Author Topic: Semi-auto hunting rifle - who uses them for big game? (Read 2060 times)

Coyote Hunter · « **on:** February 21, 2007, 02:34:43 AM »

In the wake (no pun intended) of Zumbo's self destruction, I was wondering how many here hunt with what he called "terrorist weapons"?

1. What kind of rifle?
2. Caliber?
3. Game type?

My only semi-auto is a .22LR and I have never felt the need or desire to hunt big game with a semi-auto rifle. Not knocking those who do, though, and in fact support their right to do so.

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:10:02 AM »

I didn't hear about Zumbo's "self destruction." Did he really say that semi-autos are terrorist weapons? When did he say that? Under what circumstances? I'm curious.

My first semi-auto was, and is, a .22LR in a Ruger. Then I got a .22 in a Marlin. It's fun for plinking.

My father had a Remington semi-auto in .30-06. I mounted a Nikon 3x-9x-40mm scope on it, and it actually grouped pretty well - about 1.5 inchest at 100 yards (I forgot with what ammo though). My father gave this rifle to my uncle, and he has shot a few deer with it. I myself have shot it, and the recoil was less than a bolt action.

Zachary

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2007, 04:45:55 AM »

I have used an AR 15 for hunting, I shot fox and coyotes with it. It worked great. I used a 50 Beowulf from Alexander Arms and shot a hog with it. Dropped him in his tracks. http://www.alexanderarms.com/
I guess I am one of them terrorist with one of them "terrorist weapons"? Now it is time that I go out and buy another AR15.

Here is what Zumbo said.
Quote:

Assault Rifles For Hunters?

As I write this, I'm hunting coyotes in southeastern Wyoming with Eddie Stevenson, PR Manager for Remington Arms, Greg Dennison, who is senior research engineer for Remington, and several writers. We're testing Remington's brand new .17 cal Spitfire bullet on coyotes.

I must be living in a vacuum. The guides on our hunt tell me that the use of AR and AK rifles have a rapidly growing following among hunters, especially prairie dog hunters. I had no clue. Only once in my life have I ever seen anyone using one of these firearms.

I call them "assault" rifles, which may upset some people. Excuse me, maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I see no place for these weapons among our hunting fraternity. I'll go so far as to call them "terrorist" rifles. They tell me that some companies are producing assault rifles that are "tackdrivers."

Sorry, folks, in my humble opinion, these things have no place in hunting. We don't need to be lumped into the group of people who terrorize the world with them, which is an obvious concern. I've always been comfortable with the statement that hunters don't use assault rifles. We've always been proud of our "sporting firearms."

This really has me concerned. As hunters, we don't need the image of walking around the woods carrying one of these weapons. To most of the public, an assault rifle is a terrifying thing. Let's divorce ourselves from them. I say game departments should ban them from the prairies and woods.

Mnswede · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2007, 04:59:56 AM »

I own 3 "Terrorist" AR platform rifles, 1-223cal, 2-308cal. I plan on taking the 223 AR P dog hunting this summer and took out one of my 308 AR's deer hunting last year.

M1 Garand
30 06
Deer

M14S
308
Deer

DPMS AP4 carbine
308
Deer

Also I didn't take a semi auto rifle out to spray and pray when shooting deer. All the deer took one shot and I only placed 5 rounds in the 308's but had 8 round enblock in Garand. With the carbine I took two deer consecutively with one shot for each deer this last year. Zumbo has given the Demo's and Sarah Brady alot of ammo since he stated that a true hunter/sportman doesn't need these types of weapons to hunt with.

Cement Man · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:03:32 AM »

My first SA was a Ruger .44 carbine used for whitetails. Shot a few with it. Lost one because of the slow bullet (yes, the deer ducked it, that's a whole 'nother story) so I bought a BRowning BAR in '06 that shot a better cartridge.

