Thread: First AR reccomendations

Hi guys

I am new to this forum and and I am about to start the process of obtaining my ecat licence because of my great uncle pushing me into joining his club for competition shoots and whatnot, as well as being invited along to do rabbit culling on sheep ranches down south with some friends of his a couple of times a year, where these guys go through at least 250-500 rounds of ammo per day/walk each!

I have been trying to pre select an AR (ecats) from spending countless hours researching on the net and talking to guys I know and from what I have found my favored rifle is a Heckler and Koch MR223/MR556 which is the civilian version of the h&k 416 adopted by military groups across the world.

I also have looked into

Lewis machine and tools platform
Tavor (read bad things on accuracy though)
Ruger sr556?
North Eastern Arms ar15 platform

I'm more interested in piston ARs and not Direct impingement while also steering clear of knockoff rifles like the CJA/rangers guncity is selling.

Money isn't too much of an issue hence why I am so interested in H&K products as they are reputed to be one of the best (if not the best) for quality rifles, however I will not pay $7000 for the MR223 gun city has in stock as I had my uncles range friend quote me a private single import at huge reduction in guncity's price (still alot more than it should be) The rifles retails anywhere from 2800 - 3300USD new so the 7000 price is a robbery!

Thanks in advance for the ideas!
Macca