I'm about to buy my only rifle, help me out.

[targettarget]

I'm about to buy my one and only semi-auto rifle for plinking with my buddies. I don't hunt, so I'm not really looking for a bolt action.

My only requirments for such a gun would be:

#1. semi-auto (must)
#2. must be a larger caliber than .22 (ideally .223 or larger)
#3. Must have magazine capacity of no less than 4.

This is the gun that has caught my eye recently, the Winchester SXR. I'm considering one in 30-06. It is semi-auto, check. Larger than .223, check and the 30-06 has a magazine cap of 4, check.

What do you think? Ideally, I'd like to put a mid-grade optic on it and a bi-pod. I belive that SIR has them for around $900.

Than there is the Ruger Mini 14.

Again, semi-auto, check. Magazine cap of 5, check. .223 caliber, check.



Of the 2, which one would you pick?

ETA: I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH THE BENELLI WAS, SO ITS GONE.

 

[todbartell]

Ruger all the way, in 223. fast twist barrel you can shoot heavier 70 gr bullets, giving you 600 yards or so of good reach

Ive seen an SXR, it seemed like a wannabe BAR that wasnt as nice or well made.

 

[LongDraw]

X2 on the ruger.

 

[manbearpig]

ruger is more customizable.

however id look around for a $400 M-305. unlimited modification potential, and its price will only go up.
i have both an M-3005 and a Mini-14, but if i had to choose one id pick the M-305 hands down.

the ONLY downside is that scope mounting is more expensive than on a Ruger Mini-14 which comes with rings. on an M-305 youre looking at another $175-200 for a good quality scope mount.

for less than the price of a Ruger Mini-14 you can get an M-305 with 3 mags in a fibreglass USGI stock with an ARMS-18 mount.

 

[Ganderite]

The M305 has very nice adjustable iron sights and will anoy Liberals.

 

[Wendell]

If I could have only one rifle, I'd choose an M-14.

 

[Curt]

What range of plinking? What kind of targets? Do you want more downrange engergy for shooting reactive targets.

.30-06 and .223 are kind of on different ends of the spectrum.
Recoil, heat generation, cost of ammo, noise level and muzzle blast.

Do you reload?

The M305 is a .308, so less recoil than .30-06, but still way more than a .223

What about Ruger 10-22 in .22 Long Rifle. Lots of customizing options. 30 round magazines available. Good for targets to 100m. Low noise and no recoil. Cheap ammo = 500 rounds for $20. No centerfire will touch that..........

 

[casterpollox]

I also vote for the M305. Plus you can get surplus ammo for cheap compared to the 30-06.

I also like the Mini 14 idea. .223 is cheap.

So with that in mind... ditch the SXR and focus on these two options.

That's just my opinion though.

 

[canucklehead]

No way in hell i'd buy a 30.06 as my only gun - ESPECIALLY if you don't hunt!!!! Too pricey and too much recoil.

.223 is the way to go - cheap (if you reload - which you SHOULD) and accurate.

As for which gun - I'd go with an AR180B or an H&K SL8. Don't go with a nerdy (and ugly) rifle like that Winchester!

 

[droid1963]

"I'm about to buy my only rifle, help me out."

Yeah, right.

.. get a Ruger .223 if you just want to punch paper.

 

[Farlsincharge]

another vote for the m-305 based on your specifications I'd say it is the best option

 

[manbearpig]

plus theres all kindsof cool #### for the M-305 just waiting to lighten your wallet

 

[sgt.rock]

"about to buy my ONLY RIFLE" ........ HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
yeah sure......for this week.
You are aware of the "sickness" aren't you??
Its kinda like getting a tattoo. When you only have one, it seems kinda unbalanced, so you get a second to "even it all out". Then you say, these are on my front....what if I am walking away from someone, then they can't see any of my artwork...better get one on my back (number 3) then it just goes on and on........ gun ownership is kinda like that. Theres always a "hole" to fill.

 

[.17]

Of the 2, which one would you pick

Being from the old school I would pick the one that actually looks like a gun.

 

[manbearpig]

the M1A looks a lot more like a gun than either the Mini-14 T laminate or the Winchester SXR. both of those rifles are abominations

 

[targettarget]

This may be the coolest looking gun I've ever seen.


Can somebody clarify for me who makes the M-305 and who sells them? Also, is it .223 or .308?

 

[manbearpig]

Marstar sells them. the M-305 is a chinese clone of the M1A with a forged receiver. the M1A is the civilian semi-auto only version of the US military M14 rifle.
i think Marstar have sold out, however there are (IIRC) a few retailers still selling them and they pop up in the EE frequently.

they sold for $400 for the rifle, chu-wood stock and 2 5 round mags and one 5/20 round mag like the one pictured.

its .308.

dont get too excited though - it doesnt come with that JAE-100 stock - thats an $800 add-on
the gun will look like this when it arrives (after you spend 2 hours cleaning the cosmoline off it):

a USGI fibreglass stock can be had for around $120-150 depending on if it comes with hardware, condition, etc.

 

[manbearpig]

do a google search for M1A or M14 to see all the #### you can do with it.
much of the military stuff is expensive but the possibilities are pretty much endless. the 'Main Battle Rifles' forum is pretty much half devoted to the M1A.

dont get me wrong the Mini-14 is a fun rifle, but theres no comparison
the Mini-14 itself is a slightly modified, scaled down version of the M1A (from .308 to .223).

 

[stubblejumper]

A 30-06 is a poor choice for plinking.The .223 would be much more suitable.

 

[targettarget]

do a google search for M1A or M14 to see all the s**t you can do with it.
much of the military stuff is expensive but the possibilities are pretty much endless. the 'Main Battle Rifles' forum is pretty much half devoted to the M1A.

dont get me wrong the Mini-14 is a fun rifle, but theres no comparison
the Mini-14 itself is a slightly modified, scaled down version of the M1A (from .308 to .223).

I appreciate your advice, thanks.