Why use a Semi-Auto for Deer?

[Beak50]

I read alot of post's on this sight"My Main Forum".I live in P.A. and have a camp in Tionesta were we go for first day ect..Semi's aren't allowed for hunting in P.A..I would feel kinda unsportsmanlike using a SKS,AR or other semi-auto's for hunting.What state's let you use semi's anyway?I could see using a semi if the deer could shoot back.Dosen't it kinda give the hunter a advantage that would make it not even like hunting,I really doubt any deer would stand a chance with 30rds.popping at it in a few second's time.I'm not trying to a semi-auto critic as I have quite a few myself.But were not in Africa hunting dangerous game.There are Black Bear's around here but I still see no need for a semi-auto for hunting.

 

[Sav .250]

".........but I still see no need for a semi-auto for hunting."

I`m sure you have raised the hackles on more than one "semi" user.

 

[Snowbandit]

I don't know of any state that allows the use of 30 round magazines for deer hunting. The usual practice is a 5 round limit. I've used autos, pumps, bolt actions and single shots over the years and seldom needed more than one from any of them. This idea of someone deciding what someone else "needs" is how we get goofy laws passed. Next thing, someone will come along and say no one "needs" an automatic for anything because they can't use it for deer hunting. You hopefully don't want to go there.

 

[420Stainless]

I've killed two deer with a semiauto and each only required one shot.

Some people just like semiautos and why not hunt with what you are familiar with?

Some people can't afford one rifle for hunting and a different rifle for self defense.

Killing a deer is killing a deer. I doubt that from the deer's perspective there is any such concept as "sporting". From the human perspective, why not use a spear if you seek greater challenge?

 

[GoF150xlt]

I use a bolt action but have no problem with people using a semi-auto.

One advantage is that they tend to recoil less and may allow a quicker follow-up shot.

 

[hawkeye10]

Most people don't go blasting around like Rambo with a semi auto rifle. They shoot it like a bolt action rifle one round at a time. Here in Tennessee you can use a semi to hunt deer with. Don

 

[Davek1977]

I've harvested deer with everything from a lever action 30-30 to a bolt action 7mm mag, to SKS's and AR-15's. At no point did I feel my weapon of choice gave me an unfair advantage, nor did it inspire me to "spray and pray." (and most states allowing one to hunt with semi's also govern mag capacity... very few hunters out there are using 30 round mags on big game animals). As for the comment

But were not in Africa hunting dangerous game

you again show your ignorance. NO ONE advocates the use of semi-autos on African dangerous game. Typically, double rifles or bolts are used for such purposes, as semi's are deemed too prone to failure AND underpowered. How many semi-auto .458 winchester mags have you seen in use? Your argument is a weak one, IMO. Some people feel as though archery is the only "real" hunting, and that modern weapons give one an unfair advantage. Another may think muzzleloaders are OK, but anything else is "unfair". I say hunt with whatever is legal, so long as you can make a clean kill with it, and give others the freedom to do the same. I for one don't see anything less sporting about stalking a buck and taking it at 20 yards with an AR-15 than shooting a deer at 300 plus yards with your rifle of choice. If you can harvest the animal humanely, I don't think one should overthink the instrument used to do it with. If it puts meat in the freezer consistently and legally, its not my place to judge your weapon of choice. You can bet I'l;l be arguing your right to hunt with your gun of choice if its suitable for the task....but sadly, I wonder if I could count on your support if the roles were reversed? In the end, we all hunt, and thats more important to me than choice of firearm action type.

 

[BCCL]

Because they want to..........

 

[DoubleMag]

Why use a Semi-Auto for Deer?

Because I already own one?
Because its the better caliber rather then my bolt gun?
Its a dull finish whereas my bolt gun is gloss?
Because I have a shoulder (or other) injury and recoil is softened in a semi?
To get attention in camp at sight-in,as most hunters still think semi's aren't accurate ?
Because my Grandpa & Great Uncles did after WWII & Korea?
To preserve the ability as an American to use any rifle for any lawful purpose?

I guess the reasons can and are indeed many as determined by the user!!

 

[gripper]

I have taken deer with revolvers(Blackhawks),rifles(SKS,a NEF singlr shot,and a Finn M39(wish I.still had THAT)....all will do,and I see nothing in-sporting.....never let off 30 rounds at a deer,myself-plenty of semi AKs and ADd have 5 round mags available.....if you are a moron, getting careless with a muzzle loader is s bad as doing so with a crew served-so don't be a moron.

 

[Zane]

I don't think any actual hunter would consider unloading a magazine on the prey. There wouldn't be much meat left and the hide would be air conditioned. Semi-auto rifles are quite precise these days...

 

[dprice3844444]

snow,arkansas,and full auto,too

 

[lizziedog1]

Do you know when the first repeaters came out the muzzleloader guys asked the same question you are?

 

[JohnBT]

What states? All of them. Except yours I think.

"I really doubt any deer would stand a chance with 30rds.popping at it in a few second's time."

I have to ask, are you drinking? Do you think people actually do this? I suppose you just don't know because you've never been around deer hunters in other states.

