Which 223?

[gerry]

The LH Savage 223 is out of stock with the dealer I'm dealing with so please help me decide between these 223 Rem rifles:

Ruger 77 Hawkeye
Browning X Bolt
Tikka T3
Remington 700

http://ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeSta ... 37143.html
http://www.browning.com/products/catalo ... 35&tid=255
http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/LiteLH.pdf

I'm leaning towards the Ruger since my 375 Ruger has been so accurate and it comes with a 1 in 9 twist while all the others come in a 1 in 12, a close second choice is the Browning. Tikka makes a 1 in 8 version of their 223 as well I'm not sure which twist he has.
The Savage 260 Remington is on order with another dealer and should be here in the spring, then I will need to cool it for a while in the gun buying department. Looking forward to some new reloading projects this spring

 

[DrMike]

Gerry,

Tough choices you present. The Hawkeye is a good looking rifle, and the good ones shoot exceptionally well. Take it from me, however, that there are some that are not to the same standards as others. Having said that, would I buy another? Yes, knowing that I can correct most deficiencies without too much difficulty, I'd pick up yet another Hawkeye to add to my growing collection. The X-Bolt rifles that I've shot (admittedly, none in 223 Rem) were all shooters. They are another rifle that is easy on the eyes. I really like the Tikka T3s. I haven't shot one that didn't deliver the goods from the bench; I really like them. Remington, not so much. A good Remington is becoming increasingly rare, which is a shame. Still, you won't be too bad off with any of those, and I'm certain all can be made to shoot very well with some attention and care.

 

[257 Ackley]

Tikka would be my choice

 

[gerry]

After thinking a bit more about it the Browning might be a bit better choice over the Ruger since it is quite a bit lighter (which would be an advantage for my wife for sure) and they are known to be great shooters. The Tikka is nice and need to think about it some more, too bad Remingtons are having some quality control issues since the CDL is a really nice looking gun.

So it is down to:

Browning X Bolt
Tikka T3
Ruger 77 Hawkeye.

 

[FOTIS]

I have a 11F savage which shoots in the .3's.

That said with you list I would go with the only one that will produce accuracy for sure.

TIKKA!!!!!!!!!!!! :!:

 

[257 Ackley]

I have a 11F savage which shoots in the .3's.

That said with you list I would go with the only one that will produce accuracy for sure.

TIKKA!!!!!!!!!!!! :!:

Right on track Fotis...light weight and haven't seen one yet that didn't shoot well right out of the box.

 

[DrMike]

Gerry,

The CDL is undoubtedly the most handsome of the group, but I daresay that any of those you have listed will be more likely to satisfy your desire for a well-built rifle. The Tikka is a shooter.

 

[gerry]

Just to update this thread, I'm not going to get very much in any kind of a trade in with the dealer mentioned so my 260 needs to sell before getting the 223. The good news is I have found some better pricing on the Tikka T3's so as long as they don't sell out any time soon I can buy one of those. We will see what I end up with since I'm also open to trades for a 222 or 223.

 

[jmad_81]

A .223 is going to really hurt your bore size average
:lol:

 

[SJB358]

A .223 is going to really hurt your bore size average
:lol:

EWWWWW, I know!!! Jeeze, glad its not me!

 

[bbearhntr]

I LOVE my Browning X-bolt!!!!

 

[Wincheringen]

I like the Hawkeye, I haven't had an inaccurate one yet, and its the only one of the three made in the USA!

 

[nshunter]

I would go with the ruger or the 1-8 twist tikka, they are much more versatile than a 1-12 twist gun. I have a ruger that I bought in 2006 that is a 12 twist and constantly find myself wanting to sell it to get a 9 twist. Save yourself from the same fate and get a 1-9 twist the first time.

 

[gerry]

I would go with the ruger or the 1-8 twist tikka, they are much more versatile than a 1-12 twist gun. I have a ruger that I bought in 2006 that is a 12 twist and constantly find myself wanting to sell it to get a 9 twist. Save yourself from the same fate and get a 1-9 twist the first time.

The more I think about it I'm leaning towards the faster twist guns since they are more versatile like you said. I have found some good pricing on both but I haven't talked to the local shop yet to see if they can be competitive.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

the tikka t#3varminter has an 8 twist or they used to.
RR

 

[rifleguy]

Howdy! I just thought I would add my two cents worth, I have a Tikka M595 in .223 Rem (the forerunner of the T-3) I bought it in a pawn shop in Nampa Idaho for $200.00 because the previous owner had disassembled it and lost the action screws. So I took it home in a box and called Stoger and they sent me two new action screws for free and I then put it back together again, mounted a Millet scope and boresighted it and I have never had to change anouther thing and the really cool thing about it that it shoots most loads to the same point of aim (with in reason) and I use it allot for hunting yoddle dogs in the desert so I would whole heartedly say to get the Tikka......Great rifles!