Help Decide which .223 to Purchase

[Dubster]

I vote for the Kel-Tec SU16CA! I have had zero problems with them. Got the second one used for $450 with 2 extra mags and less than 100 rounds thru it.

[Squidward]

Bolt-action: Remington 700 (lots of variants of this one) or Savage 10FP


Best bang for your buck is probably the Remington...

Ding, ding, ding; we have a winner!

[ZX-10R]

Remington M700 series or Savage...If you can find an used Remington XR100 buy it.

[popeye4]

Savage or Tikka. Both are at the bottom of the price list, but close to the top in "out of the box" accuracy. Excellent values that you won't regret having. But consider that you will have to add a sighting system, and you should probably spend as much on the glass as you do the rifle.......

[Crazy4Guns]

Lots of great suggestions. I appreciate all the feedback so far.

[Eleutheros]

I recommend the Saiga 223 as a great value in your price range.

Before I learned of the Saiga, I had purchased a Kel-Tec SU-16CA based on its use of AR-15 mags and its portability. But I sold the SU-16 still unfired to pay for my Saiga 7.62x39 and convert it from the imported sporter version to AK. I like my first Saiga so much I ordered today my second, a Saiga 223 (from Arms of America in Arizona).

Saigas are made by the same factory as the Russian AKs, renown for their reliability. Prices start in the lower $300 range. For a much lower price than the SU-16, the Saiga is far more durable. If you choose to do the AK conversion, the parts will cost you as little as $125 to $150, depending on what you select. With the conversion, mags, DROS and transfer fees, your cost is still in the $600 range.

[D.M.C.]

Truthfully, if you're on a budget, the Saiga or the Kel-Tec will serve you well. The Saiga is very rugged and heavy, the Kel-Tec is lighter but the polymer body seems to turn some folks off (but if you do some research on material composition and strength, you'll find it's not flimsy at all). From all the reviews and my own personal experience, I believe the Kel-Tec to have the edge in accuracy, plus if you already own USGI magazines, you're good to go with them. People who speak of building budget AR's are really skimping on the costs and parts. Buying used is also an option, particularly because there can be some really good deals to be found in the WTS section of this forum. Ultimately, you *should* handle each possibility, test them, and find out what you think works for *you*. Make a chart of pros and cons, and remember that money is a legitimate factor. I know what it is like to have to buy guns on budget and while there are many folks in this community who think nothing of blowing several thousand dollars on a firearm, it makes me wince every time I see some shooters push a newcomer into spending more than he can afford simply because their standards of acceptable dollars are dulled by years of buying.

[Lead-Thrower]

Fixed if for ya.

Thanks. My recommendation comes from my own personal experiences. I have not had any experience with BCM or DD uppers. I still recommend Stag if you are on a budget... I think it is the best quality for the least $$$.

[gotshotgun?]

The stag I had performed flawlessly and shot all kinds of ammo, I do recommend stag if you want a cheapish ar.

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

Truthfully, if you're on a budget, the Saiga or the Kel-Tec will serve you well. The Saiga is very rugged and heavy, the Kel-Tec is lighter but the polymer body seems to turn some folks off (but if you do some research on material composition and strength, you'll find it's not flimsy at all). From all the reviews and my own personal experience, I believe the Kel-Tec to have the edge in accuracy, plus if you already own USGI magazines, you're good to go with them. People who speak of building budget AR's are really skimping on the costs and parts. Buying used is also an option, particularly because there can be some really good deals to be found in the WTS section of this forum. Ultimately, you *should* handle each possibility, test them, and find out what you think works for *you*. Make a chart of pros and cons, and remember that money is a legitimate factor. I know what it is like to have to buy guns on budget and while there are many folks in this community who think nothing of blowing several thousand dollars on a firearm, it makes me wince every time I see some shooters push a newcomer into spending more than he can afford simply because their standards of acceptable dollars are dulled by years of buying.

I COULDNT HAVE SAID IT BETTER!!!!!!!!

[Exile Machine]

About building an AR-15, would it still have to have a fixed mag?

Nope, a detachable magazine rifle is legal in CA... Got to lose the "evil" parts including the pistol grip. Then you can drop legally owned or legally borrowed large capacity mags: