Would an AR be your only rifle?

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Don't get me wrong: I have fired the M16 platform more than anything else, and probably more than every other firearm combined.

However, I like deer hunting, and I also want my deer gun to be able to anchor a big hog or a bear. An AR15 wouldn't be my first choice for these things- my 6.8 SPC will likely do the job, but I can't use it in neighboring PA. If there's ever an ammo shortage, .308 bullets are going to probably be the last thing to disappear, so I can always load my own.

I think the AR15 is a better infantry rifle, but if I could only have one rifle, it would be hard to beat a good '06. My second rifle would be an AR15.

John
 
Agreed. While I have certainly fired more 5.56 than any other centerfire, and love my ARs.. they are not my first choice for the kind of big game I hunt.

.300 AAC does NOT equal .30-06 in power or range, though you can use the same bullets.
 
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I can not think of many scenarios in which one has to pick an "only" so going off that I'll say I can take any BG animal I need to eat with an AR in 5.56. I am far from an advocate of using a 22 for hunting larger animals but the trade off in the "one" rifle scenario would dictate the AR in 5.56 for all the reasons previously stated and taking a deer, elk or moose would maybe not be as ethical a kill as I would like but given the circumstances it would be the least of my worries, I would also resort to bait, lights and other less than ethical practices in such a situation as might exist in those conditions.
 
Could I? Sure, why not. A few different uppers will make for a rifle with a lot of flexibility.

Would I? Well if we don’t count rimfire rifles I am a 1 rifle guy, and it isn’t an AR. I like them well enough but for some reason I just don’t really want one; at least not bad enough to actually go buy one. It helps that I have easy access to a few I can borrow if I feel the need.
 
Hey all!

Sorry about the "Would/Could" confusion.


I ask if the AR15 "Could" be your only rifle because I'm thinking of making it my only center fire rifle.

Due to cost and storage space, I'm thinking it may simply be easier to keep one or two ARs (.223, maybe one that's a dedicated .22lr) around, along with a 12gauge and a couple defensive handguns. at least until me and the Fiance have finished our education and found a home to settle down in. :rolleyes:

I don't hunt much, when I do I simply tag around for the fun and learning experience. So I'm thinking an AR15 may be the one rifle I need for now until I can settle down and buy that gigantic safe.
 
tarosean said:
:confused::confused:

Dont know about that my ARs seem to take up 2-3x the storage space as my bolt/lever guns.
Click to expand...

Read that post again.

I don't think storage space was a reason to make the one (or two) rifles an AR...but simply one of the reasons for possibly only having one (or two) rifles.
 
Yes, it "could".

My 20" 5.56 AR is a good compromise gun for me. Cheap centerfire ammo for plinking, fast for self defense, accurate enough for shots beyond 300 yards, and big enough for hunting deer in my jurisdiction. For me, it could do it all.
 
Yep, I can use 5.56 for anything I need from plinking, to self defense to hunting. I can throw the .22LR conversion in it and use it for hunting and plinking, along with SHTF scenarios.

Its the rifle that would leave my stable last because of its modularity.
 
Given your situation, an AR may make the most sense ... but I'd probably hedge my bet on either side with a bolt action hunting rifle that would do for elk or bear (since your area says Idaho) and either another rifle in .22lr, or a conversion kit/dedicated .22lr upper for the AR. A Marlin or Winchester .30-30, or Savage 99 in .308, along with a .22lr would be a very good choice instead, and probably cost less.
 
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A scoped rifle of medium caliber such as .270 or .308 makes MUCH more sense for my needs than any AR-15 in any caliber. If we are talking about a shtf scenario, maybe not, but if In any realistic scenario if I were limited to only one rifle, I would be seriously handicapping myself to pick an AR-15.....I either wouldn't be able to hunt with it due to my local state law, or wouldn't be able to easily find ammo for it in the exotic "big bore" AR-15 calibers.
 
My 300WM is my favorite but only holds five + one, so with the AR I am going with strictly volume and rate of fire over knockdown. As I said I don't hunt, so defense-wise the AR is far better than my 300WM for SD reasons.
 
For me, it basically is already. I've had bigger bolt and single shot rifles in the past. I never got interested in shooting critters that required them.
I don't compete, and I don't consider my AR to be my defensive gun. I do have an AK, but that's kinda' just cuz. My AR is the one I fool around with.
My trio of 10/.22's are a different thing, and to me, it's a bigger thing than centerfire anything.
 
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