Which .223 bolt gun?

[Paper Boy]

And what kind of reputation/reviews are there on the Weatherby Vanguard IIs and the Howa 1500s?

For my money I would say the Howa - super silky smooth action.

I have both a Rem 700 and a Howa in .223 both with heavy barrels. When I go to the range or to varment hunt the Howa comes with me an the 700 stays at home.

With 55 grain Noslers I can normally shoot groups that can be covered with a quarter. If I am on my game they can be covered with a dime.

[Merc1138]

Another vote here for Tikka t3 lite. That's next on my list for bolt actions rifles. Like others have mentioned, out of the box MOA is hard to beat and for the price it's almost a steal. As far as I've seen the past couple of years they're going up in price. Buy now while it's still low.

Actually, I've been seeing better deals on the lite models lately. The varmint and tactical models however do seem to have jumped upwards. Then there's the t3 sporter for $1700... I'm sure it's a nice stock but no thanks.

With my own Tikka I've finally gotten fairly close to a consistent 1 mo(off a bench w/ bags, standing.. lol not even close), but periodically(luck? wind? who knows) I've gotten it as low as 1/3. But that's in .308 with federal 168gr. SMK(could probably get better consistency with handloads, but I don't reload).

[send it_hit]

+1 for tikka. i really think they're unbeatable in the price range. i went with the varmint model, which starts to get up there. but the t3 lite is still incredible for its price.

[2shotjoe]

i have my eyes on the rem 700 in .223 but haven't really look into the savage accessorized stocks yet.

[grant22]

My vote is for the Savage Mdel 10 Precision Carbine. Out of the box it's a winner.....even the stock is sweet. Don't be put off by its MSRP, it sells for way less (got mine for $660 shipped from CTD.)

Mine should be arriving tomorrow. Here's a pic:

[eaglemike]

Kes,
Why not build a fully featured AR pattern - and make it a bolt gun by blocking the port/not running the gas tube. I'm sure we could find people that would donate parts - I know I would. It'd be a little different, and 20" match barrels are easy to come by. We know these are tack drivers.

Alternate - I've shot a couple of the Savage package guns with accutrigger, very easy to shoot and accurate. I'd think going a little farther up the scale would give you a tack driver, like the precision carbine above.

All the other suggestions, like the Tikka, are good as well.

[lorax3]

Another +1 for a Tikka. I've got a T3 Lite in .223. Extremely smooth action and amazing out of the box accuracy.

[2shotjoe]

Kes,
Why not build a fully featured AR pattern - and make it a bolt gun by blocking the port/not running the gas tube. I'm sure we could find people that would donate parts - I know I would. It'd be a little different, and 20" match barrels are easy to come by. We know these are tack drivers.

Alternate - I've shot a couple of the Savage package guns with accutrigger, very easy to shoot and accurate. I'd think going a little farther up the scale would give you a tack driver, like the precision carbine above.

All the other suggestions, like the Tikka, are good as well.

thats a great idea, now its time to look for a charging handle that make it easier!!!

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Why not just get a Stevens Model 200? They are made by Savage, and can be had on sale in the sub $300 range. If you are just looking to get your toe in the water with bolt actions, that might be the way to do it. I grabbed one a couple of years back at Turners for $269, and it has held up as well as any other Savage 110.

-Mb

[BigBamBoo]

Tikka T3 is my recomendation. Having owned most factory rifles mentioned above....the Tikka's have always been much better performers. And none of the above on your list can come close to the silky smooth action of the Tikka.
There is a growing after market support for them and we ( Chipley Arms) just received a nice Bridgport CNC mill and will soon be offering more aftermarket products for the Tikka's as well.

Take care,Stan

[grant22]

The only, and I mean only reason I didn't buy a Tikka was the limited aftermarket support, and I mean that to Tikka's credit. Savages and 700's have a lot of a/m stuff to choose from, but the Tikka is the most refined feeling. If the above poster does in fact start an a/m revolution for Tikka rifles, it would be a clear winner.

[Merc1138]

The only, and I mean only reason I didn't buy a Tikka was the limited aftermarket support, and I mean that to Tikka's credit. Savages and 700's have a lot of a/m stuff to choose from, but the Tikka is the most refined feeling. If the above poster does in fact start an a/m revolution for Tikka rifles, it would be a clear winner.

But most of the aftermarket support for platforms like the Remington 700 is to "fix" the lower end models, the Tikka's don't really need much

[toby]

Weatherby-Howa, not the same, just close, both great rifles each has their +'s and -'s as far as accuaracy Weatherby takes the cake .99 or less @ 100 yrds and it has a nicer looking bolt shroud 24'' bbl and it's officially a Weatherby since the 1970

[Merc1138]

Weatherby-Howa, not the same, just close, both great rifles each has their +'s and -'s as far as accuaracy Weatherby takes the cake .99 or less @ 100 yrds and it has a nicer looking bolt shroud 24'' bbl and it's officially a Weatherby since the 1970

For the main Weatherby line(like the Mark V) yes, not necessarily the vanguard rifles.

As far as .99 or less at 100 yards goes, yeah that's what we're talking about with the Tikkas as well(Remington definitely can't make that claim for all of their low end models out of the box, some of their higher end models maybe).

[toby]

For the main Weatherby line(like the Mark V) yes, not necessarily the vanguard rifles.

As far as .99 or less at 100 yards goes, yeah that's what we're talking about with the Tikkas as well(Remington definitely can't make that claim for all of their low end models out of the box, some of their higher end models maybe).

Kinda lost ya! on the first part....I do own both and believe it or not the Mark V does not come with a .99 guarantee, it's 1.5" tho it does shoot better than that they do not give the .99 as they do with the Vanguards even tho the gun costs 3-4 times as much, Tikkas are great! Sako even better, Remington not so much on my end.....