Need help with a decision

[rockhead]

I have around $600 to spend on a semi-auto, high cap magazine, non 5.56 rifle. I've checked-out and held the following:
Romy GP75, the WASR, a CEMTE .308.
I'm looking for ultra reliability first
Availability of ammo second
Accuracy past 100 yds not a priority as the AK clones won't give it.
Something to supplement my Ruger mini-14 in .223 (180 Series)
If anyone owns, or has owned the above, which would you recommend as fitting the criteria the best?
Thanks

[Para Bellum]

What should a semi-auto, high cap magazine, non 5.56 rifle for USD 600 be good or used for?

[seanie]

If it was me, I'd go with the CETME, but I'm a big 91/G3 fan, and it's YOUR money. What are you going to use it for?

[uncyboo]

Something to supplement my Ruger mini-14 in .223 (180 Series)


Used Mini-30.....

Other than that, I owned a CETME that was stolen (grrrrrrrrr) and if you get a good one, or take the time to work on a sub-standard one if that's what you wind up with, they are just awesome for the money. Not easy to scope though. Can be done, but a little tricky, as most of these have stamped receivers. Lots of Google info on those to get the headspace right, which is usually the problem with these. Great guns when they're runnin right though. And once you get them there they usually stay that way. I also own a Mini 30 and love it too, and is much easier to scope, which is a plus for me.

[rockhead]

"What's it going to be used for"? Why do any of us have rifles of this type?
Plinking, enjoyment, collecting, just plain fun to shoot...
Add in the fact that they may be hard to get in the future- supply/demand would make them a worthwhile investment.
Not that I adhere to the SHTF scenario, but stranger things have happened.
No, I won't be hunting with it unless I run out of 30-30 or .264 Win Mag ammo. It won't be for home defense (the Ithica 37 can handle that).
It will be used for what 99% of them are used for- enjoyment.
That being said, it must be absolutely reliable.

[DE Shooter]

If I hadn't spent my $$$ earlier on different deals...I'd check them out.

[lipadj46]

If you shop around $600 will buy you a 7.62x39 Saiga and enough money to buy the parts for a conversion. I would also go Saiga .308 before a Century CETME anyday. At least you know the Saiga will function properly and RAA will fix any problems and pay for shipping both ways (Cadiz Gun Works does the waranty work for RAA).

[Chuckusaret]

I would go with a Saiga 7.62x39 rifle with 16.3" Barrel IZ-132 at $399 at www.mississippiautoarms.com/

[djc]

sold out at mississippi auto arms.

still in stock at gilbertsguns.com at $439 for the 7.62x39. they also offer the saiga in .308 in 16.3" and 21.8" for $549 and $569.

[Evanb]

I have a Yugo M50, full stock AK47 that is terrific. It is a Century Arms model. Accuracy is very good for an AK variant. I also have a few .308 semi autos - not cheap to shoot!

Here is an option - Try an AK74. The AK74 replaced the AK47 and shoots a round very close to preformance for a .223 but with a little more punch and stability. They are far more accurate, less recoil and fire as dependably as the AK47.

Ammo was the best deal for a good while - 1000 rds for $49. Now it is climbing but still half or AK47 ammo costs.

Look into it - I need to get one myself!

[stubbicatt]

I guess everybody's experience with the AK is different, but to 400 yards it hits what I shoot at. At 300 one day we were shooting a gallon detergent bottle from kneeling and hitting it nearly every time. With iron sights.

This was a full stock Yugo AK. It is a lot of fun shooting at that distance.

I wouldn't accept the 100 yard AK limitation urged by many internet commandos until I tried shooting further myself first. 400 yards really isn't that far.

[johnwilliamson062]

I wouldn't rule out the SKS. If you can handle the stripper clips, the only real advantage the AK action has is full auto, which you aren't going to be able to get anyways. I would love to have a super reliable 30 round fixed SKS mag that I could use stripper clips with.

[AirForceShooter]

Wait for thew price of AR's to come down.

AFS