[TheLastBoyScout]

In some states (not mine) you can hunt with a semi-auto... I've never tried hunting before, but if the opportunity were to present itself after I go to college, would an M1, FAL or G3 clone serve adequately if I do my part behind the rifle?

Thanks.

PS: I don't have any non-semi-auto centerfires... If I did, I'd use one.

[Smoke]

I have used my AR on numerous occasions to take, Deer, Sod Puppies, Feral Hogs, and the occasional pest (skunk, possum, armadillo, etc)

If the caliber is suitable for a critter, and your abilities with it are sufficient, a battle rifle will work just fine.

Smoke

[TallPine]

Yeah, sometimes I just grab my Saiga during deer season if I think I am only going to have short ranges shots (like up on the hill right behind my house). I make sure to load some JSP instead of FMJ for those occasions.

But the only thing so far that I have killed with it is a stray dog.

[Kevlarman]

Is the AR considerer a battle rifle? I was thinking along the lines of an M1A, M1 Garand, or G3.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Are bolt actions, like the 1903, 1917, the Enfield, Mosin Nagants, etc., considered battle rifles too?

I think so.

I know of several people that have taken elk with those weapons.

[Hkmp5sd]

When growing up, I hunted with a 1903A3. Didn't have the funds for a "real" hunting rifle.

[mete]

Yes ,Remington rolling block [once the military rifle of 24 countries], M98 [it's taken many deer] , 1903 . One shot is all you need !!!

[armoredman]

I can say with fair certainty, that the 7.62x54R catridge out of a 91/30 or M38 will do a number on a deer, even with the superexpensive hunting ammo...AZ is like many states, in that you may not hunt with military/FMJ rounds.
As for semi, I know of one man who uses an SKS as a pig gun, with aftermarket 5 round mag. Another has used an FAL for deer, also with the mandated 5 round mag. No problem. Groups are a little wider than civilian bolt action hunting rifles, IMHO, so maybe the use of a miltary "battle rifle" shows more skill..... :)

[Bear Gulch]

I have taken lots of game with Mosins, mausers, Lee Enfields, and Springfields. All were "battle rifles" in their day. I really see no need for a autoloading hunting rifle as I can count the number of large game that I have needed a second shot on on one hand. That includes deer, bear, moose, elk and antelope. I have actually toyed with the idea of getting a ruger #1 for just that reason. Good shot placement and ethical shot selection save a lot of trouble inthe field.

[yesterdaysyouth]

AK and the AR....

they both work well...

[All-Around-Shooter]

I used my 1917 Enfield in Pa. Had good accuracy with handloaded Ammo.
Too bad the deer didn't cooperate...
People will look at you funny if you fix the bayonette...

[bud45]

AK & SKS---both can & do get dirty & just keep on shooting. Soft-nose ammo with do a number on game- took the head off a doe I shot this fall!

[theCZ]

I hunted a dead, bloated bull once with my SKS. 75 yard shot, when the bullet hit all I heard was a big "HISSS", and then I got the heck out of there once the gas wave hit me. :neener:

[Kevlarman]

Cool!
I want go try hunting with my VZ-24!

[junke]

i have NM M1A bush rilfe that has been my hunting rife for several years, have taken freazers full of game with it.

[junke]

hey CZ i shot a "Bedded down Doe" that made the same ssssssound. :eek:

[Preacherman]

Memories... :D

I sent this comment to a friend on the API List some time ago:

I do love the Americanism that someone who's been there and done that has "seen the elephant". Those of us who "were there and did that" in Southern Africa often literally saw the elephant!!! Have you any idea how fast a company of front-line, combat-ready, mean-as-all-Hell soldiers can be scattered to the four winds by a couple of angry cow elephants looking for their babies? Have you any idea how a mine-proof armored personnel carrier looks after Momma Elephant has finished stomping it (with a little help from her pachyderm pals)? And have you any IDEA how utterly helpless you feel holding your high-capacity, latest-technology 5.56mm. "rifle" while Momma Pachyderm thunders down upon you? Gives new meaning to the old expression about "f**ting against thunder"...

:evil:

[bernie]

I killed a deer with my M-1 a couple of years ago and it was DRT. I have toyed with drilling out a rear sight aperture to make more of a "ghost ring" aperture. The only problem with the M-1 as a deer rifle is the peep sights get tough to use in low light.

