What auto rifle to buy?

[Sharpie1]

It is time for me to get a decent big game (basically whitetail deer) automatic rifle.

Current rifles I own are:

AK-47 (will pick up tomorrow, actually)
Savage 110 .243 Win
Ruger 10/22

I really don't even know what I want. I have never had an "AR" type rifle -- and from what I hear they are VERY expensive. I am pretty much open to anything -- but it does need to be a decent caliber.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

--tadyson

 

[firestar]

Why an Auto for deer?

 

[Sharpie1]

Why an auto for deer?

I guess it really doesn't have to be an auto, I just like them...

The reason auto came to mind was because I might also use it for other things - plinking, varminting, etc. -- but what it might also be is finding an excuse to buy an AR-type rifle...

If you have a suggestion for another type -- such as bolt, feel free to let me know -- I *do* want a substantial caliber, though. Not something extreme -- but in 30-06, or .308, or something around that power.

Thanks again,

--tadyson

 

[COHIBA]

i like a single shot for deer. then i have an air of superiority when i kill one and an excuse when i miss.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've taken over 20 deer with my .243. It's an old Sako Forester carbine, 19" barrel. All I've ever used is the Sierra 85-grain HPBT.

I guess the best quality in semi-auto hunting rifles is the Browning. Some find it a bit heavy.

I've found the old Remington 742K carbine to be handy in thick cover, stalking. My uncle swore by his Winchester 100 in .308, his "machine gun".

I dunno. I've just never been able to take a semi-auto seriously as a hunting gun. Sure, they cycle faster than a bolt-action, but you still have the lag time of recoil before you can fire the next shot--and a practiced bolt-action shooter ain't far behind.

FWIW,

Art

 

[MolonLabe416]

It's been my experience that a well trained person operating a properly set up bolt rifle is just as fast as a self-loading rifle for aimed shots.

The speed of the operating system isn't the issue. Both rifles must be brought down out of recoil, the shooter must optain a second sight picture, and break the shot.

I can do that just as fast with my bolt action Steyr Scout as you can with an FAL, etc. I know from experience. There was a chap in my Gunsite 270 who shot an FN FAL. He was no faster than I was for aimed shots. In fact, I won the 25 and 50 yard snapshooting portion of the class with my bolt rifle. A very skilled operator might have a slight advantage at 25 yards, but has no advantage beyond that.

Self loading rilfes are also heavier and more complex.

A 308 caliber AR type rifle will set you back well over $1k just for the rifle. You'd then have to add another $500 or so in optices, etc.

You could get a Winchester model 70 featherweight, rings, bases, scope, and sling for not much more than the cost of the self-loading rifle alone.

I'd suggest you get the Winchester, fit either a fixed 4x or a 1.5x5 variable from Leupold (if you opt for a variable, spring for the illuminated reticle), fit a Ching Sling, and spend the balance on a good 3 day rifle class from Randy Cain or one of the other good travelling instructors.

I believe you'd have a better platform for your intended use and we all benefit from training.

 

[iamkris]

I have to go along with the general sentiment of the group here. Looks like you already have a decent whitetail rifle in the Savage .243.

If you're interested in a plinker / varmiter in an auto config, I'd go with a .223 of some kind. Maybe an AR. You can get a fine rifle for $750...just don't try to shoot deer with it.

If you're dead set on a big bore deer rifle, buy a bolt. Savage, Remington, Browning, Tikka, Winchester...lots of good choices.

If you must have a big bore auto deer rifle, maybe a Remmy 7400/7600 (never can remember which is the pump, which is the auto). There's also that new goofy-looking but well reviewed Benelli rifle.

If none of that works and you must have an EAW (Evil Assault Weapon), buy the AR180 and accept that it's going to cost a lot. Or an FN. Or a G3. Or a CETME. And don't let the raised eyebrows of the other deer hunters bother you.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

My two cents...

I bought a Remington 700 ADL in .308 last fall for my first dear rifle. The rifle, scope (only a $100 Swift 3x-9x), rings, the works only set me back $600. But it dropped my 120 pound buck at about 170 yards with one shot . So it works.
I'd suggest a bolt for deer hunting. They are cheaper, easier to clean and operate, and they make you plan your shot better (in my opinion). If you want a solid, inexpensive rifle you can't go wrong with a Remington 700. If you want a fancier one I'm sure other people here can direct you to one. But my Remington is working just fine for me.

 

[Sharpie1]

Great Info!!

Well, you all have talked me into a bolt.

I have taken 3 deer with my Savage .243, but at long distances - I'm just not confident that it will do the job. I took all three of these with a 100gr bullet.

Last year, I was using the .243 as a varmint gun, and was using 65 gr Hornady Ballistic-tips. I had read some articles about using bullets like this on deer - and that it was quite effective, so I shot one at about 200 yards...there was a LOT of blood, but we looked for a few hours, and didn't find it.

That was a bit disappointing. The next day, I used a Remington 742 Woodsmaster Auto 30-06, and took one with one shot (closer range)...that's my Dad's gun, but I want my own!!!

I will look into a .308 or something to that effect.

Someone mentioned Winchester -- I will look into them.

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

I'm still going to get an AR one day!!

--tadyson

 

[scotjute]

tadyson,
If you were using the 65 grain bullet on deer, that would probably be the source of your problem. Not sure about the bullets that are available for a .243, but something in the 100-120 grain range out of a .243 should be just right for deer. Anything below 100 grains for a whitetail just seems to be too light of a bullet.

 

[ShaiVong]

One thing that i like about semi's is even though you loose your sight picture from the recoil, you dont need to move your hands before firing the next shot. You have to break your grip to cycle a bolt.

 

[Art Eatman]

The varmint-hunting crowd is all happified over the newer light-weight bullets for the .243. I'd say anything 70 grains and lighter isn't for deer. I use the 85-grain mostly because I was hunting an area with smaller deer, very selective in my shots, and pretty much married up with the rifle. (It's also devastating on coyote, and extremely accurate.) The 100-grain bullets, overall, are the best for deer--better penetration on a quartering shot.

Art

 

[MAKOwner]

If you want an auto on the cheap then look into a Cetme or G3-clone. Both in .308, cheap mags, both under $500 dealer price (Cetmes sell for right at $300 right now, other G3-clones like $450ish.)

Of course the AK will do just fine for hunting deer if you're talking about shots at/under 100 yards max...

 

[444]

AR15 with an upper in .458 Socom.

 

[plateshooter]

Might want to check out the Saiga 308. Easily good for 300 yds.
I can consistantly wack plates at that range with no problems. Best part is they are really inexpensive at under 300 bucks most places.

 

[lostdog]

What's up.....as some of you know, my fav. deerslayer is a steyr prohunter in .308 Your .243 should do alright if you look into a good bonded bullet at around 100 grains for it.....I recomend the "Bearclaw" loaded by federal

 

[flashbackk]

I second the saiga 308. I traded off my remington 74 that was effectively a single shot....( POS ) I just picked up a 16" saiga 308 from CDNN for $229. I am going to do the PG conversion and add a Kobra redot. Should be a great brush gun for me here in Mi.