matt4350 wrote:Hi guys and ladies,
First post, please be gentle! I wish to draw on your knowledge and experience, if I may. Most of my experience is with service rifles but I'm keen to do a bit of feral hunting and plinking now.
I'm after a reasonably priced .223, up to $1000 but preferably lower. It will be used for goats, hopefully dogs, and the odd pig perhaps. I'm not likely to use it out further than 300 yards (wishful thinking
) My other big use is wasting ammo at the range, just for fun.
I'd prefer a bolt action, detachable magazine, shorter barrel (maybe 20"?), and a synthetic stock. Bonus if it has iron sights.
Matt
Like everyone here, different opinions. After owning a CZ527 223 with 18" barrel I really wanted a change. This rifle was very accurate, light, open sights, but simply did not feed correctly. The magazines were the problem. Bought 3 of them and could never really get it right. You had to consciously push the rear of the bolt with your thumb to make it smooth feeding. I tried a friends as well and it was no different. He said I'm used to it and it works for him. I cannot stand lousy feeding.
I've fired plenty of Howa 1500's and simply don't like the weight balance. This is my own personal feel and nothing to detract from a good value bolt action rifle. I also did not like the mag release. Once again personal subjective opinion.
I have a Tikka T3 Super Varmint with 20" heavy barrel. This is a much more expensive rifle but is an excellent feeding, very accurate rifle but not for the field...too heavy.
I ended up buying two Ruger Ranch rifles with the rotary magazines. One in 300AAC and the other a 223. Light, 16.5" barrel, excellent accuracy to under 200 meters (where I do all my shooting). Some people call them flimsy. Well after cycling either of mine all day using 100's of rounds I would say the bolt action is virtually as bulletproof as the Tikka in the way it feeds with either calibre. Feed it fast or slow, the results were always the same, smooth positive feeding to rival any bolt rifle worth significantly more money.
I will also end up buying one of the Ranch rifles with the new AR mags. I have lots of those mags which I use in my Remington 223 7615 pump action. I'm hoping they feed as well as the rotary mags I have now.
When I looked at the Ranch rifle compared to many others on the market it's amazing how many opinions related to price, finish, cosmetics etc. While the Howa's are also low dollar good value rifles I think you really need to at least consider these Rugers.
Yes, they are not as polished, pretty or hand finished like many people like but just like their hand guns they are incredible value for money if you can live without the perfectly pretty deal. In the field or on the range they will reward you very well no matter how hard you use them. Ruger uses CNC equipment to the full extent in their manufacturing to save as much as possible on hand finishing using manual labour. If you need the pretty polished superb cosmetic look buy something else.