Semi auto rifle for hunting ...?
Which game ...?
Which maker ..?
In which caliber ..?
And why semi auto ..?
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Semi auto rifle for hunting ...?
Which game ...?
Which maker ..?
In which caliber ..?
And why semi auto ..?
I don't currently own a semi-auto centrefire, but I would be happy to use one for any game. I use a semi-auto .22 LR for grouse and rabbits. I used a semi-auto Winchester 12 gauge (? Model 1300?) for a few years for waterfowl, and I shot my first deer with a Winchester Model 1907 autoloader in .351 Winchester.
Autoloaders work. I dislike the appearance of the Benelli rifle, but would certainly try a Browning Safari or Remington 750 or 7400 in .308 or .30-06 for deer/moose. If I really, really felt I needed a .300 Win Mag (I do not) I'd consider the Browning for that.
When my Dad died, his 1907 went to my nephew, and I would still hunt deer with that rifle, to a max range of 100 yards.
Why a semi? Why not?
I have missed deer up close and had them stand still while I had to slowly try to eject my empty and reload....silently. An autoloader would have been better.
Likewise, although we SHOULD be able to reload without taking the rifle from our shoulder, most of us do move it downwards. Unless we're using an auto.
There is a prejudice among some hunters that carrying an autoloader means you have the attitude that you don't have to make the first shot count, that you think you can just "spray and pray."
I think that is a load of hogwash. I know hunters who carry autoloaders for deer and moose and are as careful and ethical as others who prefer single-shots. A complete non-issue in my opinion.
And as for those who like to yammer about how "inherently inaccurate" autoloaders are......go shoot a bunch of them. You'll be surprised.
Nothing wrong with a semi. If you have to take s second shot you aren’t racking a bolt or lever so not as likely to be seen by your game. Not my choice but that’s a personal thing. The only one I would look at is the Browning BAR. Might as well get it in .3006 as there is no difference in action size or weight in a .308.
As I stood beside a guy at an gun show who was enamored by what look to me like a machine gun, I said, ‘what’s wrong you can’t hit them with the first shot.” I’ve never found having the gun reload itself, that much of advantage, it just makes it easier to rip off a second round, without really refocusing upon what you’re shooting. Having said that I do recall taking a woodchuck out at about 200 yards by using my semi auto .22, to walk down the field behind it. Each time I fired I could see the dust rise on the elevated slope behind it, as I kept lowering the muzzle. It was about on the third or forth round the chuck dropped and no dust rose or if it did, the chuck’s body obscured me from seeing it. What surprise me was that it was an upper body hit, and not a head shot and it killed the chuck stone dead. It may have been that at that range the bullet was tipped or tumbling when it hit.
I picked up an 11-48 Remington semi, did some before season practicing with it. Opening day of duck season I put it and my double in the truck. I started the opener with the semi after 15 rounds without cutting a feather, I return the semi to the truck and retrieve my double and manage to take my limit.
A while back I was invited out to shoot some clay at the local range. I finally discovered what my problem was with the semi. With the 11-48 the barrel moves back into the action to pick up the next round. In doing so it was elevating the muzzle so I was shooting over the clays I was putting the bead on. Finally I drop the bead below the clays and started to break them. It is certainly a gun I’m going to have to do a lot more practice with.
In listening to bro who does a lot of rifle sighting in. If you are looking to pick up a 30-06, the semi appear to be you’re best bet. He finds the 30-06 bolt actions have a lot more recoil to deal with than the semi actions.
You don’t stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut
I personally is a bolt action guy although has owned and still own semi rifles but my go to rifle is still bolt action.
However many has overlooked that a gas semi auto reduce felt recoil and for some young hunters or those sensitive to recoil shooting a gas semi rifle is certainly more comfortable and more enjoyable.
I always love big bore rifles but for those who fears everytime behind the trigger a semi does help them ease off the shots and put the bullet where it suppose to be.
I bought a Remington semi in 30 06 for when I am pushing the bush or blocking in the bush. Noscooe, just iron sights. My usual gun is a bolt action .243 with a scope.
I'm also mostly a bolt guy, but I do have a 10/22, a old Rem 742 in .308 that I keep at the camp and a nice Verney Carron in .30-06 with a Leupold VX-R 2-7 X 33mm with Fire Dot 4. I like this rifle for Bear and Deer hunting. Its also a fun gun to shoot at the range.
In semi auto, I would go with Browning’s bar in 308 win. The 308 was designed with automatic use in mind and it will work for any big game Ontario offers.
IMO, whitetail hunting is what repeating rifles were made for. I’ve shot whitetails with bolts but got rid of my last one 20 years ago. I’ve shot deer with Remington 4’s and 7400’s, and bars. I also like blrs and marlin 336’s in lever. I’ve had cause to empty many a magazine over the years, and many deer have wound up hanging on the pole over the years due to successive shooting.
It is all what you get used to and like , myself I very much dislike semi auto,s as I am also a reloader and have been for 60 years, over those years many deer and moose have fallen very dead to my "bolt action repeaters ", and to that countless coyotes all with bolt actions.Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorlife
Started hunting over 30 years ago. Never would even look at a semi when I was buying a new gun. Now I have 2 semi shotguns and just got my first semi 22. But all my big game rifles over the years have always been bolts. Didn't handicap me when I took 4 deer in one sit. It was more of a handicap that my 270wsm only held 2 shells in the magazine. I have since relaxed a bit and only take 1 now instead of using half the gangs tags up in 30 seconds.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaycee
My dad hates lever guns but loves his pumps, does not mean either is bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaycee
I don't know if I would ever have a semi big game gun, simply because I like to reload and play with loads, you cannot do this as effectively with a semi as you have to be concerned about the cycling.
I like to shoot pumps, bolt guns, hinge actions, semi plinkers, classic levers, and a not so classic straight pull bolt.
Shooting a grouse at 50 yards with a straight pull gun from 1915 was pretty cool, never did have a deer show up in front of me.
I believe it's what ever you are used to.
I shoot a Browning BAR in 3006 for al big game.
I believe the first shot is the most important one no matter the gun action.
I can't use a pump gun to save my life. Early in my hunting career I switched from a pump slug gun to a semi. I could always get the first shot off then somehow double pump the next two shells onto the ground without even chambering another round . . . . my dedicated deer gun is a 12 ga Winchester sx3 with the cantilever deer barrel.
As for rifles, I have planned on buying a Browning BAR for the last few years. The new ones I find sexy as hell but I only hunt bear the odd time with a rifle, and well, if I ever draw a moose tag i'll worry about rifle selection then lol. I have a xbolt 223 and 30-06. Don't need another rifle really (even though it never hurts to own 10 lol)
Wasn't an 870 express by chance was it? My 12ga 870 slug gun would dump the 2nd shell on the ground with the hull from the first one. Then I'd have to rack the 3rd one in the chamber. I have other pumps, including another 870 turkey gun that do not do this however. After it happened twice in the field I got an SX3 slug gun as well but the 20ga.Quote:
Originally Posted by toddy
Rem750 carbine 18.5" barrel 30-06, 1.5-4.5x32 will be put to good use this year.
I have a Rem 742 .308 carbine iron sights I carry doggin for deer and moose. Never did shoot anything with it, I'm a bolt fan myself if I had a bolt gun with iron sights it would be my dogging gun.
Only semi I use exclusively is my 12gauge Maxus for waterfowl.
Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
Was an older Winchester 1200.Quote:
Originally Posted by cantgetright
I’ve always been a pump guy,be it deer or waterfowl,I learned early on that I could empty my pump 12ga almost as fast as my partner’s semis,and would say more accurately as well,more ducks with less wasted shells......so when I was shopping for my first big game rifle as a teenager,I bought a Remi pump in 30-06 and never looked back,I’ve owned 3 of them over the last 33 years along with many other rifles,but there will always be a 7600 in my gun safe.
Back in the day,the Remi semis were known to be jammers,I think it was the 742B maybe that was the lemon?
The new 750 Woodsmasters are sexy,as are BARs of any vintage,if I was gonna buy a semi it would be one of those two,leaning towards the BAR.......but I’ve got no real burning desire to buy a semi,got enough rifles as it is gathering dust.
Check out TradexCanada,they usually have a few used BARs for sale on the website and great prices as a rule.......I “was” tempted to buy a BAR in .300WM from them a few months ago just because it was a good deal,lol....but can’t really justify it,
It's all about personal taste and what you like and what you're used to.
I've never cared much for the idea of having a semi for a rifle, but that's just me. Nothing wrong with it if you like it.
I'm more of a Mauser action or A-bolt kind of guy myself. Actually, truth be known my true love is for my Win 94 lever actions. Now that's what I'm talk'n about!
I've been a bolt rifle and pump shotgun gun fan since forever,but,last year,I drew the short straw for dogging. I swapped rifles with a buddy,a Remington 742 .308 carbine with synthetic stocks and open sights that handled beautifully while trekking the woods and hill tops. On the third day we headed to the range for some target practice where I put half a box of shells through it. It was smooth as silk and very accurate. If I ever find another for a decent price,I'll scoop it.
So you did not shoot the gun before using it?Quote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
You bet!! I've used it before from the previous owner before buddy bought it. I should have scooped it when I had the chance. Missed opportunity....Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
I think it was the 740 Woodsmaster that had the Jam master nickname...Quote:
Originally Posted by Grinr
The thing with semi’s that I’ve seen, was trying to chamber the first round quietly. Lots of times the actions were not locked. I hunted with a guy that missed a huge buck for that very reason. Got to let them slam shut !!
edit: Woodsmaster, not Gamemaster..
Your absolutely right about that. Try and close the action quietly by hand and the results are always the same ,"click". I cant count how many people I've spoke to that have had the exact problems, so they sell their gun thinking the gun is crap...lolQuote:
Originally Posted by rick_iles
Cool, sorry, I know of guys who borrowed a gun and were told it was "dead on at 100 yards", they never shot it and barely knew how to load it. Makes me shake my head.Quote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
That's where Remington got their nickname " Remjamatics "Quote:
Originally Posted by rick_iles
A name created from Fudds that couldn't figure out how to use their own gun...:oQuote:
Originally Posted by jaycee
Never had any problems with my 742. Shot my first buck with it many years ago. Camp gun now. Hard to beat the Verney Carron. ;)
The problem with some hunters is they try to "be gentle" with their firearms and that's when they get into trouble. These units were built for tough use. Ejectors won't eject,pumps won't pump,semi-autos and bolts won't wrack without inertia.
My Bolt guns can be loaded very quietly , and when fired the bolt slowly moved and the fired cartridge case ejected , or removed by hand to save and reload again.Quote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
Conversely they can be worked as fast as possible .