Ideas for a not too heavy .223

[Biscuits]

Looking for a not too heavy .223 rifle for my son, who will be turning 12 soon. He has been target shooting in Europe since he was 9, but we've now moved to NSW. He has been shooting lightweight .22 semi-auto rifles offhand completely unsupported and manages that ok (obv the semi-auto part wont be happening in AU, nor will the suppressor). He's also shot heavy centrefire rifles prone supported off a biopd and rear bag. There's already a bolt action .22lr for him to use (once he turns 12 in NSW) in the cabinet.

Anyway, I was thinking of a Taipan X, although that is a bit heavy at 3.4kg without the sight. The Oceania SP-15 is lighter, but it is also a lot more expensive and seems to be out of stock until 2026. There's another pump action .223, the Wedgetail which is 2.8kg, but that seems to be banned in NSW. I'd prefer a straight pull or a pump. Whatever it is, it should be light enough for a child to shoot offhand, although maybe with shooting sticks or a sling. I may also use this same .223 for hunting.

So that leaves the Taipan X. Are there any other ideas?

[Oldbloke]

These are popular.

https://extremegear.com.au/howa-sporter ... ction.html

They are light weight & do look cheap to me (they are cheap) and there was an issue with the magazine latch but I believe it's been improved. I was tempted but decided to stay with old reliable.


https://youtu.be/pym8ThMprZo?si=JkrQQWkgfa4TKCyL

[No1Mk3]

Rem 7615 at 3.2 Kg,

[womble]

Ruger American compact or ranch
Just under 2.8

I wouldn’t touch the taipan.
7615 if you can find a tidy one will hold its value. But likely won’t shoot as well as the howa or ruger.
Not sure a pump is ideal for a child. Lanky child maybe. Not sure a pump in 223 is ideal for anything really.

[GQshayne]

My thoughts for a 12yr old with a gun - which I was once. I would want him to have a bolt action. This will instill good hunting techniques. As a lad I had a pump and then a lever action, and the first bolt action I got improved my hunting a lot. My 2c.

[bigrich]

My thoughts for a 12yr old with a gun - which I was once. I would want him to have a bolt action. This will instill good hunting techniques. As a lad I had a pump and then a lever action, and the first bolt action I got improved my hunting a lot. My 2c.

i agree with a bolt GQ . maybe a cheap howa mini 223 as OB suggests ? not my first choice for a rifle , weight 6.6 pound and cheap . cheap in build too . if the OP is going to use this rifle for hunting as well i'd get a tikka t3 lite, or possibly a super lite .bit pricey compared to a howa but. the weight would be good , but length of pull for a 12 year old would probably not be good . i think this will be the hardest thing to nail down is a rifle with the right "fit" for a child.

[SHV]

Ruger ranch is not a real lightweight rifle in my opinion, just use it last sunday
I will recommend CZ527 carbine in 223

IMG_4224.jpeg (201.76 KiB) Viewed 856 times

[Oldbloke]

Just come on special. Says 6.5lbs.?? Do your homework.

https://www.cleaverfirearms.com/Product ... 0stainless

[womble]

2.7 kg for the cz carbine and a very nice looking rifle

[Oldbloke]

2.7 kg for the cz carbine and a very nice looking rifle

Oooo,, very nice. Not cheap I'll bet. But it would be a keeper.


https://sportingshooter.com.au/ask-uncl ... eight-223/

[womble]

Goddammut I have enough

[womble]

[womble]

https://www.progunsales.com.au/product/cz-7/

This thing gorgeous

[No1Mk3]

Hunt the night guns Pakenham.png (649.43 KiB) Viewed 775 times

I know you specified pump or straight-pull preferred, and others have suggested some suitable bolt actions, but would a button/lever release also be suitable? The Alcor push button, at 2,9kg, is currently advertised at Hunt The Night here in Vic for $1599, can be shipped to NSW.

[Peter988]

Tikka T3X Lite would be ok.

