.223 semi-auto - NOT AR15???

[drdougrx]

Does anyone know who makes a 223 semi auto that isn't an AR?

[FPH]

Mini 14

[drdougrx]

Thanks FPH....shoulda said been there done that...4 times to be exact. 

[JPShelton]

H&K made one.  Made being the operative word.  I haven't seen one in long time.  The one I'm thinking of had a roller-locking action in a walnut stock.  Not cheap ne, not cheap now when they do come up on the used market.

[rzwieg]

HK parts are damn hard to find and are expensive when you find them.
 
I've done Minis a few times myself. I finally broke down and got an AR.

[drdougrx]

I was hoping that FN would make the FNR in 223 but they don't.  Even a BAR would be nice.

[rzwieg]

Benelli makes the MR1 variant of their R1 sporter. 5.56, hard chrome-lined barrel, 1:9" twist, military- style aperture, pistol grip, and uses AR mags.
 
Don't know if that helps but it seems to be one of  the few options out there.

[Bigeasy]

PTR makes a quality version of the HK 93 in 223.   I had an original HK 93 back in the day, and it was a nice rifle, accurate and reliable.  The delayed roller lock action is stupid simple, field stripping is easy, but the fluted chamber is hard on brass if you are a reloader. Also, magazines are harder to fins then with the much more common HK 91 / G3 model in 308.   Kel Tek also makes a semi called the SB something that people seem to like.  There are several variants of the AK 47 in 223 out there.  I had the Romanian version.  OK to play with, but not very accurate or well made, though it was reliable.

[drdougrx]

Will head to FL for a week in April and will scour gunshops for Kel-Tecs in 223.  Saw quite a few last year though with all the panic...who knows.  Saw more Kel-Tecs there then anywhere at the time.  We'll see.....

[mannyrock]

 
Dr. Doug,
 
    If you were not satisfied with the Mini-14s, then I don't see how you are going to be satisfied with the cheezy Kel-Tec and its plastic sights.   The Mini's have accuracey problems, but they are incredibly well built.  The Kel-Tecs are not.
 
   Best,  Mannyrock

[Bigeasy]

A note on the mini-14's.  I had one back in the 80's - not real accurate, but reliable.  Just a few months ago, I was at a public range and noticed a guy with a mini-14.  It was the heavy barrel target version with what looked like an adjustable barrel vibration tuning device similar to what browning did with the BOSS system.  Don't know his skill level, or what ammo he was using, but he was shooting solid 1 inch groups at 100 yards.
 
Larry

[bilmac]

Kel Tec makes their SU 16s. Don't get one of those. I was attracted to the weight factor and thought I could live with the poor accuracy they have a reputation for. But in addition to the poor accuracy, the one I bought also had the barrel misaligned with the receiver so you couldn't get scopes or iron sights to zero. Sent it back to the factory and they fiddled with the irons to get them close to zero but did nothing about the misaligned scope rails.

I took advantage of the latest round of panic buying and sold it without loosing any money. I told the guy who bought it what the problems were and he still couldn't get his money out of his pocket fast enough.

[mechanic]

A friend bought a mini about 8 mos. ago and I set up a scope for him  It was an 1 1/2" shooter at 100 yds.  Maybe not a varmint rifle, but plenty accurate for self defense.
 
Ben

[pastorp]

The mini's mfg. in the last 5 years or so are much improved in the accuracy dept. I bought a stainless synthetic mini about then. Serial # began with a 5 and was happy with it. Like many of you I had tried several of the older ones. 

Regards,

[charles p]

A Ruger Ranch Rifle is 223 I believe.

[mannyrock]

 
   I thought I read that Saiga was bringing out their AK variant in .223.  Don't know if they ever did.
 
 
 

[drdougrx]

Hello All,

I've had 4 Minis, three Ranch Rifles.  None were very recent so I haven't shot one in the last 5 years.  I'll have another look though.  I think I've gone through them because they were so available....could always get another one.  Then the prices started going up...$700 for new mini...I mean c'mon...really???  Could get a bushy or DPMS for that price....NOW...the panic.  It will subside and things will settle and then I'll see what's available.....

[gstewart44]

I bought a 1980's SS mini 14 25 years ago. It has been utterly reliable in hot,cold,rain,mud etc.    I was ok with it's 3" groups with milsurp 55 gr for defense purposes, but then I discovered from another site the reason for the poor accuracy in the older mini's - the relatively thin barrel and the the heavy pounding from the recoiling action.   I added a 4" SS strut under the barrel to "stiffen" things up.   Voila!  instantly the groups shrank down to just over 1" at 100 yds.  I have made up some handloads that will go under 1" regularly.    the only noticable negative to the barrel strut is slightly increased forward weight but I got used to that very quickly.   

[dougk]

The most accurate non modified .223 semi automatic IMHO is the HK 630. 





http://www.hkpro.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20:the-hk630&catid=13:the-sporting-rifles&Itemid=5


The same can be said for the SLB2000 in .30-06





http://www.hkpro.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17:the-slb2000&catid=13:the-sporting-rifles&Itemid=5