advice on a rifle

[capttom]

I've been a lurker here for several months and I love this site; now I need some advice. In a couple of weeks, I'm moving from a subrban residential area, to a rural residential area. That means going from 50 yards to 300 yards. I've got 3 9mms and other pistols, a 9mm. carbine, 3 12 gauges, but nothing for moderately long range. A .223 will fill the bill, but, buying a house, I'm on a budget. What's dependable out there? I know M-16 clones can be had and Remington has a pump .223 in Shotgun News. How about the Ruger? I love the old Garand and M-14.
Any and all advise is appreciated

 

[Majic]

What is the purpose of the rifle?

 

[monsternav]

Other more knowledgable folks will answer soon, but my answer would be "depends".

What will be its intended use?

Hunting, plinking, competition (serious, not so serious)?

Brand new M-1's and M-1A's (civvie M-14's) can do all 3, but will run you a grand or more.

A CMP Garand can be $400-$500, but will need some work for serious competition.

Getting away from the military style weapons, you have lever actions (fun fun fun), bolt actions for hunting, bolt actions for target shooting.

All kinds of possibilities.

 

[capttom]

rifle

I see it as a medium range protection, definitely not hunting.

 

[meef]

Kel-Tec SU16C.

Check it out. I love mine.....

 

[capttom]

thanks

thanks, Monsternav, a .243 bolt would be adequate, but I'd like more rounds. Please don't think I'm being snide, not intended at all. Thanks.

 

[Majic]

A levergun in a handgun caliber is a decent medium range rifle. They have a decent magazine capacity, affordable prices, and as dependable as most anything on the market.

 

[monsternav]

No problem.

Not all 223's are expensive http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Bushmaster_Rifles.html

Find somewhere that you can shoot the types you are interested in, or at least handle them. An uncomfortable piece of equipment is not going to be trained with, and will be more of a liability than an asset.

Oh yeah, what is your budget, realistically?

 

[mnrivrat]

The AR15 colones are still fairly spendy and start in the $700 range from what I can see.

I think the next step down price wise is in the area of the mentioned Kel-tec .Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think they are in the $500 range.

Toward the bottom of the auto loader and higher capacity .223's would be the Ruger mini - 14 . These are not a bad choice and while not generaly as accurate they are durable and can be had for under $400 on the used market.
(not much less than $400 , but I have recently seen a couple for as little as $350)

Is that what you are looking for ? sorta ?

 

[Double Maduro]

SKS?

Cheap, reliable, fun.

DM

 

[Lancer]

IMHO, EVERYONE needs the standard 5 gun battery.

1. A wheel gun. What can't you say about a good ol' fashion revolver? I prefer a .38/.357 but the .44 Special/.44 Magnum works good too.

2. As money allows a mil-spec auto loader is a must. 9mm are cute, but once the hollow points run out your gonna need a real man stopper, and you just can't beat a .45 ACP.

I’d dump your 9mm pistolas and carbine for a good .357 and .45 auto mate.

3. What are your 12s? Pumps, Autos, Break-opens? IMHO the pump action shotgun is a definite must and Remington, Mossberg and Winchester all make affordable 12 gauges. It’s the one gun you can hunt, fish and defend yourself with…LOL!

4. The "black rifle". Some like it, some don't, but most agree that it works well in the 0 to 250 yard range. The AR-15, Mini-14 and AK-47 are all good choices. The AR-15 is pricey and requires ALOT of cleaning. If'n your on a budget and like the .223 (5.56 x 45mm NATO) the Mini-14 is the way to go. But if your not particular, the AK-47 would be my 1st choice. The guns are cheap, the ammo is plentiful; and with the right accessories... it can hit out to 250-300 yards.

But if your REALLY tight on money, an SKS will do you until you can work your way up.

5. The bolt action rifle. A lot of folks like to combine #4 & #5 together. My first combo was an M-1 Garand in .30-06. Great gun! Still got it and will never give it up. A more modern choice for a 4+5 combo would be an FN/FAL or an M1A (ala M-14). The FN/FAL is cheaper, but the M1A is more accurate. BUT...you just can't beat a bolt action rifle for long range work. I highly recommend a .308 (7.62 x 51mm NATO) for the availability of ammo; and any used gun rack Remington, Winchester or Savage will do you nicely. But don't under estimate the surplus market either. There are plenty of Enfields, Mausers, Moisans, and even the rare Springfield to be had out there. They're cheap, reliable and will do you justice if you know how to "rebuild" them into a modern rifle.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I highly recommend a .308 (7.62 x 54 NATO) for the availability of ammo

I hate to be petty, but it's actually 7.61 x 51. I'm sure it's just a typo on Lancer's part. Just so you don't accidentally pick up the wrong ammo...

