It is a nimble .223 Rem. Until the introduction of the 5.56x45mm as the standard NATO round, the 7.62x51mm was the standard military rifle round in the UK and the USA; in the L1A1 SLR and the M14 rifle respectively. If youre after a top-spec .223 rifle, this has to be way up there. The cartridges are called .223 Remingtons. It makes little difference to any intrinsic accuracy but highlights the cutting edge of German manufacturing innovation, rather than conventionally broached Howa receiver, which has the action made in one piece with the barrel screwed in. Why? 3. Its probably fair to say that the purchase of something like a .223 for Vermin control and night vision is an early starter for those with multiple rifles covering their hunting needs, but other than calibres, pretty much all of whats said applies with any cartridge. Plus, there is an M16 bolt carrier group installed into this set-up that uses a mid-length gas system accompanied by a tungsten buffer. As a bonus, a hinged floorplate magazine is included along with a plain stock muzzle. These are a sample of the questions you should be asking while looking for a rifle. All this means is that it can be accessed quickly by both right and left-handed shooters, but its a nice little touch. Each showed similar weight balance at the front of the action, but here, the heavier, larger mod on the Howa was a little more nose-heavy than the lighter DPT unit on the Sauer. M4 carbine, its a favorite among the professionals. 4. One other reason youll love this rifle is because youll get a good sight that will help you land the most accurate shots. If, however, you want a high capacity AR-style platform for hunting, we would suggest the, Ruger AR-556 16.1 5.56x45mm Nato Black 30+1RD. Ruger 10/22 Takedown (Scoped) The best 22 semi automatic rifle. Black Hills 62-grain Barnes TSX. The other big difference in actions is the two- versus three-lug bolts. However, before you start shopping for ammo, there are several other important factors you cannot overlook and be sure to check your local regulations to be certain that hunting deer with a .223 Rem . It has a 16-inch long barrel and weighs in at 6.45 pounds. Faster twists and sleeker bullets, notably from Berger and Hornady, greatly enhance the versatility of the .223. Built on the proven model 700, it's a no brainer for those who know. They also feature free-float M-LOK handguards, as well as specially designed and mounted furniture. Put together by experienced hunters using only premium quality components - this package is all anyone could ever need! 1. Models . If you have any suggestions and queries you can contact us on the below details. We are proud agents for the following brands and carry good stocks of new rifles from; Steyr Mannlicher, , Accuracy . Its one of those long-range 223 bolt action rifles. Ppu is cheap for a reason and if it works yippee but dont be such a working class hero over the issue. As always, however, the choice of rifling twist is crucial if you wish to maximise the benefits of the wide range of bullet weights available and suitable for use in the .223. Volquartsen UltraLite Semi-Auto Rimfire Rifle - Best Competition .22 LR Rifle. Definitely the best and finest rifle in this article. Keep in mind that if youre looking for better quality, you may end up paying what might be the higher-end of your budget scale. 0.455) at 2,750 fps. The .223 Rem. Its action type is gas-operated with a relatively long barrel length. When choosing the right .223 rifle, taking some time and forethought can go a long way. The first thing I will say is that I care very little for the most common question of which is the most accurate because its a great misdirection from the usability of a rifle and these two guns, both used regularly by myself in weekly vermin control, both shoot sub-MOA with ease and little preference for ammunition types within the capability of their barrels and twist rates. The Howa HACT unit is adjustable and runs through two stages still accurate and similarly comfortable but a little less crisp on that second stage break. 2023. Tikka T3X Long Range Tactical Rifle. Read on to help decide! Thanks to the dual aluminum pillars supporting the barreled receiver, youll get the shot right most of the time and it gets one big point for securing minimal shift from zero position due to environmental changes. But we have to mention the stock touching the barrel because a free-floating barrel is more accurate. On top of everything else, it spits out all types of ammo including brass ammo. 1. Its without a doubt that the .223 cartridge is widely used and favored among many gun owners around America, and the world for that matter. FLASH SALE WAS 1400 NOW 999. With a customized trigger made to suit your exact preferences, youre much more likely to complete accurate shots, time and time again. free-floated, rigid design. The exquisite black anodized finish and multiple adjustment points for various sling and accessory options are sure to make you popular