I used to use a 30.06 BAR for whitetails and elk. It was accurate as most bolt guns. I got it also because at that stage in my hunting life I was a fanatic duck hunter, and I shot a Browning B2000 gas auto 12 gauge. The BAR had a very similar profile, trigger, and operating mode as the B2000. And I liked Belgium Brownings. About that time (1983?)Terry Wieland was writing rifle articles for Sporting Classics magazine and he wrote an article stating "that a man's rifle told more about the man than many other things" - or something to that effect, suggesting that semi-autos were not quite such a positive indicator. I wrote a rebuttal letter describing the good points of my Belgium BAR - accurate, well made, reliable, decent trigger, handled well, and to my mind - good looking, and I indicated that any such shallow estimation of me based upon looking at my rifle would be silly. Sporting Classics published my letter.
After carrying that scoped BAR over many miles up and down hills, into trees, and what not. I discovered the beauty of a lightweight Model 70 Winchester. Bolt guns ever since. The BAR was sure a nice gun though.

fishdog52 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2007, 06:50:10 AM »

Used a variety of 22 semis for varmints for decades. Used a Rem 750 in 35 Whelen for moose & whitetails this past season. Zumbo (including his 2nd response) completely misses the point that this is bigger than just hunting, it is a Constitutional issue! United we stand, divided we fall. I am so disappointed in Zumbo failure to "get it." $:-\$

jro45 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2007, 06:55:33 AM »

I have a Mini 14 That I could use for groundhog hunting. Thats not big game, but its still a game animal.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2007, 07:20:43 AM »

I have used the following semiautomatics for deer hunting.

AR-15 in .223

M1A in .308

M1 Carbine in .30 carbine

BAR in 300 Winchester Magnum

Ruger Deerfield carbine in .44 Magnum

I plan on buying and using an AR-15 in 6.8 SPC as soon as possible.

The abundance of deer and deer tags in Wisconsin makes a semiautomatic rifle very useful on multiple deer in a single encounter. I have taken as many as 3 deer in approximately 6 seconds. An accurate, fast cycling, high capacity durable rifle is key. Sorry if it sounds like a terrorist weapon Mr Zumbo.

poncaguy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2007, 01:13:12 PM »

I want a AR 15 type weapon someday for plinking and home defense ( way the world is going now, may need it) I'll stick to single shots and bolt actions for my hunting................I could see where an auto would help with large caliber rounds with the recoil..........

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2007, 03:17:07 PM »

I use a scoped Mini-14 for coyote and other varmit; a long barrelled AK for whitetail (once in a while), and have used a couple of 7400s, both 06 and 308 also for whtetail and hog. They work just fine. Mikey.

Val · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2007, 04:01:34 PM »

A hunting buddy of mine who lost his left arm, uses a BAR in 30-06. He's nailed deer and pigs with it.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2007, 04:02:52 PM »

I've used my SKS on deer in the woods and couldn't imagine a better gun for the job.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2007, 04:29:19 PM »

I have a Remington 7400........which is one of the politically correct semi autos......

Don't use it much as it's not one of my favorite rifles but for what ever the reason i keep it....

I guess most would call it a safe queen.

I've have several 22lr semi's.......

As for Zumbo......., well....like Forest Gump says.....stupid is as stupid does.......

MI VHNTR · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2007, 04:34:02 PM »

I hope that I don't have to explain why I use these rifles, since they might not be deemed "proper for sporting use." The same goes for my choices in ammunition. After all, we must be 100% politically correct here, or..... you know what can happen. I use AR-15s for much of my hunting. I've also used semi-auto Remington rifles and liked them very much. I also use semi-auto 22s. MI VHNTR

The Second Amendment isn't about hunting. It's about Freedom.

NRA Endowment Member

Skunk · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2007, 04:51:09 PM »

Winchester, Model 100, .284, Semi-auto, for deer.

Remington 1100 semi, 12 guage, 3 inch mag, full choke, 28" barrel, vented rib, for ducks & geese.

Ruger 10/22 for plinking, varmints, etc...

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2007, 03:59:45 AM »

Quote from: MI VHNTR on February 24, 2007, 04:34:02 PM

I hope that I don't have to explain why I use these rifles, since they might not be deemed "proper for sporting use." The same goes for my choices in ammunition. After all, we must be 100% politically correct here, or..... you know what can happen. I use AR-15s for much of my hunting. I've also used semi-auto Remington rifles and liked them very much. I also use semi-auto 22s. MI VHNTR

The Second Amendment isn't about hunting. It's about Freedom.

