Rifle options - recommendations wanted

[bowhunter-tw]

So im looking at getting a nicer functioning 223 bolt action than the savage axis I bought years ago, mainly for varmits but I also enjoy shooting targets. For budget I was looking at going with a tikka, howa mini, or cz 527 if I could find one but in the end they end up coming out around $1000. Are there any others im missing I should consider around the $1000 range? I value a smooth bolt, nice trigger, good accuracy over getting a “cheaper gun”. whatever I get will end up cut around 18” for reasonable suppressed length. 

[SunDevil]

Ruger american

[bowhunter-tw]

10 minutes ago, SunDevil said:

Ruger american

I considered the ruger but Id rank the fit and finish on par with the savage I already have. The american ranch rifle does look like a handy set up. 

[Crazymonkey]

If your going  to lop off the barrel anyway  just run a 18 inch ar15 suppressed  .

[bowhunter-tw]

7 minutes ago, Crazymonkey said:

If your going  to lop off the barrel anyway  just run a 18 inch ar15 suppressed  .

The ar’s arent nearly as quiet suppressed, ive got an 18” ar and tested it next to my 22” bolt gun with the same can, I can shoot the bolt gun no ear pro, the ar is not  quite as friendly on the ears. If the ar were quieter I would surely stick with the route you suggested

[thegunsmith2506]

The howa mini is nice

[Lucafu1]

My old savage predator hunter is nice and very accurate. Not sure if they make them anymore.

[jdown]

The 110 Apex Predator is  great shooting rifle and smooth with a 20" (I think) threaded bbl.

The Tactical and MagPul hunter would be the other two I would have said but I don't think in .223 - I want to say 308 or 6.5 are the options there but both great options for what you are looking to do. Savage will make one for you in a 223 though if you want to go that route.   

[PRDATR]

If by Varmints you mean coyotes get a 22-250.

[bowhunter-tw]

1 hour ago, PRDATR said:

If by Varmints you mean coyotes get a 22-250.

For the higher velocity? Even if im cutting the barrel to 18” max maybe even 16.5”?

[Cambow]

There are lots of rifles between 800 and 1,000 dollars that are great. Kimber and Bergara haven’t been mentioned yet… but they’re good shooters too!  I tend to buy nicer rifles, but used to bring the price down a bit. The older Remington 700s are good shooters as well. 
 

Good luck in your search.

[sherman]

Ruger m77 all weather 

[creed_az_88]

Sauer and sons model 100 is often overlooked but they are well made and extremely accurate.

[Brooktrout26]

I have a Ruger American Ranch in 17hmr, I enjoy it alot but its not what I would call a fine piece of craftsmanship. Nothing against it though.

Howa Carbon looks cool in a 223, under $1k.

 

 

[bowhunter-tw]

1 hour ago, Brooktrout26 said:

I have a Ruger American Ranch in 17hmr, I enjoy it alot but its not what I would call a fine piece of craftsmanship. Nothing against it though.

Howa Carbon looks cool in a 223, under $1k.

 

 

The ruger ranch is cool, im still heavily torn between the howa and tikka. It seems there are a decent amount of fit and finish issues people have with the howas but the tikkas seem more consistent. But a carbon stock mini action with threaded barrel right around 5lbs for under $1k is very tempting