at the range. In order to cover the gas tube, you will need at least a 12 guard. was developed by Winchester in 1955 for use in its Model 70 bolt-action and Model 88 . You've viewed 18 of 964 products. Tikka T3 vs. Remington 700 Which One Is Better? These are designed to handle all kinds of impact and abuse like nothing else. The buttstock can be replaced with your preferred one and the nonslip cheek rest is there for the sling. Plus, both the front and rear sights are adjustable, which should definitely aid in more accurate targeting. Its lightweight and has a flash-suppressing, adjustable rear muzzle sight, plus a removable magazine type. And the main body is made from a very strong and resilient lightweight polymer as standard with many modern rifle designs. Your weapon should have just as much personality as you do. Caliber: .22 LR, .22 WMR. Plus, the barrel is very resilient and long-lasting due to its high-quality construction. It's not far behind the .223 and rifles in .222 are very reasonably priced. So, think introspectively about what kinds of activities you like to involve yourself in. 3 Smith & Wesson - M&P15 Sport II 5.56mm 16 - Best .223 rifle under $800. So youll certainly have a strong advantage with fast tactical work using this trigger system. Both offer a firm rubber recoil pad to lock nicely into the shoulder, but I prefer the Sauers textured finish for better grip. The trigger is designed to give you clean, crisp, and predictable breaks. Plus, there are in-built features that effectively reduce perceived recoil, giving you a smooth and predictable shooting experience. The good .223 rifles will be versatile and allow you to perform a range of tasks comfortably. Infinitely customizable and available in a variety . Also featured is a gas piston system surrounding the barrel thats a full-length handguard. A two-stage HACT trigger is standard, and so is the Hogue OverMolded stock with its soft and comfortable non-slip grip. As an additional safety feature, it blocks the weapon from firing if you dont place your finger completely over it. This high-quality firearm is constructed from second-to-none components. DPT wins for ease of maintenance and value for money, and it takes joint honours for customer service with rimfire-only moderator brand SAK. When it comes to hunting, target shooting, and competition shooting, there is no alternative to these rifles. Conversely, when applied to a sporting rifle, a 45 lift from a four-lug bolt would be best in theory, but the laws of physics clearly dictate that it (all other factors being equal) is going to require the greatest force to accommodate the shorter travel. Lets get right to it. document.write(" "+new Date().getFullYear()+" "); Sporting Shooter. With the right kind of scope or optic, a .223 can be dangerously accurate (assuming youve sighted it correctly). Brand. If you love hunting or are in need of a tactical shooting weapon then you cant miss out on this SPS 700 bolt-action Remington .223 rifles. Gauge/Caliber. Sauer drops to 4+1 capacity with a detachable magazine whereas the Howa has 5+1 on top of a floorplate. This website and services embedded within it use cookies to offer you the best user and functional experience and to provide us with performance statistics. In comparison to the direct-impingement system commonly seen, gas-piston systems offer some benefits that make this option attractive to many AR enthusiasts. $1,295.00 $969.99. You also get a full-length Picatinny rail along the top as well that integrates well with the KeyMod positions. Three-lug is a superb compromise and although more costly than a two-lug build, gives 60 lift and consequent action speed/bolt ergonomics. Brand: Windham. If the size is right for you, then youll be able to move effortlessly and enjoy your time with your new toy. that's fed by a detachable-box magazine that can hold 5 rounds of spitzer-style (pointed) bullets. Ammunition may lose or gain about 25.7ft/sec for each inch of barrel length for .223 rifles. Bolt Action Rifle Reviews Ruger Rifle & Shotgun Reviews. Verdict. 1: Best Overall Single-Shot. And also this model needs a threaded bolt for a better experience. This feature, however, might not suit everyones particular hand size. Needless to say, on this more recent occasion, I ran 40gr Federal, 50gr Sako and 55gr Hornady ammunition, all shooting similarly profiled ballistic-tipped bullets. You also get a tough synthetic telescoping buttstock, which is ergonomically designed in an M4 style. ROCK RIVER ARMS X-SERIES X-1 LAR-15. This could be very useful in a home defense scenario, for example. Included with the rifle comes Mactec sound moderator, bipod, mounts and quality Vortex Crossfire 3-9 x 40 scope (which includes the amazing like for like lifetime Vortex warranty). Purchasing an armory shouldnt be a banal task. Mordamer Professional Know It All. With these features in place, youre going to benefit from good longevity and excellent accuracy. Rifle weight limit is 8.25 kilograms (18 pounds). He enjoys writing about all types of firearms and enjoys passing on his extensive knowledge to all readers of his articles. All fire-arms offered by PWS are outfitted with Radian Raptor charging handles. One negative would be the synthetic stock, it feels a bit cheap but for the price its okay. The trip was an old target shooting favourite. That doesnt work in the Sauer, so you have to carefully needle one into place manually or swap/reload the magazine. A cartridge head enclosed in 3 rings of steel; a recessed bolt face, a front receiver ring, and a chamber end of the barrel. 