I am looking for a .223 ranch gun

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EchoAlpha

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As the title states. I'm looking for a NR .223 semi-atuo ranch gun that tough, economical, relatively light and reasonably accurate. I'd like to use the ar mags so I'm not interested in a Mini-14 plus I don't believe the Mini to be value for money anymore anyway. I considered the T97 and a bullpub would be nice but I've since discarded that idea due to bad ergos and terrible accuracy.
My budget is 1500 absolute maximum, would not like to spend that much to be honest but I'm being realistic.
I've dismissed the Su-16(over priced garbage) and the vz 58( inaccurate, wrong mags).

This is a carry around the farm gun I'm not going to do that with a a $2000 plus rifle. Right now I'm looking at a Benelli MR1 and the AR180b. Don't know much about either of them. I'm hoping to get 2 MOA am I dreaming?

AR180b's used to be rare and expensive but I see the price has come down on them and they show up for sale more often, probably because of the increase of NR .223 options.

Can someone with experience with the MR1 or the ar180b maybe tell me how they carry and shoot?

Did I miss any thing?
 
EchoAlpha said:
As the title states. I'm looking for a NR .223 semi-atuo ranch gun that tough, economical, relatively light and reasonably accurate. I'd like to use the ar mags so I'm not interested in a Mini-14 plus I don't believe the Mini to be value for money anymore anyway. I considered the T97 and a bullpub would be nice but I've since discarded that idea due to bad ergos and terrible accuracy.
My budget is 1500 absolute maximum, would not like to spend that much to be honest but I'm being realistic.
I've dismissed the Su-16(over priced garbage) and the vz 58( inaccurate, wrong mags).

This is a carry around the farm gun I'm not going to do that with a a $2000 plus rifle. Right now I'm looking at a Benelli MR1 and the AR180b. Don't know much about either of them. I'm hoping to get 2 MOA am I dreaming?

AR180b's used to be rare and expensive but I see the price has come down on them and they show up for sale more often, probably because of the increase of NR .223 options.

Can someone with experience with the MR1 or the ar180b maybe tell me how they carry and shoot?

Did I miss any thing?
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I have only ever heard of the 180 being a .308?
 
The MR1 is a very solid little rifle, you can get the fixed pistol grip or strait stock models for around your price range (or a little less if used).

A few nice things about the MR1: light 20" barrel, clean piston system, scope mount comes stock AND really nice iron sights. Provisions to add small picatinny tri-rail if you want a flashlight for predator defense.

The downside to that thin barrel is that it'll heat up fairly quickly, so if you're shooting for groups you'll start to notice it opening up pretty quick. It's an accurate little gun though, I think Caramel was having good success with the really heavy 77 grain bullets?


The AR180b is a nice rifle, but the downside is that parts aren't really available for it anymore, and I don't think it's going to be as durable as an MR1 is. The MR1 is a tough gun, just make sure you test out the stock if you can first, because all but the adjustable ones seem to be a little on the long side!
 
How do you come to the conclusion of horrible accuracy with the T97?
Have you ever fired one or just guessing because its Chinese?

h*tp://www.huntinggearguy.com/news/range-report-t97-vs-ar15/

Can't say I've had any problems with mine,even my 9 year old can constantly hit targets with surplus,shooting right handed and she's a lefty.
The ergo's arent so bad unless you are trying to dump mags in a firefight,but then the more you use it,the more used to it you get.
 
The MR1s are very nice. I suggest you find a shop where you are able to pick up and handle one before you buy. The iron sights are good and stock is pretty much designed with only iron sights use in mind. If you do mount a scope you'll find that a cheek weld isn't really an option.
 
1 vote for the MR1 as well. It is capable of the 2 MOA you want and it's reliable. A previos poster mentioned the groups can open up when the barrel heats up. Personally I haven't seen this myself. I know Benelli has a patented process called Cryogentic that treats their barrels to prevent this and shot stringing. Im not saying it doesn't happen. Just saying this is the first time I have ever heard a complaint about the barrel othet then it being a little thin.
 
Look on the EE. There was recently an MR1 with mags and such and it would fit your budget. I have an MR1 and I wish i had girlfriends that operated that smooth and were that low maintenance.
 
Normally I like pistol grips on things like ARs, but I think the Benelli's MR1 pistol grip and stock angle looks wonky. This is my favourite variant:

01_mr1_0_0.png
 
Get an MR1! It's a great rifle all-around, really good quality. I removed my rear sight, and flipped the rail around; this allows for setting appropriate eye relief for virtually any sight.
 
Mini14. I am sorry but you are describing a mini 14. Have you considered other options like Browning BAR? I bought one and love it.
Is 223 your only option? M1a is a great ranch gun too but in 308. Walking around on my land with my m1a... It comforts me.
 
F22_RaptoR said:
. It's an accurate little gun though, I think Caramel was having good success with the really heavy 77 grain bullets?
Click to expand...

results for which no-one else on this site has been able to replicate, and quite frankly, I would say that he is not being truthful in the distance at which those groups were obtained.

OP: sent you a PM
 
It is a rather big deal. 5 rounds only and $60-70 a mag. F that.
Don't mean to be overly confrontation just really not impressed with that.
This gun is not just a carry around and hardly ever shoot, I'd like to use it as a fun plinker as well.
If I was going to get a gun with non ar mags I'd probably be looking at a vz 58.
 
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JCMarin said:
Mini14. I am sorry but you are describing a mini 14. Have you considered other options like Browning BAR? I bought one and love it.
Is 223 your only option? M1a is a great ranch gun too but in 308. Walking around on my land with my m1a... It comforts me.
Click to expand...
I have an M305 project gun, but it's not really what I'm looking for here plus its serious overkill for varmits heavier and more expensive to feed.
 
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EchoAlpha said:
It is a rather big deal. 5 rounds only and $60-70 a mag. F that.
Don't mean to be overly confrontation just really not impressed with that.
This gun is not just a carry around and hardly ever shoot, I'd like to use it as a fun plinker as well.
Click to expand...

Are the critters shooting back? Why do you NEED more than five rounds for farm work? The rugers come with 2 five rounders and used five rounder pop up on the ee all the time.
I haven't found I need more than 5 rounds for a working gun but that's just me.

Ps. The LAR mags are almost as much as mini mags and the real .50 are more.

Yes, I know I sound like an anti. Yes, I too would like more than five rounds.

Again, you need a mini 14. You just don't know it yet.
 
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