I'm going to buy both a 223 and a 308.  Unfortunately the place where I can shoot makes it all but impossible to find the fired brass.  One possible solution to this problem would be to use Rugers with the gas system turned off.  It would seem that all I'd have to do is cycle the action manually.  Anyone tried this?

I realize that there are brass deflectors or catchers but the one's I've seen aren't appealing.

Finally, how hard are these guns to clean?

check and ask here...

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_126/637865_Ruger_SR_556_Picture_and_info_thread___.html

Firing gas systems with the gas turned off has been done before. It doesn't harm anything.

There are lots of brass collectors out there.  Brownell's has a good selection.  I recommend you get one with rigid to semi-rigid upper with a mesh bottom that bolts to your rail.  I have one from E&L Manufacturing and it works great.  It is solid and must be removed when full by pulling it off of the bolt-on rails.

FIND the brass or RECOVER it?  If the brass gets lost in scrub weeds or whatever, put a blue tarp down.  Anchor each corner with a rock.  Looks kinda dumb, but sure makes cleanup faster and easier.  If you get a buddy, then it's super fast to pick up the tarp and dump it in a 5 gal. bucket.  If it's going over a range barrier, then... I dunno.  Ask the rangemaster for a cease fire?  Hell, if they let you do that, go over the WALL and pick up ALL the damn brass.  You do the cleanup, you get the reward!

if you want a seamless, no hassle pick up for your brass this is what you want

leave no trace

need to get them to make a 308 version