*Affordable* Semi-Auto 223 for Yotes!!

Awesome guys, I really appreciate your feedback and opinions.

For those of you saying to get a bolt action, believe me, I hear you on accuracy. I have several already and I absolutely love them :) And I don't plan on selling them or throwing them out to pasture. I'd just like to acquire a decently accurate semi-auto to change things up a bit!! The word "need" is definitely a curse word in our hobby haha.

By the sounds of it, the Mini-14 might be the ticket for me. It fits most of my prerequisites. (Nice set up you have there freddyfour!!) I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open for any used SL8's though. Are you guys using the Sl8-4 or Sl8-5? Not sure if I love the extended rail...
 
freddyfour said:
I got 4 20rd mags new for $55 a piece taxes and shipping included. Not great but certainly not the worst priced mags out there.
Click to expand...

How long ago was this? Were they Ruger mags and from where did you get them because Ruger factory mags sell for 80$ a piece now for some stupid reason. The Mini would be the obvious coyote gun if there were more options for magazines in Canada.
 
Wow that's a pricey mag! They must think they have to compete with Tikka for overpriced mags! :)

Ability to use readily available STANAG mags is a really good plus in a rifle. I assume the Mini would need extensive mods to operate with them or Ruger is just stubborn and doens't want to bother.

Since the AR15 is so common and is the #1 coyote hunting rifle in the USA, maybe they don't feel the Mini can compete anyway. Although with new laws in some states who knows.
 
Last edited:
kamlooky said:
Some folk just don't like junk.

Here's a tawt.....................BAR 243win?...........................................:nest:
Go with style, class and some accuracy.
Click to expand...

I actually thought about that one Kamlooky!! A buddy of mine purchased one last year and loves it!

I would like to try to save the hides a bit though, and 243 is a whipper snapper that likes to make holes, from what I understand.
 
freddyfour said:
I'm surprised you don't have love for the Mini?! Your kinda the unofficial CGN Ruger guru.
Click to expand...

I actually do love the Mini's... both 14 & 30... just not for hunting... like the 10/22, they excel at pure fun... my kids always loved it when we headed out with a box of clays, a few dozen eggs and old squash and pumpkins from the farm... we would run through one or two K rounds in an afternoon... and everyone wore a smile throughout the day.
 
Last edited:
TDizzle said:
I actually thought about that one Kamlooky!! A buddy of mine purchased one last year and loves it!

I would like to try to save the hides a bit though, and 243 is a whipper snapper that likes to make holes, from what I understand.
Click to expand...

A .243 is a good long range yote gun, but it's harder on fur, too. And it's also much more expensive to shoot than a .223. You could shoot lots more .223 and get to know your rifle for far less than the .243 ammo.

The BAR is normally a pretty accurate rifle though, so might shoot most reasonable loads well. And they come in camo models so you are all set up for coyotes, too. :)

cq5dam.web.835.835.jpeg



It's a shame they don't make them in .223 or 22-250, but again, they manufacture for the US market and who is going to buy a .223 BAR when you can get an AR15?
 
Gatehouse said:
It's a shame they don't make them in .223 or 22-250, but again, they manufacture for the US market and who is going to buy a .223 BAR when you can get an AR15?
Click to expand...

If they made a BAR in 223/22-250, I'd have two already lol. And good points about the cost of 243 ammo. Not as easy to find as cheap as 223.
 
Many semi's don't have as nice a trigger as a bolt action, so lots of trigger time can really help someone learn to shoot their semi accurately. The .223 excels in this area.

Bolt actions are almost always going to have an edge on accuracy, but many semi's these days have just fine "hunting accuracy"- accuracy that would have been quite acceptable in a bolt action a few decades ago. Just need to put in some time to learn to shoot them, and that's just plain fun with a .223! :)
 
Turkinator said:
How long ago was this? Were they Ruger mags and from where did you get them because Ruger factory mags sell for 80$ a piece now for some stupid reason. The Mini would be the obvious coyote gun if there were more options for magazines in Canada.
Click to expand...

I ordered them back in November and just got them the end of January and they are Ruger made.
 
cdn1canhunt said:
I agree. Your shots are gonna be 0-300yrds, from zero to 50yrds a shotgun is your friend...after that, think about what you are trying to hit. A coyotes vital zone is appx 6"x6" maybe 8"x8" and most times its moving.
Click to expand...

True, which is why it might be nice to have the semi for the quick follow up shot if I miss that small moving target. My hunting partner or myself normally run the shotgun, while the other uses the rifle. I know semi's are less accurate than a bolt action, but from what I've read and researched, they're definitely minute of coyote (aka - roughly 2 MOA, depending on the rifle).
 
Regarding the SL8 I have a buddy with one which I have used a few times. Although by no means a bad rifle, whenever I use it I'm always thinking, "wow this thing doesn't compare to an AR that's half its price."

The fact the AR-15 is restricted is such a crying shame. They are great rifles and if they weren't restricted this thread would be done in one post.
 
cam1936 said:
Regarding the SL8 I have a buddy with one which I have used a few times. Although by no means a bad rifle, whenever I use it I'm always thinking, "wow this thing doesn't compare to an AR that's half its price."

The fact the AR-15 is restricted is such a crying shame. They are great rifles and if they weren't restricted this thread would be done in one post.
Click to expand...

Haha, I totally agree with you. I hate the fact that we cannot use them for hunting purposes...it makes no sense.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom