I'm in the market for a value-rich .223 bolt gun for target shooting and plinking.  Price range is about $400 to $800.  Your input is requested.


CZ Model 527 and all variants.

Remington Model 700 and all variants.

Savage Model 10, 11, 12 and all variants.

Tikka T3 and all variants.

Winchester Model 70 and all variants.

$800 can buy you an AR.

Are you asking which should you choose? I'd go with the 700 or either of the Savage models.

Or if I may: Get Both!

Quoted: $800 can buy you an AR.

I already have one or two of those.  

So far, I'm impressed by the Savage.

The guys at PredatorMastersForums.com seem to like the Tikkas.

Seemingly they are gauranteed to shoot an inch at 100 yards.

I went with the following and It's Great!!!
Rem. 700 LTR.
Blackhills 69gr. SMK's
Leupold 3.5-10X40 1"
Leupold Dual Dove Tail bases and rings.
Harris BR Swivel notched leg bipod.

Started with a Leupold 6X tactical then bought the 3.5-10X40.

I've swapped to a 4.5-14AO on it now but I'm thinkin' that the smaller variable scope is an all around better choice...

Good luck,
Pete

If it's just bench time at the range and you don't mind shopping the used racks, I think the Rem700 is hard to beat. Generally very good bolt face alignment at the factory, and barrels are as good as any on your list. Trigger might need a little help, but that's curable with the savings on a good used buy with $$ left over.

If you're buying new, it's a great world out there, and you haven't named a bad one on the list. Have not owned a Tikka nor a Savage, but Tikka's have that Finn rifle heritage, and the one I saw at a massive sporting goods store looked very well-finished and surprisingly not expensive. Every newer Savage I've seen on the range lately has been a real tack-driver -- the new trigger is cool.

If you're looking at strolling the woods with your new smokepole, check out the CZ. I have a 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. Still can't remember why I bought it except that it looked lonely and a bit scratched-up, nobody else wanted it, and the price was right (translation: seriously reduced, and I had enough money in the checking account). Very short, light, and well-crafted. Kind of homely w/ detachable mag, but you come to like the feature. Puts five 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tip greenies under 1.5 MOA all day (me using 4x scope -- probably capable of better).

How about a Browning A-Bolt? Dad has one that will shoot clover leaf 10 round groups at 100 yards all day- with his handloads.
Jim

Get a rem 700 VLS

26" varmint barrel w/ a laminate stock for $530

makes tinny little groups w/ 40gr nosler ballistic tips

I own one in .22-250, my buddy has one in .223

cleaned out a 50 acre dog town w/ two days of shooting with the two of us.

dont skimp on the optics, 4.5-14x variable is ideal

I have a Kimber 84M .223 bolt 24". I think you can find one for less than $800.  I have Leupold 4 to 16 power scope.

for value go with the savage. the others with look cooler and get looks at the range but none of them will out shoot the savage.

I have a number of Savage's including a 12 in .223 it was a combo package about $500 its fun to shoot & incerdably acturate

I had a CZ 527 w/ the HS precision stock. It was a great rifle, in fact better than great. It has what they call a "Mini Mauser" action which is shorter than a standard short action. When my friend first saw mine he thought it was a 22 mag. The actiaon is very smooth. It was also very accurate.

Save a little cash by getting the laminate instead of the HS precision stocked version, it seems to be just as accurate.

Impact guns has the best price I've seen on them.

SAVAGE!!!!

It has TREMENDOUS advantages over all you mention.

1. It's cheap
2. It's accurate. My 12FV in .223, even with a cheap stock shoots honest .375" 5-shot groups.
3. It's got the best factory trigger THERE IS.
4. It can be, with 1 wrench and 15 minutes time, converted to another caliber or rebarrelled.

You can have a Savage, decked out, with optics for under your $800 price tag.

Quoted: SAVAGE!!!! It has TREMENDOUS advantages over all you mention. 1. It's cheap 2. It's accurate. My 12FV in .223, even with a cheap stock shoots honest .375" 5-shot groups. 3. It's got the best factory trigger THERE IS. 4. It can be, with 1 wrench and 15 minutes time, converted to another caliber or rebarrelled. You can have a Savage, decked out, with optics for under your $800 price tag.

I've spent a good amount of time behind a 10FP in .223.....Right now, there's nothing out there that'll even come close to the Accu-Trigger.

I have a Savage bolt action rifle in .223 Remington, it shoots excellent. I would recomend going with a Savage.

Quoted: Quoted: SAVAGE!!!! It has TREMENDOUS advantages over all you mention. 1. It's cheap 2. It's accurate. My 12FV in .223, even with a cheap stock shoots honest .375" 5-shot groups. 3. It's got the best factory trigger THERE IS. 4. It can be, with 1 wrench and 15 minutes time, converted to another caliber or rebarrelled. You can have a Savage, decked out, with optics for under your $800 price tag. I've spent a good amount of time behind a 10FP in .223.....Right now, there's nothing out there that'll even come close to the Accu-Trigger.

Thank god

The CZ trigger is a NORMAL trigger, fully adjustable, mine broke at 3 #s with no creep and no overtravel. At one pont I had it at about 2.3 #s but since it was a field trigger I took it up to 3 #s. It also had a set trigger that broke at 1.25 #s.

I think the Savage is the best value.

I ordered the Savage 12FVSS.  $549 from Dick's.  I'll post pics when I get it.

Thanks for all of the quality input.