.223 Bolt Action Rifle

[Bearcat1982]

Looking at the Ruger American 16 inch and 22 inch barreled rifles.
Mainly for shooting woodchucks approx. 150-250 yards. And possibly coyotes.
I have a Leupold vx-1 and a Leupold rifleman NIB one of which will be mounted on it.

I like the look of the 16 inch rancher but I know I'll lose some velocity.
What barrel length do you guys suggest?

Also open to other suggestions for rifles. In the Ruger American Price range of 500ish dollars though I don't see much that I feel would be any better. Would consider spending more if something really stood out to me but I also just want an inexpensive rifle to kick around with.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'm torn between the 2, wish they have a 20" ranch. Think I'd go 16 but I hate losing velocity, I'd want one for a do all gun maybe even pop a deer, but something that will cheap stuff but reach its legs if needed.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

If you’re gonna suppress it then I would go 16”. Otherwise I would choose 22”.

 

[cfullgraf]

If you will be doing mostly walk-a-bouts hunts, I'd go with the longer barrel. It really would not be more difficult to carry and the extra velocity would make for flatter shooting out to longer ranges. The extra weight of the long barrel really would be negligible.

If you are looking to have a pickup truck gun, the shorter barrel would help with handling from the truck cab. But, you have to remember that velocity will be less hence trajectory will be less flat.

 

[Spats McGee]

I recently had some discussions about getting a .223 bolt gun, and the suggestions I got were a Remington 700, Savage, Ruger American, Howa, Tikka, maybe CZ (?), and a couple of others. I wound up with a Howa Mini and I have high hopes for it, but have not been to the range with it yet. I’ll dig out a link to the thread if you would like.

 

[jmr40]

I've had both. Both came with 10 round AR magazines. The 16" Ranch version is chambered for 5.56, the longer barreled Predator is chambered in 223. TECHNICALLY speaking the shorter version is good to go with either 223 or 5.56 ammo. TECHNICALLY the longer barreled Predator should only be used with 223 ammo.

For some people that is a concern, but I fired either ammo interchangeably in both rifles with no issues. I don't know if the slight difference in chamber dimensions played a part or if it was just the 2 individual rifles, but my longer barreled Predator was MUCH more accurate. I sold the 16" Ranch rifle and still have the 22" Predator.

Keep in mind that when I bought mine Ruger Predators, and the Ranch rifles were $350 each. They are now in the $500 range. At that price point I'd pay a little more today and just go with a Tikka. IME Tikka is the better rifle and is more accurate. When I could get a Ruger for $350 it was a bargain. But when a Tikka is $600 and a Ruger is now $500, I'll buy Tikka.

 

[mavracer]

I'd go with the Ranch but I'd also definitely be hanging a can off the end.

 

[Spats McGee]

My thread was here: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/possible-s-w-shield-45-sale-or-trade.919400/

There was also a thread on Ruger Americans that was pretty helpful: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/5-56-ruger-ranch-rifle-model-26965.919626/

 

[jmorris]

It’s been a couple years since I picked up a savage 112 for $299 after rebate at cabelas but it shoots well.

This is 5 shots at 300 yards with 55 gn FMJ’s.




And 5 from a load using decent bullets at the same 300 yards.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Wow you can shoot Jmorris.

 

[Remington1911]

I love my CZ, it just shoots everything minute of pop can including cheap steel case garbage. Love that little rifle, if you could find one used I would not think twice about it.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

It’s been a couple years since I picked up a savage 112 for $299 after rebate at cabelas but it shoots well.

Your target plate is giving me flashbacks to NASA's Apollo program.

 

[jmorris]

Wow you can shoot Jmorris.

I’ll give the rest and rifle the credit. With a stable rest I can greatly reduce the chance I mess things up.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have a axis in .223. With a standard trigger. I put a mcarbo kit in it. Im happy with it. Last outing i hit some clays at 250 yards and managed 1 at the 300 yard line. Im getting there. I should take the bi-pod off and use my Caldwell rock rest. I only used it one time since i bought it.

