Looking to get into bolt action. Suggestions?

[boyguan]

Looking to get my feet wet but don't want to take a plung yet. I shot my friends 700 heavy barrel in 223 at 100 yards and it was fun.

Hoping to find 300 up here some day. But I'm looking for a starter rifle that is cheap and decent out of the box. Probably shoot it for a year and sell it. If I like it I will upgrade the glass and get it ready for a replacement.

I'm thinking 223 to start as i have plenty for my ar

What suggestions you guys got? I see plenty on sale at dicks

[superdave50]

The only bolt 223 I own is a Mossberg MVP varmint. I really like it, although the ar Mags seem a little loose in the well. No problems so far

[ExtremeX]

I am making some assumptions here, but if you just plan on using the same ammo your shoot though you AR then you won't see much difference.

The assumption being you shoot bulk 55gr M193 / AE223 or similar. The results down range will likely be very similar. I saw literally no difference between the groups from my AR to my R700 223.

You might as well just spend that money on a good optic and get your practice with the AR for now. You are going to need that regardless.

Treat the glass as an investment, you could buy something worth owning long term and move it from rifle to rifle. IMO a better use of money if you want to keep the entry costs down and get your feet wet for now.

That said, if you are going to make the appropriate investment into ammo and the rest of the system then I say go for it; but you might as well get something a bit more exciting cartridge wise that has more capability.

As far as rifles go, Remington 700 is a good place to be. You can get a cheaper entry point but you are going to want to start upgrading things sooner or later. Specifically stock and trigger. Sky is the limit with this platform.

The Ruger Precision Rifle is a good place to be if you want something a bit more turnkey.

If you just wanted something budget, a Ruger American Predator series of rifle isn't bad either. Just an entry level bolt action with good cartridge options.

I really like Tikka rifles as well, they have a nice feel to them.

Any idea on what you might want to spend on the gun and optic?

[ar15barrels]

Any idea on what you might want to spend on the gun and optic?

$350.

[JTROKS]

I think a bolt action 223 is a great rifle to start with. 1:9 twist would be excellent if you're planning to stretch out a bit.

If you reload I highly suggest separating the brass you shoot with the bolt gun as you'll get more firing out of them keeping them out of ARs. You'll get more consistent accuracy too.

[JackEllis]

I have a Tikka in .223. Nice squirrel rifle for 100+ yards. It has a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 scope.

I assume you're going to be shooting at targets.

My opinion based on what I've read here is, Remington's are great if you want a project to build. Buy the gun and eventually replace everything but the action. Nothing wrong with that but if you want an out-of-the-box shooter you won't have to fuss with as much, I think there are better options.

It might be helpful to know a bit more about what kind of shooting you plan to do with this rifle.

[boyguan]

Just want to start. I will most likely get into some reloading before I buy a better rifle.

I read good things about the savage axis 2.

[baih777]

Just want to start. I will most likely get into some reloading before I buy a better rifle.

I read good things about the savage axis 2.

this rifle has the thinner hunting type of barrel. you will have to spend more time letting the barrel cool down than shooting if you want to shoot a couple hundred rounds in one day.

[baih777]

look at the Howa heavy barrel 223 and add a mag conversion.
or
look at the Remington Tactical 223. there are different options for mag conversion. the cheapest is using the Magpul mag option for their magpul stock but may require some dremel work depending on the stock.

if you plan on hunting, then the Savage Axis 2 will work.

[jrpowell3]

look at the Howa heavy barrel 223 and add a mag conversion.
or
look at the Remington Tactical 223. there are different options for mag conversion. the cheapest is using the Magpul mag option for their magpul stock but may require some dremel work depending on the stock.

if you plan on hunting, then the Savage Axis 2 will work.

I got the badger ordnance M5 DBM on my 700 in .308 and I like that a lot.

[Jimmy's]

Howa or Vanguard. Most bang for the buck.

[desert dog]

Looking to get my feet wet but don't want to take a plung yet. I shot my friends 700 heavy barrel in 223 at 100 yards and it was fun.

Hoping to find 300 up here some day. But I'm looking for a starter rifle that is cheap and decent out of the box. Probably shoot it for a year and sell it. If I like it I will upgrade the glass and get it ready for a replacement.

I'm thinking 223 to start as i have plenty for my ar

Coming from someone who has at least 1 of everything, what I DON'T have (or want) is a 223 bolt gun. I have precision ARs that will do everything you can do within the limitations of that cartridge. I have a stainless bull-barrel AR that I built that shoots 1/2MOA all day at 100 yards (with my loads). Because the 223 has so many ballistic limitations, you will not see any advantages to using it in a bolt gun vs a GOOD AR.

And for the "cheap" price range you are looking for buying a bolt gun in, you are really not likely to find anything that shoots 223 commercial ammo better than what you already have.

When you start shooting rifles for precision, 100-200 yards is nothing more than a "zero range". You will want to punch little groups and ring steel at longer distances for sure, and a more suitable caliber will allow you to do that.

[russ69]

If you are going to use a 223, you are going to be miles ahead if you buy a AR15 service/match rifle upper from WOA or Compass Lake. You'll get a fast twist accurate barrel that can shoot the heavy bullets that most bolt actions can't. It's the best bang for the buck in 223.

[Jimmy's]

Dont get talked out of what you want. Thats the biggest mistake too many people make.

[arrowshooter]

Keeping with your original $$ goal, this would be hard to beat and will get you on the map:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/70937/Firearms/Rifles/Savage/Savage+Centerfire/Savage+19228+AXIS+XP+223+PACKAGE#