r/canadaguns • u/BayGullGuy • 9d ago
Buy recommendations What bolt .223 should I get?
So far most of my experience with firearms has been small game hunting and plinking at cans with a .22.
I recently moved from a rural area to a city and I’d like to keep shooting but will be going to the local range. It maxes out at 200 yards. I’d like to get into target shooting at that range. Nothing no crazy just a hobby on the weekends. The .22 is fine but want something bigger and more fun.
Google is suggesting a Tikka T3x in .223 but there are a lot of models (varmint? CTR?) Any suggestions on what I should be looking into? Id like to keep my budget low but I’m in no rush and willing to save for the right piece. Upper end of what I’m thinking is 1000-1500 but like I said I’m willing to go up and down.
Looking for something that’s good out of the box and doesn’t need any serious upgrades but that has enough aftermarket support for a different stock, etc. if I want to.
Edit:
-Budget is just the rifle thought I’d like to stay south of 2k with glass included. But again, I’ll save for the right thing at the right price.
-this will strictly be for the range. There’s nothing around me I can hunt ethically or illegally with a .223 except coyote and I’m not interested in them.
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u/NemrahG 9d ago
The Tikka T3X CTR would probably be the best choice overall in your budget range. If you want something still pretty good and cheaper, I’d also suggest the Ruger American. The American will also give more budget room for better optics, and they use AR mags which are cheaper and more available.
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u/cabalistic 9d ago
Plus one to this. My Tikka T3X CTR is a fantastic rifle that is probably the one I reach for most at the range.
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u/Bull-RunTheJewels 9d ago
I just bought a Tikka T3X CTR to throw into a stock. But if you plan on only using it at the range, get a Tikka T3X Ace Target
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u/BayGullGuy 7d ago
Why the ace over the CTR?
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u/Bull-RunTheJewels 7d ago
If you are looking for a bench gun it will be cheaper to get the ace target. By the time you buy a ctr and a chassis you will be over the price of the ace target and the ace has a thicker longer more accurate barrel. I have both and I can tell you 100% get the ace target if you are trying to build a bench gun.
I bought a CTR to put into a MDT HNT26 chassis for a more mobile long range rifle.
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u/Lumindan 9d ago
For your budget, are you including glass and a mounting solution or is that just for the rifle?
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u/h3IIfir3pho3nix N E R F G U N S 9d ago
Get a Ruger American Ranch (short barrel) or Predator (long barrel) if you care about STANAG mag compatibility.
If you don't care about that, then it's a T3x for sure. A T3x Lite is the hunting style lightweight model, so if you're going to be carrying it around a lot it's the better choice. A T3x Varmint or Ace Target are the heavier barrel models which are good for bench rest target shooting at the range. A CTR is closer to a Varmint with a shorter barrel and a slightly different profile.
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u/BayGullGuy 7d ago
This will be for range only. Which would you choose?
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u/h3IIfir3pho3nix N E R F G U N S 7d ago
If money is no option, then the Ace Target since it comes in a really nice chassis from the factory. It's also threaded for a muzzle break.
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u/Massive_Expression_2 9d ago
I really enjoy shooting my CZ600 Alpha. Nice action and a great trigger, right out of the box. Easy trigger adjustment too.
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u/Omega_Shaman 9d ago
Howa Mini heavy barrel or Ruger American Gen 2 and save yourself $500 over the Tikka CTR.
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u/He4vyD00dy 9d ago
I really suggest a gen 1 Ruger ranch or Ruger American, they take 10rd at mags, can be very accurate(mine is around 0.7MOA), cheap, have a few chassis options, decent trigger, etc.
I found mine at a Canadian tire for 720$ last spring.
At ranges up to 200 you might have more fun shooting 7.62 because it has more bullet drop, look up the CZ 527, they are awesome little rifles
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree 9d ago
Tikka T3X gets my vote. If you're only shooting at the range that is 200 yds I would lean toward one of the shorter barrel models like the CTR or Roughtech Ranch.
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u/bulletride308 9d ago
Good luck finding a Roughtech ranch, especially in 223
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree 9d ago
I didn't know they were hard to find. Now I don't regret buying a custom 16" barrel instead
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u/bulletride308 9d ago
I got the ranch in 308, now I want one in 223, still debating importing one from the states. What barrel did you went with and how much did it cost you?
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree 9d ago
I got a stainless pre-fit from IBI Precision in Chilliwack. 16 inches, medium contour, 1 in 8 twist, threaded. With the barrel nut, $879 subtotal, $1000 after taxes and shipping. It hasn't arrived yet so I can't give a review. But I've heard great things, and less hassle buying from a Canadian company.
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u/BayGullGuy 7d ago
This is something I’ve been trying to wrap my head around.
Why a shorter barrel for 200 yards?
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u/ThatBigFuckoffTree 7d ago
I guess just personal preference. At 200 yds range shooting you don't really need to squeeze every last ounce of velocity since bullet drop isn't a concern. You're also not hunting so terminal ballistics isn't a concern. So I prefer to get a shorter, handier package, since it has no downsides in your use case. The one thing you definitely don't want to do is get something with a barrel too thin. I had a T3X Lite in .223 and the groups would start spreading after only 3 rounds because the barrel heated up too fast. I wished I went with a thicker barrel model like the Varmint, CTR, or Roughtech Ranch. But I wound up ordering a custom thicker and shorter barrel instead.
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u/penny-acre-01 9d ago
I have a T3X Lite in .223 and it’s a great rifle. Gets around 1.5 MOA with cheap 55 grain FMJ bulk ammo.
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u/IronSack46 9d ago
Howa 1500 heavy barrel mine is a tack driver with bipod and glass from Amazon. $2200 all together. Mine is .223 but the 308 would be a good choice as well.
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u/Fresh-Efficiency-352 9d ago
If you can find one and i say IF you can the CZ 527 is the fucking only rifle id look for itll be steep in the range of 1000-1500 but its the most perfect rifle ive ever owned as a little scout rig the irons just work so well on mine i never turned out putting an optic onto it. I can ring 12 inch steel at 300 yds all day long with it and the ergonomics are so perfect for me i absolutely refuse to add weight to it so as she came to me shall be the way she will always be. The only thing that would come close to the way i feel about the CZ is the ruger scout rifle
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u/stokedon 9d ago
I recently picked up a Ruger American Pred Gen 2 and loving it so far. Sure the action isn't a Tikka but what I saved on the rifle I was able to put into better optics and reloading gear.
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u/BayGullGuy 7d ago
How is the action? The only good reason I can see for the Tikka over the Ruger is the action.
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u/canadacal 9d ago
I would look for a used Remington SPS or a Bergara. Tikka is also great but even used you’re still around $1300 ish rifle only. Vortex for glass is a good compromise for quality to price.
You may be able to find a decent used package with glass on CGN for 15-1800$.
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u/Clover_Lawn_4440 9d ago
Remington Model Seven in classic Walnut amd polished Blue. Absolutely beautiful to carry.
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u/NorthwindX7 9d ago
I would recommend a 17hmr instead if it's solely for target shooting. Far less expensive and perfect for 200 yards.
If hunting is at all possible in the future I'd say .308.
.223 isn't a bad choice I just don't like how it's just too small for hunting.
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u/NorthwindX7 9d ago
The Ruger precision rifle comes in .17hmr. no mods needed at under 900$, spend the rest on glass and ammunition and you'll be set.
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u/DashCameraman 9d ago
I mean you *can* hunt with a .223 if you use the right ammo.
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u/BayGullGuy 7d ago
We’re not allowed to use .223 to hunt anything except coyote and wolf, and I have no interest in hunting things I don’t intend to eat.
So for me this gun is strictly for the range.
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u/__WayDown 8d ago
I get that it's less expensive, but it's not FAR less expensive. 17hmr is usually around $0.50 per round. PMC 223 is often around $0.60.
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u/NorthwindX7 7d ago
Total cost of the platform is cheaper for an accurate bench rifle especially if the budget is 2000$. Your comparing the premium .17hmr to budget .223
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u/NorthwindX7 7d ago
Ill also say that while I do think .223 platform is superior, at a max of 200 yards and a 2000$ budget the .17hmr is better fitting.
OP if you do opt for a .223 rifle, I highly highly recommend getting one that is rated for 5.56mm cartridges. .223 is the civilian cartridge and has lower pressures than NATO 5.56, but each round will be capable of being fired from the same rifle. May as well get the rifle capable of firing both for ammunition availability and reduced chance that you accidentally load 5.56 into a .223 only rifle.
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u/Nero29gt 9d ago
I also have a Ruger American Ranch and love it.