Considering switching format for .223

[Mitty38]

Have a home built M4 style AR15 with Basically a Noreen Lower, a Colt m16 bolt carrier group and a BCA upper.
Anyhow considering the current situation, and the fact that I would rather cast my own bullets, plus I can do just as well coyote hunting with a good smooth bolt action. Not to mention I could use an extra couple hundred to pay some bills now.

I have considered looking at other formats to possibly trade into where I can get a couple hundred cash in my hand. And load cast bullets I make at less expence then the Sierra's I am now buying.
If I sold the AR sans optics right now, I can get $700 out of it, which is real close to the total I have in it and all the asesories.

So just looking for some food for thought on other accurate .223 possibilities.
Like maybey what used bolt action, or pump to look for, or am I overlooking another action entirely that is.
What guns are caster, reloader and especially varmint hunter friendly between 50 and 150 yards?..
While I am deciding if I want to do this or not.
PS I already know all the political theories, and possibilities. Posted this on here, because we tend to stay away from that stuff, and wanted the caster, loader, hunter perspective on switching away from the AR but keeping the caliber.

 

[RicinYakima]

I bought a used CZ 527 American in .223 and it is a 1/2 MOA rifle out of the box. FWIW

 

[Mitty38]

I bought a used CZ 527 American in .223 and it is a 1/2 MOA rifle out of the box. FWIW

Googled that. Looks to be a format I would like. Have you shot cast in it? If you have how does it do?

 

[RBHarter]

I load for a 222 Savage 340C 1986ish . The slow 1-14" shoots 1" with pretty much any factory 50 gr . Shoots the same with the NOE 225-62 (my copy says 225-55 fp but drops 62 gr) 19.0 H322 2600+ fps .

If your staying with a 22 cal that's the ticket right there and at least the one I load for was inexpensive enough you can save the AR for a rainy day .

 

[Mitty38]

I load for a 222 Savage 340C 1986ish . The slow 1-14" shoots 1" with pretty much any factory 50 gr . Shoots the same with the NOE 225-62 (my copy says 225-55 fp but drops 62 gr) 19.0 H322 2600+ fps .

If your staying with a 22 cal that's the ticket right there and at least the one I load for was inexpensive enough you can save the AR for a rainy day .

Kinda want to stay with .223 or .556 as I have the dies, Brass, primers, and a variety of powders that are geared to that caliber, to last me for years, I even have gas checks, Plus to get another gun I have to sell this one to get the cash first.plus I could use the extra to put gifts under the tree.

 

[RicinYakima]

Googled that. Looks to be a format I would like. Have you shot cast in it? If you have how does it do?

Never shot cast bullets with it as it is a 1/12 and I can shoot cast in the 22 Hornet as fast as I need too.

 

[RBHarter]

Can't knock a savage Axis , there's a version with a wood stock that "fixes" the major complaint about them . NIB around 225-250 might still find a Walmart wonder under 200 otd .

 

[Mitty38]

Axis with a, wood stock has crossed my mind, I really liked my 06 except for the plastic stock. That stock would not let you brace it right for bi pod or bench shooting. The stupid thing would keep touching the barrel.

 

[RBHarter]

I had that with both an Axis and a Stevens 200 .
Both twisted to fast for my taste with NOE having dropped the pointed 80 gr .

 

[Spindrift]

For your uses, I think you’d be better of with a bolt gun.

If you’re looking for a varmint gun that is cast-friendly, I would look for a 1:12 ROT bolt gun. The CZ527 is an excellent choice, if you can get one.

I wouldn’t overlook the .222 rem. I don’t know how the market is around your parts. In Norway, used .222 rem guns are quite cheap, because everyone wants .223 rem. The difference in price could easily pay for a die set and some brass. The .222 rem is a pretty cast- friendly cartridge.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have a Mossberg Predator MVP 556/223. Its a laser!! I bought it used from a friend of a friend. Mostly ta help him but I was wanting too. I wanted the "fancier stock" as they offered a few. But I got the conventional/classic style. All I did was relieve wood around the lug. Tape up the barrel to center and bed the recoil lug! Then I scopped it with a 4-16 Weaver. The gun shoots 60g Vmax with 332 powder 1/2 moa all day long.

 

[Mitty38]

A little bit ago, a fellow I hunt with sometimes showed me .223 brass he had sized trimmed and fire formed to .222
Says it's an easy process. But you have to aneale first, and you do it a touch lower on the shoulder then normal. Says he will do it for me, except for the final fire forming and trimming, at a cost of 1 out of 4 brass. So . 222 would not be out of the question. Thing is what would I do with all my ammo and processed,primed brass?

 

[fiver]

I swap back and forth between my AR's and the Ruger V/T [I don't think/know if they make them anymore]
but when I'm messing with 22 cal stuff I give equal time to the 220's and the 22-250.
they all do just fine with the same amount of I-4895 and the same rcbs mold.
it's kind of nice actually.

 

[462]

Emmett,
You may want to look at the Ruger American. Mine is the .223/Vortex combination, but with a black stock rather than the moss green (don't know what distributor the store used). For my strictly paper punching purpose it's been very satisfactory. It's not in the same class as the CZ, but seems to be a step up from the Savage.

 

[Ian]

I have a Mossberg MVP 5.56 and it is a steaming pile of excrement, even after a complete re-engineering of the bedding system, firelapping, scope changes, and a crown job.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

YES. I have seen that and the Patriot and it was garbage. Mine is older with conventional bedding.
I agree if your buying the Ruger is held in hi reguard with many including myself. In my group of friends we have 8/10 and EVERY ONE is a winner.
I bought the wife a cheap Savage. Its stock sux. But its barrel is smooth and the thing shoots flat like a LASER! With a nicer stock it would be awesome.
CW

 

[Ole_270]

I called coyotes for several years carrying either a M700 ADL 223 or a Ruger M77 MkII 22-250. Switched to a Rock River Coyote rifle, 18" sporter weight Wilde chambered AR, to give me a better chance at the doubles and triples I had come in. Haven't had a double or triple since. Think I'll go back to the bolt rifles, they fit me better and seem easier to hit with in the field though I haven't lost a cat or 'yote with the AR.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Haha. I generally hunt with one other guy. Meaning same guy. He is trigger happy!!
I usually carry a SS or shotgun in the summer
Months. If extra shots are needed, He would be making them anyhow!! Hahaha

YES we have doubled on at LEAST 1/2 the animals we shoot!!
CW

 

[Mitty38]

Some times I go down to Egypt valley. The Sheep farmers association and the ohio division of wild life have a private contract with me and about 15 other guys. They call us l when the yotes or hogs come in. When I am scheduled with one certain older fellow, we always have a blast. I gilli up and lay in the bottom where I am closer to the call area. He sits on top the hill with a single shot CVA. He shoots first. If more than 1 come out he shoots the farthest one from me, heading them my way( if they run). Then I clean up with the 20 guage. Only person I trust, cept maybe my brother, to be sitting above me on a hill shooting down in front of me. We always beat our goal.
Now anybody else I just take the AR and sitbparallel to the other hunter.

 

[obssd1958]

Mitty,
I am still distributing the firearms from my friends estate. He was a CZ527 fan, and managed to have all of the versions that they made. I still have 3 available. All 3 are in what I consider excellent condition, and are currently wearing scopes. They are chambered in .223 Remington, .222 Remington, and 6.5 Grendel. Without the scopes, I would sell any of the 3 for $600 plus shipping. If you want to pursue it further, send me an email at obssd1958 at yahoo dot com.