Author Topic: need advice regarding buying next .223 rifle (Read 3251 times)

mxaexm · « **on:** March 07, 2010, 04:41:53 PM »

Hello,

I'm looking to get .223 rifle. I'm really new to the great sport of shooting so need some advice here. For now all I will do with my rifle is target shooting (no hunting for me...at least not just yet). I thought that I wanted the bolt action but now I'm thinking that single shot would be fine as well

Here are my choices..please let me know what you think...

H&R Handi Rifle (I'm not a very bid fan of a single shot rifles but I could accept it-the price is right...around $250).

Savage Stevens 200 -$299(I don't like the way stock looks on this rifle but...I've read that Stevens is a great shooters and once again-the price is right).

My favorite one CZ American 527 -$479-more than I would like to spend at this point.

Savage 111-$499-I don't think I'm ready to spend that much on a rifle......

Your opinion, recommendation will be highly appreciated. I currently own Marling 795 22lr and planning on getting Mosin Nagant and Remington 870 for some clay shooting.

bobg · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2010, 02:04:48 AM »

I bought a Savage model 12 three years ago in 204 Ruger. I don't think i paid $499 for that. Off the bench at 100 yards it will shoot five shot groups that are 3/8 inch. This wasn't just one time either it is every time i shoot it. I would not hesitate to buy another Savage if i was looking for a new rifle. Save your money up and buy one.
bobg

drdougrx · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2010, 09:43:38 AM »

+1 - Bobs right....save your money or you won't be happy.

mxaexm · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2010, 04:49:56 PM »

Money is not an issue but I just don't feel like there is a need for me to get $500+ rifle...

Bigeasy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:13:39 PM »

Quote from: mxaexm on March 08, 2010, 04:49:56 PM

Money is not an issue but I just don't feel like there is a need for me to get $500+ rifle...

Then you are looking at a used bolt rifle with a cheap scope, or one of the after mentioned single shots.

Larry

Oldshooter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:21:18 PM »

Bigeasy said what i wudda said had he not said it before i had a chance to say it!

chutesnreloads · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:27:57 PM »

Go check out the Handi-rifle section here.Read the FAQ's and Handi Basics 101.If you're willing to fool with all that(some aren't and you may not have to)....get the H&R.If not ...get the Savage or Stevens.I like your choice of .223 by the way.

cjclemens · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:51:13 PM »

Get the Stevens 200. Its not a looker, but you wont find a better shooting rifle for the price.

trotterlg · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2010, 07:27:26 PM »

Same same, Savage and Stevens. You will never be sorry, run for your life from the H&R, some shoot, but some will never. I play with them a lot, but my Coyote rifle is a 17 Remington Savage. Larry

lucky guy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2010, 08:49:33 PM »

I have the 527 American in 223, my favorite rifle. You can't go wrong with that one.

Catfish · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2010, 02:18:33 AM »

I now own or have owned abt. every major brand of rifle and many military actions converted to customs and own 2 bench rifles at present. They all go bang from the cheapest to the most expensive. The .223 is the easiest round to find ammo for so it does make and excellant choise for first time shooters. As for which brand to buy I would recomand you not get hung up on any 1 brand. I personally prefer Savages because it`s so easy to change barrel on them, but you have no need for that. Look around some gun shops and hit some gun shows and find a good used .223 that you like and at the price you like. If you buy used you will be able to get about all of your money back if you deside to trade it for another gun later. One other thing, GET A GOOD SCOPE. I buy nothing but Leupolds and I do have a rifle with a scope on it that cost all most twist as much as the rifle. You can always keep a good scope if you trade rifles.

backstrap · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2010, 04:00:16 PM »

I have sold my 2 h&r's and bought a stevens 200,havent got to shoot it yet but every thing i have read they seam to shoot very well,geting rid of my h&rs and replaceing them with stevens is my plan i have alreday started, so i would check into stevens before u buy a h&r.just my to cents

DC · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2010, 12:42:26 PM »

You will be much happier if you spend a little extra and get the better Savage. Out of the box accuracy is wonderful and if you get one with an accutrigger your entry into the shooting sports will be much more satisfying.
Spend a little more and you will get alot more.

Grizz66 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:59:06 PM »

+1 for a savage bolt You can probably find one on the used rack for what you want to spend or close to it. I have a couple of them and they all seem to shoot real good both accutrigger and non accutrigger. You won't be dissapointed.

mannyrock · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:17:45 AM »

Unless you get the lucky 1 in a 1,000 H&R Handi-Rifles that shoots fantastic out of the box, the H&R Handi-Rifles are more like a "rifle-kit" than a complete, accurate, factory rifle. They require lots of fine tuning, tinkering, experimenting, altering.

Of course, some people LOVE to do that. It's what they live for. Nothing wrong with that. But, if you are not that type of person, then don't even think of a Handi. Go with the Stevens 200. If you have more dough than that, then go with the CZ American.

Best of Luck,
Mannyrock

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:30:33 AM »

Quote from: lucky guy on March 08, 2010, 08:49:33 PM

I have the 527 American in 223, my favorite rifle. You can't go wrong with that one.

+1
I really like mine. I have a Rem 700 SPS as well.
the micro mauser action is really neat. It killed two Javilina last month.
The short actions are good but loading them takes a little manupulation.
There is nothing wrong with the Handi, Great rifle. I am thinking I need to bring it with me to the range for the 15 year old boy who can get my AR to to shoot more ammo in an hour than the cyclic rate of the gun.

MR4SHOOTIN · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2010, 04:41:09 PM »

Another vote for the CZ 527.

nomosendero · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2010, 04:54:18 PM »

Quote from: mxaexm on March 08, 2010, 04:49:56 PM

Money is not an issue but I just don't feel like there is a need for me to get $500+ rifle...

