So far the Squire from GA Precision is on the top of my list. It's built on a Model 7. Runs $3250. Adding up the parts cost and paying another smith doesn't save much if anything and GA has as good a reputation as any. I might use a stiller or ______ action but like the idea of a slightly smaller action for 223. It will be my everyday calling/varmint rifle and built around 75-77 gr bullets, and I will stretch it out on the steel range. I've had more fun at the steel range with my SPR than any other rifle I shoot and want a bolt 223 that will handle the heavier bullets well. Thoughts?

I edited the title. I guess my first decision is which action to build a 223 from. If I am building a rifle in the 308/6.5 creed sized cartridge I'm using a new custom from stiller, Pierce, defiance etc. Just don't need that much meat on a 223.

Fast twist 223 are really solid.

7.7 twist is what I want.

sounds like you got a great plan and sold on GAP. 1-7 twist should be s good for the heavies.

You will begin to receive a million more suggestions and opinions, so I'll leave mine off.

I haven't ordered one yet so I'm still open for suggestion.

I didn't see the "Squire" on their website. Is it new? If you go with a custom action, won't it raise the price about $800

My first custom was a GAP .308 built on a Remington action. To be honest my Remington PSS was more accurate. This was in 2001 when George Gardner actually built the rifles with his name on them. It was a nice rifle but doesn't compare to the ones I have had built after it. In my opinion builders like GAP, Terry Cross and others, when they went big time, seem to cater more to special interest groups and less to the individual buyer. George Gardner will never know or give a chit who "westexhunt" is. LONG wait times and many phone calls checking to see if your gun is still in line for build.

Check out some other builders if you haven't already done so. I may be totally off here just my opinions.

GAP seems to charge a high premium for their mark on a rifle. I would think you could have one built from parts by a reputable smith for much less and have the same accuracy.

They had the squire rifles on their website a while back and I emailed the other day to check and they are still building them. Here is the only link I could find to the rifle.

https://www.coreshooting.com/products/ga-precision-squire-1

The squire just seems to fit what I want, not sure I need a folding stock.

I think I'm better off starting with a custom action but I like the slightly shorter M7 too.

My shooting buddy is planning on listing his Accurate Ordnance 223 bolt gun here very soon. It's based off a stiller action and he's shot the 80 grain vlds out of it all the way to 1000 yards. Pm me if you want more info/photos

PM sent

jeff1383 is gtg

I bought the rifle. That was easy.

I will put up a pic when it gets here. I'm impatient now too. I still had Accurate Ordance website up on my iPad when this thread got going. Had read some good about them and they were on my short list of builders.

Congrats, I'm sure it will be a killer set up...


Optics??? Again, get ready for 1,000 suggestions, my only advice is don't scrimp cheap on optics, not with that rifle.

I have a bushnell xrs that will do a little time onboard. Have a couple of elite 3-12 tactical ffp' s and a 6-24 pst ffp. Will see what fits my uses as time goes on.

I got it and shot it but didn't take a picture. Very enjoyable shooting experience. I will add pics someday.

Now I don't feel like the 1:9" twist barreled action that I just ordered is so fast, after all.

More like medium, I guess.

Since you were building small the new amg razor would be my choice or the shorty bushy.