Newbie rifle question: sporting + hunting

[ClarkLZeuss]

So all I've ever owned is pistols, and have never really hunted. Been thinking about learning how to hunt, as well as sporting (range, competitions, etc.). I know a shotgun is good for both. But with all the headlines recently, I'm thinking this would be a good time to buy a semi-auto rifle. Problem is, I don't know much about which calibers are good for hunting which animals. In other words, although I could just go get an AR-15 (before they get banned), I wouldn't know what would be proper (and legal) to hunt with it. The only guys I know that I could hunt with have the wood stock variety of rifle, not the "EBR" type. So, I guess I'd want something that wouldn't look too out of place.

With all that in mind, can you please recommend a good semi-auto rifle (either the model or just the caliber) that is good for both competitions and hunting? Also, are there hunting laws about rifle models and calibers? Thanks in advance. Like I said, I know next to nothing about long guns. And if this is too general of a question, please help me narrow things down. Thanks!

[TheDude]

Springfield M1A would fit your needs really well but they aren't cheap. You can get them with wood stocks. They are a proven fighting rifle if you ever needed it for that. As far as caliber, .308 will definitely take anything in North America. I would still recommend an AR though since its so easily converted to other calibers. Maybe look at an all camo model if you wan to "fit in" with the traditional rifle guys you are gonna hunt with.Smith and Wesson makes an all camo AR in .300 blackout that would definitely take whitetail and similar size game quite well. I personally wouldn't worry about what they think. Someone has to be the first one to bring a modern sporting rifle to deer camp. Just my .02.



http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=42" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wodathunkit]

You can legally hunt deer and hogs with an AR in Texas. I do it often just to spite the wing nuts who say it isn't a sporting rifle. If you head shoot an animal, it stops moving!

While hunting, you can use an AR from its "designed purpose" self defense. I'm not kidding, some of the counties in Texas have a horrible feral hog problem, including mine in Polk county. Be advised, if you do that, you won't want to be limited to 10 rounds.

Here is a good example (not mine)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fUjpr1UdPj8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johncanfield]

Here is a good example (not mine)

Good video - that's one reason why we need 20 or 30 round magazines . I fixed the clicky - the original video link was for a mobile device.

If money is tight, start out with a bolt gun - simpler, easier to clean and generally speaking more accurate out of the box. I have a buddy in Iowa who is an avid hunter - to my surprise he said you can only use a shotgun to shoot deer.

[Rugerboy50]

I have a AR and a Standard rifle.

got the AR 1st then a bolt action Savage with accu trigger and accu stock.

If I would have bought the savage 1st my second rifle would have been another savage not a AR.

My Savage is a awesome tack driver.

Decide what caliber you want put a vortex scope on it and your set for a lot of good shooting.

I haven't purchased my last Savage.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have an AR, and I'm not averse to hunting with it, but the most all-around satisfying rifle I've ever owned was an M1A, and I've been beating myself up for having sold mine ever since. I took it hunting a couple of times.

The AR my son built for his boss at the time, took a GIANT hog. Picture here (no blood, but it is a dead animal): http://whamproductions.com/images/misce ... forweb.jpg

And here is my M1A on a hunting trip:

[Andrew]

While .308 is a great all around chambering, availability of guns and ammunition might make ownership problematic. That said if you are looking for a rifle with a detachable box magazine, the FNH FNAR is very accurate all purpose rifle, albeit in .308. FNH also produces the Browning Automatic Rifle in a variety of chamberings although again you are limited to .308 in a detachable magazine. Winchester SXR and Remington 750 are also clone actions and again provide a variety chamberings.
I have some experience with the FNAR and have found it to be an excellent choice for long shots on Mule Deer, Goat, and Antelope. But I really love my BAR in .338 WinMag. They have a assortment of stocks available, wood, composite, camo, etc. I'm sure that with the help of your Hunting friends, defining your needs and acquiring a BAR to fit shouldn't, even in these times, be all that difficult.

