Since Kimber isn’t making the Montana in .223 Rem anymore, what should I consider instead? I would love a light weight .223 with similar quality to the Montana.

I’m not real interested in the fieldcraft.

Whittakers still shows the Kimber 223 in stock. Shy of that I like the Tikka for no nonsense.

Simple...Tikka Superlight in .223 with an 8 twist




Will handle a wide variety of bullets and no " Kimber roulette"...stone cold shooters...

That’s good advice.







Unless you like uncertainty and drama.




P

Second the vote for the Tikka SL. 3 consecutive 3 shot groups at 100 yards with 3 different types of factory ammo, with the most expensive being hornady black.

Nice!

I have no problems with Tikka except they just don't fit me. I know there are ways to fix that but...

Tom...it might be easier-and definitely cheaper- to "fix" the fit on a Tikka than fix the issues with a Kimber...

Someone please tell me the draw to a 223 in a bolt gun? I own one and its fun, but do not see the high desirabilty.

Economical as hell to shoot with both handloads and factory ammo. Can be loaded to effectively and efficiently take everything from rabbits and squirrels to deer. All that and WAAAAY better carryability/ handling and FAR, FAR, FAAAAAR less ugly than a stinkin' AR.

Very practical. Ok

Tikka T-3, no drama - just pick a good factory load or your favorite hand-load, put a scope on it and proceed to shoot small groups.

Pretty? - NO!
Effective - Yes!

The only thing you need to be aware of is that early T-3's were a 12 twist, some later ones are a 10 twist, and it seems that most of them are now an 8 twist. Depending on what bullet weight you are planning to shoot you may want to be sure of the twist rate for that bullet. I have owned them all and since I shoot primarily 40 and occassionaly 50 gr bullets I am shooting a 10 twist which gives me the ability to go to a heavier bullet should I desire to.

drover

Is the Tikka 223 a long action?

I love it. It hammers deer as well as anything else I've killed them with. It SIMPLE (even for me) to load for. Or just to run in and grab a box of ammo if you need to. It's relatively quiet, has almost no recoil, tons of bullets available.

That very well may be the case. I will say the Kimber Hunter was damn near perfect. Not made in a .223 or I'd have one.

All Tikka T3 and T3x rifles are built on the same length action, but there are different length bolt stops limiting travel appropriately for .223, short action (.308 based) and standard long action cartridges.

the 50 ct of hornady 55 g soft point ammo is so cheap and effective i havent loaded a .223 round in months.

Yep, I shoot alot of those 50 ct. Hornady's. Have killed a half dozen deer and a mountain of woodchucks with them.

Nab a Darrik Montucky.

Hint...…………………….

I think a .223 is one of my favorite calibers. It's very effective around the yard on coyote, groundhogs, etc. It's also the most economical caliber to load for when factoring in 5.56 brass can be had for close to free.

The recommendation of the Tikka SL is a good one for sure. Another potential option, depending on what weight bullets you plan to shoot, would be a Remington model 7 predator. I have one that has a 12 twist barrel which has had the Hart accurizing package done to it. It shoots 40 and 50 grain bullets well and is a nice handy rifle. I have not tried any heavier bullets because for what I wanted it for 50 grain and less bullets work fine. I know Remington made some of the model 7 predators with a twist rate other than 1:12 so if you looked around a little I'm sure you could find one with a faster twist if you so desired.

I'm not real interested in a Tikka unless I can't find what I'm looking for. I've had a few and just didn't care for them. The accuracy I got out of them, I've got out of nearly every rifle I've had. A few exceptions of course.

Real fhuqking easy...simply call Darrik and connect all dots.

Hint...........

I've got a Howa mini that I like a lot. The mag is cheap but it's workable and upgradeable. I think one of the draws of a .223 bolt is having it built on small, lightweight action.

If a mag isn't an AICS footprint,it's Dog Schit...pure and simple.

Hint..............

I picked up one of the last Kimbers from Whittakers and after the doing the standard modifications it is a half in. gun with three diff. loads. Love the gun but wish it did not have the threads on the end of the barrel.

No thang to turn a seamless protector,that you'd not even be able to detect.

Hint.................

This one works and shoots better than a Kimber, or even Cooper for that matter...

It hasn't the twist or COAL to hang,let alone the mounting system or glass. Congratulations?!?

Bless your heart for trying though.

Hint...............

