Best Rifle for this situation???

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K

Kentucky

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Just discovered this forum in the last few days, loving it so far!

I am looking to purchase a rifle with several specifics in mind, I would love to have some input from you guys with more experience and knowledge than I have.

I am looking for a rifle that is:

1. Reliable at shooting quickly (low % of jams or failures)
2. Compact
3. Accurate ( Deer rifle type accuracy)
4. Under a grand!! (I know, why not ask for the moon)

Basically I guess I am looking for a reliable assault rifle where I still have the ability to "reach out and touch someone." I think I am leaning towards an AR-15 because of the advantages it has over the AK-47 with accuracy. There seem to be a LOT of AR-15 types and models, is there any particular type you would reccommend? I plan to accessorize it with a scope and bipod.

I am also open to suggestions for other types of rifles, this just seems to be type that seems to fit my needs (wants:D ) best.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kentucky
[email protected]
 
Have you considered a M1 Garand. Accurate, reliable, powerfull, semi-auto, under a grand (cmp service grade) and maybe not so compact. 5 out of 6 ain't bad!:D
It also has a history that can not be touched by very many rifles.;)

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
 
I'm partial to a shorty FAL, and them are easy to find for under a grand. reach out and touch someone capable too with a .308 rnd. and all the cool, evil black BATTLE rifle looks to annoy antis.
 
Okay, so we're looking at a handy, military-style rifle which can also be used for deer hunting...

AR-15: unless deer are really small in KY, your local game laws probably don't allow the use of the .223 cartridge for hunting deer (but feel free to check the game regs). There are AR-15s available in alternate calibers, but none are yet widely affordable and supported, though that may change in a few years.

AK-47: A good quality, US-made AK can be had around $500 or so. Do deer hunters in your area ever use 30-30 lever rifles? If so, you should be good with an AK, as it's ballistically about the same thing in terms of power and range. Definitely a good possibility. Main brand-names to watch for: Arsenal, VEPR, Global Trades, Vector. I favor Global Trades because their factory is here in Texas, and they sell for $475 at GT's table at local gunshows.

SKS: semi-auto, fires same round as the AK, but looks more traditional. They start at $80, but you might want to splurge and get one in better shape or handier model if you can stomach paying $175 or so.

M1 Garand, M1A (civ M14): neither is "compact", M1A is rarely under $1K

FAL: formerly the main battle rifle for most of the free world, shorty "carbine" versions are available for a little under a grand.

HK91 (civ G3): formerly main battle rifle for the rest of the free world. The main folks to buy from these days are JLD Enterprises, who build the PTR-91 series here in the U.S. (original German HKs are way more expensive, and many say JLD is just as good). Their carbine 16" or 18" versions can also be had for maybe $800-900

So, you have some searching ahead of you. Just type any of the above into the THR search engine for past thorough discussions.

Bear in mind to check you local game regs before going out to hunt. You'll probably have to use specific types of hunting ammo rather than military ammo, and probably have to use 5-round magazines rather than 20-30 round magazines. We have at least a few folks on the board who hunt with AK variants; hopefully they'll notice this thread and chime in. If you don't get the info you need, try going down the Hunting section and posting a "Which Military-style Rifle for Deer Hunting in Kentucky?"; the more specific the title of your post, the better answers you get.

Welcome Aboard!

-MV
 
Wow, loving the response already! I am on way way out onto the net to research some of these options already mentioned. Thanks guys!
 
Kentucky,

Check out Ruger's Mini 14 in the AK47 caliber. I can't remember the caliber.
It comes with a 5 round magazine. You can get high capacity mags. It is similar in power to a 30/30.

I have friend in Elizebethtown. Pretty state.

phonesysphonesys
 
Kentucky,

The M1A is a great rifle made in a good number of configurations. I have experience with the Springfield SOCOM, which is highly compact and potent, as well as the Scout Squad. Problem is their higher in price than you're looking for.

Check into DPMS Panther Arms. Great rifles at fair prices. They have recently introduced an AR model in .308 which might just fit your bill.
 
If you've got the money, you might want to check out the many AR-10 look-alikes on the market. However, most AR-10 posts I've seen have been hit-and-miss. You might get a good, reliable gun, and on the other hand you could end up with a lemon of a firearm.

My personal advice for you is to run out and get yourself a FAL. You'll never look back.
 
Kentucky;

If I were you, there are a couple of things I'd do. 1. Check out the Browning BAR semi-auto hunting gun, not the military BAR. It's available in several calibers I regard as far more suitable for big game hunting than either the .223 or 7.62 X 39. Yes, the 7.62 is in the same class as the .30-30, but one of 'em's a dunce & the other's an A student. 2. Ask yourself why you need the shooting quickly in the first place if this truly is a hunting gun. A bolt gun isn't all that much slower in the second shot & if you place the first one correctly to begin with, isn't necessary anyway.

900F
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the continued input. I caused some confusion when I mentioned deer rifle type accuracy. I am not really planning on hunting with this rifle, I mentioned "deer rifle type accuracy" because I wanted Sniper type accuracy but didnt figure that was likely with an assault rifle....The main function of this rifle will be home defense/coyote and hog hunting rifle.
 
Good punch requires more than the .223/5.56 cartridge. But the AR style is very ergonomic and easy to use (assuming you're right-handed, and pretty easy even for left-handers).

For definitely UNDER a grand, I'd agree that the Mini-30 in 7.62x39 is a good way to go. They're reliable as all get-out with factory mags, and the newer ones have better accuracy than in the past (with some tooling changes by the factory).

Best advice, though, would be to save up for a Rock River Arms LAR-10 - basically looks to be a copy of the no-longer-made Bushmaster BAR-10, which is a fantastic rifle. It's NOT an Armalite copy, and it WORKS with regular FAL metric or imperial mags (I think it's FAL mags, anyway) which are cheap and available. The thing shoots the venerable .308/7.62x51 cartridge, making it a heck of a combination of things - ergonomic, reliable, and powerful. If I didn't live in California, I'd buy one as soon as I could.

Caveat: The RRA variant is coming soon, so there is no real gaurantee that they're actually a clone of the BAR-10 - yet. When they are available, look for posts and ads and articles about its effectiveness. They should probably retail for around $1500 or so, I believe.
 
I would carefully, carefully read all of the reviews on THR of the AR-10 type rifles.

Essentially, the AR-10 is an upscaled version of the AR-15 (civ version of M16), which can chamber .308-class cartridges. Lots of mixed reviews, and IIRC correctly there is no set standard across manufacturers, in terms of interchangeable parts and magazines.

Regarding the various hunting rifles, BAR, Rem 7600, etc.: I do not deny that these may be good-quality hunting rifles; many folks on the board own and hunt with these rifles, and I defer to their judgement. But since you seem to by looking for an actual military-style rifle, these seem to be a separate issue. Hunting rifles are made for hunters who shoot a box of ammo a year, military rifles are based on rifles designed to be used by military recruits who smack folks upside the head with the butt of the rifle.

If home defense is the main issue, either AR or AK should serve admirably. If hog hunting is a major issue, AR is a bit light, AK should be sufficient, and FAL or G3 (HK91) variants would be quite sufficient.

You're kind of coming down to the "Big Five" of post-WWII military rifles: AK, AR, G3, FAL, and M1/M1A.

The AK can be had from $300 ($500 for high-quality), the AR from $600, the FAL and G3 from maybe $800 for good-quality, the M1 from $350 and then M14 from $1000. The last two are not as easily found cheaply in "compact" format. The middle two run a bit more in "compact" or "carbine" format but still under a grand with looking. The AK is a carbine by definition, and the AR is available in carbine, but AR is not generally suitable for hog in its standard caliber.

Off the top of my head (at 4AM and after a night of drinking and debating with friends), you might want to take a good hard look at an AK-47 variant, or an SKS if you're interested in saving a fair bit of cash.

If both are available in your area, try to find a shop where you can try them out side-by-side and see how the ergonomics suit you.

