semi-auto hunters
- Thread starter N3rday
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Nightcrawler
Member
The Vepr and Saiga rifles would work well for hunting.
For true "sporter" designs, you've got the Remington 7400 and the Browning BAR Mk. II, as well as that new HK rifle, and that new Benelli autoloader.
For true "sporter" designs, you've got the Remington 7400 and the Browning BAR Mk. II, as well as that new HK rifle, and that new Benelli autoloader.
cracked butt
Member
Took a whitetail with my M1 last November
Kaylee
Member
hunting... what?
Some folks hunt groundhogs with "varminting" ARs all the time.
Presuming you're talking smaller to midsize deer... Ruger has several variants on the garand-type action that might work as well (Mini-30 in 7.62x39, a couple .44 carbines.. prolly others)
You could also get a bigger-bore AR upper, or any of the .308 class battle rifles. More weight and bulk (and funny looks from Fish and Game) than is really worth it I'd think.
Now I'll be the first to admit I'm no great hunter or anything, but if I've learned anything the few times I've been after Bambi and friends, it's the truth of the statement --
"one shot... dinner tonight
two shots... maybe
three shots.... Bambi's laughing at you."
If'n ya can't do it with a couple rounds out of a nice light lever gun or bolt rifle... maybe ya ain't oughta be sending a lot of lead out in the woods after all.
-K
Some folks hunt groundhogs with "varminting" ARs all the time.
Presuming you're talking smaller to midsize deer... Ruger has several variants on the garand-type action that might work as well (Mini-30 in 7.62x39, a couple .44 carbines.. prolly others)
You could also get a bigger-bore AR upper, or any of the .308 class battle rifles. More weight and bulk (and funny looks from Fish and Game) than is really worth it I'd think.
Now I'll be the first to admit I'm no great hunter or anything, but if I've learned anything the few times I've been after Bambi and friends, it's the truth of the statement --
"one shot... dinner tonight
two shots... maybe
three shots.... Bambi's laughing at you."
If'n ya can't do it with a couple rounds out of a nice light lever gun or bolt rifle... maybe ya ain't oughta be sending a lot of lead out in the woods after all.
-K
Lennyjoe
Member
Seen a Remington 742 scoped with a Bushnell 3x9 scope used for $300 today.
Looked like this fella here. Just in much better shape.
Looked like this fella here. Just in much better shape.
Hand_Rifle_Guy
Member
What qualifies a given rifle as a "hunter"?
Caliber? Configuration? Stock material? Sights?
Here's a thread on non-military auto-loaders wherein I think we hit on every variant of centerfire commercial-origin design, with the exception of the Ruger .44 Magnum carbines. These are the rest of the choices outside of a sporterized battle rifle. For those, I'm personally in favor of the M-14/M1-A guns, followed closely by the Garand, mostly because of ergonomics and appearance.
That means pistol-grip guns feel funny to me, and I think guns should be made of blued steel and polished walnut. (Stainless is ok, though.)
You might also consider the MAS 49/56. They're available in a converted-to-.308 format for quite reasonable prices.
Side thought: What about a 12-guage shotgun with an aftermarket rifled barrel? I think some folks are offering these as a dedicated setup or as a package modification deal. They can be quite accurate, but are range-limited.
Caliber? Configuration? Stock material? Sights?
Here's a thread on non-military auto-loaders wherein I think we hit on every variant of centerfire commercial-origin design, with the exception of the Ruger .44 Magnum carbines. These are the rest of the choices outside of a sporterized battle rifle. For those, I'm personally in favor of the M-14/M1-A guns, followed closely by the Garand, mostly because of ergonomics and appearance.
That means pistol-grip guns feel funny to me, and I think guns should be made of blued steel and polished walnut. (Stainless is ok, though.)
You might also consider the MAS 49/56. They're available in a converted-to-.308 format for quite reasonable prices.
Side thought: What about a 12-guage shotgun with an aftermarket rifled barrel? I think some folks are offering these as a dedicated setup or as a package modification deal. They can be quite accurate, but are range-limited.
WonderNine
member
Yugo SKS.
One round of Silver Bear "effect" took a nice whitetail at 100 yards.
One round of Silver Bear "effect" took a nice whitetail at 100 yards.
Anyone who has shot a whitetail that was among another group of whitetails, within a thick wooded area, knows that the deer don't know where you're at until you chamber another round. Somtimes they just stand there confused.
I can also think of countless times when I've shot a deer and the rest of the heard has ran directly at me. They cannot tell which direction the shot came from. Because I use a bolt action, the deer turn as soon as I chamber the next round, and I normally have several dozen tags to fill each year.
An autoloading rifle would eliminate the give-away sound of chambering. I considered this when I built my 'perfect' deer rig, but still went with a lightweight bolt action instead.
I can also think of countless times when I've shot a deer and the rest of the heard has ran directly at me. They cannot tell which direction the shot came from. Because I use a bolt action, the deer turn as soon as I chamber the next round, and I normally have several dozen tags to fill each year.
