what's a viable inexpensive Non-Restricted .223/5.56x45 rifle?

A few thoughts....

I don't know how close you are to a gun store that would sell some of these rifles.
I strongly believe you really need to handle them first and get familiar with each one's controls and balance.

I have not owned a Ruger Mini - so I cannot confirm any pros/cons except that parts are more readily available than a rifle made overseas - not that parts are going to break often though.
I have owned an HK SL-8, CSA VZ-58 (I still own it) & a Tavor.
They all handle so differently but yet can be made to hold AR pistol mags - so that is a plus over the Mini.
The HK has a funny thumbhole stock and heavy barrel (and you notice it but it is the most accurate) plus ambi controls (are you a lefty?)
The Tavor is again an awkward beast to use until you get trained on it and it has a military pedigree oh, the trigger - could be an issue?
I find it handles comfortably after awhile and definitely better than the HK but it takes third place in terms of accuracy in my experience.
My favorite is the Czech Small Arms VZ-58 due to it's weight, price and handling, actually it is quite accurate if you are willing to mount a pic rail for a scope/red dot.
It has a chrome-lined barrel too - easy to clean if shooting corrosive.
The original CSA rifles brought into the country had some issues but in the last few years they have been solid.
A parts kit can be obtained without too much difficulty and that is all you need except if you want an AR magwell too.
Why not have 10 rounds ready to use but the plastic magazine well adapter could be made better?

It is somewhat of a bad time to be buying a rifle now that the Boxing Day/Week sales have passed but some still seem to be lingering on so perhaps you might find what you are looking for - if new at a decent price.
Buying used - well who knows what has been modified etc. but it might be a good price and worth the potential trouble.

Hope this helps.

This is good info. Despite my tavor recommendation, I would agree that you may hate the trigger. Only thing is I don't think all the CSA VZ58's are chrome lined. It was available as chrome lined, but not all are.

I've had the VZ in both 5.56 and 7.62x39, and to me it was a better gun in 7.62x39. Great gun actually. Only problem is mine were in the early batches with quality issues and I kept breaking them. And they require aftermarket parts to mount optics to.

I had also used the gen 1 magwell adapter, which was flimsy and I believe I destroyed it. I hesitate to bring these things up as I haven't heard of these issues lately and they in all likelihood run great.

Ben
 
If the op is doing coyote hunting then the HK is the answer due to the accuracy in my opinion and ease of scope / bipod mounting too.
 
I got the VZ58 in 556. Solid beast. Reasonably accurate. Polymer mags arent too expensive. Added some after-market bits replacing grip, handguard (with top rail for dot sight), butt stock, shell deflector and side optic mount. You can do side optic rail mount for scope/dot or just go with dot sight up front on the hand guard replacement top rail. There are a few other options for optic mount as well. There is also the CSA AR15 mag well replacement. New the rifle is about 1350$ with the addon bits another 325$ excluding scope or dot sight. Quality and durability cant be beat by any other product out there for the price. All the CSAs are chrome lined. The 762x39 version wound be my preference. Prefer the 762 metal mags to the 223 polymer mags.
 
i'm not really lusting to go down whole "tacticool/black rifle" road. i get my hand on C7's almost everyday at work, so looks and tacticool gadgets aren't really what i'm looking to make out of my next purchase (or any rifle in my cabinet).

i've thought of the Mini-30 for a bit, but then i'd feel bad about shooting nasty surplus ammo down a Ruger barrel, i keep that for my SKS. and clean 7.62 ammo is almost as expensive as .223, so might as well stick with that ?

OP, out of curiosity: if you already have an SKS for plinking, and there's a budget to contend with, why bother with a .223? Isn't the shooting experience similar? Having shot my friend's VZ in 7.62x39 a bit, it didn't seem all that different in feel to what I remembered of my mini-14.
 
Get a used tavor off the ee for 1700 or maybe even a bit less.

The csa vz58 in 223 is sweet but also propietery mags.
 
Been there. Chose the su-16. It's a nice rifle, well designed, reliable with steel case ammo and mtf pistol mags. Keltec has awesome customer services. Only problem is that it's feels plasticy, I personally prefer a rifle that can take more abuse. Have handled a few t97s (both gen 1 and gen 2), not impressed by it's poor ergonomics and consistancy.
For your reference, I'm now saving up for a xcr-l.
 
Skip the SU-16
Type 97 is Good, its a bullpup tho.
VZ in .223 is fun.

Over all the AR15 is top of my list. You can modify everything, Light weight, feels great and out of the box you can shoot 200 yard without issues. Plus you can get an AR15 and a crate of ammo for around 1 K.
 
Mini 14 has been my favourite NR rifle in .223 so far. Had a few mag problems but think I got everything sorted.
 
Benelli MR-1 is a hot NR and accurate....
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7EC9F6E5-7EB4-4DDF-B0F5-B1109618A783.jpgA8D40DDC-DD56-4BBE-961B-D96318EDF364.jpgI’ve owned a couple SU 16,and they never had a FTF,FTE,etc.
No matter what I fed them.
As for cracked receivers, the few I’ve seen,could be user error.

Just buy a new one for $800,it has a lifetime warranty.

Having said that ,I now have an MV whoot whoot lol
 

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