Help Needed With A Few Semi-Auto Questions…

[Jayhawkeye]

First, I am C-5 quadriplegic and I want to buy a “Low-Recoil” centerfire rifle for deer hunting, general shooting, and varmint hunting.  Second, I am not extremely worried about how a rifle “feels” because I do not hold a rifle with my hands; the rifles, shotguns, and crossbows I shoot attach to a gun rig on my wheelchair.  I use the BE Adaptive Equipment Model LM 100 Gun Rig.  I really like the idea of a semi-auto rifle for deer hunting because I can not physically use a bolt action rifle well enough to effectively take a second shot and the semi-auto mechanism helps lessen the felt recoil.  Nevertheless, I am a lefty too, and I shoot using my left eye, but I can reload a right-handed or left-handed bolt action rifle equally well or not-well, I’m better with a right-handed bolt action rifle.  I plan on using a Power Trigger Mechanism (PTM) with this rifle, but I am not sure if a gun’s trigger pull, etc. has any effect on the PTM performance.  I’ve not heard too many positives regarding the Remington’s 750’s trigger.  Since I do not reload I will primarily use factory loaded ammunition.  So, the availability and variety of ammunition is important when choosing a caliber, i.e., like my favorite caliber, the 6mm, which is not available in near as many factory loaded ammunition as the popular .243 caliber.  Assuming I can hit the broad side of a barn, I would like my rifle’s ammunition to be capable to effectively shoot and kill deer at 250-300 yards from a “Low-Recoil” centerfire round, but I hope none of my shots will be over 150 yards during normal hunting conditions.  I know that Limbsaver recoil pads work extremely well to reduce recoil and barrel jump.  I don’t mind shooting my 12 gauge semi-auto Mossberg which has a Limbsaver slip-on recoil pad installed over the factory recoil pad.   However, will “scope eye-relief” become a problem if I double up recoil pads on a rifle?  Money?  I don’t want to break the bank because I still need to spend another minimum $300-$500 on a scope, rings, etc.  I’ve done too much research and now I am at the point where the more I learn the more questions I have to ask…  I’m sure that I’ll have more questions soon.  Please ask questions and respond!  Thanks.

Questions:
Semi-auto or bolt action?
Which Gun?
New Remington 750?  Used Remington 742/7400?  New/Used Browning BAR?
Accuracy problems, i.e., the barrel? 
Jamming problems?
Which caliber?  For example, .243 vs. .270*?   
What parts should I look over when I examine a used Remington Browning semi-auto?

*Factory Low-Recoil Loads


BE Adaptive Equipment Model LM 100 Gun Rig:
http://www.beadaptive.com/pages/lm100.htm

BE Adaptive Equipment Model TM100 PTM:
http://www.beadaptive.com/pages/tm100.htm

[kyelkhunter3006]

Your best route for a semi-auto may be an AR-15 platform.  You can get them in a left hand format, but I'm not too sure about caliber availability.  I know that you can get AR's from DPMS in .243, .260, .308, any which are highly effective deer rounds.  You could also get an upper unit chambered in 6.8SPC, probably the lightest recoiling caliber that would be effective out to 250 yds.  These guns aren't cheap, look to spend between $1000 to $1500 for one.

Another alternative that you haven't mentioned would be a single shot like a Ruger #1.  Then the left-handed part doesn't really matter, because these rifles are suited to either side.  Then you can shoot correctly with your left side, and honestly, with a little practice, you won't give up any reloading ability vs the bolt action.  And you used to be able to get the #1 in 6mm Remington too.  Not sure if you still can, but I can tell you for sure that you have the best assortment of rounds with this gun.  Prices for new ones are in the $700 range, depending on model.

[wi-deerhunter]

I have one in Rem 750 carbine .308 I have no problem its very good hunting rifle. For you, You should get .243 in 750 and get trigger adjusted or.. Rem 750 in .270 win with Remington core-lokt managed recoil ammunitions that would be good. 6mm Rem is excellent for varmint hunting, You can find it in Remington 7400 or 742. You should try leupold rifleman scope 3-9x40mm at $199. or 4-12x40mm at $249. They're very good scope at very affordable price.