AR Variant For Hunting?

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humzai

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Recently I got bit by the bug to perchase and use firearms. It wasnt a new interest as I had the desire to do so for quite some time it was just that I had not pursued it except to buy a Ruger 10/22 and even at that I did not use it too much. I bought some magazines and started to do some reading then I talked to a friend who hunts very frequently he suggested I get a bolt action in .300 ish caliber. While researching I came across an article on the Steyr Scout to me it seemed to be then gun I should prurchase. I was pretty much decided on getting it then buying a shotgun and later building an AR. While looking through AR15.com I entertained the thought of first getting an ar variant and then going from there. So my question is, is this a good idea to get an ar variant maybe the grendel or should I get the Steyr and go about doing it that way? Thanks
 
Hunt what?
.223 is fine for varmints up through coyote (or Coyote), but marginal for deer, especially for a new shooter.

Steyr or other .308 is a fine medium game hunting rifle.
 
Given your choices it would seem that you've got some cash to spend. Nothing wrong with your choices at all. The Steyr Scout is the brain child of Jeff Cooper, probably the most authorative rifleman in the world. I want one, but I'm a cheap Dutch fellow.

The AR-10, IIRC, adresses most of the issues with the AR-15 rifle. Bumping it up to a .308 and if I'm not mistaken has a gas-piston design rather than direct gas impingement design. As an engineering minded fellow I understand the design problems with the former (I own an AR-15) in regards to a battle rifle but I don't see much of anything wrong with the AR in a hunting platform. I don't hunt either, so take all that with a hung chunk of salt.

Now, if you're just looking for a lightweight .308 rifle in semi-auto form I'd give the Saiga line a look. You're talking in the $200 to $300 range there and it's based off the AK-47 design. I have a couple AK clone rifles myself and a Saiga shotgun in .410 and 20 gauge to boot. I like them -- and they work!

Last I looked the Steyr Scouts were running over $1,000 -- perhaps $1,500ish. I forget. For $1,000 you could pick up a Saiga in .223 for little critters, a Saiga in .308 for bigger critters, and a Saiga 12 gauge shotgun for whatever else.

Nothing against the Steyr Scout, nor the AR-10, but I'm a cheap Dutch guy. If you're just getting started, start low cost, I'd say.

No sense buying a 1 MOA rifle when you're a 6 MOA shooter I figure. Nothing against you, sir, but since you didn't mention accuracy I presume you're more concerened with caliber and weight at this point. Prefectly valid -- I'm a horrid shot myself by THR standards.
 
The Steyr will cost quite a bit, as GigaBuist said. I've never handled one, so I can't say if it's worth it, but other quality bolt action .308s can be had for much less.

As for an .308-caliber AR variant, there are quite a few on the market from DPMS, Armalite, Bushmaster, etc. All would be quite capable (and accurate) hunting rifles.
 
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