[Oldbloke]

https://www.progunsales.com.au/product/cz-7/

This thing gorgeous

Mmmmm,,,,you're a bastard.

[Biscuits]

Hunt the night guns Pakenham.png

I know you specified pump or straight-pull preferred, and others have suggested some suitable bolt actions, but would a button/lever release also be suitable? The Alcor push button, at 2,9kg, is currently advertised at Hunt The Night here in Vic for $1599, can be shipped to NSW.

Did not know about this. Looks like quite an interesting gun. Basically a semi-auto with a manual release to send the bolt forward, so interesting to have a gas system to play with and look at. Doesn't look particularly accurate though... I'd consider this for a second .223 and may actually get one at some stage, but I I think the first .223 should be something which can also be shot prone off a bipod.

[Fester]

A first rifle for a kid to learn on would be a bolt-action, surely.

A Tikka T3X is light and accurate, also trouble-free for life.
A Ruger American is cheaper and they seem to shoot.

Some good Weatherby specials on again, but they are a tad heavier than the mountain rifles above.
I love mine as it can be carried short distances, but used like a varmint, and also a tack driver and great for range practice fun.
Cheap shooting and never needed to touch it with the tools.

[No1Mk3]

A first rifle for a kid to learn on would be a bolt-action, surely.

A Tikka T3X is light and accurate, also trouble-free for life.
A Ruger American is cheaper and they seem to shoot.

Some good Weatherby specials on again, but they are a tad heavier than the mountain rifles above.
I love mine as it can be carried short distances, but used like a varmint, and also a tack driver and great for range practice fun.
Cheap shooting and never needed to touch it with the tools.

Not a "first rifle", the kid has been target shooting for 3 years using a suppressed semi-auto and has also engaged in prone centrefire shooting. .

[Oldbloke]

New, or used?
Aprox cost?

[womble]

Target shooting rules out a few mentions

[Billo]

Howa Mini stainless 223 all day every day. will run rings around any T3X lite that cost double the $$$$

[Fester]

A first rifle for a kid to learn on would be a bolt-action, surely.

A Tikka T3X is light and accurate, also trouble-free for life.
A Ruger American is cheaper and they seem to shoot.

Some good Weatherby specials on again, but they are a tad heavier than the mountain rifles above.
I love mine as it can be carried short distances, but used like a varmint, and also a tack driver and great for range practice fun.
Cheap shooting and never needed to touch it with the tools.

Not a "first rifle", the kid has been target shooting for 3 years using a suppressed semi-auto and has also engaged in prone centrefire shooting. .

Right, I only know the nanny state of Wales regs, and the junior permit is around that age.

I firmly believe that kids should start with something like a CZ 457 as a good value, accurate, and cheap shooting way to develop their marksmanship.

Much the same as stepping up to centerfire rifles, a .223 is a great cal and inherently accurate in most bolt guns.
I have a lever release shotty and .22 mag, great fun but the CZ 515 is nowhere near as accurate as my CZ 452 bolt action.

Where did he start shooting at 9yo?

[Biscuits]

> Where did he start shooting at 9yo?

London. No minimum age for shooting. He joined my local club at 9 and was a full (not probationary) member by 10.

[bladeracer]

> Where did he start shooting at 9yo?

London. No minimum age for shooting. He joined my local club at 9 and was a full (not probationary) member by 10.

In WA when I started shooting PCYC air-rifle competition it was 10-years-old with your parent's permission. I believe their new swathe of laws have raised it to 12 and a parent must accompany you now.

[Cape_Yorkee]

Think you'd be pretty hard pressed to go past a Ruger American in 223. Have a look at Ozzie reviews on YouTube - he puts a few American 223's through their paces. For the price they are a very solid option

[yoshie]

Savage mod 25 is another option

[fussy]

Ruger M77.
Any decent mid-range bolt action, Hard to break. Integral magazine (can't be lost).
Tired people don't shoot well, so a heavy gun is a bad idea to carry all day.