What .223 would you buy strictly for the range?

[u/BayGullGuy]

I made a post a few days ago and got a lot of good feedback. My previous post

I’ve narrowed it down to three options. If you have thoughts on a specific model (ex. Tikka varmint vs CTR) please let me know in the comments or if you have a different suggestion that isn’t listed.

380 votes, 25d ago

75 Tikka T3x Varmint

117 Tikka T3x CTR

50 CZ 600 Alpha

93 Ruger American Gen 2

45 Other in comments

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi! It looks like your post mentions buying, selling, or linking to retailers/private marketplaces.

Just a reminder to everyone that no offers to buy, purchase, sell are allowed on this sub due to Reddit's community restrictions on firearms transactions. Limit discussion to the items themselves and do not post any direct links to sales or promotions. Referring to legal vendors is allowed as long as links to do not go to retail listings for items. THIS INCLUDES GUN SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND GUN ACCESSORIES: Reddit Admins have banned users for this!

If your post doesn't violate these rules, no action is needed and you can safely disregard this comment.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Reighzy]

Tikka actions are second to none before getting into custom barreled-action territory.

In my opinion, over time you'll definitely want to put the actions into heavier chassis' if strictly for range use. Pretty much all of these options are really light for benchrest shooting or PRS-style shooting and you will sacrifice a ton of accuracy doing so. For that reason I also suggest going immediately for the Tikka T3x Ace Target, which is a bit more expensive but comes with a very nice chassis out of the box, truthfully much better than any of the entry-to-mid level chassis from MDT or KRG.

The cost difference between a CTR/Varmint and the Ace Target is much cheaper than buying the former options and eventually putting into any sort of decent chassis. Just my two cents.

[u/hawkeyewilikens → u/Reighzy]

I came here to say the exact same thing. I have an ace game in 6.5CM and it’s a fantastic gun.

[u/Lumindan]

Lots of good bolt recommendations.

I'll be the odd duck out, Henry supreme lever action?

Its a bit higher than your original budget but gosh it's gun. Plus it takes AR mags.

The bolt actions will be better for bench but lever fun factor is real.

[u/Relevant_Diver_3228 → u/Lumindan]

And if you wanted to you can mag dump the supreme 😁

[u/Icy6521 → u/[deleted]]

The CTR has a heavy barrel

[u/Icy6521 → u/[deleted]]

Ah ok. I didn’t know the varmint had a 2 mm thicker barrel, thats a pretty big difference lol I have a CTR in .223 and i love it

[u/Icy6521 → u/Icy6521]

And i was considering either a oryx or krg x-ray chassis

[u/Batsinvic888]

Definitely a version of the Bergara B-14. So many upgrade possibilities with it being Rem 700 based.

[u/looloopklopm → u/Batsinvic888]

Shot mine for the first time today and absolutely LOVED it.

Had a guy who owns tikkas try it out and he couldn't believe how smooth the action felt. Makes me feel better about the choice. Lots of tikka guys around seemingly fine with a terrible factory stock and paying $200 for a mag just cuz the action is smooth. Not that they are bad of course, but there are other options.

[u/Batsinvic888 → u/looloopklopm]

It gets smoother if its cerakoted from my experience too.

[u/looloopklopm → u/Batsinvic888]

The bolt itself? The whole barrel is cerekote on mine. Standard b14 hmr.

It is by far the highest quality feeling gun I own. Punches TIGHT groups too. I filed off the overspray on the mounting blocks before taking it out.

[u/Batsinvic888 → u/looloopklopm]

Ya, i had the whole action and bolt cerakoted too

[u/basthen]

If your range is limited to 300 meters like mine, I wouldn't find the value in a higher end rifle. I recently bought a Ruger American Gen 2 in 6.5cm and it's plenty for 300.

[u/BayGullGuy → u/basthen]

Fair point. My range maxes at 200m

[u/IronSack46]

Howa 1500 heavy barrel, CZ 600 range

[u/coniferslav]

Check out CVA Cascade Highlander. It comes with a heavy barrel and I've heard good things about it.

[u/Some-Owl8102]

Steyr scout in .223 is pretty neat 

[u/Eglitarian]

I’ll be the outlier here.

Savage axis pro 2 is a great way to get a cheap, accurate range toy that’s still an absolute tack driver.

Yeah, the bolt in it isn’t as smooth as a T3X and the accutrigger is super polarizing and there’s less aftermarket support (like the myriad MDT chassis available for the Tikka) but at the end of the day if you just need something to sit on a bench and ping steel, it’s one of the more economical offerings. If I was competing with PRS or relying on a hunting rifle, or just had money and didn’t care, I’d certainly get an absolutely pimped out T3X CTR or Ace. You can get something that’s surprisingly accurate out of the box for less than $1000 with the savage.

[u/BayGullGuy → u/Eglitarian]

That’s an interesting point. I’ll look into it.

[u/Remarkable_Vanilla34]

Bergara B14

[u/NorthwindX7]

I'd recommend a tikka normally, but the Ruger is rated for 5.56 nato and .223, and also has very positive reviews.

[u/Elbro_16 → u/NorthwindX7]

European 223 is rated for 5.56 pressures

[u/NorthwindX7 → u/Elbro_16]

I'd just double check. Tikka doesn't seem to explicitly state that it's 5.56 safe

[u/Elbro_16 → u/NorthwindX7]

They don’t, but CIP pressure standards are the same as 5.56. 223 and 5.56 are equivalent according to European standards. There is plenty of room in tikka chambers/ throats so you won’t have to worry about pressure spikes.

As a reloader I seat bullets far beyond 5.56 OAL and load higher pressures, never had an issue.

[u/Elbro_16]

My tikka t3x ctr in 223 is super accurate. However I really like the feel of my bergara more.

My next step would be building a custom action

[u/Iokua_CDN]

I'd buy the CZ Alpha as I'm a cz fan and like saving money over the Tikka.

But I'd I got the Tikka I'd get the CTR. Looks awesome and a bit smaller barrel 

Ruger would be my last choice. Not bad but I like cz better for the same price point and I'd like less American guns in safe and instead get a cool Czech or Finish gun instead but that's just personal desire

[u/Duckriders4r]

Tikka Ace.

[u/Murray3-Dvideos]

Considering u mentioned in your previous post a maximum of 200m. Id say get a Renegade MkII or Taipan. Unless your trying to stack bullets.... then a bolt action like the CTR or Varmint would be better.

[u/Hoth-Wampa]

For 200 yards, if you want to have fun get a CZ 457 MTR.
223 at 200 yards gonna be boring and expensive if you use mach ammo $40 to $50 a box of 20 rounds.
22LR at 200 yards it's like 223 at 600 yards, and it's very cheap CCI Standard, Aguila standard velocity, Norma TAC-22 around 0.15 cents per round. I have a 223, 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Win Mag, 7.62x39 at the range. The most fun i have it's with my CZ 457 MTR with Norma TAC-22 benchrest and my CZ 457 Synthetic standing with Aguila standard $0.07 cents per round. Don't forget the price of ammo, it's getting more and more expensive!!