Bully 749 Posted November 10, 2013 I'm not an AR fan. However, I do see the benefit of having one and they are fun to shoot. I'm just wondering if anyone makes a cool, semi auto rifle that I'm missing? I know about the Ruger Mini-14 and the God-awful Kel-Tec SU-thingy. What else is out there? I'm probably on a quest for something that doesn't exist but I would love something a bit more elegant that any of those offerings. Nice wood, synthetic or laminate stock, a smaller receiver, no rails/foregrips/lights or lasers. Just a nice looking gun to mount a scope on and have some fun. Let me know if you have any ideas. BTW, the sky is DEFINITELY NOT the limit? C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,147 Posted November 10, 2013 There are very few non-AR rifles chambered in 5.56/223 out there. How in love are you with the caliber? What will be the primary purpose of your rifle? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwamp2006 1 Posted November 10, 2013 .223 saiga? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damjan 73 Posted November 10, 2013 I second the 223 Saiga. I have one and i also started not liking AR's (that quickly changed ). You get AK reliability with a 223/5.56 caliber. It can fire both. Also you ca shoot steel case Russkie ammo from it. Mags are proprietory though and there s 15 rounders available at about 24-27$ each. I have not converted it but will eventually. That way it can accept standard AK mags. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT Custom Guns 956 Posted November 10, 2013 Would you consider a Bolt-Action .223? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted November 10, 2013 Gun will be a range toy. Saiga's are even uglier than AR's. My opinion, of course. I guess if I was to characterize what I'm looking for, it'd be a 10/22 chambered in .223/5.56. I also shot a friend's Winchester or Remington .308 semi. Gorgeous gun. Checkered walnut stock, iron sights and scope mounts. Accurate enough. But it's a .308. My love affair with the caliber comes from the fact that reloading is easy and inexpensive. I don't currently reload any rifle calibers, but if I'm gonna, it'll be the .223. Cheap and easy to find... again. The low recoil is a definite plus as well as there won't be a buffer tube to mitigate it. JT, I'd prefer a semi only because I would like the maneuverability and fast follow up of the semi. C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oneshot 45 Posted November 10, 2013 Mossberg makes a nice rifle ,i think its the MVP model bolt action ,not sure. in 223 /556 takes AR mags some come with scope and bi-pod and they are affordable Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwamp2006 1 Posted November 10, 2013 or theres always the scar 16 or tavor..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parker 213 Posted November 10, 2013 Benelli MR1 if you can find one. (They weren't a big seller.) If you get it you'll probably be the only one on your block to own one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntingPaper 62 Posted November 10, 2013 I guess if I was to characterize what I'm looking for, it'd be a 10/22 chambered in .223/5.56 The Ruger Mini 14 fits very well this category. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted November 10, 2013 The closest I can think to what you want is a VEPR Super in .223 if you can find one. However if "tactical" doesn't matter, there are a pile of very cool .223 rifles out there in bolt form like the CZ-527, You can get a Browning BLR lever gun in .223 as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,147 Posted November 10, 2013 Gun will be a range toy. Saiga's are even uglier than AR's. My opinion, of course. I guess if I was to characterize what I'm looking for, it'd be a 10/22 chambered in .223/5.56. I also shot a friend's Winchester or Remington .308 semi. Gorgeous gun. Checkered walnut stock, iron sights and scope mounts. Accurate enough. But it's a .308. My love affair with the caliber comes from the fact that reloading is easy and inexpensive. I don't currently reload any rifle calibers, but if I'm gonna, it'll be the .223. Cheap and easy to find... again. The low recoil is a definite plus as well as there won't be a buffer tube to mitigate it. JT, I'd prefer a semi only because I would like the maneuverability and fast follow up of the semi. C That's pretty much a Ruger Mini. I get the economy of the round but if you will be reloading, you can step up to a low to moderate recoil caliber more commonly used in the type of rifle you are looking for without spending a fortune on components. I get where you are going with the classic styling with wood and all but you are not likely to find that in 5.56/223 chambered semi-auto. You should be able to find nice bolt action with the look you want. btw, if it's a range toy, why a fast follow up shot? Will you be using animated targets? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blake 50 Posted November 10, 2013 or theres always the scar 16 or tavor..... Owned a scar and it was def fun but ultimately decided to sell. Have had a Tavor for 6 months and LOVE it. Accurate, rugged, well designed, and is fun to shoot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,661 Posted November 10, 2013 A few options: Century C93 (HK 93 .223 clone) Vector V33 (HK 93 .223 clone) HK SL8 Sig 556 classic MSAR STG-E4 Tavor Robinson XCR SCAR 16 FN FS2000 Remington 7615 (pump action) Mini-14 Beretta ARX Betetta RX4 Kel-Tec SU-16 VEPR .223 Saiga .223 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted November 10, 2013 btw, if it's a range toy, why a fast follow up shot? Will you be using animated targets? Always considering the "What If?" scenario. C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted November 10, 2013 Just like this, but in .223/5.56: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
302w 83 Posted November 10, 2013 Your only options are Mini 14's or the HK G3 types before. I always did want a wood stocked AR though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smoke Eater 0 Posted November 10, 2013 Ptr 91 in 556 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted November 10, 2013 Your only options are Mini 14's or the HK G3 types before. That's what it's looking like. Makes me sad... C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob0115 1,105 Posted November 10, 2013 I just bought a FDE Tavor yesterday. I think that's cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted November 10, 2013 You know, when I put the title up, I thought it could be a touch "offensive" to some. I should have put "Traditional". Sorry for the confusion. All the guns listed are cool. Hell, most guns are cool. I just happen to not be a fan of "Tacti-Cool". Doesn't do it for me. I do however value function as well as aesthetics and completely understand the value of AR's, AK's and their ilk. I just don't particularly want to own one. I like blue steel and wood grain. It's just more appealing to me. If I could design a gun, it would be something like the Winchester I posted above with a laminated wood stock, detachable 5 round flush fit magazine, iron sights and a rail for a scope. Medium contour barrel, 20". Semi. In .223/5.56. Oh well. C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,147 Posted November 10, 2013 Well, if your range toy is also a "what if" rifle, and you want something really cool, with a wood stock, that wont be very expensive to reload.... How about a Mini-30. It's the closest you will get to a Garand designed M1without actually paying the price of a garand. Along the same lines, the Semi-auto M14 and especially the M21 (one of my favorites) are very sweet. There are only two semi-auto rifles I actually want. One is a pre 1945 service Garand, the other is the M-21. They ain't cheap, but reloading will be affordable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob0115 1,105 Posted November 10, 2013 Why net get a Ruger if you need semi auto? If not get a good bolt and upgrade the stock to a chassis. If you don't like tactical look at the AICS system. That will make a cool and accurate rifle. I bought an XLR chassis for my .308 bolt gun and it's like a work of art. However it may be a bit too tactical looking based on your comments. In semi auto I would definitely get a cool wooden stock mini 14, second would be polymer/ stainless one. They're really cool and not tactical looking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matty 810 Posted November 10, 2013 Had the same question a couple years ago. Ended up with an SKS and an SU-16CA. Happy with both. YMMV That's what it's looking like. Makes me sad...C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueLineFish 615 Posted November 10, 2013 Besides my ar's i have a saiga 223 and su-16. Both capable of shooting 556 as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parker 213 Posted November 10, 2013 Just like this, but in .223/5.56: winchester308.jpg You can find a used Winchester in .243, but not .223. I liked one suggestion: the Browning BLR in .223. A take-down version would be different. Lever's or pump's (Rem. 7615) can be worked pretty fast in capable hands. http://www.rockwellarms.com/store/products/Browning?223-Rem=True&BLR=True Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuRrEaLNJ 294 Posted November 10, 2013 WHow about a Mini-30. It's the closest you will get to a Garand designed M1without actually paying the price of a garand. If cmp has anything in service grade left youll pay less for a garand then a new mini. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
302w 83 Posted November 11, 2013 Just going to say... 223 bolt guns are fun and cheap. The accuracy/price/fun level can't be cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites