Opinions on semi auto hunting rifle?
- Thread starter Andrewstclair
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So excellent reliability, very good ergonomics, easy to reach controls, easily changeable LOP for when you have light vs heavy clothing on, and ease of attaching accessories do not make much sense for hunting?
Why would an AR not make sense for hunting?
I can understand "it looks funny because I am so used to seeing people with traditional rifles" but the idea you can argue that they don't make sense for hunting...I dunno. Tough job ahead there.
Well I don’t know about you, but for me over the years I never had to change LOP, never needed to mount all kind of gizmos on my rifles other than optics and slings, the “controls” on a bolt action are pretty simple and easy to reach IMO! I have hunted in all kind of temperatures from plus 25 to -45c (-55c actually but never needed to shoulder the rifle) and with all kind of clothing and layers! Also never saw the need for a synthetic stock or SS barrel or action! Just like I think anything up to 6x is plenty of scope for all my hunting needs( I love a good light reliable 4x scope).
But if you choose to hunt with an assault style rifle being a semi or bolt action fill your boots, life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun but more importantly life is too short to hunt with a gun you don’t like and if an assault type rifle is what make you happy go for it!!
Cool, but for one, that is you. I think a lot of people have had an LOP that didn't exactly suit them, or a bolt that they didn't like working or a scope they really like that they don't have the mounting length to use, or had to buy a pic rail or....
Then theres all the complaints people have of where the safety is located, their bolt does lock when the safety is on etc etc etc.
For two, no matter how much you love your rifle, it doesn't matter when the argument was never that you shouldn't, or that it is not good enough in any way, shape or form.
I never said what you have doesn't work for you. Again, what I am saying is hard to argue is "they don't make sense". I think they make a lot of sense, and the contrary is going to be very hard to demonstrate.
We already established "hunt whatever you want" a few times.
Then theres all the complaints people have of where the safety is located, their bolt does lock when the safety is on etc etc etc.
For two, no matter how much you love your rifle, it doesn't matter when the argument was never that you shouldn't, or that it is not good enough in any way, shape or form.
I never said what you have doesn't work for you. Again, what I am saying is hard to argue is "they don't make sense". I think they make a lot of sense, and the contrary is going to be very hard to demonstrate.
We already established "hunt whatever you want" a few times.
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I don't see any negatives to hunting with a semi other than a slight weight penalty and perhaps in some cases long range accuracy.
As far as reliability I've never had a semi malfunction in a hunting scenario, proper maintenance will keep you smiling.
As far as reliability I've never had a semi malfunction in a hunting scenario, proper maintenance will keep you smiling.
The design evolved to favor superior ergonomics for rapid fire, such as stock centred on barrel axis, pistol grip, deep mag well, high sights to align with the eye and I'm sure other refinements that make it superior for rapid fire control and reloading. All of these features detract slightly from making it an excellent bush gun. Too much stuff sticking out top and bottom, overall height more than a bolt action rifle. As for easy to reach controls, what more is needed than a safety? Many bolt action rifles have the safety as well positioned or possibly better.
I can understand a case to be made that a pistol grip snags a bit in extremely thick brush. A lower mounted scope and sleeker rifle will move through that better, fair. But an AR doesn't have to be covered in cheesegrater rails either haha. Would every conventional hunting rifle be better? I dunno. Doubt it.
As for the safety....Well, it ain't worse, is it? I still think right by your thumb and maybe even on either side beats lots of bolt action safeties out there. But it still aint worse. I mean you said yourself they are made for rapid access to the controls and reloading.
Still not hitting "they don't make sense" levels of criticism here. The worse that can be said is maybe "they snag a bit more than a bolt action or lever action if you're moving through really thick stuff"?
No, I agree. They don't even come close to an argument that its a mistake to choose one. For the money, they offer great value in a semi auto platform, highly customizable, fairly light, and reliable. Definately not a mistake.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Weight and snag potential??
How can you qualify that statement with many differing rifles-carbines to choose from?
While there are lots of rifles that fit in the category the OP is talking about they all have some pretty standard features, from a snagging perspective they all have a pistol grip, and they all have a magwell that sticks out from the gun more than a traditional hunting rifle. Is that a big deal? Depends who you ask...
Take a look towards the US. They use them for most everything when they can, and have many caliber options. Even more so now leaning towards the straight wall calibers, because a lot of the "states" have changed to straight wall only, to limit the bullet distance travelled. Think 350, 450 bushmaster type straight wall that they use mostly for deer. The semi's really shine for the hog hunting situations, but we really lack that in Canada, for now.
Look at the sig cross rifles. Look like a semi, but a bolt design, and you can see the sway towards the semi auto look.
As far as snagging issues, I went to a chassis stock a few years back, and my only issue was getting into and out of a rifle scabbard on the sxs. The ergonomics of the handle made it a bit harder and had to go to a different designed one, and no issues now. Maybe a bit more little things in the stock around the barrel, but nothing a quick sit down doesn't take care of.
Some even say "its colder" when it gets cold out. Well, when its that cold out I have gloves on, and don't notice it any differently to any wood stock rifles, so no issue there. I have used my chassis in -20C ish weather.
About the only argument might be that is is a bit louder on the reload, but hey, you just shot at an animal, and if that animal aint moving because of the noise from the muzzle end, they bit of noise coming from the reloading isn' gonna make it. Now if you had a "muzzle muting" device on it, I might go for that argument, but again here in Canuckistan we can't use them anyways.
Me, if you like the design, go for it. There are a lot of SKS that are used for hunting, with certain "nations", and we all know why they didn't make the ban list.
Look at the sig cross rifles. Look like a semi, but a bolt design, and you can see the sway towards the semi auto look.
As far as snagging issues, I went to a chassis stock a few years back, and my only issue was getting into and out of a rifle scabbard on the sxs. The ergonomics of the handle made it a bit harder and had to go to a different designed one, and no issues now. Maybe a bit more little things in the stock around the barrel, but nothing a quick sit down doesn't take care of.
Some even say "its colder" when it gets cold out. Well, when its that cold out I have gloves on, and don't notice it any differently to any wood stock rifles, so no issue there. I have used my chassis in -20C ish weather.
About the only argument might be that is is a bit louder on the reload, but hey, you just shot at an animal, and if that animal aint moving because of the noise from the muzzle end, they bit of noise coming from the reloading isn' gonna make it. Now if you had a "muzzle muting" device on it, I might go for that argument, but again here in Canuckistan we can't use them anyways.
Me, if you like the design, go for it. There are a lot of SKS that are used for hunting, with certain "nations", and we all know why they didn't make the ban list.
I think straight wall cartridges have mostly been in addition to other options, rather than a new restriction. I'm pretty sure most of these places you couldn't use a rifle at all before the straight wall case rules, it was shotgun/Muzzleloader only.
A lot of these straight wall cases are designed to fit in an AR15, but its hardly the only choice - Ruger is making the American Gen2 in 350 Legend, 400 Legend, and 450 Bushmaster for example. Then you've got 360 buckhammer as a newer straight wall option, and its a rimmed design for lever actions.
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The only concern I ever had with a semi auto in a hunting situation is more a problem with the hunter than the rifle, I had a hunting partner that used a 7mm BAR [a very nice rifle] and the problem he had was after He had shot something, He would forget that the rifle was loaded and the safety was off, I think because a bolt action requires you to operate the bolt this is less likely to occur, I was relieved when my partner switched to a bolt action, He never did anything unsafe with a firearm other than very occasionally this. So if you are the absent minded type I would stay away from a semi.