[Sam]

Been using my M1 to hunt with for quite a while.
Works well. The gun shoots OK, it's an 06 why not?
I have even gone hunting with the M1 using cast bullets.
Sam

[armoredman]

I wanna see what an elephant does to a South African Buffalo APC.... :)

[JohnKSa]

Check with your game warden, but I'll bet that if you plug a mag to make it a single loader (not so that it holds one round, but so that it holds zero rounds--you just want to make it a platform--a place to set a round on with the bolt open) then it's legal to use a semi-auto. You'd just have to make sure that was the only magazine you had on you.

[rick_reno]

When I was a kid my father bought a British military surplus rifle in .303. I'm pretty sure it cost about $20. We hunted with that rifle for many years and it put venison in the freezer almost every year. I guess it could be termed a "battle rifle".

[firesafety3]

An AR on hogs is both fun and effective.

[foghornl]

Brother-in-law has used one of the various .303 Enfields for years in the deer woods. Always put deer down quickly, as in DRT.

Uses [I think] PMP brand soft-point ammo.

[cracked butt]

I've used the M1 and K98 in ther past.

[Kurt S.]

I've used my Yugo M-48 Mauser on hunts, haven't fired at anything with a heartbeat yet. I also have carried my SKS while working around my stand and feeder (out of deer season), just in case I got an opportunistic shot at a feral pig or coyote. Haven't carried the MN out to lease yet, but I probably will one of these days.

Now, my wife has put several smallish feral hogs down with her Bushmaster AR clone. DRT, as a matter of fact.

[Mannlicher]

My Colt HBAR has taken several 'yotes, and my M1A SOCOM has one pig now in the win column. I have taken several deer with my 1914 FN Mauser.

[Declaration Day]

I always use my M1 garands to hunt.

I am not much of a hunter; I own firearms primarily for target shooting and defense purposes. And being far from wealthy, I can't justify buying a hunting rifle to use one or two days per year.

[chickenfried]

Man, you poor guys. You need to move where you can be free, :what: California :what: :p . YOu can hunt with semi-autos and no limit on the number of rounds your rifle/magazine can hold in California. Check with your game warden, but I'll bet that if you plug a mag to make it a single loader (not so that it holds one round, but so that it holds zero rounds--you just want to make it a platform--a place to set a round on with the bolt open) then it's legal to use a semi-auto. You'd just have to make sure that was the only magazine you had on you.

[Matt G]

I've carried a SMLE a few times deer hunting, and twice have turned down certain kill shots with 'em.

I've killed a doe with an '03 Springfield that had been put in a sporter stock but had near-stock iron sights. (Williams, rather than Lyman)

I've tried to scare up coyotes with an AR-15, but to no avail.

[Bottom Gun]

Check the law regarding magazine capacity. Most states I've hunted in limit capacity to 5 rd.

I sometimes hunt with my AR's. I use my AR15 for coyotes and Coues deer with 64gr Winchester Power Points.

I killed an elk two years ago using my AR10 in .308 with 180 gr Nosler Partitions.

They work just fine but be advised that if the Fish Cops see you in the field with one, they are going to stop to talk with you.

[rbernie]

Given your list of semi-autos, I think that a FAL or a Saiga would be a good choice (if a bit heavy). You'd probably want to invest the time/effort needed to get it 2MOA or better, but given my experiences I think that is achievable. Of course, you can always invest the $$$ in a AR-15 style semi and get a 6.8SPC upper for it; that would be a dandy hunting rifle.

I have chosen to go back in time a little more and stick to mostly bolt-action battle rifles simply because they're a lot lighter/easier to carry afield, and because they're a lot cheaper to build (sub-$300 total investment is my threshhold of pain).

Here's my Mauser battle rifle, circa 1895 - it's seen more than few deer fall to it:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/218869.jpg

And here's my 1944 Enfield No4Mk1 battle rifle - I use it for bigger stuff:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/218871.jpg

My Norinco SKS (with TechSight) is my current piggie gun. As soon as I finish cleaning up one of my other No4Mk1's, I'll probably retire the SKS to trunk gun duties and use the unscoped Enfield as the 'go-to' brush gun. I'm also working on a 1917 Enfield for deer/elk, and have a 1893 Turk in the wings.