[TheDude]

.The AR my son built for his boss at the time, took a GIANT hog. Picture here (no blood, but it is a dead animal): http://whamproductions.com/images/misce ... forweb.jpg

TAM what kind of optic is that on the AR you son built? Looks longer than a normal Red Dot but seems to be mounted in the same position. Nice looking AR by the way. Looks like your son did a fine job.

[The Annoyed Man]

.The AR my son built for his boss at the time, took a GIANT hog. Picture here (no blood, but it is a dead animal): http://whamproductions.com/images/misce ... forweb.jpg

TAM what kind of optic is that on the AR you son built? Looks longer than a normal Red Dot but seems to be mounted in the same position. Nice looking AR by the way. Looks like your son did a fine job.

He's becoming quite the gunsmith. The optic is a Burris AR332 prismatic sight: http://burrisoptics.com/ar332.html.

I have the Burris AR536 on my AR, which is the same thing, but 5X instead of 3X. They are similar in concept to the ACOG, in that they are fixed power optics designed specifically for the AR platform, and the reticle operates with and without illumination and includes a bullet drop compensator which is regulated to the 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO cartridge.

Also, they are about a third of the cost of an ACOG. The AR536 goes for around $399, depending on where you buy it, and the AR332 goes for around $339. I got my AR536 from Cabelas, but they have them at SWFA too, and I think that my son bought that AR332 from Cabelas also.

I posted more about it here: http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=58145" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[alvins]

well it wasnt until all the stuff recently that 308 was hard to find?

[Andrew]

well it wasnt until all the stuff recently that 308 was hard to find?

Very true. A secondary concern of mine is an ammunition test some liberal/progressive mouth pieces are proposing in regards "armor piercing" capability. When I think of the shock and fear the display of centerfire rifle cartridges in comparison to the "High Powered" .223 would engender I'm quite sure Barbie and Ken America would be demanding a total gun confiscation program. From .308 to .50BMG and eventually(my personal favorite)a 1000 grain .700 nitro express, knickers would be in a twist everywhere.

[ClarkLZeuss]

Thanks for all the feedback, gents. After reading through your replies, as well as talking at length with one of my buddies who hunts, I'm pretty convinced .243 would be just the right caliber for me: good enough for deer and varmints, and I don't think I'd hunt anything bigger anyway that would require .300 and up. Plus, during my last few "ammo stops," .223 was nowhere to be found, but there was a little bit of .243. So I'm hopeful that the supply isn't as thin.

Tricky thing is finding a .243 rifle with a good AR platform, that will also accept high-capacity mags. I think this one, the Rmington R-25, might just do the trick. Camo finish, too!
http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... rifle.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any thoughts?

[Wodathunkit]

Thanks for all the feedback, gents. After reading through your replies, as well as talking at length with one of my buddies who hunts, I'm pretty convinced .243 would be just the right caliber for me: good enough for deer and varmints, and I don't think I'd hunt anything bigger anyway that would require .300 and up. Plus, during my last few "ammo stops," .223 was nowhere to be found, but there was a little bit of .243. So I'm hopeful that the supply isn't as thin.

Tricky thing is finding a .243 rifle with a good AR platform, that will also accept high-capacity mags. I think this one, the Rmington R-25, might just do the trick. Camo finish, too!
http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... rifle.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any thoughts?

Wow, neat rifle!

[C-dub]

Thanks for all the feedback, gents. After reading through your replies, as well as talking at length with one of my buddies who hunts, I'm pretty convinced .243 would be just the right caliber for me: good enough for deer and varmints, and I don't think I'd hunt anything bigger anyway that would require .300 and up. Plus, during my last few "ammo stops," .223 was nowhere to be found, but there was a little bit of .243. So I'm hopeful that the supply isn't as thin.

Tricky thing is finding a .243 rifle with a good AR platform, that will also accept high-capacity mags. I think this one, the Rmington R-25, might just do the trick. Camo finish, too!
http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... rifle.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any thoughts?

Nice rifle. DiFi wants it.