I don't hunt with my AR-10 but only because I have other rifles better suited for hunting. That said, if I had no other rifles more suitable for hunting I would not hesitate to use the AR-10 as a hunting rifle. As to the game? Just about anything that can be hunted using the .308 Winchester cartridge, including deer size game and elk comfortably out to 200 yards and beyond depending on the game and conditions. Most of my rifle hunting was in West Virginia where shots beyond 100 yards are not the norm. I do not use it for self or home defense either and again only because I have guns better suited for that role. I try to match the gun to the intended application.
My AR-10 still has its iron sights for match on it and these days it shoots targets on the range for the most part. It is one of my better liked rifles.
At a weight of nearly 12lbs ready to hunt I can't justify mine for hunting in the mountains here in Idaho. If I could drop it to down around 9lbs I would consider it.
I lugged a S&W M&P10 around a couple winters ago while on a doe and fawn watching expedition. I'd have been comfortable with the gun had any bucks cared to grace me with their presence.
A friend of mine has been using AR-15 variants and his "AR-10" .308 for many years. His .308 is 10.5lbs scoped and loaded. It has a 18" barrel and he uses a Sierra 125 pro-hunter. Longest shot possible is ~150 yards. He kills them easily.
I used AR-15 variants exclusively last year and I see my bolt guns staying home more and more. I'm gonna be using a "AR-10" that I'm building in .260 Rem scoped and loaded it will be 9lb 7oz
I have a couple of nice AR 10s and would hunt with them if needed as they are accurate rifles. My 5 lb bolt gun in 308 is much faster on target and 99% of the time the first shot does the job. Follow up shots are a little quicker with the semi auto, although many would be surprised how fast they can work a bolt when in a hurry. If you could only have one 308 then I might take an ar10 over a bolt rifle for all around use.
I just got my AR-10 build home from my builders shop. Chambered in 7mm-08, I plan to use it this fall for whitetail. I anticipate shots well inside of 200 yards, but, should have plenty of power to go beyond 300 if needed.
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