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Saving for new rifle in June.

dannavy85dannavy85 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
edited April 2008 in Ask the Experts
Hello experts,

I'm currently saving to buy my first semi-auto rifle in June and I would like opinions as to which would be best. I want the rifle for shooting at our range in Washington state. We have a 250 yard strait target range and shooting pits for obsticle draw and shoot and building clearing. My choice is weighted on cost and availability of ammo, mountable cross hair or red dot scope, impact power and speed.

My current choices are....

1. a member of the M4/AR family.

2. The M14 SOCOM

3. The SKS

4. A member of the AK family.

What do you think?

Comments

  • vdms55vdms55 Member Posts: 298 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    the M14 might make for a 250 yrd. target shooter. imo i think the others mentioned might fall short of your expectations
  • Wehrmacht_45Wehrmacht_45 Member Posts: 3,377
    edited November -1
    A nice bull barreled AR would make a good rifle at 250 yards, especially if you get a fast twist barrel and use the 75 grain offerings. I have a DPMS bull barreled upper I use for paper punching and its a 1/2 MOA gun at one hundred yards with good ammo.
  • dannavy85dannavy85 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cost of amo is a big factor, I'm finding .223 to be getting pricy.
  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    If you are looking at the M14/SOCOM/M1A family, you may as well add a FN-FAL to your list of possibles... Also may want to look at the Saiga in both 223 and 308
  • Wehrmacht_45Wehrmacht_45 Member Posts: 3,377
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dannavy85
    Cost of amo is a big factor, I'm finding .223 to be getting pricy.



    223 like all ammo is getting expensive. But you have a 308 rifle on your list, now that is really expensive. Atleast with an AR you can put a 22lr conversion kit in it to plink with.
  • flyingtorpedoflyingtorpedo Member Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are just going to be plinking I'd probably get the AR as ammo is cheaper, and if you reload it would be the cheapest by far to shoot. If you want if for "impact power" get the socom. If you want a shorter barrel on your m1a I'd get the bush. I've heard that the short barrel on the socom makes it very loud. In addition it would give you better accuracy at 250 yards than a socom. If you can't decide the flip a coin. Bottom line is it's your money and get what YOU want the most and will make you happy. Good luck.
  • OdawgpOdawgp Member Posts: 5,380 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Wehrmacht_45
    quote:Originally posted by dannavy85
    Cost of amo is a big factor, I'm finding .223 to be getting pricy.



    223 like all ammo is getting expensive. But you have a 308 rifle on your list, now that is really expensive. Atleast with an AR you can put a 22lr conversion kit in it to plink with.


    True but for $150 bucks you can buy a new 22 and save the AR barrel for when the chit hits the fan.
  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674
    edited November -1
    Of your choices I would go with the AR. The AK and SKS are fun but not as accurate as the other 2 choices. Unless you already have lots of .308 laying around you are going to die if you think .223 is expensive. .308 is running about $0.50/rd. If you do go with the M1A I would choose the Scout over the Socom. I have several of each style that you are talking about.

    I think you should put a little more weight on what it is you want to do with the rifle most. Then add the other factors.


    Which part of the state are you in. If you are close I could let you try some and see what you like.



    UPDATE Well I am in the middle and east side. If you ever make it over to Yakima or Spokane areas let me know.
  • dannavy85dannavy85 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Which part of the state are you in. If you are close I could let you try some and see what you like.

    Bremerton
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