.223 Bolt gun

[DiabeticKripple]

I want to buy a .223 bolt action for gophers at distance and maybe the odd coyote. I decided on .223 over the 22-250 for some cheaper ammo, and i also have an AR in .223.

Im looking at getting a rifle around the $1000 mark, and I really like my Tikka so im thinking of getting another original T3 Lite, not the T3x

any other suggestions?

[Gary K]

Howa 1500?

depending on what you want they have alot of different setups around the 1000$ mark.

i picked up one of those kryptek whatever packages a few years ago and the Mrs couldn't be happier.heavy barrel, detachable mag, HACT trigger, (scope that came with it wasnt bad, but far from ideal) houge stock.

It is heavy tho, if you plan on walking around the gopherpatch id stay clear. But if you plan on shooting a pile from one spot, the heavy barrel helps!

[pikergolf]

I want to buy a .223 bolt action for gophers at distance and maybe the odd coyote. I decided on .223 over the 22-250 for some cheaper ammo, and i also have an AR in .223.

Im looking at getting a rifle around the $1000 mark, and I really like my Tikka so im thinking of getting another original T3 Lite, not the T3x

any other suggestions?

What is it about the T3x you don't like?

[Smokinyotes]

I would be buying a tikka T3 varmint. Heavy barrel but not so heavy it cant be packed.

[DiabeticKripple]

What is it about the T3x you don't like?

the price for what you get over a T3. i dont think its justified.

[teledogs]

I bought my T3 223 Rem because I loved my Tikka 7-08. I could not be happier. It shoots great and is easy to reload for, I have a few recipes that are 0.5 MOA. It shoots most factory ammo very well too. Good luck with your decision!!!

[pikergolf]

the price for what you get over a T3. i dont think its justified.

I have a T3x varminter, like it a lot. The stock surprised me, I was expecting something like a Rem. stock, I was pleasantly surprised. The bolt is like most Tikka's, slick. Was disappointing to shoot American eagle through it, about an inch. I have some lighter trigger springs coming and then I will shoot my Lapua target ammo, hoping for good things.

[Hawkeye]

I had a T3 in .223
It had the regular (spotter?) barrel.
It shot well, but heated up quite quickly.
Ideal barrel weight for you would depend on expected interval between successive firings and weight of rifle.
I like a heavier barrel, but for long distance carry, that gets old fast


Good luck
Hawkeye

[J0HN_R1]

I want to buy a .223 bolt action for gophers at distance and maybe the odd coyote.

any other suggestions?

26" SS fluted barrel, laminated stock w/DBM, available in 1:9" or 1:7" twist

https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12VLPDBM

https://s3.amazonaws.com/savagefiles/firearms/models/900/O0LvEfn1L_mNmCxJx5J.png

[tchardy1972]

I own a savage 10 predator. It's the most accurate factory rifle I have ever seen. Even after 1000s of rounds it's still one of my most accurate rifles.

[altex]

CZ 527 American or varmint can't go wrong.

[Groundhogger]

I varmint hunt with a Savage 10, .223 heavy barrel. (my avatar, it's a discontinued Savage "Precision 10 carbine") Basically, an accustock 20", 1:9". Very accurate gun even with factory loads, but a laser with hand loads when I do my part. Which I haven't been this year. lol

Were I setting-out today to get a HB .223? Would likely be a Tikka Varmint, T3 or T3x. My scope is a big Sightron S3 6.5-20 but if I knew 100% that I'd have no issues mounting it on a CZ527 varmint, there is a good chance that rifle would get the "nod".

I see CZ has a rifle called a 557 Varmint and if that were available in .223, my Savage might be fore sale. What a looker!

http://www.czub.cz/en/produkty/kulovnice/cz-557-varmint.html

[100zero]

I got the Ruger American Predator in 22-250 as my gopher/coyote. Extremely, happy with it. Under $500 and throw a Vortex Diamondback so overall less then $1000. I reload, so i found a very nice sub-MOA load at 4230fps with 40gr V-max pills. Gophers are airborne when hit. Super fun gun.

[DiabeticKripple]

I got the Ruger American Predator in 22-250 as my gopher/coyote. Extremely, happy with it. Under $500 and throw a Vortex Diamondback so overall less then $1000. I reload, so i found a very nice sub-MOA load at 4230fps with 40gr V-max pills. Gophers are airborne when hit. Super fun gun.

I want a 22-250 for the fun factor too, but I don't know if it's worth it over the .223

[Unregistered user]

I have a plain jane Savage 12 FV in .223, gopher head shots at 300 easy with an old but NIB Weaver T16 from about 1970. Not a great walkabout gun as it is a bit heavy but that is what you want for a distance rig.

