Why doesnt anyone make a big bore semi auto for hunting???

[biggameballs]

I would really love to have a big bore semi auto for brush hunting and the only one out there seems to be the Ruger 44mag which they have recently pulled from production. I am wondering why no one makes a big bore semi auto. Is a semi automatic action unable to handle like a 454 cartrige or a 444 marlin??

 

[Number 6]

http://www.gokart.net/shop-utopia/mccann/rifles/458garand/458garand.html

 

[res45]

I'm thinking maybe 12 Ga Semi Auto loaded with some of the new 300 Gr. Hornady Sabot slugs. They shoot about 2" groups at 100 Yds out of a rifled shotgun barrel.

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=120_206&products_id=1547

 

[strat81]

http://www.50beowulf.com/

 

[trueblue1776]

The AR-15 platform offers plenty of options for big bore hunting cartridges.

 

[atblis]

Rims

I think manufacturers tend to shy away from semiautos with rims. If that is the case, that rules out
45-70
Just about all revolver cartridges
etc.

I imagine belts are annoying too.

That being said, you can get a BAR in 338 Win mag.

The brush bucking thing is kinda a myth anyways.

 

[Frog48]

You can get AR's in .50 Beowolf, .450 Bushmaster, etc.

 

[mp510]

Bushmaster just released an AR varient chambered in .450 "Thumper" a round developed by Hornady.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC0f5wvgGew

SWAT Magazine had an article about this rifle in the November 07 issue -they took it pig hunting and they said ity dfid the job very well.

 

[biggameballs]

I dont want to hunt with a combat rifle. Just not my style. I am talking like a 454 or a 450 marlin in a BAR style gun with a carbine length barrel

 

[SoCalShooter]

re: number6 thats just painful to think about.

 

[Brian Williams]

Semis are not legal in some states...

 

[Hokkmike]

Semi auto rifles are NOT legal for hunting in PA and a few other states.

 

[biggameballs]

Dude do you have to bring that up I live in MN they ARE legal here. Thanks for the info though.

 

[biggameballs]

And also not so concerned with the "brush" that is just what I call hunting when we do drives in the woods or swamps and often need to be able to make a fash shot at 25-50 yards. The closest gun I can find to what I want is the new Merkel SR1. That gun is sweet has a 20" barrel but just not loaded in any big bores.

 

[zinj]

Closest you'll probably get in current production is a Remington 750 in .35 Whelen.

 

[strat81]

Mini 30? Not quite big bore, but similar energy (if not better) compared to the revolver cartridges mentioned.

 

[kaizer]

You are obviously forgetting about the Barrett M82A1! J/k

 

[Timthinker]

One reason is most North American game can be taken with .30ish caliber rifles. You really do not need a .458 cartridge for deer or elk. This fact probably influences the decisions manufacturers make regarding what rifles to produce. I seriously doubt the .30-30 is in danger of being replaced by a .40ish caliber rifle for deer season.

Am I one of the few to think that a .458 Garand is perverted? Goodness, if I ever purchase a Garand, then I want one chambered for the traditional .30-06 round. Also, consider the cost of feeding that baby!


Timthinker

 

[bofe954]

The BAR comes in 338 Win mag. No that "big bore" I guess but, more than enough.

 

[degen118]

Semi-Auto

Browning BAR has got to be the way to go. As they say "The Best There Is" Browning offers this rifle in .338 Win. Mag. It's their Safari model.

 

[redneck2]

As mentioned, I strongly suspect it's the rimmed cartridge.

I had a .35 Whelen in a 7400 Remington semi-auto. Can't imaging anything in North America that it wouldn't put down.

I'm using Federal sabots in my 870 for deer. 300 grains at 2,000 fps. Point blank to 175 yards.

If you don't think it's got enough "pop", crack off a few rounds.

 

[boilingleadbath]

Perhaps a semi-auto shotgun?
Shooting sabots, you have the equivilent of a reasonably accurate 45-70.
Shooting non-sabot slugs... well, it's not as accurate, but this is brush hunting... and .72" is respectable.

(ok, this is the rifle section... but whatever. Some of these things are rifled anyway...)

 

[biggameballs]

Yea the browning is OK but I am looking for 20" or less barrel preferably. I already have a winchester model 70 bolt action in 270 and to me the BAR is not much differnt than that. I want sopmething that is quick handeling with good knockdown power at 50-75 in a carbine style hunting rifle that runs 6.5-7lbs. Basically the Ruger deerfield was perfect but they quit making it.

 

[Whitman31]

I'm not aware of anyone who makes one, but the rim shouldn't be a problem as shotgun autoloaders don't struggle. Good question, someone should design one, it may not be "practical" but nobody said every gun needed to be practical...

 

[Il Duca]

You can get a Saiga conversion in .45-70 or .450 Marlin.