[afnamvet]

Ruger Mini 14 in .223.

[djf]

Agreed.
Mini-14

Very accurate, a pretty good punch, and you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to by rounds...

[2001convSVT]

I second your choice of the Ruger Mini 14 in 223. Inexpensive, but not cheap, reliable in all weather, light weight, plenty of spare parts, high cap mags and ammo is plentiful. And you can hunt small to medium size game without damaging the meat, and I a pinch you can hunt large game, if you are a good shot.