749 US$903/851. They are lightweight and rugged, embodying the best combination of function and form. Is it the best .223 semi-auto rifle? Browning drills and taps the X-Bolt receiver for optics, and Browning includes an extended bolt handle. Ruger's rimfire semi-auto has an 18.5 " barrel length and splits into 2 subassemblies. Posted May 17, 2011. Trigger wise, I sway back to the 100, a single-stage unit, crisp and adjustable from 1-2kg for a beautifully defined feel with little overtravel on the curved blade. Or you could be looking for a rifle that might be best for hunting big game. 223 rifles are basically the rifles that have a .223 caliber chambered in it. The 100 is a test bed rifle for me with scope and NV tests so I change regularly and side by side shooting opportunity actually saw it with a Sightmark Wraith mounted. Built on the proven model 700, its a no brainer for those who know. The handguard and rear buttstock are both well made and designed to help you target more effectively. Make sure you lift the bipod feet off the floor and keep all forced back and forth as linear as possible. #8. tikka t3 supervarmint in 204 all day long theres one for sale on hear its not mine why 223 had two of them 222was better in every way 204 best of the bunch. A Bushnell Banner Scope comes paired with it in the package. Accessories can be effortlessly attached, and this design offers a responsive return to zero functionality when your accessories are added or removed. This enables the weapon to be tuned for use with suppressors as well as specific ammunition loads, providing enhanced reliability. But overall this rifle is the best .223 rifles for the money. This is mainly because the M&P15 Sport II is well constructed and therefore, should be reliable for multiple applications. An already impressive rifle-length gas system comes accompanied by a longer free-float handguard. Gun comes complete with Burris Four Xe 6-24x50 scope, Burris . To change it, simply click and start typing. In our opinion one of the best value package deals out there at the moment - the GPO scope is top quality and the Vanguard fluted rifle is a solid performer. It has been drilled and tapped so that you will have the ability to mount sights if needed. 2. Lastly, with a detachable box magazine, it means you can reload a preloaded spare in the heat of the moment if needed. You can easily dub it the best .223 semi-auto rifle. Rating. The Sporter barrelled-action in blued finish, short-action in .223 is the most obvious choice for a foxing rifle with modest ammunition costs, which, mated to a Hogue Suregrip stock, puts bullets on target straight from the box. with different colours, fonts, font sizes and bullets. Safari |
Sauers standard 100 XT stock with ErgoMax ergonomics (shared with others in their range) has a slight down slope to the slender combs nose, the Hogue a thicker, parallel comb. Finally, we should mention that the rifle has a direct impingement action type, which could aid in the gun, delivering you better accuracy than piston-type designs. Browning A Bolt vs. X Bolt Mount Which One Is Better? Its specialty is direct impingement, and with 5.56mm NATO cartridge, you can take it for a spin at the range or knockdown varmints. Plus, Ruger has included heat-resistant glass-filled nylon handguards, so you can shoot round after round without it getting hot for your support hand. You can mount accessories, its lightweight, and its made by a reputable manufacturer that really knows how to make sturdy firearms, that shouldnt let you down. Daniel Defense Delta 5. 4.5. The content on this website is owned by us and our licensors. The Sauer 100 Keeper is mission-specific, being only chambered in 223 Rem, for its role as a vermin and small deer rifle. The Ruger rifle has a cold hammer-forged and threaded barrel design, with the result being precise rifling. It was then with great interest that I went looking for their latest action, a dedicated 223 Remington offering in the 1770 D. Just highlight the words you want to design and choose from the various options in the text editing bar. I really like this approach as it helps keep your cheek down on the comb without bumping the brim of your hat with your hand operating the handle. We will be very happy to hear from you. The barrel is a 16-inch medium contoured and cold hammer forged with exceptionally precise rifling. Best .223 rifle for the money. Benchrest? Before arguments