I am considering getting a rifle chambered for the .223 rem. cartridge. I am at a loss as to which gun would be the best. i need a gun that will deliver the best accuracy for under $700. I have looked at CZ, Ruger, Savage, Remington, and Winchester. which do you think performs the best?
Thanks for the replies
Ruger22

Remington 700? The VSF is pretty much identical to the PSS (now 700P) except that the stock is tan instead of black. List is $932, but you could get lucky and find one in .223 rem for a bit cheaper. Most places should give you a price for about 1/4 off list (I know Bi-mart does), so that will put it right in your price range, before tax (Oregon is great). You'll need (probably, depends what you like) to get the trigger job done, but the standard stuff for accuracy should already be done when you get it, nice thick fluted barrel, bedded stock et al.
There isn't a shortage of aftermarket goodies and parts for the 700 either.
That said, try a couple out, see what you like. I've heard that a lot of people are fairly happy with their Savages and CZ looks like it is gaining a bit of popularity. Someone will no doubt bring up the Winchester Model 70.

Hello mate, why not get a .222 instead, the original and superior, flatter-shooting calibre. The .223 is an unnecessary round which only came about because of commercial shenanigans. I know that's there's lots of surplus mil ammo for the .223, but there wouldn't have been if the rounds had been evaluated on their ballistic merits.
I don't think that .223 should be supported by honest folk.

Any of those brands you've mentioned will be fine rifles, regardless of chambering. Each has it's pros and cons, but it boils down to personal preference. Lots of folks praise the Remingtons, equally as many like the Winchester, Ruger, Savage or CZ.

I would take the one that appeals to you the most in handling, looks and options. Ruger comes with integral scope mount and rings. Savage comes with Accu-trigger. Remingtons are chosen by 'smiths due to easy stocking and rebedding. Winchesters have the mauser extractor and controlled feeding. CZ's are reported to have quality workmanship.

Pick the one you like best and don't look back.

The .223 Remington is a fine cartridge for benchrest, plinking and varmits. With heavier bullets, some even use it for deer, where legal.

Like kdub says they all make great rifles. Go try them out in a gun store and see which feels better to you. Your choice depends upon which rifle style you are interested in.

Are you going to be varmit hunting and using a heavy barrel rifle or do you want a rifle that is comfortable to carry walking the fields? I have a heavy barrel varmiter that is wonderfully accurate but a pain if your gonna carry it anywhere.

One compromise for a field gun and a varmiter in 223 is the CZ 527 varmiter. It is light enough to carry and still has a heavy barrel. It delivers varmit rifle accuracy in a comfortable package. It also comes with a single set trigger.

If you do look at it check out the new 204 ruger calibre it comes in. It shoots as cheap as a 223 with little recoil, but shoots as flat and as far as a 22-250.

I think that is going to be my next rifle.

Good luck in your search.

I have two .223's. One is a 21" contender barrel and the other a Rem 700 VS.
Both are tack drivers and routinely produce .5" groups at 100 yards. The contender has also done 3.27" at 500 yards off a bench on a dead calm afternoon. That was with a 50 gr Sierra Blitz doing 3120fps.
The rem is my dedicated varmint rig for the most part. IMR 4198 under a 55 grain Blitz King doing just over 3200. I have consistantly produced .6 or less groups at 200 yards with this gun. The only thing done to it was bed the action and float the barrel and trigger set to 2 lbs pull.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that for not alot of money you can find a good and acurate .223.
I hunt every thing from prarie poodles to deer with it.(.223 is legal for deer in WI) The 60 grain Partition and 55 grain bear claw have all been one shot kills and I have never found a bullet. I would not take a shot much past 100 yards from a rest with it. I also only use it when sitting in stand and only on standing deer that are broad side. I shoot them in the heart.
Just find what works for you and spend some time developing loads for it. This is the caliber I shoot the most. It's fun and economical.
If I were you I'd consider an Encore with a .223 bull barrel.
I started out with my Contender with the .223 carbine barrel. It's one of the most acurate guns I own.
Good luck.

