.223 Choices

[Dr.Carbine]

I would like to get a rifle in .223 caliber to add the my collection. I am not considering an AR clone due to cost and lack of interest. I've shot friend's AR's at the range and they're fun and all, but don't fit the budget. I am considering 2 rifles in the same price range, but they are totally different in features. For about $300 I can get either a Saiga with a 20inch barrel or a Stevens 200 bolt action with a 22 inch barrel. I would like to scope my new rifle so it would be my "longer range" tool.

The rifle would be for paper punching at the range or as a defensive tool, in the common .223 cartridge. I have my M1 carbine as a fun gun and 150 yard or less defensive piece. I like cheap to feed rifles and would like to add the .223 to the mix.

My dilemma is that I believe the bolt action Stevens would probably be more accurate at 100 to 300 yards and the "snik-snik" of a bolt is a pleasure, but with a 4 shot magazine, reloading becomes a bother and a quick follow up isn't possible. The Saiga would be fun, taking a shot each time the sight picture lines up and reloading would be easy and less frequent. But I'm not sure it would be accurate enough to be enjoyable and the scope mounting is a bit more awkward.

Do any of you own a bolt and semi-auto in .223 and have a preference? What proves to be more enjoyable in the long run? Any other factors to consider? Thanks for your time and input.

 

[RNB65]

Take a look at the CZ 527 series. I have a 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 and i enjoy shooting it more than either of my AR's. It's a fun gun to shoot.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What type of accuracy are you looking for and how far out do you need it to run? A Saiga will still smack a 10" plate at 300yds without much trouble; but there is no question that the bolt action is more accurate.

 

[rangerruck]

actually, i have one, but have had two of the 223 saigas, with 16 inch bbls. do not kid yourself, they are quite accurate, I personally dont' even bother to scope it anymore, because with the open sites, (plus I have VERY good long range eyesite) this rifle easily fulfills both ot the same requirements I had for it, as you do now. Saiga does a cold pour, hammer forged , chrom line bbl, with a 1/7 twist, i believe, and it is more than accurate enough , with several diff brands of ammo that I have tried.
That being said, the stevens is a savage, and will also be quite accurate, but you may need to upgrade the stock, as I hear they are quite mushy, personally even if the stock is mushy, I don't know how much a 223 will have as an effect, on the accuracy of the rifle in general.

 

[Eightball]

Personally I like my .308 Saiga, and if I had the chance to get a .223 Saiga, I'd hop on that instantly, no second thoughts.

 

[sectional_density]

Another vote for the CZ 527. I have the "American" in .223 Rem w/ 1:12 twist. They have a 5 round detachable mag, which is nice. (although it aint 30!) Very accurate gun though and fun to shoot (of course).

Althought it's probably as heavy/long of a bullet as you'd want to go w/ that twist, mine seems to like 63 grain Sierra SP bullets quite well.

They also make a carbine in 1:9 twist.

 

[Red Tornado]

You've got a dandy semi-auto defensive/fun/blaster gun in the M1 Carbine. However, you're lacking a decent long range rifle, so I'd go with the Stevens 200.

The Saiga would have more range than the carbine, and probably be accurate "enough", but if you seriously want to hit small targets at 100-300, you need a centerfire bolt gun.
RT

 

[kir_kenix]

another vote for the stevens. i have one, and after properly glass-bedding the action (i also cut a channel in the flimsy stock and glass bedded in a 1/4" threaded rod) it is a really accurate rifle. i sanded the rough edges, painted the stock camo green and the barrel tan, put a 8-32x scope on it and have an excellent prarie dog gun. this gun really likes the heavier (62-69gr) ammo, but 55's shoot pretty decently as well.

 

[mpmarty]

I've got two Saigas, a 308 sixteen inch and a 223 twenty-two inch and both are accurate with GOOD AMMO. I can hold to between an inch and an inch and a quarter at a hundred yards with either of them. Both are scoped, the 223 with an eight power russian mil spec side mount and the 308 with a six power on a weaver mount that fits the factory side rail also. Great rifles, great prices, absolutely positively no excuses reliable. Service from RAA (Russian American Armory) is great, I wanted the 223 and my local dealer couldn't find a distributer with one in stock. I called RAA and they called my dealer and shipped him a hand select brand new beauty of a rifle and sent along an extra magazine because I had to call. Two weeks later I get an email from RAA asking if I'm happy. Try that with any other importer.