This is turning out to be decently interesting, as far as a "Ford vs. Chevy" debate can go. Keep us posted as to your decision.

Take care,

-MV (who should probably be racking out about now)
 
You could also pick up a fine Savage 99, take-down model that would be both more powerful than an AR and more compact. It would also be classier and appreciate in value more.
 
@ Cosmoline: I also think the Savage 99 is an extremely cool rifle, but the gentleman seems keenly interested in a military-type rifle. Also, there is no cartridge which the Savage 99 is chambered for which approaches the affordability of the 7.62x39mm cartridge (AK and SKS).

No knock on the 99, but when a man says he wants a military-type rifle, I have zero interest in discouraging him.

-MV
 
Kentucky said:
Thanks for the continued input. I caused some confusion when I mentioned deer rifle type accuracy. I am not really planning on hunting with this rifle, I mentioned "deer rifle type accuracy" because I wanted Sniper type accuracy but didnt figure that was likely with an assault rifle....The main function of this rifle will be home defense/coyote and hog hunting rifle.
Click to expand...

In that case, I'd go for either an AK or SKS.
Get some modern softpoint ammo and you'll be set.
You can probably find a different stock for the SKS that will give it more of a black rifle look as well as making it a little lighter.
I'm not sure what kind of optics options there are off hand, but I'm sure a scope wouldn't be too difficult to mount. I think Tapco makes a mount.
 
I say go for the SKS. It makes an excellent starter rifle that is just as accurate and powerful as an AK. They are cheap and offer an excellent platform to begin to understand the mechanics of the semi-auto combat rifle. They are easy to take down, easy to clean, are more or less as accurate as a Ruger, and allow you to gain an appreciation for the intermediate caliber without breaking the bank. If, after a while, you decide to go further, then the SKS makes an okay truck gun while you get an AK/FAL/G3/AR.

Personally, past the SKS, I prefer the FAL.

Ash
 
Now, a lever-action 30-30 is bar none the best for keeping around the house. Cops/civies don't get nearly as scared when they see you with a rifle that Uncle Joe used to carry. But, the 30-30 aside, go SKS.

Ash
 
If you are set on a semi buy 2 sks's . Replace the stocks and sights with something more ergonomical. You will still be under 500 bucks for the pair.
Next vote would be mini 14 or mini 30.

However do not discount a marlin lever gun. meets all the criteria quite well just isnt a semi.
 
Still loving all the great input. I particularly like the thought of the AR-10 or the LAR-10, seems to be mechanically similiar to the AR-15 but pack more punch. The downside would be that it is more expensive to shoot, with the .308 shells.

If I were to choose an AK-47 or SKS wouldnt I be sacrificing some accuracy that I would have with the AR-15?

I found a rifle for $700 with the following specs:

Used Bushmaster rifle. Has updated tele-stock, Hammonds compact scope (3-9X40 power, lighted reticle, .223 500 yard bullet drop compensator.) Gun has about 500 rounds through it. Always taken very good care of. Comes with 3 30 rd magazines, 500 rounds of ammo, bag of stripper clips, magazine guides for stripper clips, accu-wedges (one installed), hard bushmaster case. Was $800, now $700 (firm)

What do you think of this rifle?
 
The ak and sks are not as accurate as an ar variant. However they are much more tolerant of dirt,lack of cleaning and weather conditions and you can have 2 for the same price as 1 ar. It is a matter of preference really. If you are like me you want one of everything.:)
 
Well, I am not sure what you consider "sniper-type" accuracy; but the ARs are certainly capable of sub-MOA performance with minor modification. If accuracy is a big desire, then any AR based rifle is probably going to have an edge.

Sounds like a good deal on the Bushmaster. I would take a look at the face of the bolt on the AR. If it really has only 500 rounds through it you should still see plenty of parkerizing on the bolt face.
 
SKS

More accurate than AKs, can be "sporterized" easy, Adequate to 150 yrds. (w/proper sights) and you can get an unissued one for $150-160 dollars.

Whats not to like?
 
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