Pick the best/easiest range rifle..

[Trip McNeely]

I want an easy to shoot rifle(Low recoil), cheaper on ammo purchases, and easy to field strip/clean Range rifle(nothing to shoot an elephant). Which would be best all around? These are the three im looking at. btw, I know nothing about rifles, so...


-Cetme .308
-SKS 7.62
-Ruger Mini 14

PS. I hear the SKS is hard to clean/work with being a gas piston reciever?? and changing out the ammo feed to hold larger capacity magazines. :confused:

Thanks!

[GrayStangGT]

I really enjoy shooting my mini-14, its not the most accurate rifle in the world but it is fun and cheap to shoot.

Personally for the range I prefer a single shot/bolt action rifle.

[Ronin6135]

love my mini 14

[Strychnine]

If you decide on a CETME, for fuck's sake, stay away from Century (CAI).

Also the 7.62x51 will be the most expensive to shoot. I think surplus is up around $65/250 now.

[ruffdaddy]

Nothing Special about an SKS really. I didnt enjoy shooting it all that much, but i dont really know much about the others.

[Trip McNeely]

I really enjoy shooting my mini-14, its not the most accurate rifle in the world but it is fun and cheap to shoot.

Personally for the range I prefer a single shot/bolt action rifle.
Ive wanted a mini for awhile now, Shot my friends and loved it. I started looking at other alternatives when i saw the price of them though, lol. How hard is it to swap the stock 5 rnd magazine to a higher cap?

[Ronin6135]

They WILL take Ar-15 mags, even though ruger says they wont.

[Scott H]

I'd say the SKS, then you'll have enough dough left over for 2000 rds of ammo. :D

.308 (cetme, FAL, etc.) has a ton more kick than a .223 (ar-15/mini-14) or 7.62x39 (SKS/AK-47) so it's not really in the same category. For what you describe you want it for, I'd say stick to the smaller guns. I've shot SKSs and Mini-14s a bunch, and I could go either way, all else being equal for how they shoot. My chinese SKS is a great shooter and super easy to clean. The Yugo SKS I have has a grenade launcher on the end, so it makes it really hard to clean. (the launcher itself gets crudded up and is hard to clean, so your patches will hit it when cleaning the barrel from the receiver side) Most of the cheap SKSs you see now are Yugos, and they have a gas shutoff switch that can be problematic. They make new ones for around $20, but it can be a hassle. (Mine works great and shoots great, just harder to clean and is heavier than my chinese due to the bayonet, grenade launcher, night sights, etc.)

The fit, finish and overall appearance on the mini-14 is much nicer, so there is that, and you can pick your choice of furniture, etc. but like I said, from my experience, it's only marginally better shooting that the SKS, and that's probably just because of the aperature sites (which you can buy for the SKS for $50.) The mini-14 is also less "evil" looking if that matters to you. So, then it boils down to cost... A like-new new Yugo SKS is $150 or so, and a mini 14 is $500-ish (depending on finish.) So you could get an SKS and 2000rds of ammo plus a carrying case and cleaning supplies for the same money. If ammo capacity is a concern, throw an AK into the possible candidates list. They get a bad rep from the media, but they're fun to plink with!

[usmcluke]

.17 HMR :) Not semi-auto but NO kick, very accurate (as long as the wind is down) and CHEAP.

[David]

If I was in your shoes I'd build/buy an AR.

[Casper]

Why don't you do a Mini-30? You get the ammo of the SKS and the ergonomics of the Mini-14.

What exactly is meant by "range rifle"?

[usmcluke]

If I was in your shoes I'd build/buy an AR.
The man speaks truth!

[Denny]

If I was in your shoes I'd build/buy an AR.
If I was in YOUR shoes, I'd give Denny an AR.

[David]

If I was in YOUR shoes, I'd give Denny an AR.

Maybe when I get to No.4

[Denny]

Just buy them by the case and that'll solve all the problems.

[Trip McNeely]

If I was in your shoes I'd build/buy an AR.
I know im going to get a lot of shit for this, but I dont really like the AR. Even If I did Id have to buy one, I know shit about rifles and I know SHIT SHIT about building them piece by piece. Sounds like to me the Mini 14 is the best route, and was originally what I wanted anyhow. Thanks for the help and suggestions.

