Suggestions for new build .223

Dave338458

Private
Minuteman
Apr 27, 2019
40
5
uk
New build is for a .223 , box mag , 1:12 or 1:14 barrel , throated to suit 40gn vmax ,, years ago built one on rem700 , in AI thumbhole stock , been out of shooting last couple of years , is there any better option than a 700 action , apart from full custom , is tikka or Ruger worth a look , needs a proper rigid stock too , not the crappy grs I just bought
 
Oh it's for lamping , normally between 100 -200 yards, need light bullets for flat trajectory and so they break up rapidly , shooting around live stock etc , no ricochet , 40gn does not exist body when it's going 3750ffp
 
Well you could look at a tikka varmint as the standard stock is decent for the light recoil of .223

What is the goal here? As in what are you suing it for? Those little pills will be screaming out of that barrel.

Sounds like a good fox or varmint rig.
 
I’ve been contemplating building a 223 off of my my savage/ chassis that’s sitting around
It would definitely be set up for long loaded heavies with a nice long barrel for speed.
 
The sole purpose is for use on a sheep farm , most fields are max 300y wide , most shooting is at night with a lamp , from sticks , 100 to 200 yards , foxes come right in with whistle, the little 40gn is flat so great for snap shots , , box mag makes it easier to load /keep rounds handy in the dark , , I thought the tikka varmint was a 1:8 barrel , ??? Anyone confirm
 
I have a sako 85 varmint in .223 that is a 10 twist. It is lights out accurate with 52 flat base bergers, and not terrible with barnes 36gr either.

If you're going that light on bullet weight, why not a 204 ruger?
 
If you're building one why not go 223 AI (if you reload) to squeeze a little more velocity out of it?

If the 223AI doesn't interest you I'd still recommend a 1-8 twist in 223. You'd be able to bump up to the 68/69 /77 gr class if you want to do something different but still also shoot the 40-50s. I don't understand why someone would pigeon hole themselves to shooting such a limited window of bullets when faster twists will do the same job and much more.
 
If you’re lamping mate I would get the T3X Superlight in 12 twist if you’re going to be using factory loads. Otherwise I would go same rig with 8 twist and load up the 53 vmax. 5 round mag will service your needs pretty well and the barrel won’t heat up in cool of the UK evenings/nights unless you’re mid ‘summer’.

Grab a threaded one if you’re going to run a moderator too and if you need extra cheek adjustment then one of these Kalix Technics will work well too.
7082519
 
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I am surprised you get good results with 1:8 barrel and 40gn bullets , if that's the case it opens up more choice of rifles ,, though this build is purely for lamping 100-200yards , have one or two other rifles for long range stuff etc ,, will look at tikka lite , the last build ran the rem varmint barrel cut to 18" threaded for reflex t8
 
Honestly, for what you're doing; I'd opt for a 17 Hornet. Low recoil, flat trajectory, and no exits on fox. The 17 Hornet was tailor made for fox hunting. .204 Ruger is also another one made more for violent expansion (though it will still exist a fox at close range).

I know you want a .223 (probably for low cost reloading components), but if your concern is flat trajectory and no exits, then I'd say you're better off going with small/faster caliber for light skinned game like fox. CZ and others make some really nice rifles in 17 Hornet.
 
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I like look of .17, but seems lack of rifles to start a build , box mag too, much easier at night , also , I have a .223 slot on my license already, could be changed if I found something worth hassle for,,just been suggested moving to .22-250 as same bolt as .308, so lots of donor rifles around. More noise too, a lot of choice will come down to the stock, want totally rigid like old thumbhole AI,
 
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Howa is not a brand i'am familiar with, will take a look see if there are any suppliers around me, better or similar to rem 700 ?
 
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New build is for a .223 , box mag , 1:12 or 1:14 barrel , throated to suit 40gn vmax ,, years ago built one on rem700 , in AI thumbhole stock , been out of shooting last couple of years , is there any better option than a 700 action , apart from full custom , is tikka or Ruger worth a look , needs a proper rigid stock too , not the crappy grs I just bought
Are you planning on buying the action to customize?
Since you mentioned being throated for a specific bullet, I'm assuming that is your intent.
I'm not sure what is available to you commercially there.
A 700 is still a viable build option, the triggers are really hit or miss, I have one good one, several were crap and had to be replaced.
Since you intend on sticking with light bullets, I would stay with the 1-12 and no faster than 1-9.
I have seen 1-8 barrels that wouldn't shoot 55 grain bullets at all, let alone something lighter.

Howa makes a fine rifle, the weatherby vanguard is the same rifle and may be sold locally to you.
They are nice, mauser style flat bottomed actions with one piece bolts and m-16 style extractors.

Tikka's, of course, are awesome. Again, made on your side of the pond, and should be available.

A butt ugly gun that seems to check most of your boxes is the Savage walking varminter model in the laminated stock.

Here is a link to the EU CZ site and the varmint laminated model:
https://www.czub.cz/en/produkty/kulovnice/cz-527-varmint-laminated.html
 
thanks for all the input guys , ive just bought the tikka t1 in .22 and not very impressed at all, currently the worst accurate rifle in the safe ! , think the howa looks interesting as i can get it quite easy here, will try to get a look at weekend
 
While they are not generally my pick for a precision rifle build (purely personal preference), I have had quite a few in .223. Four actually. All them (rifles and barreled actions) shot around 1/2 MOA with hand loads, and TBH, one shot in the .2's consistently (I had to shoot 5, 5 shot groups before I would believe it). They were all (excpet one) 1-12 twist HB version. The one that wasn't, was a sporter weight rifle, and it still shot well.
 
