r/canadaguns • u/ThatBigFuckoffTree • Aug 08 '26
Buy recommendations Manually operated .223? T3X Varmint, Henry Supreme, CZ 600 Trail?
I had an semi-auto .223 that got banned. I have a few hundred rounds of FMJ ammunition. I bought a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless to shoot it as a target rifle. But the lite barrel heats up too much for repeated shooting. I see the Varmint Stainless is on sale at Bass Pro and was thinking about upgrading. But on second thought, I don't have access to a range greater than 200yds anymore, and I have a CZ 457 and Viper PST for the precision shooting experience at those distances. So now I am considering a manually operated repeater with a shorter barrel for shooting in the woods, shooting Tannerite, maybe deer hunting with the right ammo (I am on Vancouver Island, the Blacktails are tiny, and it is legal here)
TLDR Should I go with the CZ Trail, the Henry Supreme, the T3X Varmint or something else?
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u/TheBulletBuddy Aug 08 '26
The supreme looks awesome with all the new options available. For manual action 5.56/.223 you should also check out the MRA Renegade. Might be one to consider as well.
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u/looloopklopm Aug 08 '26
I love my renegade. I have the 12.5 inch for funzies at the range, but longer barrel options exist if you actually want to hit something with it
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u/TheBulletBuddy Aug 08 '26
Ive stretched my 12.5 to 150 - 200 yards with a 1-6 lpvo with very consistent results.
I dont hunt, or know enough about caliber to deem what would be a clean/ethical kill or not, but id have total confidence taking one of these rifles out hunting in regards to accuracy and shot placement.
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u/looloopklopm Aug 08 '26
To be fair I only shoot xtac out of it, so some match ammo and patience would probably show improvement. I'm getting 3-4 inch groups at 50yds with mine. I can do better with my sks and irons
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u/TheBulletBuddy Aug 08 '26
That's wild man. With just pmc bronze .223 im getting closer to an inch at 100, and definitely under 2 inches near 175. 200 starts to spread a bit for sure.
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u/looloopklopm Aug 08 '26
....
Do I suck at shooting??
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u/TheBulletBuddy Aug 08 '26
Idk man, i dont consider my self an overly experienced shooter by anymeans, but even with my TM22 at 75 yards, im under an inch with my groups.
Edit: id check to see if theres some sort of issue with your rifle, maybe somethings not lining up right?
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u/ssssssbob Aug 08 '26
Politics aside, I actually really like my CZ600 Trail. My only complaint about it is the stock as with many people. I don't care for how compact it can get. If I ever get to replacing it I'm pretty sure it would be near perfect
The barrel twist isnt Ideal for bulk 55 FMG and the stock fucks up the accuracy, but if you are looking for something to just sling bullets shorter than 200 yards at a bunch of milk jugs, I think it's perfect. Super light, bolt action works great, and medium barrel can handle a few rounds before it starts getting too hot
One thing to point out as I found out the other day, North Sylvia replaces the stock CZ mags with shitty promags so they can sell them seperately. Mine didnt work out of the box so I think its worth noting you might need to fork out an extra 40 dollars on a CZ mag or another polymer AR mag
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 08 '26
I replaced the stock on my 7.62 trail and it’s phenomenal. I’m ringing steel all day at 300. That fold out stock suckered me in, but it sucks to shoot. Now with an AR stock it’s a perfect plinker.
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u/ssssssbob Aug 08 '26
What stock did you replace it with and did you use the G10 adapter?
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 08 '26
Ya I did the G10 adapter. I had a cheap mil spec AR composite buffer tube and stock laying around from another project. I threw that on expecting it to be temporary, but it’s now become permanent. One day I’ll swap out to an aluminum buffer tube though.
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u/Most_Bath5811 Aug 09 '26
What stock are you running? I switched mine back to factory as I couldn't find a comfortable buffer stock. The ergonomics seem off.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 09 '26
Sorry I forgot you can’t post links on this sub. It’s just a generic one I bought off MagDump. I got it sale several years ago and it was just sitting around unused so I went with it an I liked it
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u/Iokua_CDN Aug 09 '26
From my experience, when you go to replace it, get the proper aluminum stock adaptor, not the cheaper 3d printed one. Mine snapped off after a few rounds and the pic rail was put of spec (got a 3d printed one)
As it is now, my stock isn't bad. I added some heat shrink and then trimmed it down so there I'd less wobble in the stock. Now I have a ar15 buttpad on the bsck5 which added a bit of length, and some more surface area so it doesn't dig into my arm as bad. Got it good enough now that I'm not sure if I'll ever get the aluminum adapter
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u/Neat_Imagination2503 Aug 08 '26
I love my cz trail. Also have a Ruger American but Cz wins
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
I will say the CZ Trail is the frontrunner for now. I like that it's the smallest and lightest but still has a barrel profile that can handle some repeated shooting.
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u/Acc4Wtf Aug 08 '26
None, get the new Taipan Evo Scout. 12.5" stainless steel barrel, AR compatibility, pump AND side charging.