[David]

I know im going to get a lot of shit for this, but I dont really like the AR. Even If I did Id have to buy one, I know shit about rifles and I know SHIT SHIT about building them piece by piece. Sounds like to me the Mini 14 is the best route, and was originally what I wanted anyhow. Thanks for the help and suggestions.
Not much to building one, find a lower, find and upper and stick it together. It' only becomes difficult when you start wanting to swap out barrels, trigger groups etc etc.

Only reason why I brought up the AR is it makes for a good accurate plinker that is also easy to disassemble at any time. Minis aren't really known for their accuracy

[Casper]

Oh, is this for a plinker?

M1 carbine.

[Trip McNeely]

Not much to building one, find a lower, find and upper and stick it together. It' only becomes difficult when you start wanting to swap out barrels, trigger groups etc etc.

Only reason why I brought up the AR is it makes for a good accurate plinker that is also easy to disassemble at any time. Minis aren't really known for their accuracy
Are there barrells you can swap on a mini?

[David]

Are there barrells you can swap on a mini?

Beats me. I've never been a big mini fan.

I will say that the plus side about ARs is you get many possible combinations of guns. Anything from an accurate 20" heavy barrel rifle. To something with a collapsible stock, 16" barrell, and do tactical shoots with. And it'll only take 15mins out of your like to change everything around.

[Trip McNeely]

Beats me. I've never been a big mini fan.

I will say that the plus side about ARs is you get many possible combinations of guns. Anything from an accurate 20" heavy barrel rifle. To something with a collapsible stock, 16" barrell, and do tactical shoots with. And it'll only take 15mins out of your like to change everything around.
Hmmm. Maybe Ill look at an AR. Got any suggestions on brand? Colt is too $$, but is Bushmaster any good? Any others?

[Denny]

I really don't know why everyone gives the SKS so much hell. Mine doesn't jam, easy to clean, is accurate, basically everything I ask from it.

[David]

Hmmm. Maybe Ill look at an AR. Got any suggestions on brand? Colt is too $$, but is Bushmaster any good? Any others?

Stag arms has good prices and I believe they're contracted through the govt so they're up to specs. Rock River Arms is another good company. Bushmaster, Armalite are some others.

Only ones I've heard issues about is Olympic.

[Trip McNeely]

I really don't know why everyone gives the SKS so much hell. Mine doesn't jam, easy to clean, is accurate, basically everything I ask from it.
Thats what I heard, but I also find them hard to locate(in good condition) Although I havent been to a gun show so that might solve that. I also was wondering what was up with the gas chamber action? Oh and the conversion to a high cap magazine. Those were the only things I was like :confused:

[David]

Thats what I heard, but I also find them hard to locate(in good condition) Although I havent been to a gun show so that might solve that. I also was wondering what was up with the gas chamber action? Oh and the conversion to a high cap magazine. Those were the only things I was like :confused:

Military Gun Supply in Ft. Worth should have shit loads of SKS rifles for you to browse through.

[Denny]

Thats what I heard, but I also find them hard to locate(in good condition) Although I havent been to a gun show so that might solve that. I also was wondering what was up with the gas chamber action? Oh and the conversion to a high cap magazine. Those were the only things I was like :confused:
I have yet to have any issues with the gas chamber. Mine cycles just fine. I use both 10 and 20 round magazines with no issues. I tried some 30 round mags from my buddy's AK, but it didn't ever work so well. That's when I went to the 20 rounders that I currently use.

[Ronin6135]

Are there barrells you can swap on a mini?

Yes but there high dollar. Looks very nice though.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/img/harmonic_c.jpg

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/img/stablizer/img_5.jpg

[white87306]

I love my Yugo AK. Folding stock, pistol grip and 30 rounds of fun. Ammos cheap too I get surplus for $100/ 1000.

[Trip McNeely]

I have yet to have any issues with the gas chamber. Mine cycles just fine. I use both 10 and 20 round magazines with no issues. I tried some 30 round mags from my buddy's AK, but it didn't ever work so well. That's when I went to the 20 rounders that I currently use.
Is cleaning the gas chamber action any different than a normal action? and when you went with 20 round magazines did you have to modify the catch on the bottom?