If money is not an issue, then I would INVEST in a nice rifle. Our money is turning into play money anyway. If money is no issue, esp. if you are at a level where you owe nothing (that's when money isn't an issue to me) the good rifle makes sense, a rifle like a CZ if bought wisely will bring your money back or make alittle.
The CZ Varmit sure is nice & I notice you want to shoot targets, so weight should not matter.

mxaexm · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2010, 02:54:51 PM »

Quote from: nomosendero on March 16, 2010, 04:54:18 PM

Quote from: mxaexm on March 08, 2010, 04:49:56 PM
Money is not an issue but I just don't feel like there is a need for me to get $500+ rifle...

If money is not an issue, then I would INVEST in a nice rifle. Our money is turning into play money anyway. If money is no issue, esp. if you are at a level where you owe nothing (that's when money isn't an issue to me) the good rifle makes sense, a rifle like a CZ if bought wisely will bring your money back or make alittle.
The CZ Varmit sure is nice & I notice you want to shoot targets, so weight should not matter.

Since there are not too many rifles less than $500 that I like...CZ might be the way to go.I just have to find one which store carries CZ rifles..haven't seen them in the local Bass Pro or Cabelas.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2010, 05:24:47 PM »

I would vote with the CZ guys, all my life I have been a 700 man, but the Cz's are very sharp...and I think they shoot very well...nothing in a .223 shoots poorly from what I hear...one thing I do know..you will spend more time looking at your rifle than shooting it...I hunt a bit probably 300 days a year and still the amount of time I shoot is nothing to the amount of time I look at my rifles..I would get something that is pleasing to the eye...no plastic rifle ever looked pleasing or gains any amount of character as the years pass...if you buy a good classic rifle it will be worth more down the road than a piece of pressed plastic and metal....

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2010, 02:47:31 AM »

Anything except Handi. Had four, one in 223, Big mistake.

mxaexm · « **Reply #21 on:** March 21, 2010, 04:54:30 AM »

I'm getting Mosin Nagant in two weeks. My next rifle after Mosin will be CZ 527 in .223

ballistx · « **Reply #22 on:** April 08, 2010, 03:29:10 PM »

I bought a Handi in 223 because it was on closeout at Sportsman's Warehouse REALLY cheap. So far, it has been a good scattergun.

I picked up a Savage Edge, 223 with magazine. I just had it out once with a couple loads I had loaded for the Handi. One shot at 0.6" and the other 0.5" @ 100 yards. For $308 OTD with Weaver mounts it seemed like a no brainer. AND it was AMERICAN MADE!

lucky guy · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2010, 12:10:33 PM »

Quote from: ballistx on April 08, 2010, 03:29:10 PM

I bought a Handi in 223 because it was on closeout at Sportsman's Warehouse REALLY cheap. So far, it has been a good scattergun.

If it's any help I had one too, heavy bbl 223. Mine apparently had a very long throat (common I hear), and a pretty loose chamber. So mine always shot the best with "fire formed" brass and the bullet seated way out. By fireformed brass I mean brass I had already shot in that rifle. Best I was able to do with it was a little over moa. OK for hunting but a long way from what the 223 will do.

BTW, rounds last fired in my handi won't come within 1/4" of chambering in my cz. Learned that one the hard way, neck sized and loaded about 200 rds of once-fired handi brass for my cz3 - all wasted effort.

Won't make that mistake again! Had to pull the bullets and full length size all 200 of em.

Also, if you send the rifle back to H&R they'll do a decent trigger job for about $35 - 40.

Don't rule out buying used, alot of good rifles on the market right now at very good prices.

moorepower · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2010, 11:55:01 AM »

I would get a Stevens 200 with out a doubt.

2ndtimer · « **Reply #25 on:** July 02, 2010, 06:07:09 PM »

Go for the Stevens 200. I have one in .243 Win that I added a Rifle Basix trigger, Hogue recoil pad, and then my son sanded down the stock and painted it with a camo pattern and it is really nice. Topped with a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x scope, it is ready for rock chucks, coyotes or deer. Shoots very well with surprisingly high velocities for a 22" barrel. Nice and lightweight, too. I just might add one in .223, too. I bet it would shoot at least as well as my Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special, even with its heavy barrel.

nomosendero · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2010, 03:22:31 PM »

Quote from: nomosendero on March 16, 2010, 04:54:18 PM

Quote from: mxaexm on March 08, 2010, 04:49:56 PM
Money is not an issue but I just don't feel like there is a need for me to get $500+ rifle...

If money is not an issue, then I would INVEST in a nice rifle. Our money is turning into play money anyway. If money is no issue, esp. if you are at a level where you owe nothing (that's when money isn't an issue to me) the good rifle makes sense, a rifle like a CZ if bought wisely will bring your money back or make alittle.
The CZ Varmit sure is nice & I notice you want to shoot targets, so weight should not matter.

Again, since money is not an issue, then why get a Stevens? Even if you like a Savage Action, I would get one of the much nicer versions.

nomosendero · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2010, 03:23:26 PM »

Quote from: mxaexm on March 21, 2010, 04:54:30 AM

I'm getting Mosin Nagant in two weeks. My next rifle after Mosin will be CZ 527 in .223

You made a great choice!

dave29 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 08, 2010, 01:58:56 PM »

What about the Savage Edge?

You can buy it with a scope for $300.

LHitchcox · « **Reply #29 on:** July 09, 2010, 03:51:29 AM »

It is a long action with a spacer to allow a .223 to work. The trigger is new and not very easily modded. Some guys have changed the external trigger spring for one from a ball point pen. It uses the barrel nut system like other Savages and Bases for the regular Savage line. The package scope is junk. Buy the rifle only and add a Mueller APV of ATV and you are going to be very happy.