5.56 bolt action is it a fun range gun or waste of money?

[CK_32]

If your not trying to hit a 10x10 target at 2,000 yards it can be a ton of fun. Just realize it's challenges and limitations.


I'm actually thinking of getting one for my self and my girlfriend to get her into extended range shooting.

Mostly for me tho

[CK_32]

I have a heavy barreled Savage and it's a lot of fun to shoot the recoil is minor and you can shoot it all day w/o getting beat up or a headache. It's also hell on squirrels, p-dogs and sage rats out to 200yds.

Thank God I'm not the only one.... I thought I was alone with the head ache after a big bore or extended time gun trip.

[jeffafa]

My wife doesn't like shooting my AR but loves shooting my Axis in .223. As a result she enjoys going out to BLM with me now. Besides its fun being able to hit steel at 100-200 yds with little effort and sometimes its a nice change without having to stock up on a different caliber.

[retiredAFcop]

MVP in 5.56 is nice for many things.

It allows me to use ammo that costs half as much as my .308 and 30-06 bolt guns do.

It is accurate at the ranges I am able to access (50, 100, 150, 200).

It is light and manageable for beginning shooters who may have smaller frames.

+ It's the only gun I have that my 10 round AR mags look "natural" in.

[NapalmCheese]

But do they load it with 52gr Sierra Match Kings?

ah hahahahaha

[dozer wright]

Ive got a Kimber Svt 223 great gun shoots clovers at 100 with hand loads. Svt pulls a high price new. But used generally they are cheap. Inconsistant accuracy wise from Kimber. Took a little love to get groups down. Scope mounts are the pain. To remove scope you undo the rear side screw rotate scope 90 degrees. And that was the main problem once the side screw is set centering scope pull it red lock tight and torque it down never to move again.

[billt]

My CZ-527 with Leupold glass. Very accurate with handloaded ammo seated about .020 off the lands.

[Wallabing]

Low recoil, and easier on the wallet than 308 + larger.

[RNE228]

A few of you have mentioned shooting steel with 223. What bullet do you use?

It's not a bolt action, but I would like to shoot on the steel range with my AR. But Sac Valley, for good reason, does not allow FMJ at steel on the 2-600M range.

Looking to rework some 308 loads for an older 700V. Have not loaded for it in a long time; lost records. Last loads were 165bthp Sierra Gameking for antelope; very accurate. Used 4060 powder with Federal match cases. Lost record of powder weight, oal, etc.

[NapalmCheese]

A few of you have mentioned shooting steel with 223. What bullet do you use?

It's not a bolt action, but I would like to shoot on the steel range with my AR. But Sac Valley, for good reason, does not allow FMJ at steel on the 2-600M range.

Looking to rework some 308 loads for an older 700V. Have not loaded for it in a long time; lost records. Last loads were 165bthp Sierra Gameking for antelope; very accurate. Used 4060 powder with Federal match cases. Lost record of powder weight, oal, etc.

70 VLD loaded over 22.8 H-335 in PPU cases with CCI small rifle primers. Makes just about 2600 fps in an 18 inch barrel, cycles a semi auto, doesn't use much powder and recoil is very minimal. Of course, given the cost of then 70 VLD you might as well throw more powder and barrel at it and it get moving faster. Next stop, develop a load with the Hornady 75 BTHP and save 15 cents a bullet.

[ARKLITE881South]

I think a lot of you would be surprised what a 223 can do inside of 800 if you try. Paper anyway

Your right, and not to one up you, but, i know a guy who's shooting 935 yds with a MVP 5.56 and banging the gong almost every time. Really neat to see that. And, it sure surprised the other guys watching,

[bluzman]

My CZ-527 with Leupold glass. Very accurate with handloaded ammo seated about .020 off the lands.

Here's my .223 CZ 527 Carbine. Considered a Mossberg MVP Patrol but prior experience with Mauser action led me to get this instead. Very happy with the choice.

[TomReloaded]

At 1000 yards a 223 drops about 58 *feet*. Besides wind, you have to aim 58 feet over your target. Hitting a literal barn at 1k with a 223 would take some skill!

[eric n]

At 1000 yards a 223 drops about 58 *feet*. Besides wind, you have to aim 58 feet over your target. Hitting a literal barn at 1k with a 223 would take some skill!

Depends on the bullet and how fast you push it. I haven't shot a standard 223 at 1k but I have with an Ackley. 75 vlds at 3050 cut the drop quite a bit.
The x ring at 1k is 5 inches and guys hit it. Yes the wind sucks, its the price you pay for cheap bullets and a small amount of powder.
I'm a proponent of it because its cheap and 1000 yd ranges aren't close by for most of us.

[200Apples]

.
I have a new respect for 5.56 after shooting it from a CZ 527 Carbine that my son recently acquired. (I have a 527 Carbine in X 39). Although his gun's barrel is stamped .223, the CZ is a European action and CZ has said these 527's safely chamber and fire 5.56 (or so the story goes).

offrdmania

Its going to be a range gun and iron sights only. Ill be removing the scope rail.

I've taken a similar approach with my .308 version and have zero'd the factory ghost ring setup to bullseye a 12" plate @ 100 yds. I've kept the rail, mounts and Leupold 2.5 X 28 for 200-yd zeros when conditions warrant it.