Looking at new rifles as I don’t want to wait months for a new barrel for my savage. Must have a threaded barrel. The two that caught my eye so far are the hows mini and the r700 tactical. What the general consensus on those two and are there any others you would recommend?

I was looking for similar specs at similar price point not long ago, I'd give the CVA Cascade a good look, maybe the CZ 600 too.

I bought a used Tikka $223 for $550 and had it threaded for $100.

Gonna shoot better than anything else in that price range with a nicer trigger, 70 degree bolt throw, and smooth action.

Howa mini action, or Ruger American Gen 2 would be my vote. Bergara also makes a great .223 but it's about $850 so you'd have to up your budget.

I love Tikka rifles, have two of them, so if you find a used one that's a great option. However, Tikka was a $800 rifle that sold for $600. Now it's a $800 rifle selling for $800, and if it's threaded, forget it. You're talking over $1,300.

Remington quality control is terrible, unfortunately, so I wouldn't buy a new one today.

I’d just make sure it has the twist you want.

This 1-8 allows for 77 grain bullets

Good call out on the twist rate. Both the Howa Mini and Ruger American Gen 2 are 1-8 twist on the .223 so you’re good there.

The Ruger takes AR style mags, great if you already have some.

I’m contemplating buying one of the rugers. Hear good things about

Same here. The question for me is, go with the .223 or the .556 Ranch with a shorter barrel. That one looks like a handy rig.

The new Rugers, I have yet to see one shoot bad. Ruger has got it going on, with the American and the RPR!

I don’t know about the .223, but I have shot old Ruger Americans in .243 and .308 and have a 2nd gen .308 and they were all very accurate. Sub moa in my hands.

Also, the brake on the second gen works well. My second gen .308 has far less recoil than the 1st gen .243. The second gen Ruger American is my favorite rifle.

Two cents from a cheapskate that never shot a real fancy rifle.

My CVA Cascade in 22-250 is a tack driver. Almost sold it but put it back in my safe. I really like it. Those new Rugers look good.

Ruger.

Only complaints I read were about sloppy bolt and feeding issues (300 BO). Is the bolt slop supposedly any better? I’m not sure if the feeding was a first gen issue or mor specific the the blackout.

I tried shooting my AR blackout but I don’t care for it and my kids who I bought it for don’t either. I liked how the gen II’s have an adjustable stock.

I bought my boy a ruger 6.5cm a few years ago, I did not like the bolt on it, just felt sloppy and sticky. have they gotten better?

AR, or a different upper for your current AR

No reason you can’t shoot the 223 in the 5.56 chamber

Have you checked with Shilen rifles out of Ennis? I ordered a 22-250 barrel and a .223 barrel from them. Both Savage Varmint pre-chambered and threaded. Had them in about a week. Give them a call and see if they have what you want in stock.

The old bolts had concentric lathe tooling grooves in them. Ruger needed to make one more light pass before they called the bolt good. It would "zip" when you ran the bolt forward and reverse. A guy in his garage can remove those lathe tooling marks pretty easily. The newer Rugers are a bit more refined, but could also use a little attention.

If a guy can look past that, man they sure do shoot tight on a hand load! I've gotten under 1/2 MOA at 200 yards with several Rugers. .223, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win.And for the price of the rifle, it is a bargain!

I've been looking at the CZ's & Howa, mini-bolt action. CZ's come with a threaded barrel. Still undecided on bolt gun or another AR. Looking to shoot some prairie dogs and coyotes.

The CVA Cascade 18" in black veil can be had for less than $650 + shipping. I can't say enough about the Cascade I have in another caliber. I think they make one of the better bolt actions at their price points.

Almost always, bolt actions shoot more precise than semi-auto rifles.

You don't need rapid fire on prairie dogs and coyotes. You need tight shooting.

Thanks J.G.

I just picked up an RPR rimfire 22

It shoots better than my Anschutz did, which is shocking. Shoots way, way better than my customized 10/22.

JG is so right. For the life of me, I just cannot shoot an AR as well as I can any of the bolt guns I have. Every now and then I can put up a nice group with one of the ARs, but day in and day out, I do better with a bolt gun.