While they are not generally my pick for a precision rifle build (purely personal preference), I have had quite a few in .223. Four actually. All them (rifles and barreled actions) shot around 1/2 MOA with hand loads, and TBH, one shot in the .2's consistently (I had to shoot 5, 5 shot groups before I would believe it). They were all (excpet one) 1-12 twist HB version. The one that wasn't, was a sporter weight rifle, and it still shot well.
Thats good to hear about the accuracy , What would you prefer over the Howa in .223 /box mag then ?
 
Tikka. But, again, that's just a personal preference sort of thing. Honestly, they're pretty close in quality, but the T-3 enjoys more aftermarket support.

That being said, I think Howa's are starting to gain a following, and so, the market tends to follow/support what people buy. Howa's are just where Tikka's were 4 years ago in aftermarket support; I think they'll catch up eventually.
 
For your needs you should consider a .204.

I almost added that to my previous recommendation, except he referenced fox and not wanting pass throughs. The .204R is definitely a killer for predators, but at the close ranges found in the UK while "lamping" foxes, the 204 would definitely exit.
 
Tikka. But, again, that's just a personal preference sort of thing. Honestly, they're pretty close in quality, but the T-3 enjoys more aftermarket support.

That being said, I think Howa's are starting to gain a following, and so, the market tends to follow/support what people buy. Howa's are just where Tikka's were 4 years ago in aftermarket support; I think they'll catch up eventually.
over here the tikka and howa are pretty close in price , around £50
 
I almost added that to my previous recommendation, except he referenced fox and not wanting pass throughs. The .204R is definitely a killer for predators, but at the close ranges found in the UK while "lamping" foxes, the 204 would definitely exit.
I almost added that to my previous recommendation, except he referenced fox and not wanting pass throughs. The .204R is definitely a killer for predators, but at the close ranges found in the UK while "lamping" foxes, the 204 would definitely exit.
using n120 at i think was 23.8gn with the 40gn vmax it was over 3700fps , no signs of pressure , lapua brass lasted ages , a shoulder shot would not pass through, when shooting in towns, schools etc always shot either front facing chest or rear just so had the full length of body.
 
using n120 at i think was 23.8gn with the 40gn vmax it was over 3700fps , no signs of pressure , lapua brass lasted ages , a shoulder shot would not pass through, when shooting in towns, schools etc always shot either front facing chest or rear just so had the full length of body.

Fair enough, you know better than anyone else what shots you are comfortable taking. I was just offering my opinion, based on what I experienced when hunting/hiking the East Anglia area, where I spent some time a few years back supporting the RAF (RAF Marham). Granted, half the time was spent dodging the carrots the lorries would leave on the local roads... :LOL:
 
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local firearms hasn't heard of new fangled cartridges like .204, be a right pain changing the licence, i would have to find a rifle that really impressed me to warrant the agro of a variation
 
thanks for all the input guys , ive just bought the tikka t1 in .22 and not very impressed at all, currently the worst accurate rifle in the safe ! , think the howa looks interesting as i can get it quite easy here, will try to get a look at weekend
What issues are you having with the T1x? I have one in 22LR that is extremely accurate using CCI SV, Lapua, and SK
 
local firearms hasn't heard of new fangled cartridges like .204, be a right pain changing the licence, i would have to find a rifle that really impressed me to warrant the agro of a variation
You might try hitting up "baldie" on the UK Varminting board. He could get you sorted, as well as tell you how hard it would be to get a variance/change to your license for a newer cartridge. He's an RFD as well (IIRC).

http://ukvarminting.com/?_fromLogin=1
 
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You'll be happy with the Howa or Tikka. Both super solid actions, great fit and finish. The detachable mags for the Howa are called legacy sports. Nice cheap way to upgrade. I've been running them on my .308, haven't had any problems.
 
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You'll be happy with the Howa or Tikka. Both super solid actions, great fit and finish. The detachable mags for the Howa are called legacy sports. Nice cheap way to upgrade. I've been running them on my .308, haven't had any problems.

Legacy Sports is the importer of Howa (and other) firearms. (FYI).
 
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What issues are you having with the T1x? I have one in 22LR that is extremely accurate using CCI SV, Lapua, and SK
It just won't produce a group , changed stock , scope mounts , everything , only thing left is barrel , original stock, using bipod produced 3" at 50 yards no matter what ammo , bought new stock , slight improvement but a marlin papoose with "12 barrel is more accurate , this particular rifle is a total fail , supplier so far has been very unhelpful, will
 
It just won't produce a group , changed stock , scope mounts , everything , only thing left is barrel , original stock, using bipod produced 3" at 50 yards no matter what ammo , bought new stock , slight improvement but a marlin papoose with "12 barrel is more accurate , this particular rifle is a total fail , supplier so far has been very unhelpful, will
Sometimes a rifle is just won’t shoot & should be replaced. My uncles gun shop we would check everything, trigger, bedding, action, base, rings, scope, & handload but every once in a while a bad barrel just won’t shoot. We have had good luck with the Remington 700 sps Tactical 223 1:9 twist & federal gold medal 223 69gr smk or 69gr smk handload shooting around .5 moa especially with stock & trigger change. This sps has a magpul stock which is a good value, timney 2 stage elite, & vortex diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & it is easy to shoot
 

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