Looking for a nice semi- custom compact rifle & scope options

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Ghilliedup2

New member
Well tax time was good to me this year and I've decided to go ahead and get myself a new rifle. This will be used for punching paper mostly but will probably also be for calling dogs too.
I'm pretty set on another bolt gun (I have a m11 pred hunter in 243 & TC venture in 204 plus an AR already) with an 18-20" med/heavy barrel. I'd prefer to get something that finishes between .70 & .80 at the muzzle, I think that should be a good balance of weight/size/accuracy. Plus I really like the looks.Thinking 223 makes the most sense as I plan on using factory ammo for most of my plinking.
Here's where I'm stuck, I want a nicer rifle than what I have already. A blued barrel/action and most likely will put a Boyd's classic or thumbhole stock on it. I really like the look and feel of the howa 1500 and I can get one in 223 with a 20" bbl right now for cheap but dang are they heavy @8.5lbs for the rifle alone. Also really like the Howa mini action heavy barrel, in fact it's near perfect being that it's very compact and under 7lbs but I don't like the cheapo looking magazine, I'd rather have the hinged floor plate like the original howa 1500's.
I'd want to stay under $1000 for the rifle/stock combo. I want to stay with a push feed also. Never done a custom barrel but I wouldn't rule it out if it fits my budget.
Anyone got any advice?
 
I forgot about the optic, I am looking at the Bushnell 4500 2.5-10x42. ive got low end vortex crossfire 2's on all my other rifles and have been very pleased plus the customer service is outstanding with Vortex but want to upgrade the glass for this rifle. $400 or less. Also considering the Diamondback HP line. Good quality with Zero reset turrets and decent glass is all I really care about, duplex or non-cluttered reticle, light weight & non-tactical styling

Burris predator quest looks interesting, but can't get my hands on one to check out the glass
 
Sounds like you already have your bases pretty much covered with what you have for other bolt guns and that AR. Unless you wanted to go ultralight with this .223.

If you like the Howa mini check out the CZ527, similar but higher quality.

"ultralight" check out the Howa alpine mountain, savage 111 light weight hunter, Tikka T3x superlite.

I don't see the point in getting a heavy barrel bench gun considering what you already have.

I have that bushnell scope in the 2.5-10X, no complaints at all. Pretty much have all bushnell optics now. I have two of the vortex crossfires and they're OK but they're heavy and the glass doesn't gather as much light as the bushnells.
 
Ghilliedup2, since you want that dropped floor plate how about building off of a donor Rem 700 action.you might check out Northland shooters supply for a pre-fit Criterion remage barrel and nut. You might be able to do all that plus put a Timney trigger in it for your budget, I bet someone on here will know.
 
I have a CZ 527 Varmint in 223. Its called a HB but its not a bull barrel by any means. Great trigger and a really nice walnut stock. A solid rifle but not so heavy it couldn't be carried. And it shoots good.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogI have a CZ 527 Varmint in 223. Its called a HB but its not a bull barrel by any means. Great trigger and a really nice walnut stock. A solid rifle but not so heavy it couldn't be carried. And it shoots good.


X2
 
Mainly want

I didn't know the cz came in a HB version, is it a Controlled feed? Its been years since I've shot a CZ rifle and it was a standard size action. Not sure I'd wanna get away from push feed

I like the idea of buying an action and getting the barrel I want just have no experience with anything like that other than ARs
 
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My CZ 527 is a Euro Varmint. Barrel measures .748 at the muzzle. Its considered a HB as its larger diameter than my American. It also has a nicely figured walnut stock. If there's any plastic parts on it, I haven't found them yet. Everything is nicely finished steel. They also have a nice Set trigger so you don't have to buy a trigger to get a light trigger pull. Did I mention they shoot good too?
 
I got mine for $675 out the door. Not sure it was the best deal but I could live with it.

I just looked at Bud's. He has the Euro for $640 but you will have shipping and FFL costs so $675 wasn't to bad.
 
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how about a remington model 7 predator mossy oak brush with a nikon active target special in mossy oak bursh 4 - 12. i have this gun and just put one together for my son in law. coyote killing machine.
 
You mentioned Howa. I have a Howa HB in 7.62x39 and its the mini action with the detachable mag. It feeds flawlessly. So smooth sometime I have to look to see if it even chambered a round. If there is a negative about it, it would be the location of the release lever. Sometimes if I grab the rifle in the trigger guard area I will hit the release and the mag turns loose. But its a neat little rifle and fun to shoot.
 
I looked very hard at that model 7 predator when I was buying a 243 last summer, I went with the savage 11 predator and although it will shoot some tiny groups I kinda regret not getting the model 7 as the savage is accurate but doesn't have much other appeal to me, it just don't have much character lol. I really want a 20" or less bbl, to make it easy to pack in the woods. I may give it another look though as I liked that model 7 predator a lot. Not to mention the price on them has came down to the low $400's.

On the howa mini I've read the accidental mag release issue many times over but also read where some ppl have shaved the mag release down on the mini action and fixed the issue. If that rifle had a hinged floor plate it would be perfect on all accounts, maybe there's a way to retrofit one VC off a short action or something. Even a flush fit mag would be great and I think I can make that happen with a little experimenting.
 
Pysocodog what optic did u put on yours and have you weighed the whole setup by chance? Also, does it carry well with the mag sticking out like it does? I have seen Boyd's is making stocks for the mini which sweetens the idea even more
 
Never weighed it but it doesn't seem all that heavy. I have a 3x9 Bushnell on mine, maybe 8 lbs??? That might be a heavy guess on my part.

It weighed 7 1/2lbs and it also has a light mounted on the scope.
 
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Originally Posted By: PetePhow about a remington model 7 predator mossy oak brush with a nikon active target special in mossy oak bursh 4 - 12. i have this gun and just put one together for my son in law. coyote killing machine.


I just picked up one of these rifles in 243 Win for pennies on the dollar. No idea why the shop was unloading it like they did. In keeping with the low cost approach, I placed a 3x9 Leupold VX Freedom scope on it.

I took it out a few days ago and it shoots extremely well and it is very pleasant to carry.

BTW - the Freedom scopes that I've seen are very clear and bright and have click adjustments at a very reasonable price. No experience yet to show how well they hold up to use, but I"m not planning on mass suicides by them with the Leupold name on the scope.
 
Aws I think you've sealed the deal for me. That's almost exactly what I was thinking about doing with the mag. I was planning on a Boyd's stock too, most likely in nutmeg or coyote color. How does yours shoot with the thumbhole stock? I've got one on my Ultra slug hunter and like it
 
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