[Trip McNeely]

Yes but there high dollar. Looks very nice though.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/img/harmonic_c.jpg

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/img/stablizer/img_5.jpg
Godamn. That looks like a giant flash supressor! :eek: I bet that takes a lot of the recoil out.

[usmcluke]

Godamn. That looks like a giant flash supressor! :eek: I bet that takes a lot of the recoil out.
If you get an AR I can dial you in pretty easy, same basic principles with an SKS is my guess but I know the ARs pretty well.

[Denny]

Is cleaning the gas chamber action any different than a normal action? and when you went with 20 round magazines did you have to modify the catch on the bottom?
There's a little more involved, but I'm not cleaning it to win a race ;)
The magazines took no modifications. I just picked them up at a gunshow and BAM!

[Scott H]

There's a little more involved, but I'm not cleaning it to win a race ;)
The magazines took no modifications. I just picked them up at a gunshow and BAM!

I'm with Denny. I think the SKS is a helluva gun for the money. It'll never be a sub MOA bench gun, but they do fine for horsing around at 100yds or under.

The gas system comes apart easily (once you know how to do it. ;) ) I don't clean my gas piston/tube every time I shoot it though. It's just one more tube to clean out, so it's not hard to do. From my experience, it just doesn't get all that dirty.)

Here's a step by step for SKS disassembly and cleaning:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/carbine/index.asp

And here's the video:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/videowmv/skscleaning100new.wmv

(The video is great, it's not exactly obvious how to disassemble them just by looking at it.) I managed to figure it all out on my own way back when, but he knows all of the tips and tricks.

It sounds like you've had your heart set on a Mini-14 for a while though, so go for it!

[Trip McNeely]

I'm with Denny. I think the SKS is a helluva gun for the money. It'll never be a sub MOA bench gun, but they do fine for horsing around at 100yds or under.

The gas system comes apart easily (once you know how to do it. ;) ) I don't clean my gas piston/tube every time I shoot it though. It's just one more tube to clean out, so it's not hard to do. From my experience, it just doesn't get all that dirty.)

Here's a step by step for SKS disassembly and cleaning:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/carbine/index.asp

And here's the video:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/videowmv/skscleaning100new.wmv

(The video is great, it's not exactly obvious how to disassemble them just by looking at it.) I managed to figure it all out on my own way back when, but he knows all of the tips and tricks.

It sounds like you've had your heart set on a Mini-14 for a while though, so go for it!
Yeah well not set, but I also like the SKS, so Im not ruling it out. lol. Thanks for the info too, I appreciate it!

[topher]

Damn man we need to go shooting. I promise you will love the AR and like red says you can mod the shit out of it. I hope to be getting a new M4 here in the next few months and may build it myself if I cannot find what I want at a gun show. I had an SKS and yes it is a nice gun and that military gun supply does have some good prices on SKS's. I would set up a little range day and get the chance to shoot at least a SKS and an AR to decide before you blow a bunch of money to find out you were not happy with your purchase.

[Trip McNeely]

Wow. I found out you can modify the hell out of a Mini 14. Hmmmmmmm :D

These are pre-modified that you can buy, but it looks like you can pretty much change everything on these as much as an AR.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/ruger_mini_prices.html

[topher]

Wow. I found out you can modify the hell out of a Mini 14. Hmmmmmmm :D

These are pre-modified that you can buy, but it looks like you can pretty much change everything on these as much as an AR.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/ruger_mini_prices.html
So Red buys "the gun of Rambo" and you choose the gun of the A-Team. Nice :D

[David]

So Red buys "the gun of Rambo" and you choose the gun of the A-Team. Nice :D
With parts that make ARs seem cheap. $789 for a barrel package. Ouch.

God damn I scrolled down some more and they have a lot of $1500-$2k guns. I didn't know a Mini 14 could get that expensive. :eek:

[Lason]

tactiCOOL!!
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/img/rugerminiprices/005bjpg.jpg

[David]

tactiCOOL!!
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/img/rugerminiprices/005bjpg.jpg
Needs a flashlight.

[Denny]

Needs a flashlight.
LMAO!!!

[LX331]

.17 HMR :) Not semi-auto but NO kick, very accurate (as long as the wind is down) and CHEAP.


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