Shrapnel - I would love to spend an afternoon simply looking at the collection of rifles you have. If so invited, I will gladly bring good bourbon for sipping an a roll of paper towels in case I start drooling.

You'd do well to bring a bottle of Bleach,so as to HOPE to remove the stench...of Goat Fhuqktitude.

Hint.............

I've got a 222 with that action, but mine isn't as pretty as that!!! Short of that just get the Tikka SL. Cost effective, light and it just shoots.

There's nothing to get giddy about in the Sucko,nor the Teeker.

Hint..............

as original as the day it was born!



ya!


GWB

I've suffered same and it's nice to kick them in the ass and move them along...to yield something good.

Hint...............

Not so, you aren't invited, you fish sucking goat herder...

We're talking 223 here, and these are all rare originals...

10/4
my bad!

ya!

GWB

Shrapnel,

Now what were the "odds",that besides being a CLUELESS Kchunt,that you are also a Lying Piece Of Fhuqking Schit and yet again,"forgot" about your heralded Imaginary Pretend Ignore. Congratulations?!?

Bless your heart,for doing your best.

Hint...................

You said the T3 don’t fit you so I’d third calling Whitaker’s for a Montana or there is a nice savage lightweight in the classifieds.

"Nice savage" is THE OXIEST of MORONS.

Hint..................(grin)

I will be in AK from June 19-July 1. Bring your midget ass to Wasilla and keep blowing your Freon horn so’s I know where to step and not smash your bugass into a mud puddle...

Shrapnel,

It's your Imagination,simply fhuqking Pretend with it as you MUST...you Lying Piece Of Fhuqking Schit. Congratulations?!?

Hint..................

I think I want another 223 Kimber before they are gone. Was holding out for a Fieldcraft but that appears to be a ways down the road.

They've no equal.

Hint................

Coming to Wasilla are you?

Maybe so but them ugly fuggers sure do plow straight. (Grin)

ESPECIALLY if it's all you've "seen".

Hint..................

Crying laughing sugartits you truly are the worlds definition of cull.



Look close and tell me I’m wrong. 🤣

You two keep talking bad about goats...enough. A hex on both of you.

May Stick be forced to shoot/hunt with nothing but wood/blued/Swararski'd rifles the rest of his life.

May shrapnel be forced to shoot/hunt with stainless/synthetic/SWFA'd rifles the rest of his life.

...bunch a goat-smack talking trash....grin...

To add a post pertinent the the original.....

Montana .223 from Whitaker's is the easiest and best route to go if you want a lightweight factory rifle for most factory fodder at this time. Don't wait, it's exactly what you mentioned in your original post.

Them that cain't,must plagiarize. Congratulations?!?

Pardon my shooting it all and then some.

Hint....................

Tom, doesn't JackHammer already have a .223 ?

Swap ya 7x57 for his .223 !

Only "fair",to give them who must plagiarize...even more Splendid Pixels. Might be a Montucky in there too.

LAUGHING!

Hint....................

His is a Ruger American. I'm not swappin for that. LOL

You make good trade Kemosabe !!

I am quickly coming to the same conclusion. Every time I sell a 223 rifle it haunts me till I replace it. It’s the perfect rifle to keep ready for when a small unwanted critter pops out. Been shooting a reduced load of 12.5 grains of Blue Dot under a 55 grain bullet and love it. Very accurate and a noticeable drop in noise over a standard load

1:8 T3 SWFA 10x MQ

The Teeker Fhuqk Show,remains HILARIOUS. A 10x will bite,while a 6x simply cain't.



Just sayin'...if it ain't an AICS footprint DBM,it's simply a piece of fhuqking schit.






Hint................

What factory box has room to kiss 75’s?

Every fhuqking one that is AICS DBM footprinted. Have you ever "seen" or "touched" and AICS 223 DBM?!? Laughing! Congratulations?!?

What Factory box is fhuqking schittier than a Teeker? None. Hint.

Feel free to wax eloquent upon "all" that you've "used".

Bless your heart.

LAUGHING!

Hint....................

1000 Fhuqking Words On 223 DBM's

'Course I'm fhuqking sandbagging and shoot a bunch more platforms than that.

HINT.......................

EXTRY 1000 Words On AICS DBM Virtues RINK

RE-HINT...............

My Mountain Tactical billet mags work great with 75 ELDM.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-eldm-advice-in-a-1-8-tikka#Post13776147




P

They are fhuqking junk.

Hint..................

