While these rifles are fine for both military and police service, IMO they have no "soul". There's no "feel" to the rifle. No "spirit" or character. Granted they are light and accurate, but it seems that some shooters view the M4/AR15 as the "be-all, end-all" rifle.
Nothing could be further from the truth! The 5.56 x 45 cartridge is illegal to hunt deer with in a fair number of states. There are a lot of "shotgun only" states where no center fire rifle cartridges are allowed, but I digress. The 5.56 x 45 cartridge isn't allowed, because it doesn't have the one-shot stopping abilities of the .25 and .30 caliber cartridges. They are great "range toys" but often fall short in the field.
I generally prefer wood and steel. Granted they may be heavier than the AR derivatives, but usually have more power than the .223" military cartridges. These are made for varmints and people. When it comes to "larger" medium-sized game, they come up short, requiring between two and three rounds fired to drop the game. This is not a good positive attribute for a hunting rifle. It tears up game, and often wounded quarry wanders off into the wilderness to perish. (This comes from overestimation of the cartridge fired for the animal being harvested).
"Slob" or egotistical "hunters" often exceed the capabilities of the round fired and ignore the consequences of their actions. The game and other men and women that hunt responsibly also suffer.
Does anyone else observe this, and hold it in contempt? I can't help thinking that the modern hunter can do much better than this. Choose an effective cartridge that doesn't tear up the game, but stops it with a well placed round.
We need to think very hard before we pull out an AR15 or M4 in .223 before we put on the camouflage, lace up your hunting boots, pack up your deer bags and hunting knives to head out this fall.
To paraphrase what Clint Eastwood said in the film Magnum Force: "A man's got to know his rifle cartridge's limitations".
Think about it.
PS: This is not the thread to regale us with your .223/5.56 x 45, M4/AR15 "hunting stories". Save it for another thread which are legion. Thank you, very much!
Nothing could be further from the truth! The 5.56 x 45 cartridge is illegal to hunt deer with in a fair number of states. There are a lot of "shotgun only" states where no center fire rifle cartridges are allowed, but I digress. The 5.56 x 45 cartridge isn't allowed, because it doesn't have the one-shot stopping abilities of the .25 and .30 caliber cartridges. They are great "range toys" but often fall short in the field.
I generally prefer wood and steel. Granted they may be heavier than the AR derivatives, but usually have more power than the .223" military cartridges. These are made for varmints and people. When it comes to "larger" medium-sized game, they come up short, requiring between two and three rounds fired to drop the game. This is not a good positive attribute for a hunting rifle. It tears up game, and often wounded quarry wanders off into the wilderness to perish. (This comes from overestimation of the cartridge fired for the animal being harvested).
"Slob" or egotistical "hunters" often exceed the capabilities of the round fired and ignore the consequences of their actions. The game and other men and women that hunt responsibly also suffer.
Does anyone else observe this, and hold it in contempt? I can't help thinking that the modern hunter can do much better than this. Choose an effective cartridge that doesn't tear up the game, but stops it with a well placed round.
We need to think very hard before we pull out an AR15 or M4 in .223 before we put on the camouflage, lace up your hunting boots, pack up your deer bags and hunting knives to head out this fall.
To paraphrase what Clint Eastwood said in the film Magnum Force: "A man's got to know his rifle cartridge's limitations".
Think about it.
PS: This is not the thread to regale us with your .223/5.56 x 45, M4/AR15 "hunting stories". Save it for another thread which are legion. Thank you, very much!
