Cheapish semi-auto "ranch" rifle?

I carried my early-version Mini-14 in my 4WD Toyota for many a mile of rough jeep trail. The K4 always stayed righteous, even though the occasional really rough bump had it airborne.

The Mini isn't the thing for tight groups at the bench, but for the first two or three shots I found that 1.5 MOA was the common performance. The first shot was always on.

Did in a fair number of coyotes and jackrabbits...
 
+ one for the mini-14 they shoot better with heaver bullets try the 62gners in them ive had one that shot moa at 100 yards witch isnt bad
 
My mini really likes 60gr. 65gr. and 69gr. sierra bullets. I have killed a couple doe's with the 65gr. Gameking. Dont underestimate the mini. Its a better gun than the haters like to believe.
 
I vote Lever action in anything larger than .30 caliber. Anything in .40 caliber and bigger is likely overkill unless your ranch is in the Rockies and pests include bears. Its an American classic for exactly what you want. Using Hornady Leverevolution ammunition you can extend ranges out to 200 yds or so.

If you cant get away from the Semi-Auto requirement then the Ruger Mini series is my only other recommendation.
 
Yeah, gun shows can be a decent source... The SKS is bought, sold and traded a lot so your LGS guys can probably help you find a good one. They come up quite often on boards like Armslist and such too because a lot of guys eventually move up to AR's after having SKS's and AK's for a few years.
One little thing to know about is that there's a lot of variation in the stocks. They're low-cost production military arms so some of the stocks have plugs of wood glued in them in order to fix imperfections/knots/etc. These are usually quite noticable because the color/grain doesn't match. This doesn't hurt the function, of course, it's just an aesthetic thing. Some don't have any plugs at all. This is just something to know about because you CAN order them from online dealers like Buds but, sight unseen... well... you just need to know about the variations in stock-wood quality.
 
If this is going to be a working ranch rifle then an SKS is the ticket. Most are between $200 - 400. Are cheap to feed. (read russian steel case) They also can take a good beating and still function. Lets face facts, 20+ yrs ago a 2-3 moa rifle was a decent hunting rifle. I do not see how this has changed. Besides most people are not going to shoot sub-moa from an off hand or makeshift position anyway.
 
I hope you lean toward the Mini for the truck gun.
The SKS seems to me to be too big and heavy for that role.
The Mini fits the bill better, I think.
The Mini-30 would shoot the same ammo as the SKS...cheap. :)
 
I also like the Mini 14. They are very fun to shoot. (I personaly don't own one because I already own an AR15)

But if they started making Mini's in 5.45x39 russian I would buy one in a heartbeat. It would just be a cheaper to feed mini 14.
 
Suggestion

Maybe a Saiga Sporter? Available for under $400.00 and in 7.62x39. Built tough. Better be 'cause it is the foundation for many an AK!
 
The problem with the Mini-30 is that most of them do not feed the cheap surplus ammo. This makes into a rather expensive gun to shoot if you can only use US brass case ammo. That alone gives the SKS a huge leg up. Of course if you plan on carrying it much more than shooting it than it is less of an issue. In that case I would go for the 6.8 Mini.
 
yhe sks does shoot better than the ak but the minis put them both to shame and i have had to show many of my friends this fact
 
I understand you want a home defence and a ranch rifle all rolled in to one.

I would like to point out that unless your neighbors live far away a Mini 14 or the AK or SKS is a really dangerous weapon for close quarter combat .These things shoot thru walls and other objects and can accidently kill or injure your familly members or others in the immediate proximity.

As the working cowboys pointed out here on this post, a ranch rifle above all else needs to be light weight and able to with stand the elements.

I suggest you get two firearms,one for each intended purpose.Since high capacity, detachable magazine fed, semi auto fire power is practically unnecessary for either stated purpose (unless your home is in a war zone or your ranch is being over run by brain sucking zombies) I do not recommend any of the semi autos suggested here.

I have lots of different guns and for a ranch rifle I have a New England Firearms Handi-Rifle.It is a brutish thing designed to take all sorts of punishment and abuse plus it is short and light weight.Since it is a breach loading single shot it is not at all sensitive to weather and dirt.These things are available in several calibers including 45/70 Govt which I hand load to light magnum pressures.I like a lot more juice than a .223 especially if big hogs, cats and bears may be lurking about.For an addtional $125 N.E.F. will fit an extra barrel in another caliber to your rifle for added flexibility.T/C Encores are also good utility guns as well but cost a bit more.

For general home defence there is nothing better or safer for innocent by standers than a 12 Guage shotgun.You do not need range since it is practically impossible to prove self defence to the authorities if you plug a malfeasor at 200 yards. For this reason and for the safety of others I use a 12 guage for all my home defence needs and load it with #6 shot which will definatly produce the desired results as long as you use it up close to the intended target.
 
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