begin, there is no inherent accuracy benefit to either; most benchrest rifles (that are considered to be the ultimate in terms of bullets projected from a rifled barrel) are twin lugged actions, so no arguments please! Ammunition/Rifle Published velocity/fps Howa, velocity/fps Sauer, velocity/fps, Sightmark Wraith Digital Day Night Vision riflescope. The Axis II has a Picatinny rail mount up top so you can mount scopes and sights to suit your individual needs. For the record, neither has ever given me point of impact shift from intermittent barrel/fore-end contact issues, but its a factor to remember, especially when shooting from a bipod and tracking laterally for a shot. This rifle is very attractive with its blue non-glare matte design and stunning black finish. Straight-pull rifles differ from conventional bolt-action mechanisms in that the manipulation required from the user in order to chamber and extract a cartridge predominantly consists of a linear motion only, as opposed to a traditional turn-bolt action where the user has to manually rotate the bolt for chambering and primary extraction.A straight-pull mechanism is also distinct from lever . WEBSHOP - Open With Shipping To UK Only - Shipping services are disabled to all other destinations. He then moved to the Army, transferring to the Blue to Green program, where he became an MP for his final five years of service during Operation Iraq Freedom, where he received the Purple Heart. There are quality inexpensive rifles being made, but if you step up into the $500-$1,000 price range, almost every option will shoot accurately and have more consistent quality control. If it works it works but PPU in 223 has given me far to many 'clicks' for me to rely on and in 243 with 90/100 gr sp and 308 in 150 sp, bad headspace tolerance. Easily build your dream AR-15 with this fully assembled semi-automatic mean-machine. Plus, it should be good at close quarter targeting. wraith. Winchester USA 5.56 NATO Ammunition 150 Rounds FMJ 55 Grains. Best 223 bolt action rifle for the money. Both have a three-position safety mounted to the right side of the bolt shroud, and the bolts can be locked when clicked fully rearward. It has a 16-inch long barrel and weighs in at 6.45 pounds. However, it can be difficult deciding on which .223 rifle to choose these days. Its lightweight, accurate and has both front and rear adjustable sights. Accuracy International AT Black Std M/Brake. But it top loads, in .223, in stainless, in varmint, in the price range and available. Its all swings and roundabouts isnt it! Read more. Very few rifles are perfect so dont be afraid to experiment with this on your own guns. Its visible on the trigger itself. SRP: $2,199. 3. This is a premium level .223 rifle with some super impressive features. A single raceway on that shaft (for travel limit and anti-rotation) enables smoother bolt travel (regardless of coatings) than a twin lug with large broached raceways, on virtually any rifle I have ever used. Length of the Slim Rail helps to gain maximum leverage and control while shooting different targets. $194.89. Both of these queries have multiple answers and are further complicated by the circumstances in which the actual . So there you go, two rifles of almost identical capability, both wonderfully demonstrating the variety of ways to skin a cat when projecting a 50gr bullet at just over 3,000 feet per second. Remington UMC .223 Rem 50 Grain JHP 20 Round Box. The barrel, made from Chrome Moly Vanadium, has a 1:8 twist rate. Also, this bolt-action rifle features a fixed magazine with an indomitable heavy barrel and non-slip, rubber Hogue OverMolded stock. The first thing is the difference between .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition. The .223 is a smaller round, so it is suited more for varmints and predators like coyotes than big game. The shorter barrels of both rifles lost a few feet per second from the manufacturers published data, but both handled beautifully for a night-time foxing rifle in and out of a vehicle, or carried for miles, with those 20-22 tubes. The OL team put the year's best rifles through an extensive week of testing at Gunsite Academy, and these new guns rose to the top . You may also be interested in our reviews of the Best Surplus Rifles you can still buy. A shotgun for waterfowl or a military weapon that will take out the target with minimal aiming necessary. So first up is our, Accuracy, reliability, and ease of use should be at the forefront of a hunters mind when considering the characteristics of a new rifle. Other materials to look out for include polymer (which can be found on some parts and accessories like magazines). Now the Tactical version gives you a lightweight yet sturdy Hogue over-molded synthetic stock so that you can really gain a solid grip on your rifle in all weather conditions. The most obvious accessory would be a good tactical scope choice. The Gun Room offers you the opportunity to purchase a Brand New Tikka T3 Lite Stainless package deal .223 bolt action with 20" screw cut Barrell at 14 x 1 with a 1;12" twist. Price. Warwick Firearms "WFA1-L" 223 Remington Rifle. Caldwell Shooting Supplies AR-15 Sitting. In this category, we think its very important to have a rifle that you can react quickly with and one that you maneuver with ease. Some might find the stock design a bit unpleasant, each to their own! Leupold VX-Freedom 3-940 Riflescope (Our Top Pick) Bushnell 3-9X40 AR Optics Riflescope (Best Budget) Trijicon ACOG 3.535 BAC Riflescope (Best High End) Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44mm FFP Riflescope. When you consider the price, this bolt-action rifle gives some interesting features to look forward to. or 5.56 NATO with increased accuracy. Although the safety is tang mounted you can reach with both hands with ease and the mag release is ambidextrous, located just behind the magazine. . Everything You Need To Know, 2-stage match trigger for controlled breaks, Incompatible upper with a lower that has an extended bolt catch, Affords camouflage with a barrel and a flash hider, Lighter trigger weight to ensure quicker shooting, Some adjustments to the sight might be needed to ensure better accuracy, Has the range to be used in different applications, Simplistic touch without any of the unnecessary additions, Excellent for hunting and target practice operations, Durable and can cope with all kinds of impact, Not too long or short in length, just about right for a .223 rifle, Very reliable, no jamming even after multiple rounds, Maintains great target punch even from yards away, Trigger quality needs a bit of improvement, Guarantees very reliable shooting and still holds well after numerous rounds, The red/green optic makes shooting a lot more accurate and precise, Collapsible stock makes the rifle more portable, The trigger pull weight might be a little heavy at first, Red/green dot sight might seem a little distorted for those with poor eyesight, M-LOK rail may not accept other accessories that would otherwise fit on Picatinny or Weaver Rails. OAL: 31". This rifle test is something a little different a review broken into two comparing and contrasting some of the design highlights and features that can be considered when looking at any competing rifles, hopefully giving some food for thought when listing your own requirements. Drone Pro reborn - Black ENV 10x test and review. This should allow you to aim more accurately, keep the gun steady, and reduce over travel when firing between various targets. Below, we've brought together 10 of the best bolt action rifles on the market today. 3 Best Mlok Bipod Attachments for Hunting and Shooting, Top 10 Best .17 Hmr Rifles 2023 - Plinking and Varmint. If you are in search of a new sport rifle you'd be wise to consider getting a high-quality bolt action rifle. Weve reached the end of this interesting journey through some of the best .223 rifles that we could find to date. Nearly all of the rifles weve reviewed could fit into this category, but there were a couple that did stand out. Plus, thanks to the heavy and free-floating barrel getting the accuracy right dont seem much of a problem to a seasoned shooter. Usually, rifles of this type and quality sell for much more, and so we think this is a great deal to be had this is especially true when you think about the solid reputation that Smith & Wesson has for making firearms. The long-stroke system on the gun also affords three different settings for users. However, if youre target shooting, the range will be a little farther. For example, your upper and lower receivers should be made from high-quality aluminum. CZ 457 Varmint Precision Trainer .22LR Bolt Action Rifle - Best .22 LR Bolt Action Training Rifle. And we know this helps with recoil even with heavy rounds. Although there isnt any iron sight built-in, the Picatinny rail can accommodate optional optics. Threaded for moderator - 1/2x20. The gun accepts three lugs in its bolt design, which is a standard shotgun capacity though it would be nice to have more scope in this area. Recoil in .223 is fairly inconsequential, and both guns are very comfortable to shoot with shot release and precision on target only really affected by the difference in trigger style. The KeyMod system helps in this regard by keeping your zero stable each time you detach an accessory. Final Thoughts On Scopes for .223. It rapidly achieved widespread popularity amongst hunters and varminters. This rifle is solid in terms of construction and is an ideal depiction of what a .223 rifle should look like. The overall quality will be based on the kind of materials that each component is made with. The split-second advantages you could gain with this system could mean a lot in a self-defense scenario. Like the reshaped stock as they more focused on ergonomics and a narrower look. The trigger force is adjustable between 3-5lbs and its one of our favorite aspects of this rifle. Releasing magazines and controlling safety with both hands is as easy as a pie. The ability to specify the rifles action, barrel and stock within a broad order sheet is the great benefit of Howa, so you arent faced with a rifle needing alterations further down the line. Whichever application you intend to use your .223 rifle for, this FN SCAR 20S can surely do it with style. Excellent condition Remington 700 in .223 with 26", 1-12" twist barrel threaded 5/8". Plus, the way the barrel is built and set up means it is very accurate at various ranges. 