223 and 243, mark II

[Mr_Logic 5]

I know I mentioned this before, but the goalposts have, I think changed somewhat.

 

I've had problems with my Hornet which resulted in 3 wounded foxes in 2 days and that's unacceptable. I think/hope it's fixed with a good clean of the moderator (guy that had it before me I don't think cleaned it, it was FULL of powder and muck) but it got me thinking.

 

With 223, I have a round which is accurate, cheap (depending on ammo) and very versatile. Hornet is a great rabbit and fox round, but I don't reload as I have a shoebox for a house and have no space. So, factory stuff is expensive, but worse, very hard to find. 223 is plentiful.

 

I had planned to get a 223 Varmint rifle so I can bang away at Bisley for an afternoon without (a) heating up the gun too much and ( spending a fortune in ammo costs. I don't have a massive amount of cash but do want a 223, and I also want a 243.

 

I had planned on selling/part exing my 22-250 Sako, and now I think the 22 Hornet could go as well. I love it as a calibre, but it's expensive, and given that I don't eat the rabbits and 223 is cheaper, who cares if they are minced? Hornet drops faster and is therefore a bit better in the small permissions of Berkshire but I think I can manage.

 

So...

 

Am I right to sell the Hornet? All opinions requested!

 

And if I do, which 223, which 243? I was thinking with the 243 I would get a heavy barrel because there is more recoil and thus the heavier rifle off a bipod is best for the long range fox work it will do.

 

Thus far I've got to 20" screwcut Tikka T3 Hunter, or Remington SPS in 223. I would prefer something which is already screwcut as it's less hassle. Can't think of much besides those two, are they much of a muchness in terms of accuracy?

 

243, Remington SPS Varmint and ... er, well .. maybe the Tikka Varmint.

 

Budget is 500-600 per rifle. Any suggestions?

 

Many thanks (and I will get this done soon, according to Plod anyway, so I will shut up then, promise!!)

[woz 260]

i use a winchester m70 ....223....i was using winchester 55g soft point factory ammo.zeroed at 100 i was getting 7 inch drop at 200 now iv gone onto 40g vmax and they are brilliant.very flat out to 275..my rifle is very light so it helps on long walks round the fields...

[Mr_Logic 5]

i use a winchester m70 ....223....i was using winchester 55g soft point factory ammo.zeroed at 100 i was getting 7 inch drop at 200 now iv gone onto 40g vmax and they are brilliant.very flat out to 275..my rifle is very light so it helps on long walks round the fields...

Hmmm... Not come across those before. Pretty decent then?

[scotch7/08 0]

.223 is in my opinion the best all round cartridge. I have a Tikka t3 that I am very happy with. Stainless synthetic with an ott pes t12 mod. The only real thing I see wrong is a long pull for a short case and the shitty plastic forend. I have managed a rabbits easilt to 250 yds with american eagle ammo at £8 a box.

 

I also have a browning 7mm08 and a Thomson/Centre .243. If I were to have 2 rifles they would be both browning A-bolts, built to do a job well.

 

What Sako have you got? The 22-250 is a great round or you could have it re-barreled.

 

The choices are endless. I know one thing for sure, you will never be happy with what you have got and will be chasing the dream. Well at least thats what I'm doing

[Mr_Logic 5]

The Sako is a 75 Varmint. Rebarreling was mentioned before, but for 223 which wouldn't work as the magazine and action are different. But in 243, well then it's just the barrel, so thanks for the thought I will check it out!

 

The A-bolt a solid, accurate rifle then?

[woz 260]

i use a winchester m70 ....223....i was using winchester 55g soft point factory ammo.zeroed at 100 i was getting 7 inch drop at 200 now iv gone onto 40g vmax and they are brilliant.very flat out to 275..my rifle is very light so it helps on long walks round the fields...

Hmmm... Not come across those before. Pretty decent then?

 

 

so im told they are better built than the remi and nearly as accurate..iv messed about with my trigger to get it right..and i love mine...mine had fired one shot and i payed £400 for it...the wood work isnt the nicest,but i use mine as a hunting tool and it does me perfectly..got no probs with it at all.....

[hairybull 3]

Ive got a tikka t3 in 223 its a great accurate rifle. It gets used for professional roo shooting and rabbit shooting-it wont mince the rabbits, mine are head shot and sold to various places with no problems.

I use 55 or 60gr when reloading or factory loads from the local gun shop if needed.

The 243 we use is a mauser 98, an older rifle but its great to use.

[Deker 3,478]

i use a winchester m70 ....223....i was using winchester 55g soft point factory ammo.zeroed at 100 i was getting 7 inch drop at 200 now iv gone onto 40g vmax and they are brilliant.very flat out to 275..my rifle is very light so it helps on long walks round the fields...

Hmmm... Not come across those before. Pretty decent then?

 

 

Winchester in effect went tits up a couple of years ago..for the second or third time, their Model 70 which had a very wide product range and had been in production for about 50 years I think, went tits up as well. Winchester was owned by Browing/Miroku and I think in the end FN in Belgium (or some old malarky like this).

 

Anyway.. the model 70 is a f*****g good gun and I can't help but think if Winchester had stuck to their core business they would still be around.

 

On the plus side I saw an article about 3 months back suggesting the model 70 was going back into production at another plant (God knows who owns the name now)!

 

Edited March 12, 2008 by Deker

[njc110381 0]

I'd sell the hornet. It's too close to the .223 to need both (unless you're markbivvy ).

I don't like the idea (never used one) of the long bolt travel of the Tikka. Why should you have to pull the bolt back like the round is a 30-06 with a case as small as a .223? Don't get me wrong, my 6.5x55 is a lovely gun, but I just don't like this feature on the smaller calibres. On the other hand in .243 it would be a nice rifle. .243 doesn't kick hard, I don't think you need a varmint barrel. My 6.5x55 stainless will cloverleaf at 100 yards, what more do you need?

 

I've ordered a CZ Varmint in .223. They're cheap and well made guns

[dickyboy 1]

CZ's are very good guns..........but the remy has so much stuff that can be done to it over time.....new stocks easily, new triggers etc

 

i was looking at tikka but theres little scope with them for upgrade, so i'm sliding down the remy route, i think, Howa also make very good guns very cheap about £515 heavy stainless+hogue stock, i think from highlandoutdoors.com or whatever they come with an accuracy guarentee of 1 1/4"

 

again i like the howa but little scope after purchase.........

 

 

i've decided to get the dream and buy a rifle i don't wanna put down ever!! A semi custom remy i think just trying them out at the mo, jewell trigger and wild dog stock bedded so it shoots bang on but £1200, but factory rifles don't fit me well and i want it bedded rather than buy a factory rifle and throw bits away over time i'll save up and buy one made for me, cheaper that way

[hunter1 63]

223 mannlicher pro hunter 2 3 times out 3foxes t8 mod