Long Distance Self-Defense Rifle

For $750 two rifles come to mind. The PSL-54C 7.62x54R! or an M1 Garand 30-06. Enbloc clip reloads are quicker than you think and the M1 Garand can put them down range quite well.

Why do you need long distance, for a strictly SD rifle? The only thing that will fit that bill that I can think of is an AR and that will be over your budget setup for long and short range.

Long range + Self Defense = Oxymoron

Long distance? Escape and Evade.

Self defense rifle and cheap... Ak or SKS. The commies have been using them for years and they are manstoppers. Last time I checked they were realtively cheap compared to an AR rifle, but I never followed them very close.

Long range + Self Defense = Oxymoron

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If the guy has a rifle and is shooting at you...say...from a belltower in Texas....

I just love these gunstore lawyer declarative statements that cover all cases!

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I guess it depends upon your definition of long range. An AR15 with a PFI Rapid Reticle scope will make 600 yard shots BORING and EASY. You can do 300 yard shots just fine with a Mauser, Garand, AK, SKS, FAL, or whatever.

Since you mention a $750 budget...I'd say either get an AK and some magazines (good luck) or a service grade Garand from the CMP. The reason for the Garand is that the clips are very low cost in comparison to magazines and you can get surplus ball ammunition from the same source.

SKS fits the bill.

An SKS is well within your price range and would serve well with iron sites.
If you are set on 308 or 30-06 and want to stay under 500 look at a Rem. 760 pump. It is not an auto but is not threatening in appearence and when scoped can make consistant hits past 300 yds. There are carbine configurations available and any stock that fits an 870 20 ga will fit the 760.
10 rd mags are available.

Am I the only one who finds irony in the fact that the guy who said this,

just love these gunstore lawyer declarative statements

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also said this,

a PFI Rapid Reticle scope will make 600 yard shots BORING and EASY

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I concur with the SKS/AK recommendation.

I love my Garand and the CMP has some available right now for less than the $750 price point. Wait a few months and AR's will be back down there.

Yikes.

The SKS is now a "long distance" self-defense rifle.

If you really think you are going to be trading long-distance lead with zombies when the SHTF, you really should think about spending more money now.

Might take a look at the CETME. It's a .308 with (I believe) a 20 round mags. Maximum range 600m (656 yards) if scoped. It's only slightly longer than an AR. I've seen them average around $600 and go for as little as $300.

As for the prices returning to normal, I'd bet that a 16" A2, will be back to the $700- $800 price point by July or August. The DPMS Sportical was $699 before the panic buying set in- I don't see why it won't return. Due to the panic buying, every ugly rifle maker has been working double time. That means that there is a shortage now, but a glut is coming when everyone catches up.

m1...

If you look around the used market, you can find ARs for under 750.

Under 500, I would say the SKS or maybe a used AK.

IMO, the much-overlooked FN-49 is the best deal going for those who want a defensive rifle on a budget. You can usually find a few on Gunbroker and gunsamerica.

Long range + Self Defense = Oxymoron

Long distance? Escape and Evade.

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But if you're fat and will eventually be overrun, by all means, kill them all.

SD at Long Range

I don't buy it either.

If I had to give an answer, even though it takes a lot of imagination for me to consider "long range SD" unless you're in uniform in Afghanistan or Iraq, I'd put the money on an SKS or AK variant. You may as well get something that's fun to play with at the range, since you're not likely to ever need it for SD at long range.

I've not been impressed with the Black Stick since I had to carry one for three years in the Army, but if you can find one at your price, same deal - may as well get something you're likely to play with.

Nothing wrong with M1 Garands, Galil, FAL, CETME auto, and other MilSurp quasi-assault rifles. You can take any of them to your local 600 yard range and shoot silhouette targets from cover while you "fire and manuever" over the course.

If the guy has a rifle and is shooting at you...say...from a belltower in Texas....

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Quote from an officer on the scene:

Ramiro Martinez, an officer who confronted Whitman, later stated in his book that the civilian shooters should be credited, as they made it difficult for Whitman to take careful aim without being hit.

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No, rifles have no defensive use do they.......

Rarely? Sure. Never? It's happened at least once.

And, again in Texas (why do we get them) a non-LE engaged a rifle wielding nutcase in Tyler TX with a handgun, even though he had a rifle close by. Unfortunate that he chose to use the handgun, it cost him his life. Maybe if he had picked up the rifle? We'll never know.

Then there was the guy that worked for HK who defended himself and his girlfriend with a full auto Mini-14, can't remember his name at the moment.

I'm sure there are plenty of others, I haven't had enough coffee yet.

There is absolutely a case to be made that rifles can have a long range defensive use, it's just very rare.

As for the OP, it's important to look at the cases where a rifle was actually used defensively. In all of these I've listed the rifle was used away from it's owners home. The rifle was in the car with them. Something to keep in mind as you shop, if you live in a state where you can carry long guns around you want something portable.

MasterDei,

I do not understand how a shooting setup for 600 yard targets (with hyperbole in the context of a long range shooting class that I failed to mention) relates to someone declaring that there is never a legitimate use for a long range rifle in self-defense.

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Thanks TexasRifleman...that's the article I was thinking of!! Great citation.

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So, to address the OP's question and subsequent post, "general" long range rifle probably falls within the battle rifle category. The popular opinion on these rifles is that they're effective to at least 600 yards. "Effective" does not mean "capable of hitting paper"...it means hitting the target while maintaining rifle level performance. This eliminates guns like the AR-15 in 5.56x45mm and the AK-47 in 7.62x39mm (which hits like a 9mm at that distance). Guns that are in your price range include the M1 Garand, used M1A's (if you're very, very lucky), older FALs, and similar rifles. Of the guns on the list, I think the M1 Garand is the way to go.

I highly recommend that you read Boston's Gun Bible for a good introduction to this topic.

Kel-Tec Sub 2000 or similar... To work with Glock or beretta mags. These are still inexpensive and readily available (mags and rifle) and shoot 9mm accurately at longer ranges.

SKS, AK-style/Saiga, or Kel Tec SU-16B. Your choice of caliber (except for the SKS, which has one caliber choice).