Semi auto rifle for hunting ...?

[alfoldivandor]

Semi auto rifle for hunting ...?
Which game ...?
Which maker ..?
In which caliber ..?
And why semi auto ..?

[Kilo Charlie]

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.

[terrym]

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.

[Gun Nut]

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

[spcamno]

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.

[JMatthews]

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.

[Deer Hunter]

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.

[fishhawk]

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.

[outdoorlife]

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.

[jaycee]

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.