too if you wanted to go stock route.

 

[hlpressley]

Yep smith is threading hers now and will end up in a chassis feeding from 10rd aics mags.

Seems the new ACC Gen 2 from MDT would be a nice option.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Seems the new ACC Gen 2 from MDT would be a nice option.

Yes sir. Bout to order one of those just to have and the MPA kids chassis is what her rifle will prob go in for the shorter length of pull in prison pink.

 

[hlpressley]

Yes sir. Bout to order one of those just to have and the MPA kids chassis is what her rifle will prob go in for the shorter length of pull in prison pink.

Did your gunsmith seem confident that he could thread the barrel? Just don’t want to buy one and find out that the barrel is too thin at the muzzle to thread.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Did your gunsmith seem confident that he could thread the barrel? Just don’t want to buy one and find out that the barrel is too thin at the muzzle to thread.

Yes sir it measures almost .650 at the muzzle for a 1/2x28 thread.

 

[hlpressley]

Yes sir it measures almost .650 at the muzzle for a 1/2x28 thread.

Perfect! Looks like I will be ordering one tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[sierracharlie338]

Perfect! Looks like I will be ordering one tomorrow. Thanks!

Don’t think you will be disappointed.

 

[mi650]

I can't speak to the new ones, but I had a PSS tact. that I couldn't get to print a 1 MOA group. Sold it.

I recommended the RPR because I haven't had a group over .75 MOA with a 1/2 dozen different factory match loads. My best was .103", .098 MOA. It's bone stock, aside from a suppressor mount, and it's on my do not sell list.

Would I like a better trigger? Yes. It wears a VX-3i 8.5-25 FFP TMR in a Nikon mount. Would I like to put a better scope on it? Yes. But at this point, I'm not changing a thing.

 

[hlpressley]

I can't speak to the new ones, but I had a PSS tact. that I couldn't get to print a 1 MOA group. Sold it.

I recommended the RPR because I haven't had a group over .75 MOA with a 1/2 dozen different factory match loads. My best was .103", .098 MOA. It's bone stock, aside from a suppressor mount, and it's on my do not sell list.

Would I like a better trigger? Yes. It wears a VX-3i 8.5-25 FFP TMR in a Nikon mount. Would I like to put a better scope on it? Yes. But at this point, I'm not changing a thing.

RPR in .223 went the way of the Tikka CTR in .223. They are unavailable.

 

[mi650]

RPR in .223 went the way of the Tikka CTR in .223. They are unavailable.

I know. As I said, if you can find one. I got mine about 5 years ago, and it didn't start off well. The barrel was FUBAR'd, Ruger had cross-threaded the muzzle brake. I took it back to my LGS and let them deal with getting it off.

They sent it to Ruger, and I had it back in about 10 days with a new barrel. The m/b was hand tight.