My uncle has used a BAR .30-06 since it was introduced in 1967. My father killed 2 deer standing next to each other with 2 shots at 105 yards. He was using a BAR in .280 REM. He was 76 iirc, but was always a good offhand shot. He said the hardest part of the shot was getting his knees to get him up off that frozen stump he'd been sitting on for an hour. Nice rifles, but I seldom hunt deer.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

I could see using a semi if the deer could shoot back.Dosen't it kinda give the hunter a advantage that would make it not even like hunting,I really doubt any deer would stand a chance with 30rds.popping at it in a few second's time.

Tell me Beak, do you load more than one round into your bolt action rifle when you go hunting?

WHY?


PS, you might want to look up "zumbo"

I don't know of any state that allows the use of 30 round magazines for deer hunting.

We do.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I really doubt any deer would stand a chance with 30rds.popping at it in a few second's time.

Here's a news flash for you. If a hunter can't hit the deer with one round, there is little chance they would hit it with 29 more.

I am also unaware of any law that says just because your gun holds X number of rounds that they must be fired during a hunt.

I only hunt with semi auto's, don't even own any bolt action rifles other than .22.

Guess I should not be allowed to hunt since my semi auto with 5 rounds is somehow less sporting.

I don't know of any state that allows the use of 30 round magazines for deer hunting.

As mentioned, Texas has no such limit. What is the point of such a law anyway? Again, if someone hasn't hit the deer by the time they have fired 5 rounds, they aren't gonna hit it anyway. I haven't ever seen a deer that would stand around for 3 rounds let alone 30. Nothing but a straw man argument there.


Here is my evil unsportsmanlike deer slaughtering semi auto death machine.

What a bizarre discussion.

 

[Walkalong]

.I would feel kinda unsportsmanlike using a SKS,AR or other semi-auto's for hunting.

I wouldn't, unless I was just blazing away carelessly.

I could see using a semi if the deer could shoot back.Dosen't it kinda give the hunter a advantage that would make it not even like hunting,

No more advantage than a hunter who can handle a lever or bolt gun well. You will likely only get two shots at game before it is out of sight.

I really doubt any deer would stand a chance with 30rds.popping at it in a few second's time

Again, any hunter blazing away like that is not only a discredit to hunters, but an idiot. At best they will wound an animal that will run away and die slowly.

Hunting is about taking careful, well placed shots, not blasting away. It does not matter if you take that careful shot with a single shot or a semi auto. Occasionally a fast follow up shot can be very helpful if the first shot did not hit where we wanted. Folks who use semi autos do not go into the woods looking to shoot thirty rounds at game. Semi auto's that are capable of taking 30 round mags, are also capable of taking 5 round mags, which is what responsible hunters use. Many bolt guns will hold 4 rounds.

 

[solvability]

I use a semi Auto for squirrels - never thought it was unsporting. I use a bolt for Deer just because it is accurate - but I use a lever for Hogs - just cause I want to. I would use a semi for deer if I wanted to - like the reduced recoil.

 

[ball3006]

Yep, the guys that come to the UP to hunt from below the bridge use semi autos. You can hear them blasting away while out in the woods. I, OTH, have never used more than one shot to down a deer. The next time I go deer hunting, I will use my M1D or one of my scout scoped Mosin Nagants.....chris3

 

[TexasRifleman]

Yep, the guys that come to the UP to hunt from below the bridge use semi autos. You can hear them blasting away while out in the woods.

Which pretty much proves the point that the number of rounds you carry in the gun doesn't matter if you can't hit what you aim at. I'd argue that someone who shoots 30 rounds at a deer probably makes the deer safer

 

[msmarshalll]

In Texas I would say that feral hogs would be the number one reason to go "deer" hunting with a semi automatic weapon. I like the AR-10

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I'm just AMAZED someone has more restrictive laws than CA.
I use my BAR 270 & my Rem 721 30-06, interchangeably: semi/bolt. I like both of them. Someday an 1895 45-70 will come my way and I'll use a lever.

 

[68wj]

Because my 6.8 AR is one of the most accurate rifles I have fired, I built it for me, and I can use my 25 round magazine, but choose to use a 5 round because of ignorant Fudds who are intimidated by it. I don't anticipate ever needing more than one shot for deer, but it is too great a rifle not to hunt with.

 

[InkEd]

The benefits to hunting with a semiauto (and I am guessing from some previous posts, we are mainly talking about modern rifles like the AR-15 platform) are the same as using a them for anything else. You can get a faster follow-up shot if needed (hopefully not). It's easier to reload with an external magazine. They allow you to stay on target better by not having to move the gun as much to chamber a new round. Recoil is usually less noticeable in an autoloader. Some people (say military) are more familiar and comfortable with the platform. The general aesthetics are more pleasing to some shooters. A physical handicap can make it a better choice for certain people. Lastly, you just have personal preference which is most often the main reason for most firearm selections. There really is no one particular reason why one choice is better than the other (in general) and that's why there is such a nice variety.

 

[BluegrassDan]

Here in the mountains where the brush is thick and the shots are under 100 yards people like semi-autos because they allow for a quick follow up shot if, by chance, the first bullet accidentally gets deflected by an unseen twig or something. I see nothing wrong with a fast follow up shot and I do not understand laws prohibiting semi-auto sporting rifles for big game hunting. The same reason I have never understood many states' laws of "only 3 rounds."