On that note, I've been VERY pleased w/ the Remington 700 in .308 I bought a few years back. I've found it to be very accurate and have already taken three deer with it. For $600 out the door, with a nice scope mounted on it, it was a great deal.

 

[Lancer]

Phantom, you are correct, that was a typo and has been corrected. Damn editor! He's being flogged as we speak and is scheduled to be keel-hauled under an aircraft carrier tomorrow. He'll never make THAT mistake again...

 

[Matthew748]

All things considered, I think an AR15 is in your future. As other posters have pointed out, an off-the-shelf AR with iron sights won't put you to far into the hole. They seem to get real expensive when you start adding all sorts of national match parts, lego block attachments, lasers, and all those other little do-dads.

An added bonus is that you can swap out the uppers. Last year I got it in my head that I wanted to fool around with scoped ARs. Trying to mount a scope on top of the carry handle on my 16" AR upper did not make sense to me, so I mail ordered a flat top upper with a 24" stainless barrel, a scope, a set of rings, and was all set. The versatility is real nice.

 

[TallPine]

Gee, isn't there something in the constitution about every man getting a Winchester 30-30 for his first rifle ...?

 

[Nashmack]

Get a Mosin Nagant M44 carbine, a recoil pad, and about 4,000 rounds of ammunition. You'll still come in way under the price of an AR, probably match the price of a decent AK with ammo, and something reasonable accurate and about as reliable as a rock.

 

[El Tejon]

Out to 300 and on a budget?

How about a used Winchester or Ruger in .243? Have the trigger stoned and get a good sling. When budget allows put on a high quality fixed 4 power scope with the target turrets and have barrel crowned and bed the stock.

 

[Zen21Tao]

I have to agree with others that nothing beats a good AR15 but if that is out your price range at the moment here are some other ideas.
- A Saiga made in .223 or .308 is in the price range of $350-$450 (last I checked).
- Savage Stevens M200. Bolt action rifle that received very complementing reveiws and has a MSRP of only $330.
- Cetme .308 semi-auto should run you around $350
- Ruger mini-14 .223 I believe runs about $400

A good place to start your search if you consider a bolt or lever action is downloading CDNNs catalog from their website. They are a great company to do business with.

 

[amprecon]

I second the motion from Double Maduro, a SKS is definitely a medium range fun-gun, semi-auto, home defense, accurate enough, cheap ammo, utterly reliable. Either that or a Marlin lever gun.

 

[Double Maduro]

capttom,

What are you into where mid range defense is out to 300 yards?

I just noticed the handle, you aren't an old Coastie from the Bay area are you?

I used to have a room mate who sometimes called himself Capt. Tom.

Let us know what you decide as to the rifle.

DM

 

[capttom]

Thanks for all the input; I'm always grateful and love opionated people.

Lancer, I agree about .45s. I seem to have one around occasionally, but someone always talks me out of them. Most of them have been Colts, usually Combat Commanders, but recently had a Kimber Ultra Carry that had too much muzzle blast for my liking. As far as wheel guns, I've got an older Ruger .357 and a Smith Model 36. Shotguns? Have a Winchester double, a semi-auto, and Nova pump.

Double Maduro, no, sorry, not that friend, although dad was a Coastie in WWII and had some tales to tell.

BTW, I think the Kel-Tec may fit the bill, but I'm going to look at the mini-14, too.

 

[Stainless Chili]

Isn't the Keltec a handgun caliber?
Mini over the Keltec. A few 20-rounders will keep the zombies at bay.


And the M1A in case you have to disable a suicide driver.

 

[mnrivrat]

Isn't the Keltec a handgun caliber?

Kel-tec makes a couple (or more) of different versions of rifles in .223 caliber . I believe they use the M16 magazines . You can pop onto their web site for more info, and I have heard good things about these rifles so far.