First Black Rifle?

Wiseguym70

Wiseguym70

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i am looking for some suggestions on a .223 or .308 non-restricted black rifle at a college student budget (optics and everything sub $2000) i have been looking at the Kel-Tec and a ruger mini 14? any imput. i already have an m1 garand and have been using that but would like dedicated black rifle
 
What do you plan doing with it? Plinking, go with a mini 30, vz58 or some other 7.62x39 gun, ammo is cheap as hell and you could potentially take it hunting if you'd like. A Norc 305 decked out with M14.ca stuff will probably land you around $1200 after the upgrades, then you got money for an optic if you'd like to go with .308. Of course .223/5.56 options are there too, you can still get .223/5.56 in bulk without spending an arm and a leg. All personal preference. I have had a 305, a T97, a vz and cz in both calibres and an SKS. All about you though
 
The Ruger has accuracy issues and uses proprietory mags which are expensive to buy. Keltec guns have QC issues and can be flimsy.
For your budget and caliber choice, I would pick the .223 and, as Mike said, the Benelli MR1 or as Shawn said, the T97. Both take AR mags which are cheap and easy to find, including the LARs and Beuwolf mags. Shooting .223 is cheaper than .308 also. You already have a .30 cal with the Garand. The T97 is the cheaper of the two, which gives you more options on optics, ammo or the FTU ( flat top upper).
 
Could always pick up an AR180b.
They are awesome. They go for around $1400 if you can find one. Some have the rail adapter on top of the receiver.
I have owned one for many a year and it's a great rifle all around for a semi auto black rifle bang-for-buck wise.
You can easily add an optic with the $600 left in your budget Sir.
 
Vz58, m14 get my vote. Pretty common. People know their "ins and outs." Both very shootable. affordable. Personally i don't like bullpups unless it was some sort of zombie apocalypse. Otherwise a t97 would be another choice.

Kel tec is too gimmicky for me.

If i had a coyote problem, a mini14 or benelli would be my choice.
 
I had a T97, it was not for me. But a lot of other people on here seem to really like them. Maybe that would be your best option if you don't mind a bullpup. Mind you with a ftu you're approaching the cost of an mr1
 
I would also suggest either a used XCR, Benelli MR1 (some find it kind of fugly) or a ruger min 14 equipped in a Sage Industries "Scar" stock. My personaly vote is the mini 14 in the atermarket stock. Definitely is reliable and your already familiar with the action as you have a M1
 
T97 for .223/5.56
Vz58 for 7.62x39

I'd lean towards the vz58 cuz the ammo is cheaper and can be used for hunting. Also its a tried and true platform.
I have a T97 with FTU. Can't hunt much in Nova Scotia with .223 But Never had any issues with it. I really like it. I have the LHG on order. A huge bonus is it uses AR mags/beowulf mags.
 
The MR1! I have 2 and they're lots of fun, you get a well-built NR semi that takes AR mags, there is a lot of value in these.
 
Beings a lefty, the VZ is probably the best platform you can get in your budget. I was going to suggest a cheap red dot like a holosun on a used Tavor, but now that you say your a lefty that would be hard to fit in your budget.

Go VZ in 7.62x39, then when you are ready for more come back with a $2500-3000 budget for a truely modern NR black rifle with some quality optics.
 
From experience, I'd go with a used XCR, lots of easy options for accessories. Accuracy wise, easily as good as anything else mentioned here. Cheap AR mags, myriad of options optics wise and used, readily available for 2kish, slightly over or under. Caliber options are a plenty and parts are easily obtainable and maintenance is easy.
 
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