I'm looking to buy my first rifle-caliber rifle.   It would be almost entirely for learning how to shoot paper at the range (max distance 300 yards), but also to have a defensive rifle available in an emergency.

I was originally thinking AR-15, but I'm in a ban state so the whole featureless thing is a turnoff.  I've started to conclude that for $1,600 I'd better off buying both a decent quality 223 bolt action rifle (say Tikka T3x) and a Ruger Mini-14.   I could use the bolt action with match ammo for target work, and the mini-14 whenever I want to play Rambo.   And I can still share ammo between them in a pinch.

But I wanted to hear other's opinions before I rule out the AR.   Has anyone built a featureless precision AR? Should I not be shying away from it?   The Thordsen stock doesn't seem so bad ergonomically, but I haven't figured out what options there are if it's not the right height for my cheek, or if the angle of the grip doesn't work for my hand, etc..  

If anyone has gone down this path, I'd be happy to hear your input.

I think if I were suddenly thrust into a ban state and wanted to follow the laws, I'd get a really nice, reasonably lightweight bolt action, and get involved in those precision action shoots.

For social affairs I'd probably get reacquainted with the M1A.

Flightlight SCR.  Its even legal in NYSHITTY.
Their selling just don't expect them to ship quickly.

https://fightlite.com/scr-carbine-walnut-scr-16-wm

https://fightlite.com/rifles?p=1

Rather have a non wood stock but that's what they have now.

You could buy their lower and just get a compliant upper
if you don't like what upper they have

The Ruger Gunsite Scout would be a solid option for you.  It's very handy and would be decent both defensively and for paper target shooting out to 300 yards.  Normally I wouldn't recommend a .308 off the bat, but I'll recommend the .308 variant.  Get a muzzle brake to throw on it and it'll reduce the recoil a ton so you won't flinch (but it'll make the gun quite a bit louder).  Get a few 10 round mags for it as well.  You get a better long range round than 5.56 as well as a round that if needed defensively should drop two legged "predators" like a sack of bricks.  Since you're limited on capacity I'd opt for the more powerful round.

SCR, or polish a Ruger American.

If there is still a ny legal ar then I would get that with a heavy barrel to pop ground hogs. If you did not want a hb then I would still get a standard config. They are plenty accurate. You can also at a get a bolt him later in a heavier caliber.

Standard AR with the Kali-Key.

I have one, and it works great.

https://kalikey.com/

If you can find out what is the stuff that this guy is on, please message me. I need some.

Good idea. How about a side charging upper with a go BCG and a no go BCG. Seems like you could make it work the same.