An autoloading rifle would eliminate the give-away sound of chambering. I considered this when I built my 'perfect' deer rig, but still went with a lightweight bolt action instead.
Modern smallbore semi autos of the AR ilk are a bit light for big game, but the 6.5 to 8 millimeter full power units such as the Ljungman, FAL, or SAFN should work. Just remember to block the mags to hold no more than 5 rounds.
H&K, H&R, Winchester, Browning and Remington have made some nice civilian self-loaders in the past, but only the latter two are readily available these days. Whatever you use, it pays to keep em clean and to cycle all rounds through the gun prior to the hunt to make sure she's feeding and extracting without a hitch.
H&K, H&R, Winchester, Browning and Remington have made some nice civilian self-loaders in the past, but only the latter two are readily available these days. Whatever you use, it pays to keep em clean and to cycle all rounds through the gun prior to the hunt to make sure she's feeding and extracting without a hitch.
Preacherman
Member
I've been very pleasantly surprised by the Saiga (AK-47 derivative) in .308. It's got a 22" barrel, which takes full advantage of the .308's velocity potential; is moderately heavy, which helps to absorb recoil, but not so heavy as to be a pain to carry; and is surprisingly accurate (I've routinely gotten sub-2" groups at 100 yards with good milsurp ammo - Australian and Hirtenberger). Best of all, it's about the cheapest .308 autoloader out there! The side scope mount is only about $30, and you can mount almost any scope while still having access to the iron sights for close-range work if you wish. For more details, see here.
Preacherman-
I have a co-worker that said him and his friend would fire de-linked M60 ammunition in an "AK47" he owned in the military. I told him that the AK47 uses 7.62X39, while the M60 takes 7.62X51 NATO and it's not the same caliber. Well, he swore up and down it was.
He knows little about firearms, but as stern as he was on the subject, I'm thinking his friend may have owned one of those Saigas in your post, or something similar.
I have a co-worker that said him and his friend would fire de-linked M60 ammunition in an "AK47" he owned in the military. I told him that the AK47 uses 7.62X39, while the M60 takes 7.62X51 NATO and it's not the same caliber. Well, he swore up and down it was.
He knows little about firearms, but as stern as he was on the subject, I'm thinking his friend may have owned one of those Saigas in your post, or something similar.
artherd
member
Hey, it's a .30-06, I'm sure the deer won't care how 'traditional' the gun looked!
Intresting comment on the bolt-action giving away your location.
Especially from 100 yards and beyond, it's very difficult to tell where gunfire came from.
I would think that an Armalite AR-10(T) would make an outstanding hunting rifle as well. It is consistantly more accurate than most bolt rifles.
cedarsavage
Member
I shoot long guns lefty, don't care for pump-action rifles, have a lot of right-handed bolt actions and they are just fine. But, I love the semi's! Next deer season I will be at the camp with a Remington Model 8 in .35 Rem, and a Remington Model 81 in .300 Savage. I just love this modern high-tech stuff!
Last year I had an M1 that came out of Springfield in 1942. That was during world war twas, the one we one! No "police action", no draw.
Also, a K-31 Schmitt-Rubin and a Swede M-38. Black-hearted Bambi knew better than to attack that camp!
I love those old guns. And, I really love to strip 'em down and compare worksmanship with people who drop by with the more modern guns. Take a look at the internals of the new "short magnums". And the fit of stock and metal! People are buying that nonsense! Incredible!
An old Finnlander relative showed me a great stunt. Get them into a shooting match, let them shoot first. Then, give 'em your gun and let them shoot again! If you shoot, they just think you are a better shot. :et them shoot a good gun and it is a real eye-opener!
Most of the things I take in the bush are "new". Compass I don't have to hold level and tap to get the needle right, better clothing and boots. And so on and so forth. But I would rather buy old guns than the new ones, they are cheap and strong. Just like my old girl-friends!
taa, cs
Last year I had an M1 that came out of Springfield in 1942. That was during world war twas, the one we one! No "police action", no draw.
Also, a K-31 Schmitt-Rubin and a Swede M-38. Black-hearted Bambi knew better than to attack that camp!
I love those old guns. And, I really love to strip 'em down and compare worksmanship with people who drop by with the more modern guns. Take a look at the internals of the new "short magnums". And the fit of stock and metal! People are buying that nonsense! Incredible!
An old Finnlander relative showed me a great stunt. Get them into a shooting match, let them shoot first. Then, give 'em your gun and let them shoot again! If you shoot, they just think you are a better shot. :et them shoot a good gun and it is a real eye-opener!
Most of the things I take in the bush are "new". Compass I don't have to hold level and tap to get the needle right, better clothing and boots. And so on and so forth. But I would rather buy old guns than the new ones, they are cheap and strong. Just like my old girl-friends!
taa, cs
KPersimmon
Member
I don't think it's been mentioned so far, but Winchester's Model 100 autoloader comes to mind. I realize it's probably considered by some as a collector's item, but the 100 is still a viable hunting rifle IMO--especially in .243 or .308 caliber.
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