Recommend an inexpensive .223 rifle

[CaliforniaShooter]

Hi All ;) ,
I am looking for an inexpensive .223 rifle that will perform (as well as can be expected) with military surplus and cheap commercial loads. Basically I want something cheap to shoot with a reasonable degree of accuracy. I am looking at Remington's 700 ADL, but after reading one of the posts here about 10 inch groups I'm not so sure. I don't have the gunsmithing skills he does and if I got a lemon and needed to pay someone I'd feel pretty lousy (and it would probably end up costing as much as a PSS). I intend to use this primarily as a range gun...but it would be nice if it didn't weigh a ton (I once had a Remington 700 VLS in .223 that I traded in without ever firing *stupid move*, and I would like it to be lighter than that).
Recommend something for me...
1.) Inexpensive .223 that will function reasonably well with cheap commecial or military ammo. I don't care about the manufacturer...just want good, reliable, accurate.
2.) If you could, tell me a good place to order it from over the web and a price (if you know)?
3.) Perhaps one of you is selling one? A proven shooter that fits my bill?

Thanks,
Tony

[BT 223]

The most inexpensive option would probably be a single shot.
H and R or New England make several models, with light or heavy barrels.
I especially like the survivor model in either 223 or 308, best place to check them out is on wally worlds web site. They run around $250.

[adaman04]

Yeah for the money NEF has some pretty cool bull-barrel single shots. If you want a bolt gun, you can get a Weatherby Vanguard for like $388. That's about all I can think of, for now at least.A friend of a friend has an NEF in .17 and he put a 18x scope on it and needless to say it is a crow popping mammo jamma!

[txfyrguy]

I have a Winchester 70 featherweight. I shoot .5 inch groups. Even with the store bought or surplus its around an inch. You should be able to find used ones for around 250-300 bucks.
Good luck

[aban]

You might want to look at the new savage model 40. I think it is available in the 223.

[Swede]

I have a Savage Tactical bolt action (Mod 10) and would have no problem recommending it or buying another. It functions and shoots great.

[wolfORACLE]

I have yet to get out to zero my 110FP Savage again, I am sure it is a scope issue now. Anyway, while walking the rounds into the center I was extremely happy with its grouping. It comes in a few calibers including .223.

[fishnfst]

I was hoping someone would recommend the savage. I have a 112 and she shoots. Sporter weight barrel with the long action. You don't really need the long action but I bought her used for $100 and she's a great coyote/walking rifle. I have 2 rem 700x's and 2 40x's and she doesn't compare to any of those four but shoots 1 moa all day long with most ammo's. Especially the wal mart value pack 45 grain sp's...

[debo]

For a new bolt action I would go with either the

Savage 11F or
New Remington SPS (replaces ADL, but has hinged floorplate, synthetic stock)
Weatherby Vanguard

All are about $400

Do a search on Gunbroker.com (http://www.gunbroker.com)

[Slappy]

Savage 10FP, 12FV or 12BVSS.........most accurate production rifles on the block and the most reasonably priced as well. The 10FP and 12FV stock isn't that great but it's functional and will still shoot amazing. The accutrigger is wonderful. Savage is the only 1/9 twist .223...... remington (except PSS uses 1/9), winchester (using 1/10 now), H&R all use 1/12. 1/9 will shoot the 40g to 70g bullets really well while you will be limited to MAX 55g with a 1/12 twist.

10FP (12FV looks the same but stainless bolt)
http://www.savagearms.com/images/centerfire/lawenf/10fp_sala.jpg
12BVSS
http://www.savagearms.com/images/centerfire/varmint/12bvss_sala.jpg
My 12FV in 22-250 with a Boyds Varmint stock fitted to it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/hitzy/SAVAGERIGHT.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/hitzy/SAVAGELEFT.jpg

[dogngun]

Savage bolt action. Ive had several, own one now in .243 (from WalMart), considering a second in .223. Great shooters, AccuTrigger, American company with very good engineering and innovative ideas, and SHOOTERS on the staff.


Mark

[Flak 2]

I bought 2 new Stevens for $280.00 each, out the door to rebarrel for project rifles. One in 223 the other 22-250.
I put a few of my plinking reloads through the 223 to see what she'd do ( 15.5 grs. of Lil Gun and 40 gr. Blitzkings). Off a bag front and rear on a calm day all the 5 shot groups were under an inch with quite a few 3 shot one holer's before I blew'm open with 4 and 5. I had a cheap closeout Simmons 6.5X20 from Natchez Supply on her in a Leupold dovetail base.
I have little doubt the Stevens will shoot as well or probably outshoot the more exspensive Winchester Coyote and Ruger Varmint models sitting here. I've been pleased with the out of box Savage products for their price.
I also like being able to do 15 minute barrel swaps.

[adaman04]

Thanks for the post flak. I saw those Stevens rifles on sale in the Bass Pro flyer for decent prices. When you say rebarrel, do you mean bull barrels, fluted barrels, or what? I suppose there are Savage barrels that will fit it?

[Flak 2]

adaman04. I was going to put together a 204 on the 223 Stevens and either a 22-250 A.I or another 243 on the 22-250 Stevens.

I've had pretty good luck with the Adams & Bennett $89.00 Savage stainless heavy barrels Midway is selling. Though they want $119.00 for a stainless fluted 204.

I've barreled up 3 old long action Savages I picked up cheap with these barrels. You can open up the barrel channel on the factory wood or pick up a cheap savage takeoff factory synthetic stock for about $20.00-$30.00. My rifles see alot of Chuck hunting and a nice wood stock would get ruined so bedding in a factory Birch wood stock works well for me.
Midway has the barrel nut wrench and blocks ( about $30.00 for the wrench) a 6" vise with wood blocks, or barrel vise, and a go gauge ( some people use a new unfired cartridge case to headspace) is all you need providing your barreling to the same case head size. Just make sure you remove the scope mount from the action before unscrewing the barrel incase the mounts screws are a little long they'll burr the barrel threads and make removal difficult.

You can read alot about the Savage/ Stevens swithing barrels, trigger work ect. on the Savge Shooters Forum http://www.savageshooters.com/forum/

barrels http://www.switchbarrel.com/default.html
http://www.savageparts.com/

I've had very good luck with the heavy stainless A&B 243 barrels. 47 grs. of RL22 with 70 gr. Sierra Blitzkings = a whole lot of dead woodchuck"s