Advice needed about Purchasing a Long Rifle

[hrote48]

I am wanting to purchase a Semi Automatic Long Rifle, but not sure which one to buy. I do not have a lot of money to play with, so need to keep the price as low(reasonable) as possible, but still get quality. I do not even know if something exits to what I am looking for. Again, I do not have a lot of money to play with, so getting many firearms is out of the question. What I am basicly looking fore is a long rifle, semi-automatic, that is good and can be used for home protection and also can be taken with me, in case of a SHTF situation, and can be used out in the open or in woods, or wherever. I realize that there are a good many inexpensive long rifles, tactical looking, that are mostly used for "plinking" so to speak, or just target practice. So, that all being said, what's a good Semi Automatic long rifle, as powerful as possible, for home protection and that can be taken on the road in a SHTF situation. Thanks ahead of time for any and all advice and ideas!

[Doomtrooper]

Ruger 10/22, Basic Ar-15, or 12 ga. pump shotgun. I believe these are the starters for most of us.

[sprrdhawk44]

Ak47. Cheaper than an AR, and works.


That said, I'm an AR15 kinda guy, but if money was tight I'd have no problem relying on an AK as my long gun.

[streaker69]

If you get an AR15, then you can also get a drop in conversion that allows you to shoot .22lr instead of .223/5.56. Takes about 30 seconds to swap out parts. Something to think about if you're looking for something to shoot a lot without breaking the bank.

[ungawa]

Mini-14

Sights are on the bore so it's point of aim more or less for 100 yards. It's light, it's tiny, and it's built like a tank. And it's quality.

Downside is you would have to spend money to customize it, without many options, and mags are expensive and mag changes are slower than AR. Also, the best ARs are more reliable by a hair. But since you don't have any experience and don't want to spend much, I don't deal in johny come lately off-brand ARs. Somebody more knowledgeable than me might convince you to buy one, and it will probably be great, just not my thing.

[sprrdhawk44]

If you get an AR15, then you can also get a drop in conversion that allows you to shoot .22lr instead of .223/5.56. Takes about 30 seconds to swap out parts. Something to think about if you're looking for something to shoot a lot without breaking the bank.

Where are you buying .22 long rifle ammunition?

[streaker69]

Where are you buying .22 long rifle ammunition?

I'm not, I stocked up before the rush.

[sprrdhawk44]

I'm not, I stocked up before the rush.

Smart man. I have a good amount put away as well.

It used to be that I'd recommend people buy a .22 to begin their journey in self defense/shooting. Now, it's damn near impossible to find .22 ammunition, and when it finally IS located, it's prohibitively expensive. I think the days of .22 plinking are at an end.

[glocke12]

It might help if you mentioned what your budget is...

In any case, Ruger 10/22 take down really isn't a bad choice on the low end of the price spectrum.

If you are in a position to save money, Id really be tempted to tell you to just save up and buy a Colt 6920..as has been pointed out an AR can accept a drop in 22 cal conversion kit which would allow you to shoot more and shoot cheaply..

Also, there isn't anything wrong with a non-semi auto rifle for self defense and SHTF. For the price of a good AR you could get a decent bolt action or lever action rifle and a boat load of ammo.

[Bang]

what's a good Semi Automatic long rifle, as powerful as possible, for home protection and that can be taken on the road in a SHTF situation.

Low-budget? low-cost gun and low-cost ammo, get an SKS. I saw some for $375 today. They are accurate, easy to maintain, and the cartridge is the one used by the AK-47, in case you get one of them later.

If you could drop the semi-auto requirement, the bolt-action Russian Mosin Nagants are well-made, accurate, and the 7.62 x 54R is on par with a 30-06, maybe even a little hotter. Those rifles are selling for $199 or less...and the ammo is the cheapest of them all.

But, an (taken on the road) outdoor gun, powerful as possible, and long in length is a totally wrong instrument for IN home defense

You might want to look into a semi-auto shotgun that you could use at home for defense (18 inch barrel recommended) and can also put a rifled barrel on it and shoot powerful slugs accurate to 70 yards or more outdoors.