best .223 semi for yotes/plinking

migrant hunter

migrant hunter

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Starting to get a hankering for a .223 again(had a couple before).
What's a good semi auto rifle that works well with a scope, sub $1000, in .223, commonly available?
I want to say mini 14, but I always thought the comb looks too low when they have a scope mounted.
Any Mini 14 users want to refute that? How are they nowadays for accuracy ? 250yds on a yote?
SU 16? Junk? Ideas?
 
ive been kicking around the idea of adding a su16 to the safe. there are a lot of youtube reviews on these very light and portable rigs, most reviewers giving two thumbs up.
 
I personally prefer a bolt action .223 for coyotes, after the first shot is fired those dogs are in high gear and any likelihood of hitting one is extremely small. Secondly, non-res semi in .223 is very expensive and in my opinion you can get a much superior rig in a bolt action for a thousand bucks than you can buy in semi.
 
migrant hunter said:
Starting to get a hankering for a .223 again(had a couple before).
What's a good semi auto rifle that works well with a scope, sub $1000, in .223, commonly available?
I want to say mini 14, but I always thought the comb looks too low when they have a scope mounted.
Any Mini 14 users want to refute that? How are they nowadays for accuracy ? 250yds on a yote?
SU 16? Junk? Ideas?
Click to expand...

It depends on how solid of a cheek weld you like. I built a little riser for me because I like everything firm and repeatable. Old Mini's accuracy suffered because of the thin pencil barrel that whipped around with each shot. There's a slow motion utube vid out there. A strut will fix that. The newer series Mini's have a heavier barrel that doesn't do that. You can see the difference in the picture below. 187 series on top, 581 below. While not the tack driver my bolt .223 is, even the old Mini's can be helped for accuracy and be minute of coyote to 300+. Ammo choice, glass etc all being factors like any other iron.
Mini14s_zpshaeveior.jpg
 
Thanks for all the input, I have a .22 k hornet and a .243 so I'm not too worried about a precision coyote rig, although I do take the point that a $500 bolt gun will beat almost any semi auto.
I will probably swing back and forth by the time I'm ready to part with money, but an SU 16 with a pistol grip AR stock would be very scope friendly and a lot of non restricted fun. I got to pay some cards down a bit first!
 
cam1936 said:
An AR of your choosen variety would be the obvious answer if it wasn't for our ridiculous gun laws. At 1000 bucks I'd take the mini-14.
Click to expand...

that's the truth. Would have an AR myself but for the restricted part. An iron I can't shoot off my back step isn't worth having imo.

I sold the bottom rifle in the pic for $800 yesterday.
 
migrant hunter said:
Starting to get a hankering for a .223 again(had a couple before).
What's a good semi auto rifle that works well with a scope, sub $1000, in .223, commonly available?
I want to say mini 14, but I always thought the comb looks too low when they have a scope mounted.
Any Mini 14 users want to refute that? How are they nowadays for accuracy ? 250yds on a yote?
SU 16? Junk? Ideas?
Click to expand...
for that price range there really is nothing that fits your criteria, the cheapest most accurate semi 223 that can be used for hunting is an HK SL8. Just my 2 cents
 
This one HERE. Volquartsen build uber accurate rifles.. More than $1000 but you won't be sorry.. The Benelli MR1 is a bit over, but more accurate than the mini.
 
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I've shot coyotes with Mini's, an AR180B, an AR15 Match HBar (yes, kiddies, it was legal once upon a time!), and an MR1. I've also shot at one once with a KelTec, and I've finally had a chance to do a bit of shooting (not actual hunting) with an SL8. For hunting, the Mini is my hands-down favourite. Hunting is 99.9% carrying, 0.1% shooting. Mini's are more than accurate enough (my current target model is MOA), and for me they carry easily and comfortably. MR1 is close (but shot no better), and the KelTec carried okay but felt like it would break every time I slung it over my shoulder...like walking around hunting with a SuperSoaker water pistol.

The Colt I had? Big deal, I scratched that itch, don't really miss it. I enjoyed it well enough at the range, but carrying it for hunting was a PITA. Yeah, yeah, sacrilege, I know...:)
 
BrotherRockeye said:
well at least you know what your opinion is worth.
Ever own a Mini14?
Have you ever even fired one?
Click to expand...
yes, different versions/calibers as well. It does not hold a candle to the SL8 in accuracy or quality, but I do not expect it to for the price. The only factory rifle I have had that had an edge over the SL8 in repeatable accuracy is the swiss arms sniper but sadly there was only ever 10 complete rifles imported and a few parts kits making them super rare and are in limbo of bring prohibited
 
Current Mini's (and even many of the older ones with some modifications) will easily provide sufficient accuracy for coyote hunting out to as far as they are commonly shot with the .223.

The original criterion was sub $1000 cost. You started in with a $2500 rifle, and are now talking about another one which is several times more expensive than that. Is there any relevance to the question asked? As in most things: spend more, get a bit more in return. Spend much more, and reap an even tinier increment in increased performance.

Or just answer the original question.
 
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