curious about what rifle to buy

[tito48]

So I want a rifle, something cheap, accurate, rugged and versatile. I was thinking an AR15 just b/c I am familiar with them from being in the military but I really have no idea what the best gun for a civilian is.

I want something I can do long range marksmanship with and possibly hunt with as well. Something that I can put optics on eventually and also something that uses cheap and available ammo

Any ideas?

[Great-Kazoo]

long range marksmanship with and possibly hunt with as well. Something that I can put optics on eventually and also something that uses cheap and available ammo

nothing fits your needs. Cheap & available ammo is non-existent.
although ( SHAMELESS PLUG) i have a very clean low mileage Tikka in 270 with burris fullfield scope AND 30-40rds of ammo for $500.
that covers long range, hunting, optics and ammo in one fell swoop.
YMMV

[Batteriesnare]

long range marksmanship with and possibly hunt with as well. Something that I can put optics on eventually and also something that uses cheap and available ammo

nothing fits your needs. Cheap & available ammo is non-existent.
although ( SHAMELESS PLUG) i have a very clean low mileage Tikka in 270 with burris fullfield scope AND 30-40rds of ammo for $500.
that covers long range, hunting, optics and ammo in one fell swoop.
YMMV

Actually, that pretty good!

[tito48]

let me look into that and get back to you...

[Irving]

Ar-10?

[ColoEnthusiast]

My personal recommendation would be a .308, stainless all-weather if going bolt. I like Rugers personally. For world class accuracy on a budget definately Savage with Accutrigger. Stocks and other accessories are reasonable. Very little is actually needed, aside from a good picatinney rail, rings and a scope.
Semi-auto's, particularly long range capable, are generally very expensive. Lot's of high-dollar rifles immediately come to mind but as you mentioned cost is a consideration.
Anyone have thoughts on a reasonably priced, highly accurate, and reliable .308?

[Great-Kazoo]

My personal recommendation would be a .308, stainless all-weather if going bolt. I like Rugers personally. For world class accuracy on a budget definately Savage with Accutrigger. Stocks and other accessories are reasonable. Very little is actually needed, aside from a good picatinney rail, rings and a scope.
Semi-auto's, particularly long range capable, are generally very expensive. Lot's of high-dollar rifles immediately come to mind but as you mentioned cost is a consideration.
Anyone have thoughts on a reasonably priced, highly accurate, and reliable .308?

i sold off this board (location & pic incl) an older 788 remington in .308 with scope and ammo for $250.00 the new owner said outside of readj POI for his eyesight vs mine it's a 1-200yd deer dropping rifle.

[BadShot]

The Savage is about it in the .308 bolt gun world for affordable. But like everything, you get what you pay for.

[GreenScoutII]

For what its worth, If I could have only rifle, I'd go with a Remington 700 in 30-06. Plenty accurate, good trigger out of the box, and 30-06 is probably the most versatile centerfire cartridge out there. Just my .02..

[rhineoshott]

Yup AR-10 if you want something tactical.

If you're looking more for a bolt gun, get a Stevens 200 or a Savage in .308

.308 Win is THE all purpose round for rifles. It's used in sniper rifles, Assault/Tactical style rifles, Light/Medium Machine guns and hunting rifles. There is not a single category of rifle that does not use the .308

The decision you have to make is if you want a semi auto/tactical or bolt/accuracy rifle. It's not common to see a perfect mix.