RE: Caliber and Recoil Question ?
 

Thanks for your responses.
I ended up buying a Ruger M77 Mark II .223 All-Weather Stainless Steel barrel synthetic stock (new for $500) and a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9X40 scope (new $200). I like the scope rings that came with the Ruger. They seem designed to actually keep the scope firmly in place on the gun. Haven't shot it yet, I'll let you know what I think of the gun and scope after sighting it in at the range.

RE: Caliber and Recoil Question ?
 

checkout the savage 12FV guns with the accutrigger...ive only heard good things aboiut them. but then about the savage package guns ive only heard bad things about those.

the 12FV is like$600 here in canada so im thinkin it would be like 400-450 in the US?

ch312

RE: Caliber and Recoil Question ?
 

Driftrider,

When we transitioned from the M16A1 to the M16A2 the Army still had a gazillion M193 (55 gr FMJ) rounds for the M16A1, which had a 1-12" twist. The M16A2 had a 1-7" twist for the heavier M855 round. The Ordanance guys told us that there would be some degradation in accuracy at targets beyond 300m (330 yds). If you're target shooting at 100 yds, then surplus Mil-spec ammo should work fine.

RE: Caliber and Recoil Question ?
 

RR, congratulatiopns on the new rifle. If you keep it clean and oiled it will give you many years of accurate use. However, as driftrider said, I would stay away from any surplus military ammo. I read a very good article in one of the gun magazines about the differences between military 5.56 ammo and civilian .223 ammo. There are some differences (I believe in the headspace tolerances that military ammo is held to) which could lead to a dangerous pressure level. So my best advice is to stick with brand-name civilian ammo and you should be very happy. For top accuracy try Federals Gold Medal Match ammo. It is pretty expensive compared to everything else, but it is what the custom gun makers use to test their guns, so you know it is good. For ammo that is almost as good but not as expensive try Black Hills or Georgia Arms. I personally use Georgia Arms stuff and I love it. Very high quality and affordable.
Best of luck.