[weswood]

HQ, my intended purpose is mostly plinking.

I'm leaning towards the AR15 for that reason. Cheaper ammo, parts availability, surplus parts & ammo. Plus I want to teach my daughter rifle shooting, she's 9 years old and petite for her age, so a collapsible stock is a must.

But on the other hand, I got rid of my deer rifles. After my father died, I pretty much lost interest in hunting. I don't know if it's stress or upbringing, but I'm getting the urge to go hunting. I'm not fond of the idea of hunting deer with a .223. I know if it will kill a man, it will kill a deer, but I've read cases of the bullet going through people and not even slowing down, the target stood there and kept shooting back. I'm a firm believer in one shot, one kill. Specially with animals. As I said above, my 1st hunting rifle was a muzzle loader, and my 1st shotgun was a break action single 20. No quick follow up shots with either.

So I'm also leaning towards the M1 .308.

Plus there's the wife factor. "You spent HOW much on that!" Even though weapons are a little cheaper here in Texas than in Cali. (Jester, for some reason I thought you lived near Houston.) I haven't priced any since last year, but I think I remember the Springfield going for around $1300, and I can get an AR15 for $1000. Maybe less if I can find a used one.