Best 223 options for plinking/hunting/farm work

[cloudsurfer]

Hi folks,

I own a Howa 1500 chambered in 223 with MDT chassis. It's lovely to look at and shoots well, however I'm kinda over the tacticool look and it's quite heavy so I only ever pull it out at the range.

For around the farm it's just too heavy and so I'm considering to sell it and buy something more lightweight but just as precise that I can take to the range occasionally but mostly carry around on the farm. Range would be up to 400 yards I'd say. I wouldn't really shoot beyond that.

Any recommendations here? I looked at the Lithgow LA102 as I have the smaller 101 and love it but I'm not vetted to any brand really. It's a bit about value for money and if I can keep it to below $2500 (ideally with scope) that would be ideal.

Pls spam me

[Shootermick]

I’m currently in the same boat. I’ve got a Lithgow 223, fantastic rifle, but fairly long and reasonably heavy for manoeuvring around in the ute for the day to day work around the farm.
So I’m currently tossing up between a couple of single shots, a used H&R 36” total length, $700, or a new Bergara BA 13 35” total length, $1175. Just for the odd feral that I encounter during work. Then I’ve still got the Lithgow for my serious shooting and spotlighting.

[bladeracer]

Ruger American Predator would be my pick, or the Ranch Rifle.

Hi folks,

I own a Howa 1500 chambered in 223 with MDT chassis. It's lovely to look at and shoots well, however I'm kinda over the tacticool look and it's quite heavy so I only ever pull it out at the range.

For around the farm it's just too heavy and so I'm considering to sell it and buy something more lightweight but just as precise that I can take to the range occasionally but mostly carry around on the farm. Range would be up to 400 yards I'd say. I wouldn't really shoot beyond that.

Any recommendations here? I looked at the Lithgow LA102 as I have the smaller 101 and love it but I'm not vetted to any brand really. It's a bit about value for money and if I can keep it to below $2500 (ideally with scope) that would be ideal.

Pls spam me

[Oldbloke]

Or Howa mini. Abt $750

[bigpete]

Cz 527 carbine

[bigrich]

just spend the money on a 1-12 tikka t3 and never look back

[animalpest]

just spend the money on a 1-12 tikka t3 and never look back

[Gun-nut]

Ruger american would be a good choice. Rugged, accurate and takes ar mags as a bonus. CZ 527 carbine is another good choice, but discontinued now unfortunately.

[SCJ429]

Could you knock four or six inches off the barrel and put it back in its plastic stock to give you a lighter rifle?

[northdude]

Can you sell the chassis and get a light weight stock for the rifle your already familiar with?

[Barbarian]

Hi folks,

I own a Howa 1500 chambered in 223 with MDT chassis. It's lovely to look at and shoots well, however I'm kinda over the tacticool look and it's quite heavy so I only ever pull it out at the range.

For around the farm it's just too heavy and so I'm considering to sell it and buy something more lightweight but just as precise that I can take to the range occasionally but mostly carry around on the farm. Range would be up to 400 yards I'd say. I wouldn't really shoot beyond that.

Any recommendations here? I looked at the Lithgow LA102 as I have the smaller 101 and love it but I'm not vetted to any brand really. It's a bit about value for money and if I can keep it to below $2500 (ideally with scope) that would be ideal.

Pls spam me

My main hunting rifle started life as a Tikka CTR .308 and has since evolved into a 6.5 with CF Proof Barrel and now sits in a KRG Bravo with whiskey 3 forend setup to use the TRG/CTR mags (Had my smith open up the mag well to match the CTR Bravo backbone as I like the lower profile of the CTR 10rnd mags over a 10rnd AICS mag)

So throwing a new stock on the Howa like a Bravo and getting a CF barrel would be a good way to drop some weight from the rifle.

[ash_hendo]

Ruger American Predator would be my pick, or the Ranch Rifle.