I've never owned a Kimber but the quality of my CZ 527, 18&1/2" barrel carbine with useable open sights seems pretty good. It's light, handy and routinely accurate with good bluing and decent checkered walnut. Mine's never been bedded or free floated but it's accuracy would seem to indicate quality stock inletting and a good barrel. It's not a pencil barrel so it's shot some, IMO, very good 5 shot groups with a 2-7x33 scope and old eyes. NEGC make a receiver sight that fits the integral scope base.

Some things I don't like about it are the backwards safety, the scope could mount a little lower and the set trigger was rough. I ended up adjusting out the set trigger and it was fine. It's not perfect but the quality's there for considerably less than a Kimber.

If I were to get a bolt action 223 I would start and stop at the CZ 527. From what I see on the market today the CZ pleases me more than any other I know of.
Light, slim, accurate, reliable and comes with a set trigger and a striker blocking safety.

Anyway.............that's my vote.

Schtick pollution.....

There is NOTHING redeeming in a CZ 223. Congratulations?!?

Hint................

Poor poor Shefire,yet again at the mercy of her "means","abilities" and "comprehension". Hint. Congratulations?!?

Bless her heart,for drooling.

LAUGHING!

Hint.................

I pulled the trigger on a Kimber Montana in .223 from Whittakers. Picked it up yesterday. I think it would be hard to find a better rifle for that platform and caliber.

It should work perfect for what I plan to do with it, which is everything.

LGS couldn't comprehend they kill deer dead as well as anything.

you gonna like it.

I think so!

Yep..........great choice. I have one and look forward to it becoming my primary coyote calling rifle. It is a friggen hammer with 40gr Fiocchi Factory loads consistently shooting 1/2MOA, which is wicked Coyote medicine and can't reload virgin brass for the price of it.
Looks like it's currently out of stock, but this place is awesome for Fiocchi 50gr and 40gr 1,000 round cases.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/223-...x-polymer-tip-bt-fiocchi-extrema-ammo-22
Both Fiocchi 50gr and 40gr Vmax loads shoot 1/2 to 3/4 MOA consistently out of four different 223's I've used it in.

Anyway, regardless of what you shoot. The little Kimber Montana .223 is a peach. I should buy another.

I haven't loaded for it yet, but expect good things with Ramshot TAC and 75gr HPBT Hornady's. Too many irons in the fire for me to worry about loading it for a while.

Did it come with a complimentary pair of dice?

No. But I put a leupold on it so....

Ive located a like new Kimber 84M classic select in 223 . I should have it this week.

Excellent. I got one of the NIB rifles that Whitaker's has. I really like the stock. This thing should be a great little rifle.

What he said!

That’s funny as hell right there.

Keep us posted as to how it shoots.




P

CZ 527 if they made a 308 platform the same size and weight it would be a dynamite mountain deer rifle

I’ve had a 223 Montana for several years now and I love it. I did bed the lug and tang and I adjusted the trigger, which the Kimbers are very simple to do that to.
The 223 definitely kills deer, but it doesn’t leave a blood trail like the bigger rifles, IME. I’ve also found that they tend to run a little longer. My deer bullet in that rifle is the 70 grain Speer, which does well, but probably not as good as the Barnes bullets that everybody loves.
This particular rifle shoots 55 grain SGK, 65 grain SGK and the 70 Speer very well and all to the same POI at 100 yards. The 55 grain loads make very nice, little cloverleaf groups.

I put a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest on the Kimber 84M Select 223. I sighted it in with some cheap ball ammo. Man, that is a fun little rifle!

I've had a lot of 223s. I'm thinking my older, 2002, walnut, blue steel, 1-12, CZ 527 Carbine will be the last one. It's light and handy, never needed bedding and is very accurate (5 shot groups) with 40 & 50 gr bullets.

The exit wound must be on the other side of the fish.

I feel exactly opposite...around the farm the ar platform just doesn't work....my every day gun is a ruger boat paddle 223... There is no way an ar 15 could do its job.. It rides around in trucks combines and tractors for months on end and lives it's life in the dirt...when I need it always goes bang....the AR is hard for me to aim and handle in truck /tractor conditions..somtimes it needs precision accuracy for a rabbit or coon or possum?.long range coyotes or short quick shots on coyotes...

i swapped guns. Im coming around now.

Look no further than the Classifieds section here: A Remington LVSF in .223. (No connection to the seller). I have two in different chamberings. These were some of the last “good” rifles Remington produced.