Trying to Decide

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I'm on a very tight budget and am thinking that I would LOVE a rifle on which I could learn longer-range shooting (200-500 yards). I would also LOVE one that would be more of a high-capacity semi-auto rifle.

^^^With these goals/purposes in mind, which one of these two options would you recommend?

1.) A military surplus bolt-action rifle + A Saiga AK-47 or other AK variant.

OR

2.) An M1 Garand.

I recently got to shoot a Garand and it was fantastic! Both of these options will cost more or less the same... Can get both options for $650 to $750 before ammo, extras, etc... Which one would fulfill my needs best? Is the M1 versatile enough to do the job of the other two? Are the other two dependable enough?

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Nico Testosteros]

Why did you rule an AR out?
That would seem to be the first choice.
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[TurtlePhish]

Get yourself a nice Mosin or Mauser and a Polish Tantal. Should fit your budget and needs perfectly.

 

[Welding Rod]

I would go with the M1. Everyone should know the pleasure of owning and shooting one.

 

[B!ngo]

I'd look at a modern bolt action chambered in 223/556. Low cost ammo, relatively high precision needed for the distance, rifle will be lower price (in many cases) than an AR, and bolt actions save ammo and focus you on technique, rather than just pulling the semi-auto trigger. IMHO.
GL

 

[TenDriver]

You're in Ohio? Go to the North Store and find a Garand. You're too close not to. I made a trip to the South Store and ended up with a service grade Springfield that shows almost no wear and CMP wood. Looks like a brand new M1. You won't regret it.

 

[HoosierQ]

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AR is a good choice but I think a bolt would be better for really training yourself long range shooting. Try to find one that is marked 5.56...more ammo choices.

 

[Sam1911]

[Let's leave the political hooey out of this and try to answer the question.]

An M1 is a real thing of beauty. It WILL do what you want. It also eats somewhat expensive ammo and may not be the easiest thing to learn to shoot distance well with.

What is your plan for learning to shoot mid-range? Are you going to study service rifle/High-Power/CMP type match shooting? It can be done with a Garand and/or surplus bolt-rifle, but your road is not made easier by shooting heavier recoiling (and more expensive) rounds. The AR-15 really makes this much easier. You almost certainly will not want to do that with an AK variant.

If you're itching for a modern assault-rifle clone, an M1 won't scratch that itch.

If you're really tempted by getting two guns for the price, a cheaper AK/Saiga and a Mosin or Czech or Yugo Mauser can be had for that price probably, but you aren't really going to be doing yourself any favors between 200-500 yards. Not that hits past 200 yds. can't be done, but few knowledgeable folks would choose those guns for the task if they had other options.

If you're just looking to shoot from a bench rest and develop the basic ability to hit a target at 200-500 yards you're probably best off getting a lower-middle end hunting rifle (like a Savage/Stevens or some others) and a half-way decent scope. Then you can do that all day long with relative ease. With modern machining techniques, and the accuracy guarantees many currently produced rifles come with these days, you will not have to wonder if the rifle is holding you back while you learn.

To sum it up: It looks like you're asking for several different things and it would be best to decide what's most important to you. Follow that goal. Get something that fits that need. Worry about the other goals later.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

If I were to get the Garand, I would certainly head up to the North Store to buy it. Like I said, I don't want one that will just be for fun, though, as I'm not in a position to do that. Sure, all shooting is fun (of course!), but I also want it to fulfill needs. The two needs I'm looking to fulfill are learning middle ranges (200-500yards) and a high-capacity semi-auto. I really won't be able to afford the money for the Garand unless it can fulfill these needs. I'm leaning more and more towards "no," unfortunately. The Garand may need to wait until I graduate and get a good job. LOL

I guess an AR would be a good choice. I've seen them for $750, just barely over the price range I'm thinking. But, I do not like the round and my experiences with ARs have not been too positive. I think they look ridiculous, too. LOL... I'm just not "feeling it," so to speak. By the time I save up the money, perhaps I'll change my mind.

Sam1911, I'm not sure what I'd do if I just took my goals one at a time. This has kinda been an exercise in just seeing what's available with as few tools and as few dollars as possible. I'll have a while to think about it. Thanks!