Not to play devils advocate here but try the Mini 14 (especially the new 58x series). You may be surprised.
I was in the exact frame of mind as you, I owned almost every other NR black rifle option that was available at the time chasing the dragon. I ended up settling with a stock config 582 series mini-14.
Got her for $800 second hand new off the EE. No it doesn't look like an AR but after owning an XCR-L, AR180b, T97, Tavor, SU16 over the years I realized that I could have a NR very reliable, light carbine that still shoots .223 at a literal fraction of the cost. The new 582 series has a beefed up barrel at the stock ferrule and actually surprised me very much with the accuracy.
Just my two cents. Give it a try from someone who did the full circle, came out disappointed and settled happily on a mini14.