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best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 11:06 pm
by nearly there
Hi all ive been a long time lurker and finally registerd.im looking for some advice on the best .223 for pest controll/vermin.my main requirement is detachable magazine.thanks for any advice

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 11:20 pm
by kennyc
Cz?

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:25 am
by saddler
I'd say a lot may depend on available budget?

A Howa 1500 with DM may be a better buy than a CZ

IF you can find one, a Rem 700 Armalon conversion - or a std. Rem 700 Varmint; then add a better stock & a DM kit,
OR a BMS CAM

AR15 straight pull's are accurate/compact, but can get expensive quickly.
Other similar options like an AUG could be suitable

...someone in your club just bought the tricked out Mini14 that SimG sold, IIRC.
Nice rifles, but I prefer a bolt action...

Have had a .223 Armalon almost since they came out.
Nice rifles. Accurate. Mine still has the original factory (walker) trigger - tuned it myself & it's been crisp as the day I adjusted it since.
IF you go for a Rem 700, try to find an older one as some of the newer production is beyond abysmal re. Q.C., or lack of it!
My .223 (COM) CAM is still being fettled/rebuilt since a previous owner gave it a rough time...not collected my 5.56 (SNI) CAM from the RFD yet

Try to get a 1:8 or 1:9 twist bbl.
IF you end up with a 1:12 or similar you'll be limited a little more on bullet weight/profiles that will be suitable. (The original .223 concept was built around a 1:14 twist, FYI)

Lots of .223 shooters on here, so you'll get a lot of good info.

A very very easy round to reload for too

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:41 am
by DW58
Tikka T3, preferably one with 1:8 twist.

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:53 am
by tackb
sako 75 varmint with a 1-8 barrel if you can find one...........

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:28 pm
by nearly there
As you said saddler about the ar type rifle,would this be practical.as i quite like the thought of a good varmint/paper puncher

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:41 am
by 20series
The main issue people have with the straight pull actions with hunting is they are very noisy. .

Alan

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:49 am
by Mr_Logic
Pretty much anything which is accurate. I had a whole lot, they all kill just fine.

Consideration - weight. Are you walking or driving? I'll walk so I want s spotter barrel, and not too long. Velocity is irrelevant because the average pest doesn't care.

I have a CZ in 223 which is very accurate and light but I never shoot because I have a .222 which I prefer. In fact TBH I might as well sell that CZ. Anyway I digress.

Light barrel and reliable action and you're good. I find a detachable mag works for me as it is easy to reload st night in the field.

Based on those specs I would be looking at Tikka or CZ. Not Remington or Howa because they're floor plate (though both can have detachable if specced IIRC). There are other makes, I had an RWS Titan 6 in 243 which had a good barrel but an alu action and I broke it too easily.

Tikka or CZ have good accuracy and reliability. Neither is heavy, both have good triggers.

But, it's personal preference - go with what fits you well and you can use in the dark comfortably. That is what really matters.

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:58 pm
by the running man
Tikka t3 or ruger 77,bothwell a heavy barrell,not massively heavy,u can use it at a range (although it won't be u know the full tactical set up) and shoot fox quite well,if u just want it for fox only then get a sporting barrell again ide go t3 or ruger77, if u can afford it a sako.....

Re: best .223 for hunting/pest controll

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:06 pm
by zanes
Pest/vermin control only? Anything reasonably light (you won't be firing strings of shots, so sporter barrel is fine), at a price you won't worry about if (when!) it gets rained on, dropped, knocked over, scratched on fences, put away slightly damp etc. etc. with decent optics.

Stay away from straight pulls for pest/vermin. Can't see the problem with a floor plate for that sort of usage- unlikely to need "high capacity"?

TBH I'd be hard pressed to look past a stainless sporter profile howa action in a synthetic stock, especially if one pops up second hand.