0.243) at 3,200 fps to a Berger VLD 80-grain bullet (G1 B.C. Sauer are part of the aristocracy of German rifle makers, while Howa are a Japanese industrial manufacturer with involvement in multiple machinery markets, yet they make rifles quite openly in their own 1500 name and those of Wetherby, among others. Bullet Type: Fusion Soft Point. Windham WW-15 Varmint Exterminator 223 Fluted Flat-Top Rifle. These are firearms made from high-quality materials. Top 8 Best .223 rifles on the market 2023 Reviews can read online here. The rifle excludes the extravagant handguard and buttstock, giving you the autonomy to buy the accessories you want. May 11, 2010 1,665 1,605 Hooker, OK. Youll be able to target effectively up to 800 yards with the SCAR 20S, as lots of testing and design has enabled it to be calibrated in this way. As you can see, there are some superb .223 rifle choices available on the market today. It features a classic styled A2 front post for targeting as well as a folding Magpul MBUS rear sight. Also, the receiver is a hard-anodized monolithic type that uses MIL-STD-1913 rails. Savage Axis II Bolt Action. This rifle is accurate as all the other rifles from Ruger. The full length of the rifle is a standard 35 inches, and its lightweight polymer frame enables you to maneuver effectively in tactical scenarios. FN Herstal SCAR16: Best .223 Rifle. No winner here, just worth bearing in mind. Weight - 6.75 lb. Looking to spend less than $1k but will go more if I have to. The gun comes with a Zeiss Diavari 2.5-10x50 scope and bi-pod. It's a great manually operated rifle for Australian conditions. And it competes with the best in each category. But heres a glimpse of it. He changes the bullet diameter from the . The bolt release system too can be a pain if you have used the simpler bolt action rifles. Add to Cart. There's a 3-position safety, rear/right of the action and the trigger is adjustable from 2.2- to 4.2lbs. The muzzle is plain and offers rear sight advantage. The 2-stage Geissele match trigger helps to get a controlled and predictable break between shots. Next is the AR-15, which is probably the most recommended and purchased rifle for defending the home. This article will provide you with up-to-date information on our eight best .233 rifles currently on the market. $99.89 - $482.63. Savage Mark II GY .22 LR Bolt Action Youth Rifle - Best Beginners .22 LR Rifle. With the right ammo it will allow for clean, humane takedowns of the largest elk. These components work together and deliver exceptionally smooth functionality in the shooting process. It comes bundled with a Minox ZX5 3-15x56 scope, HEXALOCK QD mounts and a reflex moderator. Call for more details 01223 837977. Furthermore, this beast breaks the barriers with its low-glare milled gas block located at a carbine-length (M4) position, which offers improved balance and handling. Add to Cart. I'd take a real close look at thier offerings and see if one suits your purpose (target shooting? The barrel is constructed with heavy contour carbon steel for incredible accuracy and longevity of use. Practice some of your favorite poses and running with it because while it may look great if your chemistry is off, you wont enjoy using it. View Latest Price . The rifle industry benchmark gun has had a few styling/ergonomic tweaks, but in use shows little difference to the original: it is just a damn good gun and deserves its reputation as a fine tool. Full Member. And, to anyone who wishes to own a tactical AR-style rifle, with little recoil and the ability to let off smooth, rapid rounds in succession. The grip area matches with your hand comfortably and as being slim it will accommodate smaller hands as well. The locking abutments are part of the receiver and one of the factors that have made actions from Howa, Remington and Tikka so popular to have rebarrelled after a lifetime of use. With its laser precision, youll be battle-ready with this beast of a rod. . You wont feel like youre carrying a massive boulder around. Savage 110 Lightweight Storm (6.5 Creedmoor) Score 8.5/10. Either way, the overall performance should be a good indicator of whether or not a .223 rifle might be worth investing in. Furnished with a reliable rifle chambered in the .223 caliber, these reliable rifles are guaranteed to serve almost any application you can think of. Their upper also features a cool Raptor ambidextrous handle for convenient use by everyone. By using a barrel nut system and V-notch support, they left the cold hammer-forged barrel in a free-floating position.