I have been looking at the Remington R15 lately but the price is just too much for me to accept on a rifle I will be dragging through the mud & slush. I am looking for a semi-auto with at least a 20 rd. capacity (more would be better) and at least a 20" barrel. If I have a choice, I would like something that is fairly accurate. Is that asking a lot?

If anyone has any ideas on what I should be looking for, and where-I would certainly appreciate it!

This all started because I went hunting this weekend with my buddy who just bought a synthetic green stocked SKS that shoots the 7.62 X 39MM. The bullets are DIRT CHEAP and he was cracking everything he shot at. I want that repeatability. Also .223 rounds are very cheap as well.

You wont find anything much cheaper than an SKS. good gun for the money. To have 20+ rounds, yo are looking at AR-15's.

In .223 you are looking at AR-15s or a Ruger Mini-14. The Mini isn't really known for it's accuracy, but I've hit what I've shot at with mine.

Psg I was looking at the Ruger Mini 14 but even the sales guy at Academy said the same thing-Good gun, but not very accurate. Is it accurate up to 100 yards, or is it better to keep it under 100? If it is good up to 100 yards, I'll take one and be happy about it.

Everyone mentions the AR's. The very rifle I used in the military. As I recall, the short stumpy barrels are not going to suit me. I am looking for this as a varmint rifle. If I can find one with a 20+" barrel for a fair price, I would be all over it. They are very durable and consistent which is a plus. Parts for them are available everywhere, and you can customize them to your liking. I am really looking for a varmint rifle and will shoot it as is if it has a decent barrel.

The Mini-14 will group anywhere from 1"-5" out of the box at 100 yards. There are little tricks, supposedly a muzzle break tends to increase the accuracy and you can always try an ASI build with a MOA or sub-MOA guarantee.

Accuracy Systems Inc.

It's definitely durable and reliable but doesn't have the inherent accuracy that ARs have.

You will spend whatever savings you get with a mini-14 to get it to shoot and then may not get real accuracy. There are many options on an AR, such as building your own. You can get a lower and buy a complete upper. DPMS, Rock River, Bushmaster and others put out good stuff and a 20" model is no problem. In the long run I would save up and get the AR, you will be much happier. JMHO
You might like to read the following article on my Blog
http://wildedtx.blogspot.com/2008/02/todays-black-rifle.html

AR 15 the only way to go.

Check the KelTec SU 16 - They are cheaper than the Ruger and take m-16 mags - I don't know that much about them but have heard good things and I really like their pistols.

If you plan on shooting with your buddy a lot I'd build a 7.62x39mm AR 15.

I had an Mini-14 for a while with a decent 3-9x40 mm scope i can still group better open sighted with an AR.