Stealthy AR?

[SleazyRider]

Shhhh. When I walk to my deer stand a few hours before sunset, I try not to make a lot of noise. With the maximum stealth my clumsy body can muster, I climb the tree, hoist my rifle up into the stand, insert four rounds into the magazine and gently close the bolt of my Model 70.

But how does one do this with an AR? I'm new to this platform, and I was surprised at how noisy the act of pulling the charging handle and closing the bolt is. Seems like it could be heard for miles in the woods. And I understand that the charging handle should not be used to slowly release the bolt, followed by a nudge or two on the forward assist to ensure closure. Say it ain't so.

My question, therefore, is how is the AR loaded and charged silently?

 

[CoRoMo]

...WHERE is the AR loaded and charged silently?

Fixed it for you.

The answer is at the truck, not the deer stand.

 

[SleazyRider]

… The answer is at the truck, not the deer stand.

Then hoist it up the tree with a round chambered?

 

[MtnCreek]

You could, but that wouldn't be the safest option.

Place a cartridge in the chamber, slowly lower the bolt on the cartridge, push on the FA a few times and insert a mag (bump it to insure engaged).

An AR is going to be a little noisy compared to a bolt gun. They jingle as you walk.

 

[courtgreene]

I don't know why you shouldn't ride the round in with the charging handle and then use the forward assist. It always seems to work and only makes a little click as opposed to a loud clack.

 

[d2wing]

I load at the truck. If you have to climb a stand there is some risk. Be careful. I wait until close to shooting hours so that if I get a shot on approach I can take it. Another issue is sling rattle. As mentioned if many to be in your stand very early you may have to use the FAA. Bolts are really better for stand hunting, but I have successfully used an AR.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Here's how I do it every hunting trip:

1) Walk in with bolt locked to the rear
2) Once in position insert magazine
3) Use charging handle to pull bolt off of bolt stop and slowly lower bolt until the charging handle can be pushed into the locked position
4) Use forward assist to fully seat the bolt

Never had any problem with it.

 

[MtnCreek]

If I sling carry on an open bolt, the bolt release sometimes gets pushed in. Clang!

 

[herkyguy]

A great reason for the forward assist. Many manufacturers are offering ARs without the FA, but this thread and the ability to remain silent in any other situation makes a good argument for it.

 

[steveracer]

Ummm....load the rifle at your vehicle. Place it on safe. Climb into the stand with it over your back on the sling.
Been doing this a long time. Why do it any other way?

 

[gspn]

A - ease the bolt home and use the forward assist

Or

B - load it at the truck and use a pull rope to bring the gun up to the sand BUTT FIRST (ie muzzle pointed down).

 

[MCgunner]

Hunting rifles are for hunting. ARs are for zombie defense. .223 kills zombies, but sure ain't no .270.

Seriously, though, hunting rifles are a better choice than combat rifles for deer hunting for many reasons and you just hit on one.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I have learned something after a few years of stalk hunting in the woods.

1 the woods are full of stray loud noises. Don't worry about adding one extra.

2 hunters are the ONLY creature who tries to slink and sneak through the woods. It makes your sound just as suspicious to deer as seeing a teen do the same thing in your neighborhood would you.

 

[CoRoMo]

Then hoist it up the tree with a round chambered?

Yes please, and report back with pictures of the deer.

Ummm....load the rifle at your vehicle...

This.

...load it at the truck and...(ie muzzle pointed down).

And that.

Sure, there's almost always going to be a SAFER way to do something, but quite often there are 'safe enough' ways to do it. It would be safer to not hunt from a height that you could fall to injury, but doing so is fine, right? Right. While hunting from the ground might be safer, there are ways to hunt from up in the trees that are 'safe enough' to be worth doing.

... ARs are for zombie defense. .223 kills zombies, but sure ain't no .270.

Ain't no .270... but the 6.8 Remington SPC sure is!!

 

[MCgunner]

Ain't no .270... but the 6.8 Remington SPC sure is!!

In your dreams.

Actually, I've gone the other way. I don't care for ARs or other military stuff in the woods. I am now shooting a .50 caliber CVA. 385 grains of 50 caliber bullet and you can eat right up to the hole. I only need one shot, don't need 20 to kill a deer. And, my bullet is pre-expanded. But, if I get attacked by zombies while in my box blind, I suppose I'm in trouble.

 

[MtnCreek]

hunters are the ONLY creature who tries to slink and sneak through the woods. It makes your sound just as suspicious to deer as seeing a teen do the same thing in your neighborhood would you.

Not the only critter, but I very much agree with you about walking through the woods.

 

[bldsmith]

Did it the other day on a yote stand. Lowered the bolt with the charging handle and used the FA to push round in chamber. Not completely silent but not loud enough to worry about. The call was blaring and would mask it.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

hunters are the ONLY creature who tries to slink and sneak through the woods. It makes your sound just as suspicious to deer as seeing a teen do the same thing in your neighborhood would you.

I have watched deer, hogs, and coyotes slink and sneak in the woods.

Seriously, though, hunting rifles are a better choice than combat rifles for deer hunting for many reasons and you just hit on one.

Hunting rifles are just the combat rifles of yesteryear.

 

[steveracer]

I found hunting with the AR a great solution when I was recovering from a broken collar bone. I had dumped my Yamaha in an ugly high-side, and my right wing was jacked up.
Soooo, the AR has dramatically less recoil than any of my other choices (at the time) and it was the best thing. I killed two deer with it very cleanly, and I can't picture NOT using one (if you have one you like) for hunting Deer-sized or smaller game.

 

[bldsmith]

Hmm, combat rifles have no place in the woods?? Guess I better leave my Marlin 45/70 at home then. Only allowed to take the bolt and single shot out I guess. Ever tried to load a lever action quietly. It is far easier to load an AR quietly than a lever. Oh and by the way the lever action was the original "assault" rifle. Not to mention your CVA, the minute men used them to great affect during the revolution. How quiet can you be loading a BP rifle. I would wager not nearly as quiet as easing the bolt forward on an AR and using the FA.

 

[H&Hhunter]

It is ALWAYS an extremely BAD idea to haul a chambered rifle into a tree stand even muzzle down. I am not going to get into the AR vs whatever argument here. I'll just say that you need to find a quiet way to chamber your rifle after you are in your stand.

 

[tactikel]

If you opt for: ease the bolt forward and hit the FA button 2-3 times option, try it at the range 3-4 times to validate the process. If it works, great, that is what the FA is for. If not, IMHO, at the truck, insert a loaded magazine, DO NOT chamber a round. Once you are seated at your stand, rack the bolt. If the noise concerns you get to your stand 45 min before legal shooting hours.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Using the forward assist is a good option I think. I have practiced it many times with an AR rifle and it will work and only be a bit of noise.

I use a DPMS Sportical on occasion for hunting which has no FA. If it is still dark then it is still early enough to just do a standard pull charge for the first round. JMO.

 

[SleazyRider]

Can anybody tell me why "riding the charging handle" is frowned upon by some? Holding back pressure on it to quietly ease the bolt forward, followed by use of the FA, certainly seems like it could do no harm to the rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

I am going to second the never pull up a loaded rifle. Load it after you are seated and secured. Load it quite or noisy, but load it after you pull it up.

The loading noise won't make any difference an hour later when that deer wanders through. If the big one just happens to be just over the ridge and get scared off when you load it up, so be it.

Your life is never worth taking unnecessary chances with. Plenty of people in the morgue who were being "careful".

If the round fits the AR's chamber easily, loading it slow won't hurt a thing.