Bolt action 5.56x45 ?

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Both will shoot well. Mossbergs have a sloppy bolt. But they lock up tight. Pretty decent triggers. Rugers just don’t have anything really special about them. Not to me anyways. But they are shooters for sure.

What are you planning on using it for?
 
I would pick the Ruger. However, some have had issues with rounds getting hung up the rotary magazine. Wish they made it to use Mini-14 mags.

I like the Tikka T3 Stainless--lightweight and guaranteed MOA or better accuracy with a 1:8 twist. Very smooth action. They do come with a detachable mag. They are a bit spendy...

M
 
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What are you planning on using it for?
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I enjoy target shooting and reloading, once I get that dialed in I would hope to have a 2-300 yrd coyote gun.
 
A buddy has a Ruger American, great little rifle. You might look at a short action Howa 1500, my .308 is dead nuts accurate, I'd imagine they shoot just as well in 5.56.

-Jenrick
 
Jenrick said:
A buddy has a Ruger American, great little rifle. You might look at a short action Howa 1500, my .308 is dead nuts accurate, I'd imagine they shoot just as well in 5.56.
-Jenrick
Click to expand...
I have a 1500 in 308 win. bought new about 15 yrs ago for $350 and it shoots very well.
I like the 5.56x45 chambering with a fast twist.
The threaded barrel is a big plus for me.
 
I had a Rar in 300aac, loved the gun. Were i getting another .223 based gun id probably get a Howa Mini, or CZ, but there is nothing wrong with the RAR. Especially if you want the threaded muzzle.
 
Though it's a 1:9 twist T/C's Compass is worth a look. Adjustable trigger, 22" 5R threaded barrel, 5-round rotary flush mag, 3-position safety, and MOA guarantee. I picked up a 6.5 this week for $255 before $75 rebate at Field & Stream.

Initial impressions; bolt is sloppy but moves freely without grit and lock up is tight. Stock is ho-hum but pillared and free floated with a reasonably soft recoil pad. Magazine drops/inserts without issue. Safety was a bit stiff but smoothed up after a few minutes of flipping it back and forth. Trigger is reasonably light with minimal overtravel albeit less crisp than I prefer. Still, it's difficult to complain about a $180 rifle. I don't think twist rate at those distances is a factor.
 
I had a Mossberg MVP (20" bbl).
Decent little rifle. Exquisitely accurate. With a Berger 70gr VLD, it shot close to 1/2" 5-shot groups. Near instant death on our white tails.

However,
it didn't like to feed from a gi spec magazine. Yep, that articulating bolt lip cartridge pickup required the bolt to be pushed just enough to shove the cartridge from the magazine then pulled back slightly then shoved foward to chamber the round.

It worked a bit better with a Magpul magazine, and handled better with a 10rd magazine. I got bored with it and an acquaintance took a liking to it, so it went down the road.

Bolt was floppy and rough, laminated stock a tad blocky. Trigger couldn't be adjusted below ~3.5lbs. Even removed tension spring, no help. I did put it back before sending it on its way...

I'd get the Ruger...
 
I have a mixed bag of results for you. I have the Mossberg MVP thunder ranch in 223. With good ammo MK 262 77 gr or Hornady BTHP 75 gr it is 1 MOA, even suppressed- but the metal mag that came with it is trash. No other issues of any kind. I use 10 or 20 round p-mags with great success. I also have the Ruger American predator in 308, a great rifle for the $. I don't shoot it suppressed but I did add a surefire muzzle brake- this and the recoil pad dampen felt recoil quite a bit. No issues with this set up, about a 1.5 MOA rifle, using win power points, but I will be trying Hornady American white tail next. Last, I have the Ruger American ranch in 300 B-O. I have only fired 30 or so std velocity ball out of it, at 50 yards. So far so good on paper- my intention is to suppress it and fire the new Hornady sub-x rounds for hunting after the Authorities allow me to take possession of my property (for which they have already cashed the check to cover the taxes/tribute owed to Them- a year ago). However, I have noticed that the ranch 300 B-O can be a bit finicky feeding so far. All things considered, I like my MVP the best- short p mags are plentiful and cheap.
 
I have the 24” Mossberg MVP Varmint and despite its bumpy loading out of the mag it is very accurate for a $450 gun.

I free floated the barrel, it comes “free floated” but there was a few spots that were contacting that i took care of with a dowel and sandpaper. I’m able to on most days shoot sub-moa with the 55gr Hornady SP factory 50 rd boxes you can get for $25 / box. I’ve shot a few 5/8” groups with it. I’ve tried to replicate their load myself but haven’t been able to yet. I have some 77gr. SMK from IMI that i want to try at distance soon and see how it does.

Once one gets used to operating the bolt with good quickness and force i don’t find it to be an issue. The drop down tag is still fine and I’ve had no problems with it. I will concur with the others the supplied mag should go in the trash and replace it with a pmag.
 
joneb said:
I enjoy target shooting and reloading, once I get that dialed in I would hope to have a 2-300 yrd coyote gun.
Click to expand...

If that’s the case, then look at some of the savage model 12 options. My 12BVSS was a 1/2 MOA right out of the box with 69g SMKs
 
I like the size/weight of the LR-T and the Ruger ranch, the iron sights on the LR-T are a plus.
Follow up shot speed is a concern, the price for either is appealing.
Thanks Skyler for the heads up on the T/C compass.
 
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