NRA Endowment Member

You certainly don't have to be PC here, but as with any position, others are free to challenge it.

And no, you dont have to explain why you use them, but are free to do so. I personally do not use semi's for big game but support those that do - regardless of the make or model. Want to cart a 30-pound .50 BMG around for deep-woods elk? Have at it! An AR-10 for elk (or deer or pigs or whatever...)? Also OK.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:18:04 AM »

I use a Rem. 7400 for deer hunting, 30-06. Shoots 2" or less most of the time. My wife bought it for me on the 2nd CHRISTmas we were dating. I thought "Wow, she bought me a rifle, I've found my mate for life"

. Not the best horse in the stable, but it will always be with me.

I think that you should use whatever you want to hunt with. Want an AK or AR? Fine with me.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:32:40 AM »

Quote from: kyelkhunter3006 on February 25, 2007, 05:18:04 AM

I use a Rem. 7400 for deer hunting, 30-06. Shoots 2" or less most of the time. My wife bought it for me on the 2nd Christmas we were dating. I thought "Wow, she bought me a rifle, I've found my mate for life" . Not the best horse in the stable, but it will always be with me.

I think that you should use whatever you want to hunt with. Want an AK or AR? Fine with me.

I don't see how it can get much better than that..........A fellow just can't help but love a woman who buys him a gun!

With the accuracy of the AR-15's greatly improving over the years, lot of people use them to varmint and preditator hunt around here....

While I don't compete, it's pretty impressive to watch some of the guys at the gun club shoot small groups with the AR's at 500 yards with open sights......

It's pretty easy for me to see why a fellow would find some joy in one of these rifles......

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2007, 07:42:20 AM »

Yep, she's the one for me alright. She's the perfect woman, guns or not. Over the years, she's bought me a Ruger #1A 7x57, I had it layaway when we both worked for Wal-mart, and it got sold to "someone" else by "accident". It just happened to show up under the tree that year. A couple of years later, Traditions had just come out with their O/U shotguns, and I was ogling one at Wal-Mart one day, I went back to buy it a couple of weeks later, it was gone, and she had got me that one for CHRISTmas too!

I've shot many AR's and AK's, and while I don't personally care for them that much for myself and my shooting, the guys that I know that have them wouldn't trade them for anything. They are a lot of fun to shoot, if you have ammo to burn. Thankfully, my buds usually buy the ammo by the case, so I don't have to shell out my $$$.

azshooter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2007, 04:13:58 PM »

Usually I carry my bolt gun though I have used my M1 Garand to shoot deer.

tuck2 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2007, 11:49:33 PM »

I use bolt action rifles for most hunting but I have a Browning BAR 30-06 that I have used for deer hunting. The other semi auto I use is a Ruger 10-22 T with a Burris 6 X target scope. I have reworked the trigger to 3 Lbs and put it into a thumb hole stock. The 10-22 is a fine prairie dog pup shooter using Win 22 LR HP PP bullets for shots out to 70 Yds. Some of the AR heavy barrel center fire rifles are doing under one inch groups at 100 Yds. One in the Rem 6.8 MM should make a fair 200 Yd small deer rifle.

Mikey · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2007, 01:13:10 AM »

Hey guys - semi's are now going to be the rage. I'm going to get one in at least 4 or 5 different cailbers and every single one of them will shoot one of those mil-spec calibers that sarah brady says has no place in hunting. Mikey.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2007, 09:57:58 AM »

I have a Browning Buck Mark .22LR pistol and a Bushmaster Varminter in a .223. I use them quite a bit. The .22 for small game and the AR for coyote and fox.

I use a Ruger MKII .280 with a 3-9 x 50 Nikon for deer. I hunt with my inlaws for a few days out of the week. They do drives and where they hunt, a long shot is 50 yards. My .280 does not cut it in the thick stuff with the scope. So I am going to buy another "terrorist gun" in the spring. It will be an AR in .308 with a 18" - 20" barrel, not so that I can conceal it for my underground, anti-government plots, but so that it is easier to carry through the stick stuff.