But yeah - some of us hunt with MilSurps and find most traditional 'hunting rifles', even the ones already in the gunsafe, a tad boring.... :evil:

[ChiefAutoParts]

I remember my dad shooting a doe mule deer one year with his Garand. Sure did a number on her! I have used a mini 14 for coyotes, foxes, raccoons, etc. I just like using the mini because it offers faster follow-up shots, the sound of the action working is silenced do to the "bang", I don't have to work the action, causing more movement and drawing the beast's attention to the movement of my hands after my first shot on multiple targets, and yes, more magezine capacity for multiple follow-ups on multiple targets. Still love my bolt guns, but sometimes, it seems like a semi-auto is the only way to go in certain hunting situations.

[Vern Humphrey]

I've killed many a deer with an M1917 Enfield. I always wanted an 03A3. but could never afford one -- until I already had several scoped sporting rifles :o

[Johnny Guest]

As a teenager, I carried a 1903A3 into the hills around El Paso, searching for deer, to no avail.

Some 35 years later, I occasionally lugged a No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield in full military trim around Clay County, Texas. Pretty heavy.

Oh, yes - - A sporterized Mauser '98 with iron sights.

I took a 'scoped M1A as backup on a hog hunt once, but never uncased it.

:)
Johnny

[mustanger98]

Cool!
I want go try hunting with my VZ-24!

The problem with using a stock VZ-24 to hunt is the sights. The rear sight's lowest setting is 300m. The set-up, however, is a battle sight zero which is set up to hit minute of enemy to a certain distance- probably about 400m- without thinking about sight adjustments. This is generally done thinking in terms of vertical man-size targets where you aim for the belt buckle and hit center mass, or aim for the head and hit center mass depending on which side of mid range they are. For hunting purposes, you need sights set for known distances and know the distance of your shot. And have your sights and ammo set up to work together.

[owen]

only woodchucks <splat>

[Kevlarman]

The problem with using a stock VZ-24 to hunt is the sights.

No worries, I've got a set of Mojos on my VZ! :D

[JShirley]

Yep. Doe 1: 173 yards. Doe 2 bolted. I shot her through a gap between branches, as she wondered where I was, at 128 yards. Rifle is 1903 Eatman sporter, firing 150 grain Winchesters.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Jinete_delViento/drcity.jpg

John

[No_Brakes23]

Kevlarman said...
Is the AR considerer a battle rifle? I was thinking along the lines of an M1A, M1 Garand, or G3.
The M16A2 and was my service rifle for 8 years, and I think the M16 has been serving American servicemembers far longer than any other rifle.

Unless, of course, you mean .30+ milsurp when you say battle rifle.

As for me, I intend to take my sporterized, (Not by me,) Argie Mauser to the field. It has taken deer by another owner, long before I was born. The deer are a little elusive here in San Diego, though.

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
--------------------------------
The M16A2 and was my service rifle for 8 years, and I think the M16 has been serving American servicemembers far longer than any other rifle.
--------------------------------

The M16 has been in service for 40 years now, from about '64-'65 to present. That makes it the longest serving Class A (preferred) rifle.

The longest serving rifle in total is the '03 Springfield. It was Class A for a little more than 30 years, and Class B (authorized substitute) for about 15 years more, and soldiered on in special applicatons (for example, as a sniper rifle) right up into the early years of the Viet Nam War.

Quote:
--------------------------------
Unless, of course, you mean .30+ milsurp when you say battle rifle.
--------------------------------

A "battle rifle" is generally considered to be a full-power rifle, and normally bolt action or semi-automatic only. That would mean the M1, M14, and so on.

The M16 and AK 47 and similar weapons are considered "Assault rifles" (from the German MP 44 Sturmgewehr). Assault rifles tend to be lighter and shorter than battle rifles, are chambered for an "intermediate" cartridge (less powerful than a battle rifle, but more powerful than a pistol or submachine gun) and capable of selective fire (semi- and full-auto.)

[No_Brakes23]

Vern Humphrey said...
Assault rifles tend to be lighter and shorter than battle rifles, are chambered for an "intermediate" cartridge
Ahhh, okay, that makes sense. So the .308 Autoloaders are all on the borderline, there?

[mustanger98]

Ahhh, okay, that makes sense. So the .308 Autoloaders are all on the borderline, there?

Ummm, no. .308Winchester is the same power +/- the .30-06 out to 800yds. If you like .30-06 for hunting purposes, you'll probably like .308 too.

