r/canadaguns • u/PlanetGuardian-42 • Mar 01 '26
Buy recommendations Show me your 223 DMR bolt builds! Looking for inspiration and examples.
I'd like to put something together that has the form factor of the CZ 600 Trail, but is more accurate and from a company that respects Canadian gun owners. Folding stock ideally, and a barrel under 18 inches. Not a scout rifle. Need a solid rail for a 2-12, 3-15, etc scope in the normal position.
Sig Cross is way too expensive, I fear reliability of the BCL MRX Bison, So I'm left looking at either a Ruger American or a Howa mini action in a MDT or some other chassis.
Anything I'm overlooking here?
Any pics of something similar would be much appreciated!
EDIT: STANAG mag compatibility is also a huge plus.
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u/Even-Somewhere-9554 Mar 01 '26
I cannot stop recommending howa mini action if you are on budget side like me. Drop in an Oryx chassis from MDT so you could have an AR15’s grip. It does not take Stanag mag but MDT steel mag is great
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26
Thats kind of what I was filtering down to. Any leads on where to find just a barreled receiver? Seems like they're pretty hard to find in stock right now.
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u/No-Today5207 Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
International shooting supplies in BC carries them occssionally. One note though if you go Howa + MDT check with them quick before buying metal mags. Metal mags dont work with my XRS + howa 1500 in 308. Not sure about the mini action, but their plastic mags are solid.
Edit: from a quick glance prophet river seems to have the best prices on .223 howas atm.
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u/SPLATTERHOUSE403 Mar 01 '26
JTAC Elf Owl chassis with a Howa mini action, or Screech Owl chassis with Rem 700, etc.
Amazing quality DMR style chassis. Makes the 600 trail feel like garbage.
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u/some_guy2024 Mar 02 '26
I just shot a suppressed 14.5” .300BO in a Screech Owl this afternoon (am currently stateside). Was a nice lil package, easy hits at 200 yds.
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26
FYI it looks like the comment was removed, but whoever mentioned the "Howa 1500 Mini EXCL Lite 223 Rem 20″ Threaded Heavy Barrel Folding Stock" from Tenda. Much appreciated. This checks most of my boxes!
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u/Iokua_CDN Mar 02 '26
Thanks! I reposted my comment but without the links, as that was what got it removed!
Hope you like it and post whenever you get it!!!
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u/Penguinbotxv Mar 01 '26
If you don't mind a slightly longer barrel the tikka CTR in 223 with a 20 inch barrel is great to build off of
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u/Mr-Figglesworth Mar 01 '26
I can’t recommend the ctr enough. I miss my gas guns but I’ve had a blast loading for my CTRs this past year, the last 3 firearms I bought are tikkas lol.
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26
That one was definitely off my radar. Appreciate it!
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u/Mr-Figglesworth Mar 02 '26
My 223 is a tack driver it’s insanely fun to shoot I also have a 308 and intend on putting them in chassis at some point this year. My 223 seems to like 68-69gr HPBT bullets but even tipped 55gr are pretty decent.
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Mar 02 '26
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26
Because I have a healthy stockpile of it and my previous rifle for it has mysteriously gone missing.
Also have a more serious long range 6.5 creed, so this would be something for precise work at sub 600 yards. And which doesn't break the bank every outing.
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Mar 02 '26
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26
Yeah this is more of a long range trainer idea but more compact and portable. Probably could be used for hunting, but 223 is a bit anemic for that. Better off with 308 or 270 in my opinion.
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Mar 02 '26
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
Very much what I'm interested in. Thanks.
What kinda space prism ya got on there?
EDIT: and how accurate would you say it is?
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u/Iokua_CDN Mar 02 '26
Reposted but with links removed as per Mod
Howa excl is almost exactly what you want. But the barrel is longer sadly. Price is nice though. Maybe you pay for a custom howa barrel to bring the length down. Not stanag compatible though. Probably the best price though. If you can handle a 20 inch barrel, or can cut It down to 18.1 Inches and recrown it. This is the best option.
For reliability and everything you want though, nothing is going to beat the Trail on sale. You get the 16 inch barrel, long rail, stanag, and folding stock. Consider the buffer tube adaptor from the UK if the stock isn't to your liking, I personally don't mind the stock and plan to add a little shrink wrap to take out the wiggle. Remember, it wasn't big old Czech Republic that decided that their company needed to destroy guns, it was the local Canadian staffed Colt Canada that decided to make some extra money by helping the gungrab. With that in mind, and considering that they backed down and no longer are going to help, I personally don't blame the Czechs. I sure as he'll will never buy something from the Colt Canads division though ever in my life. They can rot for all I care.
If you can offer some forgiveness to our Czech brethren, really want the stanag, and want a 16 inch barrel. This is the best option.
But if you did want to go canadian, no one is going to get you an ultra short barrel for cheaper than the BCL Bison. It sounds like they've gotten this model pretty well done now and fixed the problems with it. It also sounds ljke they do s fantastic warranty. Sure. It would be even better to not need a warranty, but BCL has been gkkd to people and respond quick.
If16 is too long for you, you want a 12.5 barrel, and stanag mags, and a good warranty, this is the best option for you. Heck, some might argue that even the 16 inch is better than the CZ trail, but I think it lacks some quality. Get this if you want the short barrel.
Other options with a stock and a rifle are going to be more expensive. Personally I think these 3 are the best for the price unless you are willing to be patient and wait for sales on the rifle and the aftermarket stock
Edit: at risk of being a CZ shill, this was what sold me on the CZ Trail. Obviously this one is an SBR, but it's the Trail with an aftermarket folding stock and I think it's one of the sexiest looking guns out there.
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u/PlanetGuardian-42 Mar 02 '26
Appreciate the info.
Yeah, 20" isn't a game changer. If I do want this to be as accurate at distance as possible, then I shouldn't go shorter than 20 anyways.
The only real thing holing me back from the CZ is the price and reports of varying accuracy. Kind of needs to be a 1moa gun for me to make this investment worthwhile. But I'll reconsider it. Maybe there's other ways to make it slightly more accurate, or maybe the loudest people are the ones online leaving these reviews.
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u/some_guy2024 Mar 02 '26
I’d vote Ruger American Ranch in an MDT LSS gen 3 with a folding stock. I’d go AICS mags instead of the Stanag mags though, you can get 12rnd MDT .223 AICS mags and they’re better to run in mag pouches than stubby LAR mags.
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u/DougMacRay617 Mar 02 '26
TIKKA CTR. Bro im in the same boat. Im gonna grab the ctr and put it in a versatile stock.
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u/NemrahG Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
There is the mossberg mvp patrol too, but the howa and ruger are both great options.
I think mdt is about to come out with a chassis for the ruger american that uses stanag mags, LSS XL gen 3.
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Mar 01 '26
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 02 '26
I got a used Mossberg MVP Patrol a while ago for a fucking awesome deal of $400 in good shape. 16" barrel, shoots pretty big fire balls, nice heavy barrel on it, soaks up heat well. Super accurate, I've landed 3 rounds basically right on top of each other at 100yd, but it's usually a 1moa gun.
Only complaint on it, is bolt is sloppy but it is smooth. Accepts AR mags too. Neat rifle worth looking into if you can find a good deal on them. It's basically my favourite rifle right now to shoot and comes with me every single time.
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u/Quantis_Ottawa Mar 01 '26
Ruger ranch is a good option.