Cheap rifle for plinking and HD?

[wingman]

While the sks(have one) is a fine gun it's not a home defense weapon unless
you live out in the sticks, therefore a pistol caliber would be best.

 

[GunGoBoom]

You can get a SAIGA rifle in 223, 7.6/39, or 308 for around 199$

That's really the only answer that comes close to fitting your criteria. Except that the .308s cannot be found for $200, I don't think - they're all up around $275-300 or more. Don't put an aftermarket higher-cap magazine on an SKS because you'll likely be disappointed with the reliability.

 

[TechGuy]

Well I have an SKS on the way to me. I also have some 7.62x39 Hollow Points on the way for HD, I figure HPs will have less chance or going through walls. Anyways my closest neighbor is about 500 yards away with many trees in between. I decided on the sks because the ammo is so darn cheap. The rifle was only $160 so it left me with enough money to buy a lot of ammo to plink with. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[dfaugh]

FWIW..Be aware

that if its the Russian made hollowpoint stuff, it will not expand any more than the fully jacketed stuff...The "hollow point" is there as a result of the way its manufactured...Tested this myself (somewhat un-scientifically) shooting into logs, and there was almost no difference between hollowpoint and fully jacketed...just sometimes the tip "bent" on the hollowpoint, but it didn't expand like hollowpoint pistol ammo, or softpoint hunting ammo...so use the "cheap stuff" for plinking and practice,but get some soft point hunting ammo for HD

 

[helpwanted]

re: sks
watch out for slam fires.

 

[student]

Or you could spend a small sum for a few rounds of some type of high velocity lightweight prefragmented ammo for home defense, I am not familiar with specific types for the 7.62x39 (If I were to grab a rifle I am past the point of worrying about overpenetration), but I am sure they exist.

 

[chopinbloc]

There is the option of the SKS that uses AK47 magazines! But Im not sure what those are going for these days. Look around at shows and on Gunbroker.

DOH!!! :banghead: i bought one in '96 for $99 before tax, gun store dude threw in two thirty rounders and 200rds. i sold it only a year later. saw one two years ago at a gun show for $450.

i know a civilian legal hd gun that holds 72 "rounds" and fires them in 9 shot "bursts". okay, i know he wants a rifle but shotguns are cool, too.