Mental constipation; M1A alternative

[altos]

I have wound myself around my axle on this mental debate... I have an M1A. Works great. Ammo is a bit tough to get but I have about 3000 rounds stored. I am pondering selling the M1A, and the ammo, and getting a CA legal (argh...don't get me started) .223 semi-auto with the obligatory 10 round magazine. I am NOT familiar with any of the usual .223 AR15 type semi-autos. I have a 700PSS in .223 for 1/2 MOA shooting and I reload for that. My Anschutz is more than adequate for 22 target shooting out to 100 yards. The issue on any new rifle is accuracy as I am a bit picky about it. Frankly, if it's not better than 1 MOA I don't see a reason to own it. Does anyone have a recommendation on an accurate, reliable semi-auto in .223? My thought is to sell the M1A and the mil-surplus ammo, rolling the proceeds into a new rifle and scope. I only hunt cellulose, and only in season.

Comments and insights greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[greyling22]

how about the new ares defense scr? basically an ar upper attached to a benelli m2 inertia system style lower. http://www.ammoland.com/2014/05/mid...the-new-ares-defense-scr-rifle/#axzz35n9JNXGb

of the keltec su-16ca http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/su-16ca/rifle/

ruger mini-14 has a reputation for poor accuracy, but a lot of that got better about 8 years ago when they retooled. they have a target version. http://www.ruger.com/products/mini14TargetRifle/models.html

 

[HexHead]

.223 bolt gun. Weatherby Vanguard S2 comes to mind. Sub-MOA right out of the box.

 

[Reloadron]

So then do it. Ultimately only you can decide which road you want to take. I will say from your post it sounds like the M1A isn't fired much. If you think you would enjoy another different rifle and caliber than just go ahead and change things selling off the M1A.

Try and get out and beg or borrow a few rifles like what you are considering. Try some different stuff, make a decision and move on that decision. No way I can help you decide as I haven't a clue what you would like.

Ron

 

[altos]

I kind of have the bold action covered with the PSS. See photo, 7 consecutive shots, left to right. Soooo... I am covered there, I believe. A semi-auto .223 is more towards what I was contemplating. Read: an M1A replacement in a lighter caliber.

Thanks for the reply !!

 

[MistWolf]

The M1A is one of the few battle proven rifles that can legally use detachable box magazines and at full capacity in your state of residence- and you want to sell it?

This is what I'd get for an AR if I were exiled to the PRK

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/04/foghorn/first-look-ares-scr-rifle-works/

 

[Reloadron]

I can see some merit here with a change now that I think about it. You have a good 223 bolt gun so adding another 223 semi auto rifle would eliminate the 308 caliber. Now you will be shooting 22 LR and 223, only two calibers.

My 223 bolt gun is a 1:12 twist but my AR rifles are 1:7 and 1:9. While the 223 bolt gun delivers great accuracy it does so using bullets that don't fare well in my AR rifles, especially the 1:7 guns. You might want to think about hand loading in the future.

Anyway, you end up eliminating the 308 caliber from your life. Your call on that note.

Ron

 

[VA27]

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/04/foghorn/first-look-ares-scr-rifle-works/

I don't live anywhere near CA and I want one of those!

(and if it were me, I'd keep the M1A and save for the AR.)

 

[ExAgoradzo]

No, don't keep the M1. I live in the PRK and would love to help you find a home for it...
Greg

 

[hso]

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17553

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yup, hso beat me to it

White Oak Armament is where you want to look, it would be a worthy replacement for the M1A

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/ares-defense-rifles ar-15 alternatives

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

There's a lot you can do with the AR15. If you're open to building your own, which is very easy to do, the possibilities are vast.

 

[highpower]

While I am sure that there will be a fair amount of AR fans chime in with their favorite brand of poodle shooter and tacticool accessories, nearly any of them will work OK.

I have one that I built back in the late '80's out of surplus parts and a new commercial receiver and it has been going strong for 25 years now. I built another back in 2010 from a PSA lower and a PSA Mforgery kit and it has been 100% reliable. I have way less than $600 in either of those rifles.

Unless you are one of those that just have to have the 'best' of everything, any of the rifles on the market now will probably do just fine. Look at a S&W M&P15, I have not heard anything bad about them and they are reasonably priced.

I mention price because the AR rifles can be had relatively inexpensively and if you can wait a bit and save some money, you can get one without having to sell your M1A.

I can only speak for myself, but I have never regretted keeping a gun. I have kicked myself over and over for selling them.