Suggestions on a 223 heavy barrel rifle.

[walleye44]

Looking for a rifle to have some fun with for cheaper shooting. Maybe some praire dogs & what. Maybe a backup deer rifle for the kid. Is a heavy barrel needed for heat build up? What twist rate is better? I would like a bolt action with a clip or drop bottom also. I would like a nice synthetic stock or maybe laminte. I was looking at some remingtons & savages so far? Anybody use the Remington VTRS? Looking to keep the rifle under $700. That is just the rifle part. I have extra for a scope or could be more for rifle scope package deal. Thanks guys.

[monstermoose78]

I have the savage edge I got it at cabelas on sale for 329.99. It does not have a heavy barrel. Any barrel will get hot after some shooting. I bought it for hunting coyotes and fox. It holds a heck a of group at 200 yards. I am not shooting any fancy ammo its Fiocchi 50 grain Vmax out of it. At 200 yards it was about inch grouping. The barrel got warm after 5 shots. They guys i know that shoot praire dogs bring a few guns with so they can let them cool down. I think its a great gun and it did not cost a ton of money. The scope that came with it is ok but I will be getting a better scope this summer.

[walleye44]

Thanks for the post.. I think I have looked at that one. I believed they renamed the Edge to the axis for some reason..

[harvey lee]

I have a Remington 223 model 700 with the bull barrel and it groups very well but I am sure it will run a bit more than the Savage.

[rich4walleyes]

I would look at the CZ brand. These are some of the most accurate rifles out there. They do have a model 527 in a laminate stock and in what you are looking for. Those that have them really love them. You would be happy with one of these. I am getting one myself this year.

[bigg edd]

I shoot a DPMS 24" bull and a T/C pro hunter in .223 for prairie dogs. Both have been great guns minus the factory trigger on the DPMS. I paid a little over $700 for the T/C. I also found a SS 30.06 barrel for the T/C for $200 that shoots great. The T/C has a 1:12 twist so i limit my bullet weight to 55 grains

[walleye44]

Thank guys..

I am not sure if I am right or not but a 1:9 twist will shoot the heavy bullets better & a 1:12 will shoot the lighter bullets better. Rule of thumb?? I am shooting factory bullets now also. I just want to get some cheap shooting ammo, if this makes a difference in rifle choice.. No time to reload anymore. Thanks again.

[monstermoose78]

the ammo i talked earlier is cheap but with a good bullet. Cabelas has it on sale all the time for 22.99 for 50 rounds.

[walleye44]

So would a 1:9 twist or a 1:12 twist be better for that bullet then? That is were I am confused.

[walleye44]

If the mods can move this to shooting sports that would be great. My apologies I did not see that link.. Thanks.