The Mini 14 is probably your best choice or the Kel Tec SU 16. The other Semi Auto rifles look more Military type then the AR 15 does. You could step up to the .243 or .308 and have lots more semi auto Non AR type rifles like the Browning Bar.
I like the 25.06 and 257 Weatherby. .270 Like Performance with milder recoil. They are dynamite on Whitetails all the way out to 500-600 yards. And you're more likely to find ammo on the shelves at local stores.
The SST is a good bullet, but it will make a mess with a shoulder shot. I prefer neck/high shoulder shots. I use them in my 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308.
Id love to have the 257 Weatherby Mag, but I have an older Savage Model 110 25.06. It doesn't shoot well with heavier bullets, but it is a laser beam with Federal 100 gr BST's and is an absolute Deer Slaying Machine.
I used 168 gr Match King on a large 190 lb Georgia 8 point and the exit wound was so small i couldnt tell where it was until I skinned him. But he was DRT with liquified heart shot, just like yours. With that said I would refrain from using Match King Ammo for hunting as a general rule. It...
I have the Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor. I cannot speak to the feeding issues youre having because my model uses a standard Ruger mag. However I can speak to the accuracy problems.
One of the issues it has is the cheap stock, specifically the forearm of the stock. When I recieved...
My Ruger Predator 6.5 Creedmoor likes the 143 gr ELDX and my Savage 11 6.5 Creedmoor likes the 120 gr GMX. Both are deadly Whitetail rounds and both are very accurate to 400 yards +.
I have the 300 Weatherby mag and the ammo is very expensive. If I could do it all over again I'd choose the 300 Win mag.
You don't lose much performance and the ammo is less expensive.
6.5 Grendel with 20" barrel, Geissle trigger & 6-18-40 Nikon Buckmaster bdc. But I just bought a Savage 6.5 Creedmoor that is my 2016 season rifle. With Hornady 120 GMX's this thing is a laserbeam. I'm expecting great things from this rifle.gun)
I'm a little late to the conversation but I've taken Whitetails out to 425 yards with the Hornady 123 gr Amax and once with the 123 gr SST.
I have the 6.5 Grendel in a J&T 20" Bull barrel upper which is an absolute tack driver and I also have a Radical Arms 16" which is about a 1-1 1/4 moa...