Opinions on semi auto hunting rifle?
- Thread starter Andrewstclair
- Start date
Assuming such a rifle even exists that hasn't been prohibited at this point you'd need a 18.5" barrel to be NR on a semi auto, and thats plenty for 308win.
Its not really my style, but if thats what you wanna hunt with I say #### yeah!
Its not really my style, but if thats what you wanna hunt with I say #### yeah!
WHY the argument on why or not semi auto should be used for hunting? Semi's have been used since they were invented back in the early 1900's rem model 8, Browning BAR, Rem 7400 or 7600 forgot? modern Browning BAR. WHY is the AR Platform such a big deal? Back in the day of the AR WE WERE ALLOWED TO HUNT WITH THEM! BOTH AR-15 and the AR10! Again WHAT IS THE PROBLEM!
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Maybe there's cons he doesn't know about? Chill lol. People doing it doesn't mean its a great idea or that there aren't flaws. Doesn't seem like a "should anyone hunt with semi autos at all" question.
He's trying to make sure his moneys well spent, maybe he doesn't know much about the system/platform etc
I got my pal like 2 months ago so no I don't remember any of what you are talking about. I bought a bolt rifle and wanted something also a bit more fun but I don't want something that's useless except at the range so atleast if I could use it for hunting sometimes also then it's worth it to get. Once again me not knowing anything really about it I am asking others if there's downsides here that make this not make sense or a stupid idea.
Here's what I see as the downsides of a semi-auto:
It's not a bolt action rifle. Bolt actions are simple, light, reliable and streamlined design that doesn't get snagged as easily on bush or tall grass. They make less noise when being carried or scraped against vegetation, compared to some military origin rifles. The times I've had need for a fast second shot...never. But it all depends on the way you hunt. If you push bush, you are more likely to need a second shot as moving deer are harder to hit. If you stalk or sit, like I do, you have more time to ensure the perfect solitary shot. The weight and the snag potential of a semi affect me more in getting into the position or location. The bolt handle on a bolt action can sometimes snag too, so its not perfect. But some designs have a bolt that locks in position when the safety is on, and that's a nice bonus in my opinion.
It's not a bolt action rifle. Bolt actions are simple, light, reliable and streamlined design that doesn't get snagged as easily on bush or tall grass. They make less noise when being carried or scraped against vegetation, compared to some military origin rifles. The times I've had need for a fast second shot...never. But it all depends on the way you hunt. If you push bush, you are more likely to need a second shot as moving deer are harder to hit. If you stalk or sit, like I do, you have more time to ensure the perfect solitary shot. The weight and the snag potential of a semi affect me more in getting into the position or location. The bolt handle on a bolt action can sometimes snag too, so its not perfect. But some designs have a bolt that locks in position when the safety is on, and that's a nice bonus in my opinion.
Personally I would go with the shortest barrel you can to keep weight down, especially at the front of the rifle as being front heavy is a very common complaint about AR-type rifles in NR configurations. The 556 Raven weighs ~7lb according to the website, that isn't SUPER heavy, but its not light either, and the 308 version will weigh a bit more.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
The main downsides could be weight and accuracy, semi autos aren’t generally as accurate as a bolt gun and can be heavier. Honestly though weight will only be an issue if you are on foot all day and if you can find a NR semi auto that shoots accurately within the distances you plan on shooting game at I can’t see any reason not to hunt with one. I’m a big fan of hunting with non traditional hunting guns, if they shoot well you can hunt with them.
That was definitely true with the old Stag Arms AR-10ish Non Restricted rifle, whatever it was called. With a decent sized scope on it, was a bit of a pig.
If it wasn't for the Supreme Soviet having said Nyet, I'd probably happily hunt deer for the rest of my days with a 300 Blackout AR and an ACOG.
Everyone I have known hunting have used traditional hunting rifles mostly in bolt action but pumps and semi autos are fairly common... the liberal scary looking AR style not so much. I think pretty well all of the hunters I have known think it looks ridiculous for a hunter all decked out with a 'so called' assault rifle - hunting. But each to your own, if it's legal.
Fudds haha
Kind of weird one. Its a rifle that just makes sense. Modular, easier to mount the stuff you want on it, adjustable stocks that fit many different users. They make a lot of sense. Guess its just the shock of seeing something non-traditional?
If we could get actual AR15s and AR10s and hunt with them I bet the "modern sporting rifle" would be very popular in Canada for hunting. I think the only reason we don't see them being more popular here is the fact that we're stuck with all these wanna-be options that can't match the reliability, accuracy, or parts compatibility that the OG platform offers, and they cost 2-3x as much to boot. When you can get both an AR or a bolt action for $800 it is a much harder decision to make than when a bolt action is $800 but a semi auto that is reliable enough to trust on a hunt costs $2000+.
If I could hunt with my AR15 I would, just for the sake of doing it.
Well I hunt with one some times… but it is not the type you are after, it is a browning BAR 30-06 made in Belgium and a great rifle! It fits me well and has nothing to do with the AR platforms and doesn’t look like a military rifle/black rifle! All that said it is a hunting rifle in a semiautomatic action! Blue steel and nice walnut !
There is a few other companies that makes great “hunting style” semiautomatic, but I don’t know anything about hem lol!
There is a few other companies that makes great “hunting style” semiautomatic, but I don’t know anything about hem lol!