[honker_clonker]

I've got a savage model 25 'walking varminter' which is the medium heavy contour synthetic version of the model 25, chambered in 223. It is very accurate with hand loads and right around MOA with pretty much anything else I have tried with it so far.

It has a little bit of a tricky magazine but for the $575 I paid for it, it is pretty impressive.

[Big Sky]

I have owned a few bolt action rifles in 223. I currently own 2.

The first one is a Remington 700 Varmint with custom barrel. It is very accurate. It's a fairly heavy gun that I prefer not to carry. I shoot gophers with it from either a portable bench or the prone position.
The other is a Weatherby Vanguard S2. I bought this gun strictly for range use. It allows me to do relatively inexpensive practice from field positions. It's quite accurate, but not near so much as my Rem 700V. I posted a pic in one of the 'challenge' threads.

A 223 makes a great coyote cartridge. I used one for a number of years with good success. I upgraded to a 243 so that I could reach out further, but to be honest, it's not often that the extended range of a 243 is needed in a calling situation. (IMO)

A Tikka would be a great choice. Other posters have listed a lot of the good features of the T3/T3x. Another nice feature is that for coyote hunting, a gun with a magazine is handy for all of the times you're in and out of the truck between sets. (not so handy if you lose it :) )

IMO, a person hunts coyotes and shoots gophers.

If I was in your situation, I would start with a sporter weight. A sporter weight rifle makes a great coyote hunting rifle. The light weight will be appreciated when walking back and forth between multiple sets. The quick handling capabilities will be appreciated on those occasions when the coyotes appear out of thin air.

You can shoot gophers with a sporter weight rifle. It might heat up quicker, but if you can drive your truck into the field, there should be no problem switching to a 22LR for some close range work while the centerfire is cooling.

There's no reason that you can't hunt coyotes with a varmint weight rifle. But for me, a lighter, fast handling rifle is a much better choice.

Here'something else to consider. You list Calgary and Red Deer as your location. Even in the rural areas around these cities, there are getting to be a lot of people. I'm finding it harder to get permission to use my centerfire on gophers. People seem to be getting more sensitive to the noise. I'm starting to think that it might be time to get one of the quieter 17 or 20 caliber cartridges.

[Bigstone]

I have a plain jane Savage 12 FV in .223, gopher head shots at 300 easy with an old but NIB Weaver T16 from about 1970. Not a great walkabout gun as it is a bit heavy but that is what you want for a distance rig.If shooting ground squirrels in the head at 300 yd is easy for you I'm amazed. Anytime I hit one anywhere at 300 on the first shot I'm thrilled! Consistency is impossible for me at that range mainly because of wind.

[Unregistered user]

For sure, wind changes everything. I take those fancier shots in ideal conditions. Bone stock this is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned and with 37gr Calhoon bullets that rip the snot out of gophers it is a lotta fun. Close up into the wind, belly shots give maximum "Gore-factor".

[Dean2]

26" SS fluted barrel, laminated stock w/DBM, available in 1:9" or 1:7" twist

https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12VLPDBM

https://s3.amazonaws.com/savagefiles/firearms/models/900/O0LvEfn1L_mNmCxJx5J.png

x2. Absolutely great rig for high volume shooting.

For a walk about gopher and yote gun the CZ 527 is very hard to beat, but the Savage Stainless model 10 or 16 or good choices too. Tikka in T-3 is another good choice but getting hard to find for under a G. Problem with any of these guns is they are no longer inexpensive, though they still shoot great. If you are looking to save money, try a Weatherby Vanguard light barrel. The last of the low priced guns that shoot real well and are well built.

For predominantly gopher shooting take a look at he 22 Hornet and 17 HH. FAR quieter than a 223, range is as good and ammo is really cheap to load, about the same price as buying 17 HMR.

[Newview01]

Try a Mossberg MVP. Less than $1000, accurate, uses AR mags. Leaves more $ for a scope.

[YoteStopper]

Try a Mossberg MVP. Less than $1000, accurate, uses AR mags. Leaves more $ for a scope.

Have heard the same regarding accuracy, the owner claims it's a laser with white box Winchester loads.

[YoteStopper]

Shooting a Savage Predator in B&C M40 stock, have not yet worked up a load for it but factory accuracy is pretty good.

[Fur]

Have heard the same regarding accuracy, the owner claims it's a laser with white box Winchester loads.

10 shot mags is a bonus.

[buschy03]

CZ 527 varmint , pretty sweet rig, hell of a trigger,, or a Tikka,, have both,,,