Choosing a Light Weight Semi Auto

M

mrgoat

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
10   0   0
Location
North Western Ontario
Need some advice folks.
I have an older hunting buddy who can no longer hold, and pump his Remington 760 in 30-06 due to lack of strength,arthritis in his left arm/shoulder. He is also missing half his left thumb.

So he asked me to-day what I thought in regards to a new gun. Since I certainly do not know all of whats available these days I thought it best to pose his question to a panel of experts.!!

So he is looking to switch to a semi auto in 30-06 or .308. What are your recomondations for something light in weight and easy to operate. He wants detachable mags (clip fed) and to mount a scope. He is a traditionalist no black rifles.

A bolt gun is also a consideration if he can't find a suitable semi, but he has that one all figured out. But he would prefer a semi.

Remington has cheapened itself out of the running, and the 742's he has handled were heavy in the front end. Win. M-100's he wasn't crazy about. Winchester has a newer semi but I have never heard anything good or bad in regards to it, or even seen one for that matter.

Remember he is elderly with weak arms and shoulders especially the left side. He just likes to sit on his stand and shoot the deer as they come by!! He has well earned the priviledge.

So what are your thoughts and recomondations.
 
I handled one of the Winchesters, SXR? maybe? I was quite impressed, and the cost was about $300 less than the Brownings. The Brownings are very good though, and you'll find no shortage of positive reviews about them.
 
Browning BAR in .308 actually. Short action (for real or imagined increased reliability over a long action) and pretty well as effective in this case if one is waiting to see a deer up close (i.e. short range). Buy a preowned rifle here and your friend will not be disappointed.
 
Id look at a BAR ShortTrac in .308 or better yet 7mm-08. Even a .308 can be hard on an old timers shoulder. 7mm-08 would have plenty of thump for deer, and be soft as all hell on your pals aging frame :)
 
The Browning BAR is a nice semi, but the magazine action is a real pain. It is not a detachable box. More like flip open the floorplate, detach it, re-attach it, try to close, re-attach again, this time hear the "click" and close it.

I had a BAR in 30-06 and it was ok. Sold it for a bolt though, to be honest.

I've heard the Remington 750's are hit and miss in terms of quality. Some are excellent, no stovepipes or jams and others well are prone. Seems the newer stuff (2011) is better than last year.

What about a Browning lever? I still have mine and it is pretty reliable and fast. Clip fed too.
 
All of the previous suggestions are good but have overlooked something less powerful than the 308/30-06. For a light semi auto in a modest deer calibre, the Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62x39 might be worth a look. Light weight, low recoil, mag fed, ultra reliable semi auto, easy scope mounting. Just a thought.
 
I found that a HK-2000 is pretty light, when i shoulder one i was suprise of the weight, it was a 30-06... JP.
 
I agree, my 7400 tends to feel a little front heavy and therefore would put extra strain on his left shoulder.

My Winchester M100 carbine is balanced much more like a carbine bolt gun. With it's one piece stock and short barrel, it's a gem and fast handling. I have never handled a more balanced semi-auto sporting rifle,...... but then again I never handled the H&K SL7 canadian model carbine with 18.7"bbl in .308Win, that was sold here years ago here. I'm not sure what they would be worth now though, probaly an arm and a leg! Anyone own one of these??????

Not sure why he dosen't like the M100s but he's narrowed down his options.
If he ever went for a carbine make sure the firing pin recall has been done.

A used BAR with the 20" barrel and aluminum receiver would be close to the M100 in weight, but again the BAR, I feel, is a little front heavy similar to the 742/7400 series. :canadaFlag:
 
Is he just interested in hunting deer with a short range weapon? Or is he wanting something for moose, elk and longer range sniping?

I picked up a Ruger carbine in .44 rem mag awhile back and is it ever a light handy rifle to carry. I haven't killed anything with it yet but from what people say about them on here they are a good short range deer rifle.

And really handy to carry, point and swing.
 
fugawi said:
You can also get the mini 30 in Remington 6.8mm SPC. Some black rifle shooters are using the 6.8mm on deer with good results.
Click to expand...

Heres one I forgot about.:eek:

Has the makings of a great close range semi for deer on paper at least, but it seems the OP is looking for a little more oomphf in the chambering like .308.

Are these carbines accurate in 6.8? Any field tests on them from members yet?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom