opfor

dragonthor, just to throw my 2 cents in.... I have owned a Ruger mini 14 ranch rifle for 19yrs. now and I personally haven't had any issues or trouble with it. Now with that being said, thats not to take away at all by what the others have said earlier, this is just my personal experience. The .223 is a good caliber depending on your use. If you plan on deer hunting, then I agree you will have to use the highest grain available, plus a good shot placement too. It really depends on what your use is for, the .223 is good but you could spend just a little more to get a higher caliber for the more bang for your buck. Good luck!

tactical700

I think a great rifle for you would be a Remington 700 in a synthetic or wood model.
The new SPS (special purpose synthetic) for 2005 is available in several different cartridges. the rifle is very accurate and the quality is excellent, The SPS is selling for 350.00 400.00 dollars.. I have a VS (varmit Synthetic) which is discontinued now, in .223 that is set up as a tactical rifle,and i wouldnt trade it or sell for anything. The .223 rounds are cheap, accurate, and don't have a alot of recoil, they are also not very loud. The round is good out to 300 yards, with the right loads and bench shooting up to a 1000 yards, but the wind can affect it significantly.would go with a .308,30.06, up to 300 yards,little more with 30.06, 400 +,a 7mm is a good choice. These are good rounds for whitetails

BareBack Jack

If you are looking for a militay auto,look at the Bushmaster Vamiter 20 in Fluted barrel flattop.Great accuracy and fun to shoot.
If not I seen in the clasifieds some guy had a Rem 700 VLS in .223 w/scope for around 600.00 deniro.I had a VLS in .243 win very accurate.

rost495

I think you know to avoid the mini by now and I"d agree avoid all Rugers also. Though sooner or later I'll have to have a #1 but I'll just have to deal with the accuracy issues.

A bolt will be accurate. As noted the Savage is a good bargain. Especially with accutriggers. The package savage guns have junk scopes though.

As to a semi not as accurate as a bolt-- well yes-- but a well built AR or AR clone will do well. My AR15 service rifles with quality(not cheap) barrels have shot as well as 1.5 inch groups at 600 off the bench. And I regularly shoot them out to 1000 yards with 90 jlks. But thats killing paper. Not game.

RRA lowers can be had around 200 bucks. A good upper can vary from stock around 425 or so up to 500-600 for a match grade barrel and even more. Just FYI>

yotes101

Hey i jus wanted to add that im gettin a new CZ 527 varmint .223 and i hear its a pretty awsome gun so u might wanna look into that cuz i know it would fit your bill, its around 650 adn i hear its a nice gun.

DM1975

I hunted deer for years with no more than a 222 and never lost a deer to it. A 223 is not bad for deer for an experienced shooter. Now for most all other run of the mill average shooters, maybe a bigger caliber would be better but I would agree to stay away from Mini 14's and I would stay away from the 7.62X39 also. I would look at a savage in 243 or 270 or even 25-06. I also agree the package scopes suck that come with the savages. If you want a 223 and a semi auto then I would definately go with an AR based rifle. They are completely modular and user friendly and can be tuned to shoot very well. They are not the jammomatics that people tend to try to say they are. And remember that $600.00 on a rifle is still at least a couple hundread dollars shy of having good glass on top of it.

NVMIKE

You said long range, to me that means you can throw the semi-autos out, yes some can really perform, but you wont get there w/ $600. you can get a very good shooting bolt gun for 600. The savage varmit rifles are a very good deal, the package scopes are junk so dont bother w/ the package, just get the rifle and buy your own scope.

Texas Deer Hunter

I agree that the MINI isnt going to be what you want. I do although, own a Ruger M77 Mark II in a 270 that I love.

This is going to sound unusual but if you are looking for a complete setup on a rifle, and dont mind going used, look at some of the old Remington Model 788......ad if you can find it in the 6MM caliber more the better. This rifle was built as an entry to combat some of the low cost models that Mossberg and the like were putting out. Much to Remingtons chagrin the M788 was more accurate than the M700. They discontinued its production in 1983. The 6mm is my personal favorite because, and I will get some people disagree, it has the perfect trajectory with a 100 grain bullet. Also, there are serveral companies that produce a more "tactical" type stock available for the 788.

rhs98jeep

Again, not sure what you are exactly looking for, you may want to consider the Remington Model 7. It is a great lightweight, accurate, easy to handle rifle. The model 7 was my first centerfire rifle, I bought mine in 308 win. I have had it for about 20yrs now, never any trouble with it, killed more deer with that than all my other rifle's combined. I am getting ready to install a custom stock on mine now, just to give it an update, it is still my primary deer rifle.

Rebel Hog

Hello dragonthor,
You never mentioned the purpose....just to plinker? Check your state laws on hunting with SMJs...they are cheaper but against
some state laws.




KEEP ON ROOTING!!!!