[alcott7]

I'm looking for a rifle that's moderately priced with good accuracy. I have a younger brother who is interested in precision shooting but has out ranged his .22. So I want a little more *** but without all the recoil so he can focus on the fundamentals.

 

[KG7IL]

Not sure if you have checked the used or consignment at your local gun stores.
It seems one in my old neck of the woods always had something. Win, Rem etc.

 

[nitestalker]

When you say precision shooting you can expect to spend some money. A nice shooting rifle with a budget scope will be more in line for a new shooter. I would look at some of the Savage offerings. If you want to spend a little more the CZ527 is a fine minie mauser offering.

 

[donthav1]

what's your budget? you can get a savage axis in .223 for under $300 most places. mine shot less than MOA at 100 yards out of the box, when i did my part. the gun is more accurate than i am

other options in the entry level category are the marlin XS7, mossberg ATR, and ruger american. not sure if all of those are available in .223 so you may have to do some of your own research on that

 

[Txhillbilly]

A Savage 12 in 223 is a very precise/accurate rifle. I've had an older-Pre Accutrigger Model 12 for many years,it's one of the most accurate rifles that I've ever owned.
The smallest 5 shot group that I've ever shot with it was .168",at 100 yards,and that was with 60gr VMax handloads.

If you don't handload,your groups will be only as good as the ammo that is used,and how well the particular gun likes to shoot that ammo. You will also need to get the correct barrel twist for whatever bullet weights you want to shoot.
A 1-12 twist is for lighter weight bullets,a 1-9 is a good general purpose,it will shoot up to 75gr bullets.A 1-7 twist will shoot the heavier bullets,but these twist rates are mainly used by people that handload,there's not too many choices of factory loads for the 75gr and up match bullets.
I prefer to use a 1-8 or 1-9 twist with a 223 caliber.

There are several great brands of rifles out there. Just make sure what the barrel twist is on the rifle before you buy one,then you'll know what type of ammo that it will shoot before you find out you got the wrong twist rate.

 

[Axxe55]

the Savage's that were suggested are good and the Savage's are fine rifles. another one to consider is the Marlin XS7VH in 223. the only budget priced bolt action with a heavy varmint barrel. i have the XS7VH in 308, very accurate and very well made. just another option for you check out.

 

[locutus]

Remigton 700 is a good choice.

 

[alcott7]

what's your budget? you can get a savage axis in .223 for under $300 most places. mine shot less than MOA at 100 yards out of the box, when i did my part. the gun is more accurate than i am

other options in the entry level category are the marlin XS7, mossberg ATR, and ruger american. not sure if all of those are available in .223 so you may have to do some of your own research on that

Budget around 800

 

[Axxe55]

Budget around 800

$800 for the rifle or rifle and scope?

i paid about $370 for my Marlin XS7VH in 308. that would leave you with quite a bit left over to buy a realy nice scope.

 

[robocop10mm]

Be mindful of twist rate. Many bolt action .223's are 1/12. General opinion is this is fine for 55 gr up to maybe 60 gr bullets. If you want to get into the heavier bullets look at a 1/7 or 1/9 barrel. They are out there you just have to pay attention.

 

[Flat Tire]

When you talk about recoil no one ever talks about weight of rifle. I have a 300 win mag that shoots like a .223 but it is 18 lbs.

 

[donthav1]

a savage 25 in .223 is about $500 in my area, give or take the same online. they have a heavy barrel & can get either standard or thumbhole stock. with a budget of $800 theres still plenty of money left over for a good scope

 

[huffmanite]

Happen to do some minor stock work on a gents CZ527 varmit .223 recently. For some reason its factory lenght of pull is 13 1/4" and its 6'2" owner had a problem with it. I added a 5/8" spacer to stock. Anyway, really nice trigger on the rifle and its quite accurate. You'd like the feature of pushing forward on trigger to set it for a 2 oz. or so trigger pull. Twist is 1/9", so it can handle up to 70 gr bullets. Rifle owner likes it so much he intends on getting another in .221 fireball. Unfortunately, rifle costs over $700.

Personally, I'd take a look at the Marlin X .223 Varmit heavy barrel recently introduced. Have the .308 version of it and am quite happy with it. Hardly a CZ527, but for 1/2 its price, it should be an accurate rifle with a decent trigger. As mentioned earlier, more money to spend for a decent scope.

 

[JTJ]

I bought one of my grandsons a Savage 10 package. With 55 grain hand loads it was sub moa. It had the accu trigger but not the accu stock. A little more money is their 10 Precision Carbine in the police section. Heavier barrel and an accu stock. The Savage 223 rifles have a 1:9 twist. Another suggestion would be the Mossberg MVP which is chambered for the 5.56x45 and will shoot 223. It uses AR mags.
I have a CZ527 with a 1:12 twist. It does not like anything over 55 grains and just tolerates them. It loves 45 grains. I would look for at least a 1:9 twist rate.

 

[Flat Tire]

I bought one of my grandsons a Savage 10 package. With 55 grain hand loads it was sub moa. It had the accu trigger but not the accu stock. A little more money is their 10 Precision Carbine in the police section. Heavier barrel and an accu stock. The Savage 223 rifles have a 1:9 twist. Another suggestion would be the Mossberg MVP which is chambered for the 5.56x45 and will shoot 223. It uses AR mags.
I have a CZ527 with a 1:12 twist. It does not like anything over 55 grains and just tolerates them. It loves 45 grains. I would look for at least a 1:9 twist rate.

I have that rifle in .223, accutrigger, accustock, 20" threaded barrel, 3.5x15 nightforce. With Fed Premium 77gr Sierra Matchking factory loads it is half moa. For the price it is hard to beat.