Hntr33806

For small centerfire rifles I like the CZ model 527 Varmint w/kevlar stock in 223 rem. I have one and love it, great little rifle but then I like CZ's. I have 2 other 527 rifles, a carbine in 7.62X39 and a Lux in 223 rem. All have the single set trigger which I have adjusted to break cleanly at 2 1/2 pounds with no creep or overtravel.
I also own 9 CZ rimfires so beware if you get one you will not be able to stop!

Don Warren

There are a LOT of exceptionally good rifles out there. You really can't go wrong with Winchester, Remington, Ruger, Browning, Savage, CZ, or most other manufacturers for that matter. The important thing is to find one that feels good to you, balances well for you, and is tailored to your type of shooting. Don't buy a target rifle if you are going to lug it across counties... Likewise, don't buy a Carbon 15 to shoot at 500 yards.

I have 3 .223s:
1. A Carbon 15, just because of the miracle of a Carbon-Fiber receiver. It is lucky to hit a pie plate at 50ft, and doesn't like most magazines.
2. A "hunter" model 14" barrel for my Contender. Single feed, but it shoots 1" groups all day long with just about any ammo put in it, including surplus 5.56. And I'm not very good with a handgun/scope combination.
3. A CZ-527 Varmint Laminate. I love the balance and feel of this rifle. It fits me better than any of my other guns, and I have a few... It is picky about it's ammo: Surplus 5.56 splits the necks on 1 out of 3 shots, so I don't use it in this gun; Factory .223 ranges from 3" at 100yds to less than 1" at 200; Handloads are down to under 1" at 200yds, and that was just the first batch with some fair bullets. I haven't shot the work up set of the match bullets yet. The set trigger is SWEET!

While I was at the range with the CZ, the guy in the next lane was shooting a DPMS AR-15, and he was making me look very bad! Nobody can ever tell me that an autoloader won't shoot!

If you would be happy with a single-shot, the guys who post on the Single-Shot forum of this site, dearly love the performance of their H&R/ NEF rifles.

Darrel

What I'm hearing tells me that it's pretty tough to beat a Savage right now. Perhaps the best rifles being built and inexpensive to boot. That's my next choice....

Been following along...have to consider the .223 a varmint rifle...does depend on what you want: a sporter weight stalking rifle or a heavy weight stand shooting rifle. IF it's kmostly for range play, then the heavy weight barrel (stand shooting without the critters).

The CZ is a nice stalking rifle...Savage heavy barrel makes for a nice stand rifle. Not saying they are the absolute "best", but are very good values for the $. Either should be well under your $700 limit...enough under to get a useable scope and mount.

Even with the new calibers out therre, still think the .223 is the round for cheap shooting. Forget that mil.surp. ammo for accuracy, but some of the "generic" brands of US made .223 are highly sadisfactory...and there isn't much that shoots that is cheaper to reload than the .223 (brass is dirt cheap...bullets abundant...and it has a wide range of powders that are useful).

Hello mate, why not get a .222 instead, the original and superior, flatter-shooting calibre. The .223 is an unnecessary round which only came about because of commercial shenanigans. I know that's there's lots of surplus mil ammo for the .223, but there wouldn't have been if the rounds had been evaluated on their ballistic merits.
I don't think that .223 should be supported by honest folk.

In my neck of the woods, I can't remember the last time I saw a .222 on the shelf. Compared to the .223, the ammo for the .222 is near obsolete. Is the .222 really that much better round than the .223?
Savage has some tack drivers out of the box for $471 at W-Mart. Also a barrel, caliber change on the Savage is a snap and new take off barrels can be had for around $50 for sporter weight and $75-$100 for heavy barrels. Both fit the same receiver. All in all, a good set-up.
Regards,
GeoW
Savannah, GA

Savage!! They have a great trigger, and they are accurate as all get out. Plus you get em with a 1:9 twist so you can shoot the heavier bullets