Recommend a rifle?

[Nightcrawler]

Friend of mine is looking for a rifle. I've been puzzling over what he ought to get, so maybe you folks can help.

The intended purpose will mostly be range/target shooting, from zero to three hundred yards or so (maybe more sometimes, mostly 200 and in).

-The rifle must be a magazine fed semiauto.

-FUNCTIONAL extra magazines must be available and affordable.

-High capacity not necessary.

-Must be easily scoped.

-Must be cost effective. $600 is too much right now.

-Must be accurate enough for target type work; he's not looking for like an SAR-1 right now. Needn't be an extreme tack driver, either, though.

I've a couple ideas. Saiga 22" .308 rifle, for one. Our local Gander Mountain always has a bunch of Remington 7400s for sale used in great shape for $399 as well, and they're easy enough to scope.

There's also those Century G3s. I've heard good things about them. TAPCO also recently released a scope mount for the CETME, putting that rifle into the running.

Any suggestions?

 

[duckfoot]

I'd run with the 7400 because a auto rifle that groups well under $600 is going to be a hard find, but one question. Why a auto? If going for the coolness factor the a CA fal or a G3 clone run about 450 to 550. Got a fal meself and am thinking about shooting match HP with it soon if I can't put a AR rig together soon. If you want to part the hair on a flea's a$$ then a Savage FP10 in a 308 is the tool out to about 800yds for under 500 leaving 100-125 for rings, mount and glass. For all around gp the best of both then back to the 7400 in what ever makes you happy. As for glass spend all that you can, glass is the one area that is you get what you pay for always!!


.02 taken with salt

 

[CB900F]

Nightcrawler;

My first thought was also the Remington 7400. The next, was shop the used rack & pay close attention to the want ads for a Browning BAR. No trouble getting mounts for the BAR. Third is an SKS with the forged receiver & good barrel. What makes me sick about the SKS is that you used to be able to buy them for $80.00.
Then came Klinton

A NORINCO M-14 would be a possibility, but it'll take careful checking out & quite possibly new springs & such. Another idea would be the Valmet AK-47 type. The Valmet was Finnish & of quite good quality I'm told, though I never had one. They aren't common, but perhaps one could be had at a decent price if the seller didn't know exactly what he had.
900F

 

[Badger Arms]

If he's going to target shoot most of the time, I'd stay away from the 7400. The 7400 is an adequate hunting rifle, but cleaning it is a pain and it's not any easier to scope than any other rifle.

The Mini-14 is outstanding in most respects but lacks somewhat in the accuracy department. It's the funnest 'cheap gun' to shoot but generally won't be an improvement on the SAR guns in the accuracy department.

There are a few bargain AR-15's out there like the Olympic Arms Plinker:

and the DPMS version that escapes me. The DPMS gun has a flat-top that makes scope mounting a breeze.

 

[Redlg155]

The only gun that I think of right now that fits that criteria is the Ar15. You can get or build one right at $550, so that would be under the limit.

I know you stated he doesn't want an SAR1 but I've heard good things about the SAR3 in .223. Most folks report them as being very accurate when compared to their 7.62 counterparts.

The only problem with .308 is that it can get pretty expensive in the ammo department when compared to the .223.


Good Shooting
Red

 

[SkaerE]

i love my SAR 3, and it shoots fine. offhand i can easily keep up with my buddies bushmaster shorty at 125 yrds (thats the longest range we have here)

and i beat the crap out of it. seriously, i have abused that rifle. it probably thinks its a redheaded stepchild.

thats what i would do at any rate.

 

[Nightcrawler]

AR-15: doesn't want one. He has an SKS, wants something firing a full rifle cartridge, .308, .30-06, something like that.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the m-1a is the only way to fly.

 

[benEzra]

Is there a way to easily scope an M1 Garand? (Cheaper than an M1A.) Yes, I know, Garand clips aren't "detachable magazines," but sounds like it would meet his needs.

 

[SkaerE]

doubt you could even get a chicom M1A for under $600.

Saiga's are not incredibly accurate, i had one of the first w/a 20'' barrel. it was ok, but nothing to write home about.

FNFAL would be an ok choice.

although ive never shot one, the remmy 7400 seems ok too.

 

[hps1]

Is there a way to easily scope an M1 Garand?

In a word, No. The garand is a wonderful rifle and lots of fun to shoot, unfortunately, due to the top clip loading/ejection, scope mounting must be done on the left side of the receiver.

Square D makes a mount for the Garand that mounts thru the holes for the rear sight and, I believe the clip ejector pin, but scope is offset to the left and requires a built up cheek piece to provide cheek pressure on stock. The good news is that there are leather lace-on cheek pieces available. M1 rifles are a bargain through the civilian marksmanship program: www.odcmp.com/

Now, if someone would come up with a mount for a scout scope...........................

Regards,
hps

 

[Sir Galahad]

I hate to say this, but your buddy needs to make a sacrifice somewhere. He's simply asking too much for too little. He either spends more cash for more accuracy or he spends less and deals with the accuracy he gets. He wants it all, but "all" costs money. Kind of like the guy who wants a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle that will get the same mileage as a Honda compact car, never get stuck in shallow sand or mud like the wanna-bee 4x4s do, rides like a Cadillac, and does all this for less than $20,000 new off the lot with A/C, AM/FM CD player, custom upholstery, and all the trimmings. Can't be done. You can come close. But you either have to spend more money or get a bolt action, or do something different. If this is just a range gun, why not a bolt action anyway?

 

[BusMaster007]

This is a trick question, isn't it?

$600 is too much NOW - That's the problem.
He can't get what he wants unless somebody gives it to him.
Sumpin' fer nuttin' ain't happenin' for the amount of money he wants to spend, unfortunately.

I'd recommend the Browning BAR in .30-06 when he gets the bucks up for what he wants. With the BOSS, he'll get a full rifle cartridge and accuracy to boot.

Good Luck shopping.
I hope he DOES get a good deal.
We can always use a good deal!!!

 

[SkaerE]

his best bet is to pick a rifle (almost regardless of cost) then try to find a used one at a decent price. if it means saving a little more, we all do it.

buy something worthwhile. or you will just want to buy it later anyway.

 

[0007]

Go over to www.falfiles.com. Lots of people there claim pretty darn good acuracy with their FNFALs. And you can find them reasonably priced if you look around. Mine will run less than inch size groups all day long at 50yds without any "tricking" out.

 

[Dave R]

A CETME may fill the bill. Price is running about $400.

Its the predecessor to the H-K G3. Designed by the same crew. Same basic function. Which is good.

Bad thing is, these rifles are assembled by Century arms, which has a spotty reputation for assembly. Some have misaligned triple frames, which means that they can't be signted in at max adjustment of the sights. Century will repair/replace these.

I bought one; it had the "not enough windage" problem. My dealer put a new front sight in it with more adjustment, and its a shooter now. Does about 2MOA easily. 4" groups at 200 yards with the iron sights. Occasionally better. Mags are $5-6 at Tapco.

However, I would not advise your friend to get one unless he is willing to either tinker with it or send it back if it is not good.

 

[s&w 24]

L1A1 or FN FAL

 

[Bostonterrier97]

Ruger 10/22 its in 22 LR so it is cheap to shoot, perfect for poking holes in paper out to 300 yards.