From my understanding, 7.62x39 has about the same power as a .30-30, but I wouldn't swear to it. The deer camp shooting back in November- that guy used a SKS, but what made it deadlier is the fact that he was using SPs instead of FMJs. Not that an FMJ won't kill you too. For short range on deer, I don't see why not. But for deer out to 200yds, I'll take my old .30-30.

[Vern Humphrey]

The 7.62X39 is about equal to the .30-30 in terms of energy, but with a lighter bullet. If you had to use 150 to 170 grain bullets in the 7.62X39, it couldn't keep up with the .30-30.

And please, NEVER use FMJs for hunting! In many states they are illegal. And they are always inhumane -- animals too often will escape to die a lingering death. Always use softnoses or equivallent bullets.

[mustanger98]

Thinking of .30cal. ammo, tell you what my Daddy loaded up for his '06- Hornady's 150gr RN (soft point) over 50grs IMR4064 to run 2700fps from his 22" barrel sporter.

Notice: Don't just quote me on this; consult your load manuals. I'm not liable for whatever stupid something you decide to do.

The results- a devastating double lung shot on a whitetail buck from 50yds in brush. The bullet punched both lungs and kept on going. Everything ahead of the diaphragm was turned to a mush the deer blew out his nose and mouth. That one went down and died fast within 20yds of where he was shot.

[No_Brakes23]

But the M14, G3, FAL and such are all derivative from the original Sturmgewehr, making them assault rifles, not battle rifles, but they chamber a "battle" cartridge.

Hence borderline. They meet the definitions of both.

[pinetree64]

I'd carry one of my carbines either the MN M-38 in 7.62x54 or my Yugo M-48A, 8mm. The others are too big and heavy. Note, in GA and I'm sure in other states, one limited to 5 rounds or less. I have a couple nice hunting rifles that get all of the action, but I've been very impressed with my Yugo and 180g Nosler BT's and may carry it on morning huntings in the woods.

tjg

[fb]

Learned to shoot and hunt with a 30/40 Krag. it did the job, killed lots of deer. That was fifty years ago, and my shoulder is still sore!

[RangerHAAF]

IMO the Ak-47 is the best short to moderate range rifle for the deer hunting novice to take into the woods because it gives you a fast follow up shot. I've taken a few deer with it from about 15-25 yards using Wolf JHP's. Of course this was in Alabama, where there's an overabundance of them and in thick woods where you often get such close shots.

It is in the final analysis, a cheap, practical and very effective rifle to hunt with.

[mustanger98]

Well, they probably hunt with AK's a lot in Siberia. At least that's the image of probability I got reading "Last of the Breed" by Louis L'Amour.

Short range is about the only shot I'd take with an AK. I've heard between bad barrels and other issues (full auto among them, but irrelevant to this) a lot of AKs have minute of tractor tire accuracy at longer distances.

[standingbear]

My russian sks WAS my first varmit rifle before I could afford the ruger m77 I have now.

[Gewehr98]

I carry a 1903A4 into the Wisconsin woods in search of whitetail. I have no doubts it will do the job just fine.

http://mauser98.com/1903a4-3.jpg

No_Brakes23, how is the M14 a derivative of the SturmGewehr? It's a product improved M1 Garand, firing a round ballistically similar to the .30-06, for chrissakes! :scrutiny:

[JShirley]

By definition, "assault rifles" are selective-fire weapons firing intermediate power rounds. Examples of these intermediate rounds are: 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.92x33mm, 5.45x39mm, and 6.5mm Arisaka.

Examples of "battle rifle" (full-power) rounds are: 8x57mm, .30-06, 7.62x54mm, 6.5x55mm, and 7.62x51mm. Even if one fired these rounds automatically, the weapon would NOT be an "assault rifle".

John

[THR4L]

I'll be using my G3 (7.62X51) for elk/mule deer this fall in the Rockies. Always wanted to hunt with a battle rifle.

Now that I've got a 5-rd mag, I'm good to go! Sure it's heavy, but I'll do extra conditioning the weeks before the hunt--the experience will be worth the extra pounds!

