r/canadaguns • u/HappyCan7250 • Mar 17 '26
Shooting Winchester XPR, Rem 783, or Savage 110 in 223?
Hey guys, looking for some help here, been looking to maybe replacing my current 223 bolt gun, an MVP Patrol in 223, 16" barrel, AR mag compatible. I may still keep the Patrol because it's shockingly accurate though, but I want another reasonably affordable 223 bolt gun with a 16-20" barrel. I also already have a Troy SAR straight pull in 223 as well.
I've been looking for another bolt gun in 223 in the $500-$1k range and have been going back and forth between a Savage 110 (not sure on the model, maybe Hog Hunter with the 20" barrel) or an XPR Stealth with a 16" barrel. Also been considering maybe a Rem 783.
Any owners of either rifle care to chime in or offer their insights? I owned a Savage Axis and hated it, sloppy bolt, but I got to handle a 110 recently and was quite impressed, but only briefly handled it so my concerns are if the bolt has the same rough, sloppy feel of the Axis?
The XPR also looks quite nice, and I like the 16" barrel option, but I don't know a ton about them and have never handled one in person. No shops near me seem to carry both models to actually compare them in person. I believe both rifles have medium contour barrels, and I want either a heavy, or at least medium barrel. My first choice would probably be a Ruger American Ranch in 223, but they seem to be fully sold out and there's no much available used either.
Any other suggestions, or insights from owners, would be appreciated. I also already own a CZ600 but in 7.62x39, and it's a great rifle, but with CZ being dicks to Canadian gun owners, and already owning one of them, I kind of want to try something else (plus the CZ seems to only come in 24" barrel in 223). Any other suggestions under $1k for a 223 with a 16-20" heavy or medium barrel? I was considering maybe a Rem 783 as well but reviews are very mixed
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Mar 17 '26
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 17 '26
I heard this, I think it might've actually been your comment on another thread that I saw, but I was unsure. I would be okay with 1 mag but it's not ideal. Too bad they didn't make the XPR with AICS mags. There unfortunately isn't too many options for a heavy barreled 16-20" 223 in Canada right now, at least in stock. I was originally looking at Howa but I have only seen them with 20+" barrels.
I have used an A Bolt before and they're quite nice, did not know they were made in the same factory, but I haven't seen any with shorter barrels in 223. I am open to a longer barreled 223, and keeping my 16" MVP as well, but heavy/medium barrel and 16-20" is my goal and that criteria seems to be tough to find in stock. Thanks for the suggestions and info.
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u/ReturnOk7510 Mar 18 '26
FWIW, mine came with 2 mags. Can't say for sure the 223 version will, but my 300 WSM did. Aftermarket is a huge negative for the XPR, but it's a good rifle out of the box.
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 18 '26
By the way are you FatCatsDad off Gnutz? I saw the exact same comment almost on there when trying to find some reviews on the XPR
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u/BlandRusk06 Mar 17 '26
I bought an XPR in 270 last year, and it is very nice. It is my first firearm, so I can’t compare it too much. It shoots sub-MOA, and has given me no problems. However, the bolt doesn’t feel the smoothest to me, but that could be because it is new and I haven’t broken it in thoroughly. Or maybe it needed more lube. Also, it was a little pricey, but I got a scope combo.
The Savage felt cheaply made to me, and I didn’t like holding it. The Howa 1500 felt quite nice, as did the Ruger American.
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 17 '26
I have an RAR gen 2 in 308 and I quite like it, stock is flimsy but rifle is nice, but unfortunately all the 223 RARs seem to be sold out right now and there isn't many up for sale used. One of the RAR Ranch in 223 was sort of my first choice but they're sorts unobtainium right now unfortunately.
I got to handle a 110 Scout recently in 308 and thought it felt decent, but the Axis definitely feels cheap. The 110s seem to be a step up in quality though. I had an Axis and sold it almost immediately after getting a screaming deal on the MVP Patrol used.
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u/Penguinbotxv Mar 17 '26
Ruge American patrol in but it's a hard ask or a cz 600 alpha maybe you can get a cz 600+
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 17 '26
That's what I wanted, but they're very hard to find right now, even used there is only 1 or 2 available and prices are a bit steep for what it is.
I have a Cz600 alpha in 7.62x39 as well, and I love it. The 223s seem to only come with a 24" barrel though which is a bit longer than I'd like. Considering a CZ trail as well, but accuracy reports are very mixed, the wobbly sliding stock is a bit of a turn off, otherwise I would probably choose it.
Was considering one of the BCL bolt guns, similar to the Trail sort of, but they're also hard to find in stock. There's also the Hers H6 but reviews on them are mixed too and the side mounted magazine seems kinda annoying to me. Sort of why I ended up at the XPR Stealth (16" medium profile barrel), or the 110 Hog Hunter (20" medium barrel). 20" is about as long as I want to go.
The Canadian Tire near me does have a great deal on a 223 Cz600 and it's very tempting at like $720, it's a steal, but the 24" barrel is what turns me off of buying it but I may change my mind.
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u/Penguinbotxv Mar 17 '26
Try to find the patrol, I'll be honest it's one of the rarest guns in Canada right now, and yes I am serious. I own a ranch gen 2 in 223 shoots great 5 shot groups sub moa at 100m. I can only imagine the patrol to be even better. If you don't mind the cz 600 in 223 id say go for it, but I would not go for the trail because it's inacurrate or the howa hera with the side mag because of feeding issues
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 18 '26
Thanks. I do have an RAR gen 2 Predator in 308 and I'm quite happy with it. You're lucky you got one in 223, they're impossible to find. Only 1 or 2 on gun post and they're like $1300, which is way overpriced for a used RA.
Surprised importers aren't trying to get more in. they would sell like crazy if they brought in a bunch.
Too bad BCL seemingly stopped making guns too, because the Bison looked pretty sweet too.
I do like that with the Savage 110 there is a big aftermarket for them. The Hog hunter in 223 with a 20" barrel is pretty close to a scout setup with factory iron sights too. The XPR looks better made though and is apparently very smooth. I do have 2 16" 223s already too so maybe I should be open to some 20-24" options too. I just have a thing for short barreled bolt guns, they're a blast, literally haha
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u/HappyCan7250 Mar 18 '26
I ended up finding a RAR Ranch Gen 2 on IRunGuns that they had just imported so I jumped on it right away for around $650USD, all in with taxes, shipping and conversion it came to around $1k CAD. Still a great deal in this market when used ones are selling for $1200+. It's got the spiral fluted 16" barrel and an FDE stock, and the AR mag well. Super happy with the choice as I really like my RAR in 308.
They did have the new gen 2 scout model too on there in 223, but it was sold out unfortunately. Love the look of it. Very happy with the Ranch though.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Tie35 Mar 17 '26
Consider a Howa, IMO they're the best bang for your buck in that price range.