Hi folks,

I own a Howa 1500 chambered in 223 with MDT chassis. It's lovely to look at and shoots well, however I'm kinda over the tacticool look and it's quite heavy so I only ever pull it out at the range.

For around the farm it's just too heavy and so I'm considering to sell it and buy something more lightweight but just as precise that I can take to the range occasionally but mostly carry around on the farm. Range would be up to 400 yards I'd say. I wouldn't really shoot beyond that.

Any recommendations here? I looked at the Lithgow LA102 as I have the smaller 101 and love it but I'm not vetted to any brand really. It's a bit about value for money and if I can keep it to below $2500 (ideally with scope) that would be ideal.

Pls spam me

I have a Ruger Ranch rifle and I think it is very suitable for an around the farm rifle:Cheap, light, short and easy to manage, sub moa accurate, plastic waterproof stock and rugged. Takes AR15 magazines.... I like it.

[Larry]

From what you describe I think the best option for you would be a Howa 1500 in a Houge stock with floor plate. it gives so many of the features you want other than a larger capacity mag. Another good option would be the mini action.

[in2anity]

As mentioned, just grab that 223 Ranch rifle and whack a cheapie bushnell on it. Add a Rhodesian sling, throw it in the back of the truck and call it a day. Not far north of $1k and it’ll vital shot anything out to 300m, if you learn to use it properly.

[RunRabbit]

T3x with Leupold vx3 4-14. Would come in around $2500 with current prices from Cleaver.

[bigrich]

T3x with Leupold vx3 4-14. Would come in around $2500 with current prices from Cleaver.

great choice , i have that exact setup .

[Peter988]

Love my Sauer

[ThatNewGuy]

Hi folks,

I own a Howa 1500 chambered in 223 with MDT chassis. It's lovely to look at and shoots well, however I'm kinda over the tacticool look and it's quite heavy so I only ever pull it out at the range.

For around the farm it's just too heavy and so I'm considering to sell it and buy something more lightweight but just as precise that I can take to the range occasionally but mostly carry around on the farm. Range would be up to 400 yards I'd say. I wouldn't really shoot beyond that.

Any recommendations here? I looked at the Lithgow LA102 as I have the smaller 101 and love it but I'm not vetted to any brand really. It's a bit about value for money and if I can keep it to below $2500 (ideally with scope) that would be ideal.

Pls spam me

Second-hand is also an option, There are plenty on the market at the moment. so might be able to pick up a really nice rifle on the cheap

[Express404]

Tikka.. super accurate. Sporter or Fluted Superlite are great to carry around and still super accurate. A carry hunting rifle is very different to a cumbersome heavy set up.. whilst tight groups are a great brag factor, even 3/4" groups are fine and will hunt everything to 300m.. which is a long way anyway. Ive been hunting for 45 years. Most hunting shots and spotlighting shots are 100 to 150m... ( sometimes 300m) and been buying 100 or 200 rounds of 223 or 243 factory ammo at a time, sight in.. and hunt. However about to start reloading, and I will do both factory velocity and I want some mild loads.. less noise.

[Shootermick]

I’m currently in the same boat. I’ve got a Lithgow 223, fantastic rifle, but fairly long and reasonably heavy for manoeuvring around in the ute for the day to day work around the farm.
So I’m currently tossing up between a couple of single shots, a used H&R 36” total length, $700, or a new Bergara BA 13 35” total length, $1175. Just for the odd feral that I encounter during work. Then I’ve still got the Lithgow for my serious shooting and spotlighting.

Well I solved my need for a second 223 yesterday.
Went with a Bergara single shot. Nice length, balance and weight about it. Really looking forward to picking this one up. Should be perfect for the ute.

[Oldbloke]

Nothing wrong with singles

[in2anity]

Reminds me of one of our novel "telescopic sights" match where an old-timer ran a BSA CF-2 308 single shot. Bipod only; no rear rest. I happened to film it:

https://youtu.be/fKNpA4xASBA

Not shown in the video, he was sending them at a rate of one every 8 seconds; 4 second exposure.