Budget .223

[quadmx301]

I assume this has already been , but I would still like to pose the question(s).

Looking for a budget .223 rifle w/ an optic, staying under $400, stretching to $450 if need be. Wanted to ask anyone's opinions and experiences with:

-Savage Axis
-Ruger American
-Remington 783

Will primarily be shooting bulk Federal 55 grn @ distances of 2-400 yards. Would like to look for a reasonable amount of accuracy with that ammo, hopefully staying under 2 minutes.

Please share your experiences, and I'm open to further suggestions on different rifles, but primarily set on .223 as the caliber, so no persuasion there Thanks all!

[Calico1404]

I have heard good things regarding the Axis, with a good price point and most come with a scope pre mounted. I have shot one once and it felt decent.

[DesertDave100]

I bought the Axis II with the accutrigger in .223. I needed to remove and remount the scope and rings, since they were not quite right from the factory.
Because of a repeat trip needed at the store, they gave me an extra 10% off, thus before taxes and dros it was $348. For that price I am happy with it so far.

I only shoot cheaper ammunition and haven't got ready access to a range longer than 100 yards. So far I can sometimes get a 4 shot group less than 2", with Wolf or 1983-vintage M193.

From the reading I did before purchase I think that you should be reasonably happy with any of the three options that you mentioned. I chose based on price and availability, could easily have purchased one of the others if the specifics were different at time of purchase.

[hecomp]

With the help of this forum, I myself went with the Savage 11-VT in a .223 for my range gun (thread here), which is a Dick's Sporting Goods special. It was on sale for $399 for Black Friday. Its gone on sale a couple of times since then. It comes with a heavy barrel, which is good for target accuracy, and a cheap Bushnell scope, which is fine for a hundred yards or so. Btw, I do not like the magazine set up on this rifle. It takes a little extra effort, but does the job. With me working on my breathing and trigger control skills, I've got this rifle down to between 1 - 2 moa with off-the shelf ammo. The rifle shoots better than I do at this point.

For the Axis line, I would go with the Axis Heavy Barrel in a .223, which Gallery of Guns has on sale right now for about $365 out the door for my area (link to GOG here). Add in the fact that Savage has a $50 mail in rebate right now, this doesn't sound like a bad deal for $315 out the door (link to rebate here). I guess the only downside would be no Accu-Trigger. But I have read the stock trigger can be improved upon.

I'm sure the 783 and the Ruger American will do the job just fine as well. I believe the Ruger American is usually given the nod as the better of the bunch. I shot a friend's in .30-06 and thought it was pretty good for the price.

I have no experience with the 783, but the reviews seem to be pretty good in general. Its selling as a combo for about $330 plus tax n DROS at the local Turner's here. Plus, Remington has a $40 mail in rebate on the 783 through Jun 25, 2016 (link to rebate here). This puts the 783 at $350 out the door for me, complete with the cheapie scope.

[ElDub1950]

Had a Savage Axis XP (not accutrigger). Good little gun.

Mine specifically stated 223 only, not 556. And it hated aluminum cased ammo. They'd chamber and fire fine but half of them would jam in the chamber and it'd take 5 minutes to pry it out.

[RNE228]

Mentioned this in other threads; watch the used racks at LGS. My friend found a great deal on a Rem700 7mm Mag with reasonable scope. You should be able to find a decent price on a nice used Rem700V or Ruger 77V in 223...

[alpha_romeo_XV]

Since you are not looking for 1moa, nor shooting match grade ammo, any of the 3 listed should deliver. 400 yds with 55g in a strong cross wind = challenge with any/best rifle though.

[TMB 1]

Since you are not looking for 1moa, nor shooting match grade ammo, any of the 3 listed should deliver. 400 yds with 55g in a strong cross wind = challenge with any/best rifle though.

^this^

Maybe go to a shop that has all three, check them out side by side, pick the one that you like the most.

[DoubleA]

Used Mossberg MVP? Runs on AR magazines.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[pennstater]

How you liking the Ruger 30-'06? Put a scope on it yet?

[paddyb]

Also have a look at the Howa 1500. Great guns.

[ExtremeX]

Also have a look at the Howa 1500. Great guns.

Unless something changed in the lineup, last time I checked it was only available in a 1:12 twist...

It is a nice rifle, I like the Howa action, but the twist rate killed it for me.

[Divernhunter]

Anyone of them will work.
If asked--and you did- I would buy in this order: Ruger then Savage then Rem
I have shot all three.

[SandBlastedSkin]

I have the 783 and shoot sub-MOA with it. Only modifications I have done is replace the scope and scope rings and reduced the stock trigger to roughly 2 lbs. It's in 308 though.

[paddyb]

Unless something changed in the lineup, last time I checked it was only available in a 1:12 twist...

It is a nice rifle, I like the Howa action, but the twist rate killed it for me.

Current Howa 223 rifles are 1:9 for all barrel styles...up to 24"