How many of you use your m14 for deer hunting?

givemeliberty

givemeliberty

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And how would you compare it to a traditional bolt or lever laction hunting rifle? (draw-backs compared to hunting rifles; specifically ballistics differences as I all ready know that the m14 is heavier and a little more annoying to lug around in the woods, but I am more just looking for differences in the actual performance of the shooting of the rifle compared to other hunting rifles)

And preferably people who own actual springfield m1a's as opposed to the m-305, but since I posted this people are going to reply who own m305s anyway so just indicate which version of the m14 you have in your post.
 
I'd be able to chime in here after this coming deer season, plan on taking mine out. Best part will be the attention it's sure to get during the final sunday afternoon target shooting event that always unfolds from the front deck. :D
 
No ballistic difference at ranges I would shoot a deer at (less than 200 yards). Its weight dictates a good sling, so I would recommend a tactical sling that allows front carry at the ready. The rifle seems to feed soft point and ballistic tip 150gr ammo just fine and factory hunting ammo consistently groups better than fmj surplus. I found the flash suppressor catches in long grass and makes a ringing noise when it rubs against brush. It's certainly not as sleek a rifle as a bolt action.
 
Hello,

Yes I also bought mine for White Deer and Moose hunting and having success with it. Very good gun for hunting in a blind but can be a little heavy to carry all day long or a little impractical when hunting in dense areas (mine is scoped and has a Boyd's liminated stock).

The 308 Win cartridge is more than sufficient to take out a Moose properly (would say within 200 yards) provided it is shot in the vital area...

The M14/305 is very good hunting rifle period !

How many of you are using your SKS for Deer Hunting ? I do too :) !

All
 
Don't like deer and so don't hunt deer. Moose; however, is another story. Took my M305 out several times. Weight not a big deal with new sling. CanTire black rubber sling. Keeps it from sliding off shoulder and comfortable. Very accurate. Just have to chamber round early as it is not quiet.
 
Definately heavy but good for anything you would use a 308 for, coyotes and wolves up to moose and bear. I would say the cartridge is definately good for 400 yards on big stuff with a partition bullet, but some guns are more accurate than others depending on the tuning. Larger beast also have larger vitals to hit as well.
 
from the 305's and M14's Ive seen at the range, they appear to be as accurate as most stock hunting rifles. I used to use an HK G3 for moose, and it was fine.
 
I own a Springfield M1A ... her name is ROCHELLE and she likes shooting tuktu(caribou) out to 300 yards with no problems shooting 150 winchester powerpoint storebought ammo ... learning to reload so I'll probably shoot out further come this spring/summer hopefully!

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
it's almost beneath the dignity of the 308 to use it on deer- moose, elk and bear( little ones) yes, but deer, no- unless you take the shot from 250 yards out - and btw, i happen to own the REAL THING - a trw, h&r, and a springfield - but those are confined to the safe now- my active is an old norincol ( the one with the angle grind) and that does just fine with 165's- i used to use 180's before i knew better-i also know it's a 300 yard rifle, not a 400- you get better than a foot of drop between 300 and 400- it's really a 267 yard rifle, the extra 50 yards doesn't matter that much
 
I have heard both sides when it comes to firing 180 gain in the m14. Some say you shouldn't and some say there is not problem with it.
 
I dont understand why all of you are saying the M14 is too heavy in the woods,
were they all on steroid in Phu bai valley lol
 
the use of 180's depends on HOW much you use it, and whether you can afford to replace the op-rods or a possible complete rebuild-- most of us can't , and the 165 is just as effective if not slightly better- when the us army marksmanship unit was using the m14 in competition, they found that the 175smk ( sierra match king) bullets "caused premature wear to the op-rod"- yet they needed that heavy a bullet to range past 600 yards- in other words, the 180 isn't going to hurt anything for the ODD BOX , but a STEADY DIET will prematurely wear the op-rod; it is also worth nothing that SOME 180 grain FACTORY LOADS are somewhat " HOTTER( winchester comes to mind) than the military ammo- ie m118 slr ( special long range) moves a 175 grain SIERRA MATCH KING at 2550 fps: the WINCHESTER factory ammo moves a 180 grain bullet at 2610 - ie 5 grains heavier and 60 fps faster- that HAS to be paid for somewhere- probably in the op-rod and related components- when you drop back to 165/168, even though you can only reach out to 600 yards, the wear drops back as well-
 
LeMerle said:
I dont understand why all of you are saying the M14 is too heavy in the woods,
were they all on steroid in Phu bai valley lol
Click to expand...

it is DAMNED HEAVY in comparison to today's mousegun- and it's not just the rifle, it's the RELATED EQUIPMENT- way back when the m14 was carried, the lbe was made of heavy canvas, the mags were steel, and EVERYTHING weighed more- the m16et al did the same job at HALF the weight, the alice kit was made of NYLON , and you could carry much more ammo-
by the time phu bai was being fought, the m16 was in full issue( started in 65, except for the good old navy and a few marines that didn't want to see the old girl go) in spite of what you've been told- and a few others( typical marines) convinced marvin that newer was better, and swapped rifles with him- usually after a card game or getting drunk- the old canvas stuff was more comfortable and didn't cut into you -i still have the 56 issue as well as the 67 issue-
nam was a learning experience, and a lot of useless junk was issued ( the average kit was built around facing ivan in western germany, with tents, stoves, heavy shirts, etc) not uncle ho in s vietnam- all you really needed was ammo, food and water- and a poncho to keep the rain off - the boots were too heavy and leather rotted quickly- same deal with canvas
 
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I use mine every season. I don't mind lugging all 12 pounds of it in the Quebec bush. I love it because she is so rugged. She has seen rain, snow, and ice and she still manages to give me meat, vbulls, alphas, and a great time.

I started using 150gr Nosler E-tips last year but previously Nosler ballistic tips. The ranges we deal with here in the bush is usually under 50 yards so the long range BTs don't really help.
 
My son shot his first deer at 150 yards with mine. It is a M305 and we used 150g winchester sp's. We were in a stand and he was using a 6-18 scope cranked up so he could see the steam from the deer nose when he breathed.
 
I hauled mine around for 4 days straight last fall. Won't do that again. TOOOO heavy and the front sight and bay lug acted like a snag magnet when pushing bush. Didn't help that we saw next to nothing deer wise that trip. A little adrenalin might have made that rifle weigh a lot less.
 
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