.223 Bolt Gun on the Cheap?

[BlackHand1917]

I've been shooting for 42 years and as far as rifles go I tend to like the military types with iron sights. Thirty years ago, I got a 30-06 Remington Pump Action 30-06 and had a gunsmith put a scope on it. I discovered that I really don't like "glass" very much. A few years ago, when shooting a friend's AR, I discovered I can tolerate a red-dot sight.

Lately I had the idea that I would like to have a bolt action .223 with either iron sights or a red dot. I would not be shooting this for much over 100 yards. I did a bit of research on the web and found that Savage has a "Hog Hunter" in .223 with irons and other manufacturers offer various "patrol rifles". Great. However, I'm semi-retired and the cheapest I would have to pay for a new rifle like I want would be in the 650-700 dollar range; too rich for me.

Now for my question. How practical would it be for me to either find a used .223 bolt action or one of those new cheap Savage scoped models that I see in Wal-Mart (for 400 bucks) and have a gunsmith remove the scope and make it possible to put a red dot on it? Would the gunsmithing be extensive, going much beyond 100 dollars? I also must note that I'm not very mechanical. Any ideas?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

You can get a pic/weaver rail in place of the provided scope monts. And mount the red dot on it. I replaced mine with a rail. So i could put the scope back some eye relief.
Amazon.com : Monstrum Picatinny Rail Mount for Savage Axis/Edge Rifles | 0 MOA | Old Version Pre 9/2021 Models : Sports & Outdoors

BTW im very happy with my Axis 223. Good shooting accurate rifle.

 

[edwardware]

Almost every bolt gun made in decades has provision for an OE provided or generic rail to be screwed onto the top of the receiver. . . and I can't imagine how a red dot couldn't be mounted.

Find a rifle you like the look and feel of; find a red dot you like the look of. Five minutes with a screwdriver and you're done.

 

[greyling22]

Cz made a 527 with iron sights.
You can get a Ruger American ranch and add some nodak spud iron sights (palmetto recently bought nodak, but has committed to the production of the sights. If there are not any available now, they will come back one the buyout, move, etc is completed)


Or just get any cheap rifle you can find and add a pic rail and tr25 red dot. But honestly, a 1-4x scope would be my preference over irons or a red dot.

 

[jmorris]

It was pre stupid prices but I picked up one of the Cabelas savages a couple years ago. IIRC $250-300 after mail in rebate.

I shot these two groups with it last weekend at 300 yards.

3, 68 gn hpbt pushed by 25.0gn W748.



5, 55 gn FMJ’s

 

[highlander 5]

OP might want to look at a Howa mini action,I have one in 6.5 Grendel nice little rifle. The trigger guard and mags are plastic and are cheap looking. You can get a metal trigger guard that will convert it to an internal magazine for $100 easy to do just need a screw driver and torx bit.

 

[BBBBill]

Howa makes a nice gun. Only thing that I can fault is that they don't make it in left hand.

 

[jmr40]

The Ruger American Ranch has a compact 16" threaded barrel and takes AR magazines. They come with 10 round mags which is probably the best for it, but 20 round mags aren't too much trouble. It has a rail for mounting any type of optic.

Ruger American® Rifle Ranch Bolt-Action Rifle Model 26965

I'm not sure about street prices on those right now but would guess around $400. Everything is more expensive than it used to be. You may have to pay more than you initially thought for anything.

A dot sight would be easy enough, but if you've never tried a low powered conventional scope, you may change your mind about scopes. You can get a 1-4X scope for less money than a decent dot sight. On 1X they are at least as fast on target as a dot or iron sights, but far more accurate. Work better in low light too. 4X is more than enough magnification for 95% of shooters at longer ranges.