Stepping up my world.

[CarbonMTN]

Okay so I've had my .22 savage for little under 2 years now and I'm ready to step up my game to a .223. I am really looking at just these two rifles and can't really decide what one would be best for me.

Gun #1 Remington 700 SPS varmint - Barrel size 26" Twist is 12"

Gun #2 700 VRT with the Tri Barrel - Barrel size 22" Twist is 9"

Its just for target practice and nothing more. I'm going to be using a wide verity grains and ammo until I find exactly what I like.

1. What one would you go with and why?

2. Maybe you can persuade me to another gun... What would it be?

 

[You-Two]

Think about a Savage or a Tikka T3...

My Savage 12 FCV (1-9") shoots great even with the Hornady 75gr BTHP. Read good things about the Tikkas also and they come with a 1-8", which is a little more flexible.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

None of those, go with the .223 SPS Tactical that has a 20" barrel with 1:9 twist for no other reason than it will probably do just about everything the SPS V will do while not looking as goofy as the VTR. The 20" barrel and 1:9 twist should accurately shoot just about anything you can find save for the really heavy match stuff and have enough velocity to reach a bit further than you might imagine.

 

[MontanaKid]

+1 for the Tikka, I have a T3 lite in .308. For a $600 rifle +/-, I think it's hard to beat the action, trigger, and out of the box accuracy of the Tikka's. Aftermarket parts are also becoming more available.

 

[JoshcBoucher]

Look at the new Mossberg. Got "high ratings", from the mag, I read.

 

[Blackjack988]

Wall of text incoming.

I recently picked up my first precision-oriented bolt action (unless you count my K31) in .223 to act as a training rifle until I can get to a larger caliber (and access to a longer range). Since I didn't want to sink too much into it, I wanted something with better than normal accuracy out of the box without having to swap out barrels or have work done to it. After quite a bit of research I settled on a Tikka T3 Varmint in .223. The rifle is consistently sub-moa with match ammo (it loves Black Hills 75 grain) as long as I'm doing my part. The accessory market isn't anywhere near Remington 700's but it has been growing slowly. I'd have to say that the two biggest downsides are the magazine system and the long action. The factory magazine system works, but extra magazines are very expensive (this can be solved by grabbing a CDI bottom metal). I understand why they have such a long action (all the T3's use basically the same receiver) but it is somewhat strange having such a long bolt throw for such a short round.

Long story short, I'd recommend a Tikka T3 Varmint in .223. Kind of like this one here: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/firearms-sale/206800-tikka-t3-223-20-a.html

 

[oldfatguy]

None of those, go with the .223 SPS Tactical that has a 20" barrel with 1:9 twist for no other reason than it will probably do just about everything the SPS V will do while not looking as goofy as the VTR. The 20" barrel and 1:9 twist should accurately shoot just about anything you can find save for the really heavy match stuff and have enough velocity to reach a bit further than you might imagine.

Agree. 1:12 twist will limit you to light bullets and just NO to that goofy triangle. I have a .223 SPS-T in a B&C stock that shoots 1/2 MOA with hand loads.

OFG