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u/Bull-RunTheJewels Aug 08 '26
I like this answer. It depends on what you are using it for. That tikka varment is going to be very accurate. You can always upgrade it to a better stock as well
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u/Acc4Wtf Aug 08 '26
100%. I found the t3x varmint to be unwieldy, perfect for benchrest though. Lever is my least favourite action and I've heard the CZ Trail's wobbly stock ruins accuracy. Love the CZ otherwise, I've tried the Alpha and Ergo, both were fantastic.
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u/Bull-RunTheJewels Aug 08 '26
I really like my Henry supreme. I want a taipan scout but I already have 2 Turkish semi autos in 223 and will be getting a Makasi and a Carmel. Doesn’t make sense. What I really want is a cool gun in 308. Semi auto would be ideal but I am eyeing up a MRA Maverick. If I could Tacticool a Browning BAR or a Benelli R1 I would go that route for a cool 308 semi auto rifle. Can’t find any furniture for either.
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u/Master-Editor2668 Aug 08 '26
Where on the island are you? I’m on the north end and have a Cz trail plus in 300 blackout and it’s unreal how accurate it is I didn’t expect to have rounds touching at 100 yards and the 300 blackout is perfect for island deer and you can use your same mags I use Crossmags and the metal 10 round Lars mags
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
I am around Nanaimo, I hunt around Courtenay and Campbell River. I'm glad to hear the accuracy is good. 300 Blackout would be better for deer for sure, but the primary purpose of this rifle is to expend my 55gr bulk ammo. I might get some hunting ammo and hunt with with it but I already have a 30-30 for hunting.
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u/CryptidWorks CryptidWorks Aug 08 '26
Fellow island liver and CZ Trail nerd here:
The trail is awesome, but 55gr. isn't ideal for it. The barrel twist means it won't be as accurate as it could be, as it's intended for 62gr+ hunting/match rounds for optimal stability.
It'll still shoot fine, but expect it to be plinking accuracy, not shooting for groups/lights out accurate with 55gr.
The 300BO and 7.62x39 variants are significantly less ammo picky than the .223/5.56 due to the inherent nature of those cartridges (for example, almost all 7.62x39 ammo is either 123gr or 150gr, which stabilize at similar twist rates)
If you have any specific questions about the platform feel free to ask, I have a couple crates worth of trigger time behind it in 7.62.
Also, the Gone Fishin' in Duncan had a barely used .223/5.56 on consignment last time I checked their site. Might be a deal.
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
For sure, this isn't gonna be a precision thing, I'm not chasing sub MOA groups. Just blasting bulk ammo, and maybe Blacktail hunting with heavier, more terminally effective bullets. Funny enough I was in the Duncan Gone Fishin' yesterday. I didn't see one, but maybe there is more inventory stored away, I don't know.
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u/CryptidWorks CryptidWorks Aug 08 '26
Ahhh it's not up there anymore. Someone must have picked it up this week. Was listed for a grand on the nose.
And it sounds like it would be a good fit, then. A lot of people grab the .223/5.56 and are irritated by it not being a tack driver with 55gr, but it does perform quite well with heavy hunting rounds. 69gr Gamekings would probably be a pretty safe bet. Maybe 64gr Power-Shoks, as my 7.62 loves them in 124gr.
If you reload you can get the trail dead-nuts accurate for a folding stock carbine regardless of cartridge choice. For example, I run a 150gr. Hot-Cor with an A2200 charge in mine and it prints sub-MOA reliably at 100y while going slightly faster than 123gr surplus.
That was a... Very careful load development process.
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u/Velosity79 Aug 08 '26
If you’re ok with bolt action, the Tikka Varmint .223 is lights out accurate. The heavy stainless barrel can handle a barrage of shots before it even starts to heat up.
I’m getting less than half moa up to 300M using 77gr SMK.
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u/Top_Importance6216 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
Renegade/Maverick all day baby
of those choices tho id go Henry, levers slap and as another user mentioned if you arent a smol person/have chimp arms the cz stock is unpleasant.
ive had 0 issues with either rifle, both are as accurate as I am/the quality of ammo im using. most people I see get it with the shorter barrels, which yeah fun but its not a semi auto lmao rip your ergonomics/target acquisition trying to pop off 10 rounds in a row.
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
I have to do more research on the Canadian made stuff. I have always been wary of them. Although I haven't really researched them enough to back that opinion up.
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u/Iokua_CDN Aug 09 '26
Working on the CZ trail stock.
A slide on Ar15 buttcover works, adding some more surface area and a bit if length. A slide on limbsaver style pad works too but admittedly looks weird and likely would require a trim
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u/Master-Editor2668 Aug 08 '26
I have really long arms the trail is fine I didn’t like the renegade I had it wasn’t really good at anything not a semi and a terrible bolt action sold it within a month
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u/Stare-Indecisive Aug 08 '26
If you like the form factor of the trail but want a more rigid stock, you could get a howa mini and drop it in a jtac elf owl chassis with the telescoping stock.
