help me buy a rifle

[SaMx]

hey guys, I'm looking to get a rifle or carbine in .223. My requirements are: Low recoil, iron sights, can hit targets out to about 300 yeards, decent accuracy, and affordability. This carbine would mostly be for plinking and informal target shooting at around 100 yards, with a little out to about 300 yards, and everything in between. Part of me wants a semi auto rifle, because this would be my first centerfire rifle, and I'd like something that I could use defensively too. But, part of me wants a bolt action rifle, for more accuracy when shooting for fun. But most bolt action .223 rifles don't have iron sights. I've been considering a saiga, an sks, bolt actions from CZ and savage, a kel-tec su-16, and some of the really cheap ar-15s. I've also looked at the marlin .357 carbine, even though it can't reach out to 300 yards.
What do you think would meet my needs? feel free to suggest other platforms and calibers.
Thanks.

 

[tcrocker]

You can get the black rifles with bull barrels in 16", it might be a little heavy but if you wont a carbin / target rifle that would be the way I'd go. The new AR have come a long way in target shooting they can shoot along with bolt guns now. I've read that they are even shooting them out to 1000yds in comp matches.

 

[HorseSoldier]

+1 the AR. It has legs long enough to go past 300 with iron sights and some practice. Also, the modularity of the weapon means that you can start with a bare bones model and plus it up incrementally if you want in the future.

 

[CB900F]

SaMx;

The bolt gun you missed is the Tikka. What's your budget? That may make a difference as the basic Tikka doesn't have irons, but I think the deluxe does.

My personal suggestion would be the CZ527. I'm quite likely going to get one later this year.

900F

 

[RNB65]

Buy a flattop AR and put a rail mounted rear sight on it. In the future you can add a red dot sight if you like. You can cowitness the iron and red dot sights and have your choice of using either. Lots of choices.

 

[Boanerges57]

Flat-top AR is definitely the way to go as far as modularity and flexibility. knowing your budget would help out a great deal with making suggestions though. You can get a quite decent AR for $800. It just all depends on what you want and what you can afford. Mainly on the later actually.

 

[SaMx]

I know everyone will recommend me an AR. My budget is around $500, which is why I'm shying away from an AR. I could go with something like the OLY plink plus, or some of the budget rifles, but I'm leery about buying the cheapest AR, because I'm afraid it would end up being the lowest quality AR. If/when I get an AR, I want to spend the money and build one right, but right now I don't have the money. That's why I'm considering a bolt action for accuracy.

 

[rangerruck]

boy, I gotta tell ya, I like all your suggestions here, 'cept the 357, they will all fill the bill. don't forget a mossberg bolt action , their new ATR and the even newer 4x4 is very nice. I also like the idea of the saiga a bunch. a Howa bolt is a good way to go as well.

 

[SaMx]

thanks for the suggestions. I looked at the mossberg bolt action, they both look pretty good, and have some have iron sights, but they're all in the .308/.30-06 range.
bisically, I'm trying to decide between a bolt action or semi-auto. A bolt action has more accuracy than a semi in my price range, but the semi has more utility in an emergency. On top of that, a bolt action rifle would most likely require me to get a scope. I like the idea of a saiga, but I'm not sure if the accuracy would be good enough. If it can do about 2-3 moa I think I would be happy with it.

 

[Anteater1717]

kel-tec su-16A