Get what you want in a rifle, then swap the barrel for a .223 Wylde conversion. (You’ll want to use a gunsmith) Takes both calibers safely, and offers a nice trade off of accuracy and reliability. I’ll throw out the idea of a Troy PAR, K&M m17s, or build your own Macabbee SLR. I own the first two, the third is in the way. I recommend them wholeheartedly.

Whats the word on the macabbee Jonesy? i have hmmmed about it but want a shooters prospective, not an ad.

Keep in mind many new rifles are being chambered in .223 Wylde. Which is a nice trade off between the two calibers. It handles both safely, and extracts well. Just not as accurate as a straight .223 bolt rifle. BArrels in ‘Wylde’ are available for Any bolt gun, or ar, and a gunsmith can ream out a .223 chamber to it.

All of my .224 family (the acual diameter of the projectiles) barrels are either in 5.56 or Wylde. Saves the headache.

Yes it is russian, having said that in x39 the mini 30 SKS and others ...
Use it as a OMG reserve. Ammo is very affordable. One can buy crates of sealed ammo in tins of 700 rds that will last many more decades. All you need is to pick up non FMJ ammo and even thats pretty affordable

Jimbo, if I understand you, you say no FMJ . Or did you mean “some” ?

If non, why not. Thx

None FMJ vs. soft point SP. with SP ammo it can presently be used for hunting. it makes a quicker kill . the reason for FMJ is the Geneva mandate that SP are cruel to be shot with and create excessive wounding. which is what you want for hunting. Get both but keep a stash of the SP and a SUPPLY of FMJ

If you get one of these sorts of rifles definitely pick up a few 100 of SP ammo it will put an animal down quicker then a FMJ which is illegal to hunt with at least in Canada

Right now in a none issue world that we are in it is illegal to hunt with FMJ. and it doesnt give the knock down power that an expanding bullet does. A FMJ imparts a lot of energy on impact, but a soft point expanding leaves all the energy in the animal generally.. it stops sooner and wastes less meat. all of my NR firearms are for hunting reasons so thus I keep a handy supply for hunting purposes. if you look at gel tests yes FMJ does a number on ballistic gel but when put too the same test with SP style. you can see the difference.

You may want to check with your provincial regs but FMJ is usually only illegal to use on big game. Check rules under "non expanding bullet"

I know thats why you get a couple boxes of SP.[the stash] but the big pile can be cheap surplus. I reload so I purchased some of the more difficult to find brass and tuned the load to best for accuracy . Once that was done i shoot my bulk corrosive but I write down any changes to zero on the scope. Sorry for the confusion. the rest except .22LR and shotgun I reload. Loose powder, bullets, powder, primers, require no other thing other then valid id.

I wasn't confused, just adding my two cents about FMJ being legal for hunting for other then big game. Regs vary by province.

Do you find that the economics don't support reloading shotgun?

Space, ,,, no i dont really use a shotgun. I have used them to breach doors in the CF but i take my birds with .22LR . I dont presently eat any duck, goose or swan , mainly just grouse. I do have one but its not my preferred tool. There are a bunch of rounds for it of various shot, stocked away. But I prefer to use a rifle,it's just me. I know guys that do reload it, but I dont know [shrug]. I know its a bit of a pain to find shot , the few guys i know know ppl with a shot maker and they make their own.

None FMJ vs. soft point SP. with SP ammo it can presently be used for hunting. it makes a quicker kill . the reason for FMJ is the Geneva mandate that SP are cruel to be shot with and create excessive wounding. which is what you want for hunting. Get both but keep a stash of the SP and a SUPPLY of FMJ

If you get one of these sorts of rifles definitely pick up a few 100 of SP ammo it will put an animal down quicker then a FMJ which is illegal to hunt with at least in Canada ....

Thanks. I would never use for hunting deer...unless I ran out of all the other ammo. have plenty of Regualr rounds for hunting deer or for coyotes.

Whats the word on the macabbee Jonesy? i have hmmmed about it but want a shooters prospective, not an ad.

Not released yet. I just cancelled my order in lieu of bill c-71. Went with an ar-15. If it’s going to be tracked now, the cost effectiveness of an ar-15 can’t be beat!

Ahhh ok thanks for getting back to me JONESY. I have an ALBERTA TACTICAL chambered in 5.56 nato. Good luck in your endeavours!