.223 With Wood Stock

[bubbala]

i've never hunted squirrels but those who have like the 17HMR. similar ballistics to 223 and a cz 455 is well within your budget.
i've also got a 17 hornet in a savage 25 if it's got to be center fire.

[Xrslug]

Per one of the posts above, take a look at the CZ527 family. Micro-mauser action sized to the .223, models with and without iron sights, different styles of wood stocks, different barrel lengths. Excellent user reviews from what I've seen.

http://cz-usa.com/product-category/rifles/

[RNE228]

Curious about 223 for squirrel? Seems kinda big.

[JackEllis]

Curious about 223 for squirrel? Seems kinda big.

In close, I'd agree. Past 60 yards, .223 shoots flatter.


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[MongooseV8]

All of the rifles I listed can be had for $700 except the Kimber but $8-$900 would get you one if you look.
Also don't worry about a 1:9 because the 1:12 and 1:14 have been working this caliber for ever.
Squirrels and paper out to 300 yards don't require heavy bullets.

Actually he should get at least a 1 to 9 twist and maybe faster if he can find one. Pretty soon California hunting will be all lead free and the lead free bullets need a faster twist to stabilize.

[JackEllis]

Actually he should get at least a 1 to 9 twist and maybe faster if he can find one. Pretty soon California hunting will be all lead free and the lead free bullets need a faster twist to stabilize.

I'm planning to use relatively light frangible rounds, like the 35 grain NTX from Hornady. They'll be fine at 8 or 9: twist even if I don't push them. According to the Berger calculator, a 10" twist will work at 4,000 feet elevation (high desert) but it would be marginal at sea level.

[kenl]

Isn't the cz a 1:12 twist? Iirc I passed on a very nice one because of that

[Varg Vikernes]

A lot of the 223 bolt guns I see are either 1:12 or 1:9. Seems like 1:8 or 1:7 would be better but not many have changed.

[GILMORE619]

Isn't the cz a 1:12 twist? Iirc I passed on a very nice one because of that

The CZ carbine is a 1/9 twist and I believe the LUX version is a 1/12
Plus one on the carbine. The set trigger feature is great to have. I wish you could get a 10 rnd mag for it.

[bluzman]

My .223 CZ 527M Carbine (1:9) with 3-9x32mm scope.


5 shot group at 100 yards (called the flier), dime for reference

[kenl]

The CZ carbine is a 1/9 twist and I believe the LUX version is a 1/12
Plus one on the carbine. The set trigger feature is great to have. I wish you could get a 10 rnd mag for it.

That makes sense, it was a very nice LUX. I was looking for something that would stabilize longer bullets. In hind sight, I should of bought it.