I bought a short action Weatherby vanguard in 223 with a 16” barrel and 1/8 twist. Dropped in an mdt HNT26 and it’s an awesome setup.
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u/Iokua_CDN Aug 09 '26
They even have a more tactical howa with a buffer tube stock. Comes with a folding adapter you can throw in and turn it into a folding buffer tube stock. Plus it's a buffer tube, so you can throw any great buffer tube stock on it
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u/Horror-Land-8959 Aug 08 '26
How tall are u? The trail was way too small for me when i shouldered it and i was not a fan of that type of buttstock. Shouldered the supreme as well it was nicer, would prefer that for a stand up shot for hunting. Plus lever action cool factor.
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
I am 5' 10" I haven't handled a CZ 600 Trail in person. I have a Henry H009 30-30 that I like the fit of though.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 08 '26
Have you considered building off that Tikka action you already have? For the cost of a new rifle you could put it into a chassis and swap out the barrel.
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 11 '26
Just ordered a 16" medium contour barrel for the Tikka from IBI Precision in Chillwack. Thanks for the idea. It's gonna be a sweet rig. Heavy enough it can handle some repeated firing, but short, handy, and still pretty light, especially once I get a lighter, lower magnification optic. I can live with the factory stock for awhile, but maybe a Carbon Fiber stock down the line.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 12 '26
Awesome! Glad I could help.
I’m hoping to pick up another T3x action in 308 next time I can find one on sale. I want a 20” barrel with MDT’s HNT26 chassis. Complete overkill for my needs, but the heart wants what it wants. If only my wallet could keep up.
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
I don't know how to swap a barrel on a Tikka. Although I could probably figure it out. I'd prefer to just sell the T3X Lite and use the cash plus an additional few hundred bucks to get a complete rifle closer to what I want, rather than spend $1000+ on top of what I've already paid for a barrel and chassis, and be left over with a stock and thin barrel I think I would have a hard time selling.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 08 '26
True, nobody wants the thin barrels or the factory stocks.
A barrel and chassis would get you a sweet setup though. I have a Tikka super light in 270 as my main hunting gun that I’ve already put it into a light-ish weight chassis and it’s pretty slick. Next year I’ll look into swapping the barrel to something a bit more robust.
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree Aug 08 '26
It is definitely the best option in the sense I can build exactly what I want. Keep the nice action and trigger I like in the Tikka. Swap in a 16-20" medium weight barrel and a lightweight chassis, maybe with a retractable or folding stock. But I'm trying to be somewhat reasonable money wise.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 08 '26
Ya I hear ya, this hobby can get expensive quickly.
I just try to do things piece my piece, makes it a bit easier to handle financially.
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u/Acc4Wtf Aug 09 '26
Tell that to the tens of thousands of hunters who haven't changed the barrel or stock.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Aug 09 '26
I meant nobody is buying the thin barrels or factory stocks as an aftermarket addition to their gun. For most people factory original options work just fine.
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u/Iokua_CDN Aug 09 '26
Best of both worlds would be the Henry Supreme with an AR 15 barrel.
Let's you get real short, let's you buy a second one in 300 blackout for deer and such, or even some spicy like 350 bushmaster or 450 bushmaster for fun. All of that in a compact lever action.
That being said, I really enjoy my CZ 600 trail. Super compact, folds down to 27 inches. It's definitely going to be my compact hunting rifle, but it's nowhere near as quick shooting as a lever action
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u/MrWrock Aug 08 '26
My understanding was you're allowed tannerite on crown land, so most of the north Island should be ok but I've had a hard time getting solid info. Do you have any trusty sources that say where you're allowed to shoot tannerite on the island?
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u/Aggressive-Many997 Aug 08 '26
I have a ruger american predator in .223 and a ruger ranch in 7.62x39. The predator shoots 1.5 inch groups with basically everything from 55 grain the match 73 grn.
I have a henry and suggest getting the henry. They offer a single shot, supreme, long ranger in .223 on those platforms.
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u/kotaska- Aug 09 '26
I only have experience with the cz600 alpha and I can say it’s an absolute headache, get the tx.
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u/zaphodbssecondhead Aug 09 '26
The supreme by a landslide. Fastest shooting 223/5.56 money can buy. My factory barrel is sub moa but there are interesting after market barrel options well if you want to go short barrel, or longer range with something like 6 arc
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u/northern-nobody Aug 09 '26
So I’m trying to get my PAL to get my father’s guns back. But the two rifles I currently want to save for (one day) are a Chinese SKS and a Henry supreme (mag fed version)
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u/GodsGiftToWrenching Aug 10 '26
I'd probably go for the Tikka, they are solid rifles.
Whatever you do, do not get a Ruger American series rifle, they are not worth the price
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u/No-Night-48 Aug 15 '26
CZ volunteered to assist with the destruction of the firearms confiscated under the firearms ban. They've been black listed by the majority of the gun community I know.
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