 

[Chuck R.]

Personally, I'd go with the 22" option.

Both of my .223 bolt guns have 20" barrels (M700 and M7), I've also got an AR15 SPR build with an 18" tube and 4 AR15s with 16" barrels. Honestly I don't sweat the velocity loss, they've got plenty to get the job done out to 500yds with varmint bullets. What I do sweat is the noise level with a 16" barrel. When I'm doing the walking varmint thing, and yote hunting a good number of shots are fired sans earpro, and that's a definite non-starter with a 16" barrel. The only way I'd run a 16" for any type of hunting would be with a can on it.

I'd also look hard at the twist rate. My bolt guns have 1:9, which works well for 69 grainers, but I'd like to have 1:8 to get the 77s and stretch their legs a bit. When my 700 is shot out I will have it rebarreled in a 1:8.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Im going to order some 69 grain from RMR.

 

[Chuck R.]

Im going to order some 69 grain from RMR.

Any reviews?? How do they shoot for you?

I normally use Sierra MKs and TMKs in 69grn, and 77MKs (Cannelured, to mimic Mk262), but these days it's good to have options.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Im waiting for the 4th of july sale. Im looking forward to trying them.

 

[Varminterror]

16” vs. 22” is ~250-275fps difference in MV, but it’s 9-10.5oz difference in weight at the muzzle, which also means about 2/3-3/4ft.lbs. torque difference in handling balance, and 6” more overall length when maneuvering in brush or in and out of vehicles. Stabilizing a 16” isn’t hard, but doing so with a 22” is easier. Getting in and out of trucks with a 22” is hard, but doing so with a 16” is easier. If any of those attributes matter more than others, then the calculus is pretty simple.

I wouldn’t be terribly convinced that a 22” would be significantly better for deer hunting than a 16”, just for the influence of 250fps MV.

 

[WisBorn]

Not sure what the barrel twist rate is for the barrel lengths. I would prefer a faster twist for heavier bullets with a higher BC.

 

[citizenconn]

Since you will be shooting farther than 100 yards I would definitely go for the longer barrel. I have a Savage 10 precision bolt action chassis rifle that has a 16.1 or so inch barrel and although the precision is good the velocity is definitely lacking over my others with 20" (and longer) barreled bolt action versions.
Even with ARs I much prefer 20" barrels for 5.56/.223. I have a few 18" ones that are an okay compromise for portability & velocity.
No that it that relevant but nowadays I only load 68 to 77 grain bullets and don't varmint hunt.

 

[MarshallDodge]

For varmints, I always go with as much velocity as I can get. I really like the balance and how a 22" rifle shoots.

I have or have owned bolt action 223 rifles in 16.5, 18, 20, 22, and 24", and if I could only have one, it would be the heavier profile 22". The velocity difference is substantial compared to 16"

The 16.5" Ruger American that I had didn't shoot all that great but most seem to do well. All the Tikka rifles I have owned, including 223, shot fantastic, and have a really nice action.

 

[WisBorn]

Ruger's website shows that the barrel twist on both barrel lengths 16 1/4 & 22" is 1 in 8".
The extra velocity of the 22" would be nice. Of course if you will be crashing brush rhe short barrel is handy!!!

 

[TonyAngel]

If you're gonna be humping around with it, I'd go with the 16".

If it's for shooting mostly off of a bag or other rest, I'd go with with the 22".

I don't load much for .223/5.56 any more. My goto ammo has become the 55gr .223 vmax load from Black Dot Ammo. I shoot a 14.5" criterion barreled AR with a 10x scope on it and this combo gets me good, almost effortless, results out to about 300. I'm getting about 2900 fps velocity, give or take due to weather conditions.

For the stated purpose, I think the 16" will get the job done with a little added convenience. Honestly though, I think the shorter rifles just plain look cooler.

 

[Space Ghost]

Stated range was 150- 250 yds.
No need for anything but the 16".
The end.