Segm3nt said:
So what am I looking for?
-Accuracy up to 500 yards (marines used iron sights from that distance with m16s to qualify)
-Quality and something that will last against the elements
-Light weight and versatile
-Home defense and possible survival if needed
-Hunting (I'd like to learn one day)
-Fun
The "accuracy up to 500 yards" thing is pretty subjective. What's
your definition?
From what I've seen, it's common for people to be enamored with the idea of a light-handling rifle for HD and "survival", but when they get to the range, they simply set it on a bench and try to shoot itty bitty groups with it. Nothing wrong with either, but if you honestly want a light-handling HD "survival" rifle, it'd be best to actually practice toward that end. If you want a target rifle to print itty bitty groups on paper, get the tool up to that task - or at least understand that while the carbine you're interested in may hit steel 500 yards, it might not be up to printing itty bitty groups on paper. Again, what's your definition of "accuracy up to 500 yards", what are you going to be happy with, and how are you actually going to shoot it at the range? Something to think about.
FWIW, some have recommended a Tikka T3, and I've been
very impressed with my
Tikka CTR - it's a light tactical rifle that would fill your requirements - 10 round mag, rail, tactical bolt knob, threaded barrel, a smooth-as-snot action...and it's a real tack driver to boot, as Tikkas generally are. I used in a tactical rifle match recently to good effect, and I plan on hunting with it next year, as it shoots circles around my custom FN SPR.
I'd also agree with posters who recommended a .22LR. Shooting well takes trigger time, and a shooting any centerfire with decent ammo is gonna cost, especially if you don't load you won ammo. A rifleman should always have (and use) a good .22LR rifle, IMO.