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
------------------------------
Sure it's heavy, but I'll do extra conditioning the weeks before the hunt--the experience will be worth the extra pounds!
------------------------------

Extra conditioning is essential. I decided to run 5 miles a day, but last year I kept putting it off for various reasons. On the day before the season, though, I ran 1,825 miles, so I was in great shape for opening day. :neener:

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

"Hkmp5sd
When growing up, I hunted with a 1903A3. Didn't have the funds for a "real" hunting rifle"

I still hunt deer with an 03A3. The forearm of the stock has been shortend/sporterized, but the weapon my grandfather carried is the one that had taken countless Deer, Elk and at least one Black bear is the one that I still hand load for. It stillprints about 2" groups at 200 yards. It has a Leupold 3-9 vari-X II on it and although it's heavy is till old reliable. I've upgraded to a Timney trigger too.

Can't bring myself to buy another Ot-6, this one keeps on shooting straight.

-Steve

[noonanda]

What I have carried in the woods hunting:
M-1 Garand
M-38 Mosin Nagant
Lee Enfield #1 Mk 3*
Yugo M-59/66 SKS
M-1895 Nagant Pistol
Yugo Capture K-98 Mauser

What I have actually used to take game with:
M-1 Garand (feral Hog)
Lee Enfield #1 Mk 3* (deer)
M-1895 Nagant (Racoon)

I was out deer hunting with my Garand when I had a big bull elk walk out into the clearing I was set up on. At one point he was about 20 yds from me grazing. He didnt know how close to death he came, he would have been meat in the fridge if I had had an Elk tag.

I enjoy hunting with Milsurps, it is more of a challenge.

[hightech]

I have used my 03A3 [ 30-06 ] for the last 20 years and it works great. Think I may try the SKS for the mid Atlantic mountains. It should be ok with the right load.

[deciple-of-keith]

When I first went to the NT in AUZ to shoot Water Buff I carried a smle #3 using 215gn solids & my first Kangaroo Rifle was a #3 converted to 25/303.Used a pat 14 enfield .303 on pigs & goats .Once in a mood of suicidal tendinces Shot a Buff with a Martini 450/577 :what: (Hey! I was young & it was for a bet)

[hcker2000]

What ammo would be good for hunting deer with an sks 59/66? Also any one know if it is ok to use semi auto's for deer hunting in ohio? Of corse the sks already is limited to five rounds.

[noonanda]

you will probably have to find some soft point or hollow point ammo. Wolf makes SP, Some of the surplus/overseas ammo such as brown beae or silver bear can be found in SP as well. As far as regs for your state, You should grab a hunting flyer from WallyWorld. There are some states that only allow shotguns for hunting, no hi-powered rifles

[pete f]

This image of 5 round mag limits, what do you do with a model 94 Winchester rifle with a full length tube, mine holds 9 rounds of 3030, is that an illegal rifle?
and what about an SMLE, I saw a game officer with one, in Georgia. maybe it was confiscated but I watched him put it in his trunk.

What does a Five rounder have to do with anything.


and yes i have hunted with Mk5 no1 SMLE jungle carbine. and a Mk III bot hfor bear and deer, and a AR although that was only for prairie doggies and varmints. My fathers favorite rifle was a milsup P17 enfield. he only got a "sporter stock" on it after i left college.

[mustanger98]

pete f, the 5rd limit is for pumps and semiautos. This is to discourage rapid fire on game animals. No, your Winchester .30-30 is not a "illegal rifle". It's considered customary, even by officers I've talked with, to load the magazine full. The SMLE's 10rd capacity don't seem to be a problem either- there's plenty of guys who hunt with them around here too. It's simply that the action isn't worked as fast as you can fire a semi-auto.

You said that SMLE was maybe confiscated. There's plenty of other reasons why it could've been, such as other laws having been broken. However, whether or not I were a DNR officer (I'm not one) I wouldn't be past having an SMLE on hand. They're tough old rifles that hit hard enough for deer, bear, and hogs, yet the recoil's mild enough not to be a pain for an artheritic like myself.

[Krag]

I've taken deer with my M1903A3 Springfield, M1896 Krag carbine and m/38 Swedish Mauser. Bolt gun rules! :cool:

[Carbon_15]

yep
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=17306

[hcker2000]

The wolf ammo I have is FMJ hollow points. Would this work or would I need a non-fmj round?

[Bottom Gun]

My experience with Wolf hollow points is that they do not expand reliably. I've tested the Wolf HP in .223 and .762x39. I wouldn't hunt with either unless I was varmint hunting

I would buy or load some real SP hunting ammo.