{"id":207,"date":"2017-04-20T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T08:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tma65.com\/blog\/?p=207"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","slug":"3-affordable-modern-sporting-rifles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/3-affordable-modern-sporting-rifles\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Affordable Modern Sporting Rifles"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/3-affordable-modern-sporting-rifles\/#3_Affordable_Modern_Sporting_Rifles\" >3 Affordable Modern Sporting Rifles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/3-affordable-modern-sporting-rifles\/#Bushmaster_XM-15_Standard\" >Bushmaster XM-15 Standard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/3-affordable-modern-sporting-rifles\/#Smith_Wesson_M_P15_Series\" >Smith & Wesson M&P15 Series<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/3-affordable-modern-sporting-rifles\/#Ruger_AR-556\" >Ruger AR-556<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Affordable_Modern_Sporting_Rifles\"><\/span>3 Affordable Modern Sporting Rifles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3 Affordable Modern Sporting Rifles. For several years, modern sporting rifles (MSRs) got a really bad rap. They were seen as weapons of violence rather than the sporting rifles they are perceived to be today. In fact, many hunters are turning to the AR and tactical rifles, especially for predator <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"286\">hunting<\/a> when you may need to shoot quickly and repeatedly. Here are three affordable MSRs we\u2019d recommend for anyone in the market for one.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bushmaster_XM-15_Standard\"><\/span>Bushmaster XM-15 Standard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-209\" src=\"https:\/\/tma65.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/inner33.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For 38 years, Bushmaster has been producing affordable MSRs. The XM-15 Standard in particular is a solid utility <a title=\"30mm vs 1 Inch Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/30mm-vs-1-inch-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle<\/a> built for durability and accuracy. While the Bushmaster has been known to have trigger problems, its lightweight frame was designed for <a title=\"accessories\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/rifle-scope\/accessories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">accessories<\/a> and features, including:<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>16-inch Chrome-lined barrel (HBAR profile)<\/li><li>Includes A2 flash hider<\/li><li>Six-position stock<\/li><li>Includes 30-round Magpul PMag<\/li><li>Chambered in 5.56<\/li><li>Staked castle nut<\/li><li>M16 bolt carrier<\/li><li>M4 feedramps<\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MSRP is $895.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smith &#038; Wesson M&#038;P15 Series<\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">M&#038;P15 (M&#038;P is an abbreviation for <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-sniper-movies\/\">Military<\/a> and Police) MSRs are built to perform multiple uses under various conditions. As such, they are as versatile as they are reliable. Made for sport <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/our-favorite-rimfire-rifles\/\">shooting<\/a>, <a title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> and military and law enforcement use, the M&#038;P15 series rifles are easy to accessorize. They are lightweight and rugged, meaning they can hold up in pretty much any conditions. Features include:<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fixed Stock<\/li><li>Forged, Integral Trigger Guard<\/li><li>Armornite\u00ae Finish on Barrel (Interior &#038; Exterior)<\/li><li>Chromed Firing Pin<\/li><li>Forward Assist<\/li><li>Dust Cover<\/li><li>Muzzle-Target Crown Non-Threaded<\/li><li>Ambidextrous Safety Selector<\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/5-reasons-why-you-missed-the-shot\/\" title=\"5 Reasons Why You Missed the Shot\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"884\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifles<\/a> are backed with the S&#038;W Lifetime Service Policy.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ruger_AR-556\"><\/span>Ruger AR-556<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"311\" class=\"wp-image-210\" src=\"https:\/\/tma65.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/inner35-1024x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/06\/inner35-1024x311.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/06\/inner35-300x91.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/06\/inner35-768x233.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/06\/inner35-600x182.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/06\/inner35-150x46.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/06\/inner35.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The AR-556 has a cold-hammer-forged 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel with ultra-precise <a title=\"TRACT TORIC 2.5-15\u00d744 Review\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/tract-toric-2-5-15x44-review1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifling<\/a> for exceptional accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning. The 1:8 inch twist rate stabilizes bullets from 35 to 77 grains, and the 5.56 NATO chamber allows the use of both 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. Ammunition. M4 feed ramps provide improved operational reliability, and the matte black oxide finish reduces glare and provides corrosion resistance. A Ruger flash suppressor is provided, and the 1\/2&#8243;-28 threaded barrel allows for standard muzzle <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-convenience-of-scope-throw-levers\/\" title=\"The Convenience of Scope Throw Levers 11\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"520\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">accessories<\/a> to be installed.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rugers are known to have heavy yet crisp triggers. The AR-556 triggers have been enlarged in case you decide to <a title=\"Shooting a 22LR Rifle in a Whole New Way\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/shooting-22lr-rifle-in-a-whole-new-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shoot<\/a> with a gloved hand. Of course, the trigger can always be replaced if it doesn\u2019t meet personal preference. Though they\u2019re not cheap, Timney is about the best out there. Features include:<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Folding rear sight<\/li><li>Front sight is <a title=\"scope elevation adjustment\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/tag\/scope-elevation-adjustment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">elevation adjustable<\/a><\/li><li>Six position telescoping M-4 style buttstock and Mil-Spec buffer tube<\/li><li>Made from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum forging<\/li><li>Bolt is machined from 9310 alloy steel<\/li><li>Cold-hammer forged 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel<\/li><li>Ergonomic pistol grip for precise <a title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trigger control<\/a><\/li><li>Includes one 30-round Magpul PMAG<\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MSRP is $799.<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>3 Affordable Modern Sporting Rifles | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2265,2267],"tags":[2818,2820,2821,2825,2826,2827,2832,2833,2834,2835,2841,2842,2843,2853,2857,2858,2859,3241],"class_list":["post-207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rifle-scope","category-shooting-skills","tag-hunting-distance-finder","tag-hunting-fanny-pack","tag-hunting-feeders","tag-hunting-glasses","tag-hunting-ground-blinds","tag-hunting-hand-muff","tag-hunting-key-chains","tag-hunting-leupold-rangefinder","tag-hunting-lures","tag-hunting-mat","tag-hunting-range-finder","tag-hunting-range-finder-app","tag-hunting-rangefinder","tag-hunting-rifle-sling","tag-hunting-scope","tag-hunting-scopes","tag-hunting-shells","tag-sporting-rifles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11547,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207\/revisions\/11547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}