Another thing that steered my towards the AR's is their reliability. Some of the guys in the hunting party have guns that jam quite often. It takes quite a bit to jam them, otherwise, why would our government put them in the hands of America's finest and send them into enemy territory to destroy TERRORISTS!

I used to have a great deal of respect for Jim Zumbo. I used to watch his shows, and even buy his Hi-Mountain Seasonings. But Jim Zumbo can KISS MY @55!!!!!

NONYA · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2007, 02:17:03 PM »

I would really like to have one of the newer Browning BARS,does that count?

deltecs · « **Reply #24 on:** April 09, 2007, 06:46:18 PM »

It seems Zumbo stuck his foot in mouth. If a writer like him cannot distinguish between terrorist weapons and semi autos used for hunting, maybe the sporting fraternity should reprimand him. I think, though, that he was attempting to persuade sportsmen to refrain from using weapons that the media and ignorants would immediately call assault weapons. However, I totally disagree with this philosophy for the main reason is that the possession and use of firearms is linked to hunting and sports use only by his reasoning. BS. The use of semi autos and para military weapons for sport use is not only tradition but our hunting privileges were derived from the use of military weapons. The militia man of our Revolutionary war used his hunting weapons for military use and vice versa. IE. Browning BAR, M14, AR15, Mini 14, Mini 44, and the cartridges they use. 30-06, 308, 223 are not only military designed cases, they are eminently engraved on the honor roll of classic sport hunting rounds. Our para military weapons used for sport provide the necessary impetus for private firearms ownership and use. Zumbo, shame for missing the point like the rest of media.
Greg

Stan in SC · « **Reply #25 on:** April 10, 2007, 03:37:23 AM »

Zumbo screwed up BIG TIME.It cost him his sponsors,his career and his reputation.Now he has written a letter of apology and explanation and is trying to recoup by teaming up with Ted Nugent to "get some education" on automatic weapons.He's hiding behind Ted's reputation which reputation ain't all that great with me.As far as I am concerned he bit the bullet and is through.
The damage he did is irrepairable.He deserved what he is getting.

Stan

poncaguy · « **Reply #26 on:** April 10, 2007, 03:48:41 AM »

I have to thank Zumbo, got me thinking.....went and bought me an AR16. What a fun gun.......now I will have to start reloading too.

desmobob · « **Reply #27 on:** April 21, 2007, 03:43:59 PM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on February 21, 2007, 02:34:43 AM

In the wake (no pun intended) of Zumbo's self destruction, I was wondering how many here hunt with what he called "terrorist weapons"?

1. What kind of rifle?
2. Caliber?
3. Game type?

1. Browning BAR
2. .270 Winchester
3. Whitetails

1. Colt Sporter HBAR black assault rifle terrorist special (eat that, Zumbo)
2. .223
3. varmints

My BAR and HBAR are two very accurate rifles. I didn't expect it from semi-autos (no previous experience with them) but they both shoot sub-MOA; the Browing with factory ammo and the Colt with nothing-special, quick-and-easy hand loads (no time-consuming bench-rest type case prep, etc.; just put the right bullet over the right amount of the right powder and it SHOOTS).

Good shooting,
desmobob

A-ALLOY · « **Reply #28 on:** April 21, 2007, 04:15:28 PM »

I beat up two mini 14 pretty good when I was younger. Shoot a few black tails at 50 to 75 yards
no problem. Now I'm more of a win. 70,ruger 1,t/c carbine type guy but a fnfal followed me home last month think I'll have to use it on a black tail for ol Jimbo. Everybody needs a SUG for the SUV.

Slamfire · « **Reply #29 on:** April 22, 2007, 07:08:43 PM »

I grew up in PA where they were simply not allowed for hunting. So I've never considered them. I'm sure that's about right for there, you have a million hunters on opening day, most of them are NOT true outdoorsmen, and might just "spray and pray". Out in the wide open spaces I doubt they'd do much harm. $:-\$