@Tony
Try a Ruger Mini-14. They come in 5.56mm NATO and are very rugged, reliable, compact.
Civilian rifle but draws heavily on Carbine, Garand, M-14 systems.
But they aren’t particularly accurate. Good for built-up areas.
For longer distance go get a match grade M-14 from Springfield Armory. They don’t call it an M-14 but it is one.
Very, very accurate.
Better yet if you can still find one, get the Hechler & Koch semi auto version of the G-3 in 7.62mm NATO. Or its CETME “Sport” equivalent.
The G-3/CETME has MUCH lower recoil than an M-14 and a straight line stock and that means less time to get back on target.