Author Topic: Need Advice on a semi-automatic .223 (Read 553 times)

California Mark · « **on:** December 02, 2005, 04:57:22 AM »

I'm newly in the market for a .223 and really need assistance.

The following criteria is what I am looking for (by the way, I have heard the Ruger mini 14 in not accurate. Let me know if I have heard wrong):

-Semi-automatic
-accurate
-Wont fall apart from normal wear and tear, hence reliable
-sub $1,000
- I plan on this being a truck gun / range gun so I initially plan on not scoping this firearm

I am an avid handgun, bird shooter and am new to the semi rifle mkt. I would like to keep this to the .223 caliber and not higher.

Many thanks,

Mark

RedRyder21 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2005, 05:37:32 AM »

You need to look into a DPMS AR-15.

Its like my gun dealer says "If you want to shoot 7.62x39 buy an SKS or AKclone and if you want to shoot .223 then buy and AR15".

What state d you live in? Some state have laws about what you can and can't have on/with the AR15's.

California Mark · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2005, 05:51:54 AM »

I live in Northern CA.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2005, 01:10:24 PM »

Olympic Arms is also a very good buy for the money. I agree that the Mini-14 is not a very accurate platform, scoped it is decent, but the factory sights are terrible.

Cliph · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2005, 03:14:11 PM »

It may not be legal in California, but CDNN has the Bushmaster 16" carbine for $799. Its a nice rifle.

Blaster50 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2005, 04:36:44 PM »

does it have to be an AUTO ?

here is a BOLT-ACTION in .223 that for the price might interest you

they go for about $269 around my neck of the woods...

http://www.savagearms.com/st_200short.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/Stevens-200.htm

no iron sights means a cheap scope might be in order for a truck gun

just a thought... :grin:

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2005, 05:01:26 PM »

How about the Kel-Tec SU-16 series rifles MSRP is $650 or so
http://www.kel-tec.com/products.htm integrated rail so no mounts to buy.

1911crazy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2005, 03:23:14 AM »

There's only one rifle that i can think of its a "SAIGA Sporter" in .223 with synthetic stock. Its around $300 thats not bad and it will take a beating as a truck gun and keep on ticking after all its under the radar its an AK47 in a sporter wrapper. It will be the most dependable, the most reliable rifle in .223 you will ever own. The saiga is the hottest buy on the planet right now.

www.raacfirearms.com

The people in Russia at Izhmash wanted to build an AK47 rifle in a sporter wrapper and they focused on it being accurate too. They wanted to break into our semi-auto gun market with a quality product and they have done it. Its far more accurate than its AK47 brothers and more accurate than some of the remington semi's from what i have heard from the guys who own both(308's). With its chromed lined bores and chambers it can digest any ammo on the planet with no need to worry. There's no need to worry about ever hurting too after all its has a great unmatched track record in battle you can beat the snots out of it plinking then take the same rifle and hunt with it too with no worry about it ever wearing out. I just lubed mine up with moly and let it rip. Its a quality rifle thats very affordable and its dependability and reliability is unmatched so what more can you ask for.

BTW; There's a boat load of new Saiga's due here soon. I have seen some used Saiga's showing up in the local gun shops here lately too so you may want to look for one in your area.

I was never fond of a sheetmetal receiver rifle and the Saiga is my first AK style rifle and i'm very impressed with it. I would never hesitate to buy another AK designed rifle again.

Robert357 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:37:50 AM »

Quote from: California Mark

I live in Northern CA.

Be very careful in your selection of .223 semi-auto rifles. I would suggest contacting a range that has CMP matches to see what types of rifles seem to do well. California has one of the more "intense" anti-Assault Weapons law sets of definitions.

I use to live in California, but moved out long ago. I once called up the State Dept of Justice to ask about an M1-Paratrooper Carbine I inherited from my father-in-law. Even though the 30 Cabine is so weak, you can't leagally use it to hunt big game, the M1-Carbine with folding stock, bayonet lug, pistol grip, and ability to take a "large" capacity magazine is considered so evil to own, I would have to have it welded or cut prior to taking it into the state if I ever moved back. Or as the lady at the State's Dept. of Justice told me, I could surrender it to a law enforcement agency and have them destroy it.

Be very careful. Some manufacturers have "California models" of various "military style" semi-auto rifles. Some of them have skirted the rules by not providing bayonet lugs, no flash supressors, no pistol grips, no detachable magazines that are also "small," etc.

MikeyB · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2006, 03:28:49 PM »

An AR15 from either Bushmaster or Rock River. Second would the Armalite AR180B.

MikeyB

1911crazy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2006, 06:09:08 AM »

I just hammered my .223 Saiga and its a hot number too shoot too besides the 308 Saiga. With the No Recoil at all its an AK47 in a sporter wrapper that spits out .223, 7.62x39 or 308 which ever one you choose to get. The $259 price tag of the .223 & 7.62x39 and the $289 price tag of the 308win/nato you can't find a more affordable, russian quality, reliable and dependable shooter. Its like the sks's were all you have to do is to try one....just once and you will see what i'm talking about. :eek:

brasschaser · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:18:36 AM »

I think DMan might be right on with the Saiga. If you could get one for a tad over $200 that could be a good deal. You might want to wait if they still haven't really hit the market in quantity though so prices will adjust. I would be sure that it allows to mount a scope though, since I think the leaf sights and their short sight plane look to be crappy for much past 100yds.

The Ruger mini-14 from what I've seen is generally not too accurate from the factory. They are also quite pricey for what you get IMHO. Ruger's gun politics have been quite poor in the past years as well. However, most seem to be able to shrink groups by at least half by adding some simple things like a muzzle brake, etc. or shortening the barrel a bit. Go check out the Perfect Union BBS forums for lots of info on the mini-14.

Also since you are in CA, due to the rabid and wacky politicians I don't believe you can own an AR. :roll:

Idaho_Hick · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2006, 09:49:50 AM »

I will agree that the rugers are difficult to make shoot well. I had one and was not impressed. If you plan on reloading, I would rethink your semi-auto tendencies. I know the feeling of really, really wanting one, but chasing and losing brass from my mini-14 was almost as aggravating as shooting 3 inch groups with quality handloads.

1911crazy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2006, 10:32:38 AM »

New saiga around $300 and a case of .223 wolf FMJ ammo 1,000rds for $100 no reloading needed.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2006, 10:44:29 AM »

Think in Kali---your choices are pretty much limited to the Mini and the Kel tec----sorry.

S.S. · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2006, 04:20:49 AM »

My Mini-14 is plenty accurate with quality ammunition.
The steel case stuff from Eastern Europe (Wolf and the like)
is not very impressive in it though. That ammo burns so erratic and
dirty that my Ruger just won't group with it. My Sks's on the other hand
eat up the 7.62 stuff with no problems at all. My Ruger's diet is almost exclusively hand-loaded 55 grain ballistic tips at 3200 fps. I would put it up agains about any other semi-auto 223 with these.

Ocsamschainsaw · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:13:53 PM »

If you're in cali..
why not just go for an SKS?
Why support a company like Ruger that STILL refuses to sell the rest of us peons 20's and 30's (magazines)?
I love my Yugo, ammo's cheap, and I believe they're plentiful in Cali, as they can be "sporterized" easily to meet the CA-DOJ's needs...
Just an idea.