Thoughts on if I need a .223?

[Happygolucky]

Hi

I own a 30-06 and also have a double barrel shotgun.

I think they need a friend in a form of .223

Main purpose is hunting off ute and scrub/ bush hunting

Roos bunnys pigs and foxes

Thinking synthetic stock with stainless barrel , my other two are traditionall wood stock.

Mate has a Tikka which is nice but I don't want the same

Scope in the 42 or 50mm range, budget thinking $1500- ish as a package.
Is that realistic?

Keen on your thoughts.

[Oldbloke]

You need one.

22lr
12g
223 or 222
308 or 3006 or 270

You have them all covered. Perhaps 243, but not a necessity.

[pete1]

It is handy having a 223 for foxes and smaller pests rather then 3006 costs more and might blow the what ever your shooting to pieces. At the moment i'm paying about $0.60 a round for 223 which is pretty cheap. Howa 1500 (same as Wetherby Vangard) make good budget guns could easily get in stainless with scope for 1500. Something to look at maybe. Be interested to see what you end up getting.

[duncan61]

20170604_153047[1].jpg (624.15 KiB) Viewed 5893 times

I was fortunate to get a Ruger .222 in stainless/synthetic for $1000 as my first centrefire rifle in 1991 and it is perfect.It came with a scope however I got a night eater for $96 and spent years popping bunnies and roos.I was given a Bushnell 6-24x50AOE recently and it went straight on which works for me as at 56 my eyes dont work well enough for a 6x40.There are some great package deals out there and going .223 is a good choice.30/06 is a bit big for rabbits a 55gr pill in the head will do a nice job out of .223.

[Oldbloke]

By Jesus, grab one of these. Cheap as chips.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8142

[albat]

The Ruger ranch and predator model .223 are $599, the howa mini is $499, both great value accurate rifles spend the rest on half decent glass

[Peeds13]

I got a Howa 1500 .223 package, GRS Berserk stock, 20 inch fluted varmint barrel and nikko stirling scope for $1395 at my Lgs. It's a great ute gun and some range time
I've got 12 gauge .22 and .223 so my next ones probably going to be .308

[bigfellascott]

I'd be looking at a 243 or similar for the types of game you mentioned (will handle the roos, pigs and foxes well and smash the bunnies.

[Gun-nut]

Sounds good for your requirements. Look at ruger or howa as people have mentioned. However, there is still something missing from your collection...a bloody .303, you aint australian without one!

[Gwion]

Yes. You need a 222 or 223. Howa mini action. Probably too light on for piggies but then you just fill the gap with 243 or 260 for pigs & goats.

[pomemax]

I have a Tikka 223 a Ruger 223 and an Omark in 223 they all shoot better than I do.
You can not go wrong with cost of 223 ammo outback ammo is near to reloading cost . 223 a bit light for pigs , maybe a 243 or 22.250 may be worth thinking on and if its just a scrub gun go for a Howa type price range with a half descent scope should do the trick

[vmaxaust]

You should look at Ruger American Ranch rifle in either 223 or 300 Blackout. I have both of these as well as a Tikka Super Varmint in 223. The Ruger cycles as well as the Tikka and are all very accurate. The Rugers are amazing value for money at under $800.00. You can buy the ADI bulk ammo in 300BLK as well for less than $1.00 a shot if you don't reload. Their bulk ammo in 223 or 300BLK is excellent.
The 300 would be better for the range of game you wish to hunt although frankly the 223 would be more than effective at closer ranges. The Ruger American Ranch comes with picatinny scope rail. You can outfit the Ranch rifles with a good scope for well under your $1500.00 budget.

[GLS_1956]

If you want one, you need one.

[zobster]

:thumbsup: You need one.

22lr
12g
223
308 or 3006

You have them all covered. Perhaps 243.

Exactly my setup! But instead of 22lr, I went with 17hmr.

[Oldbloke]

:thumbsup: You need one.

22lr
12g
223 or 222
308 or 3006 or 270

You have them all covered. Perhaps 243.

Exactly my setup! But instead of 22lr, I went with 17hmr.

Yep, covers 95% of average hunters needs. Even the 243 is not necessary. Just use the 3006 and be a bit over gunned.

[Oldbloke]

I would normally recommend a Marlin x7. Very happy with mine. But they have been discontinued. Not happy Jan.

[juststarting]

Thoughts on whether you need a new gun? Yes.

[albat]

You should look at Ruger American Ranch rifle in either 223 or 300 Blackout. I have both of these as well as a Tikka Super Varmint in 223. The Ruger cycles as well as the Tikka and are all very accurate. The Rugers are amazing value for money at under $800.00. You can buy the ADI bulk ammo in 300BLK as well for less than $1.00 a shot if you don't reload. Their bulk ammo in 223 or 300BLK is excellent.
The 300 would be better for the range of game you wish to hunt although frankly the 223 would be more than effective at closer ranges. The Ruger American Ranch comes with picatinny scope rail. You can outfit the Ranch rifles with a good scope for well under your $1500.00 budget.

Vmax you have me tempted for a ranch rifle in 223 for shooting out the ute $599 ummmm

[Bushie]

You can get the ruger predator, and the ranch rifle is 600 at the moment if your in a rush to buy a new gun which to be honest, who isn't?

[in2anity]

30-06 is overkill for all but the very biggest of critters (or for longer range work, which is rare in the hunting realm). 223 is a good all-rounder, but I'd be picking up a 22lr before a 223 (given what you already own).

[bigfellascott]

You could always load the 30-06 down with a lighter projectile if you wanted too.

[Oldbloke]

You could always load the 30-06 down with a lighter projectile if you wanted too.

130gr doing about 2500fps

[<<Genesis93>>]

Do I need a new gun.....

Someone slap some sense into this fella....

[Corn]

At the moment Clayton Firearms are doing a Remington 783 with a scope for $735 none in stock but can be ordered in. http://www.claytonfirearms.com.au/produ ... 40-clayton

And Centreway Firearms have a Howa 1500 Mini Action with a Nikko Sterling for $795
http://www.centrewayfirearms.com.au/pro ... 0&posted=1

Both in .223.

(edit: to include links)