Advice on .223

[coptleigh 1]

Having only just received my Firearms cert, looking for advice on make, model , what to look out for etc!!!!.on a 223 to buy, I only have a limited budget so not looking at top of the range gear, something 2nd hand, but reasonably accurate etc

So if you have any words of wisdom to put my way I'd be grateful.

Cheers

Alan

[mattydski 560]

I would look for a nice second hand Tikka T3 Hunter, or a CZ 527 american.

Assuming we are talking about a hunting rifle, not a range rifle.

There are others I would consider, but those would be my preference.

 

IN fact even an older Tikka, or CZ with a known history would be a good buy...

[Deker 3,478]

ALL makes are reasonably accurate and most are very accurate, you will of course find the odd dog of a rifle in the used (or new) market place though.

 

It is almost unfair to suggest one manufacturer over the other and most peoples responses will be what they have, or what they aspire to, because that is what suits them, you need something that suits YOU!

 

Basic decisions need to be made, what do you intend to shoot, what is the land like, are you driving or walking, is noise a problem, etc etc?

 

I shoot on a lot of different land at a lot of different quarry at a lot of different distances, I have no use for, or interest in, HEAVY rifles, some do, even though I spend a fair bit of time at Bisley my target work these days is really zeroing work, and frankly thats about as much as anyone can really tell you!

 

[cyclonebri1 8]

I have recently filled my .223 slot, even though I've had a FAC for years.

 

I can't advise on what to buy by experience, not in centrefire anyway.

 

But what I would say is forget the reviews for a while. Visit every FAD in a radius of 50miles or so, and handle as many as possible. I know the primary objective is to be able to hit a target repeatedly but if a rifle has a single feature you don't like then it's like a pimple on yer nose, you can't ignore it.

 

I ruled out 2 rifles I heard good reports on simply for that sort of reason, the Howa had such a floppy stock forend I just didn't feel happy with it. The Savage Axis had the poorest and flimsiest safty catch I've seen and I put it down for that reason.

 

What I'm saying is exactly as Deker says, they will all shoot, most certainly better than me, so I bought something I felt comfortable with.

 

The other point is, this being your 1st venture in to centrefire shooting, you may well find you want an all gongs and bells rifle in a very short time. In this case a very 2nd hand gun or a gun with a guranteed resale appeal would be best option.

[zx10mike 137]

know what twist rate you want.thats my first thought.

[Deker 3,478]

know what twist rate you want.thats my first thought.

 

It's a fair point but one which very few have much knowledge or understanding of in the early days...and some in the latter days as well!

[GEOFF.223 83]

the cz rifle seem to be really good and with the trigger which u can push forward on (certain models) to bring the pull weight down to 1.5lbs

[jamie g 17]

Tikka m595 sporter

[zx10mike 137]

know what twist rate you want.thats my first thought.

 

It's a fair point but one which very few have much knowledge or understanding of in the early days...and some in the latter days as well!

i have met plenty of guys who buy a rifle and only then think about what bullets they wan't to shoot.