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tactical rifle

jefdan
hello, I'm interested in getting a 223 tactical rifle but with all the options I'm overwhelmed. I'm looking for something to ride around the ranch with and track wounded deer and other game with as most of the guys on the ranch bow hunt down in South Texas. And shoot the occasional pig. I was looking to spend around $1000 total for both gun and scope. I was looking for something rugged as it will be in the field a lot. What about the mini 14 vs. AR style??
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10 comments

Date Votes
  • mark christian
    You are better served with an AR of some sort because you can build up any number of configurations on the platform and because accuracy is superior to the Mini out of the box. If you are looking to mount a scope then by all means go with the AR because putting glass on a Mini-14 for more than informal target shooting at the range is pretty much a waste of time.

    In a few minutes we will hear from the Mini-14 Defence League [;)]
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  • Tflogger
    Buy a Savage 110 and paint it flat black!
    In the price range you spec. it's your best bet.
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  • sandwarrior
    First,

    I don't think you need a tactical rifle, you need a truck gun. You can go either low-end AR or Mini-14. This is really the only place a mini-14 does well. It's a truck gun plain and simple. It was pretty much intended to be minute of coyote out to 200 yds. If you want precision placement of shots I would have to agree with Mark (even though I'm a charter member of the Mini-14 Defense league[;)]) that you need to go with an AR.

    AR's work as truck guns as well. Put in a rack they will better protect a scope from banging around on ranch roads. You could get better accuracy from a mini-14 if you were to scope it rather than shoot it open sights. But, it won't give the potential performance that an AR-15 will. Nor the option to switch calibers in 30 seconds with a different upper, like an AR can.
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  • tsr1965
    My vote is for the AR-15. It is much more accurate, and versatile. You will get more bang for your $$$ these days too.

    Then theres that buy a Savage 110 and paint it black...that person probably painted their Red Ryder black too...


    Best
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  • yoshmyster
    I'll agree with the folks who already posted. But when you mentioned taking pigs ('cos we all know you guys grow them big down there [:D]) I thought Nagant or SKS? With the left over cash stock up on ammo [:D].
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  • nononsense
    jefdan,

    "I'm looking for something to ride around the ranch with..."

    Should we consider that this will be on horseback or in a truck? It makes a difference as far as scabbards or rifle sleeves are concerned.

    "I'm interested in getting a 223 tactical rifle..."

    Tactical is one of those terms used by the media and merchants with a bend towards lending a certain connotation to some firearms justifying their attempt to increase anxiety or charge more money for some products.

    Do you really need a 'tactical' rifle or do you just want one?

    Durability and ruggedness can be had in other rifle styles if that's what you're worried about. How you decide to carry this firearm and under what circumstances will determine the need and design. See the first question.

    First, skip the Mini-14. You will find all sorts of opinions about this rifle here on the forums but the reality is that the quality and design is really only good as far as an expensive plinker is concerned. This is not a legitimate hunting rifle by any means. It is over-priced and under-delivered. I have tested and fixed hundreds of these so I have more experience than any of the 'Defense League'. There will be those that offer the occasional exception in attempts to make it a rule but the truth is known and the rifle will not be satisfactory except for entertainment while expending large quantities of ammunition shooting stupidly large groups. Save your money for a quality rifle and don't waste your funds on the Ruger.

    "I was looking to spend around $1000 total for both gun and scope. "

    I'm sure this can be accomplished with an AR but it will definitely not be anything to brag about. This is the lowest end for a combination of rifle and scope these days. I know it sounds like it's a lot on money and it is but not in the realm of quality AR rifles and scopes. If the rifle is $700 + $300 for a scope, what do you do for a base and rings? Run some $10 Millet's on it and hope that they hold?

    The scope needs to be as durable as the rifle. The rings and base, if one is necessary, need to be as rugged and dependable. Some of the flat tops don't need a base but the rings are as critical as the scope and the rifle.

    Do some more checking around at the various AR suppliers and scope manufacturers to get a better feel for a budget.

    Best.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by nononsense
    Tactical is one of those terms used by the media and merchants with a bend towards lending a certain connotation to some firearms justifying their attempt to increase anxiety or charge more money for some products.

    Couldn't agree with you more. "Tactical" is purely a state of mind in the user. Equipment isn't "tactical". . individuals are "tactical!"

    So along those lines, ANY rifle that's durable, reliable, and mission-appropriate could be "tactical".

    Frankly if the goal is "to ride around the ranch with and track wounded deer and other game with as most of the guys on the ranch bow hunt down in South Texas. And shoot the occasional pig" then pretty much ANY rifle could work in that role.

    All you need is something that is reliable, has enough power to kill pigs and deer at whatever range you're looking at (probably under 200 yds), is reliable, and isn't totally INaccurate. More accuracy by itself certainly never hurts, but for this role, you probably don't need match grade accuracy.

    So with your specific mission in mind, I question the caliber choice. .223 certainly "could" be used on deer and hogs, but if I were picking a gun for hunting both, I'd choose something bigger.

    In terms of which gun, there are so many that could work, your head will spin. Why do you need a military-style semiautomatic rifle here? Expect to get into a firefight with a wounded deer? Plan on missing your first 26 shots? If you want a gun like this just because you want it, well OK, but I don't see it as a great fit here.

    Don't get me wrong; I'm not against hunting with AR-15s or similar guns, and they certainly could work well in that role. I just think for your budget, you can get something more accurate, and likely more durable and reliable, for quite a bit less money. If you and the gun are going to be bouncing around the back of a truck, you don't need a $1000 gun.

    What's wrong with a simple 30/30 lever gun? That's rugged, easy to handle, inexpensive, and more powerful than a .223. A $100 Mosin nagant rifle could work just fine here, so long as you scoped it right and got some soft-point ammo. SKS is another decent choice with the same caveats.
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  • jefdan
    I've already got the 30-30 and a 270 bolt gun. I want a semi auto rifle that is a littel faster and can have a light att.. Chasing a wounded hog in the south texas brush isn't fun with a light in one hand and a bolt or lever gun in the other. Just want a solid gun and a rugged scope.
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  • rsnyder55
    If you get an AR platform, you can get change calibers. I have one in 223/5.56 and looking at a 7.62x39 upper as a possible alternate.
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  • 62fuelie
    I have an AR in 6.8 and would rather have the extra slug mass for an unhappy hog in the brush. The Ruger mini-30 in 7.62X39 may be an even better choice. Your can get light clamping systems to attach to most barrel diameters to give you a free hand.
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