Best Semi-Auto Hunting Rifle?

[dezmick]

I am looking into getting a new rifle, and i am curious on what people think of getting a semi-auto, i know that not that many companies make them, i have been looking at the Browning BAR, does anyone own one and if so how good of a rifle are they, i am thinking of going with a 270 WSM. Thanks

 

[Guest]

I own a BAR in 243Win. This one was my dad's only deer rifle for about 30yrs. It's pretty accurate (~1.25" @ 100yds) and as long as you keep it clean and well maintained, you'll be fine. Two words of caution, about these. First, they're heavy. So if your planning on hiking a lot, maybe not the best choice. Second, the forend nut tension is the key to accuracy with these, in my experience. I can't speak to the newer longtrac/shorttrac designs, but in the original, that little nut can be the difference between 6" groups and 1" groups.

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm most fond of the various AR-10 type rifles in .308 Win and similar cartridges. DPMS and Rock River both produce good rifles, as does Armalite. I'd take anything in North America, short of a giant Alaskan brown bear, with a .308 Win and good bullets.

Springfield's M1A also appeals, particularly the shorter-barrel models, but I like the AR-10's better.

At heart though, I'm a bolt action guy. Single shot Rugers too. Lever guns next... :grin: Then I get down to semi-auto rifles, finally!

FWIW, Guy

 

[bbearhntr]

dezmick, I have the "cousin" to the Browning BAR Short Trac, a Winchester SXR chambered in .270 WSM and I really enjoy it. Both guns were manufactured in the same plant to my knowledge by FN in Belgium. You will enjoy a couple more bells and whistles with the Browning version most notably the action release button that I wish I had and fancier walnut. But as far as the barrels and actions they are the same and very good in my opinion. I have only put about 50 rounds through it but it was a straight shooter right out of the box with factory ammo. If you are set on a semi auto for hunting I really don't think you will be dissapointed. Here is a picture of my Winchester SXR...

 

[Polaris]

The AR platform, especially the "Remington" R15 is gaining in popularity. As above, in .308, 7mm08 or .243 they are suitable for any North American game short of brownies. The platform is accurate, reliable and relatively simple to maintain.

The BAR can be a very accurate rifle. Balance is comparable to the best bolt guns. They are slightly heavier, but I think the "carryability" factor on them is quite good due to the good balance. I owned a .270 that would group sub moa with almost any load I put through it.

They are a bit fussy though and cleaning them is a real pain. Easy to end up with extra parts when you're done. If you do not enjoy fiddling with very complicated mechanisms with very tight tolerances they are best serviced by a gunsmith. The only issue I had with mine was in very cold weather. Any extra grease in the locking lugs would result in an out-of-battery condition. Rifle wouldn't fire as such, firing pin would drop dry. Bolt must be manually cylced and slammed shut to clear and get rifle back into action. Above freezing it was a fine rifle. I think they are the best semi out there now. M1a s are too heavy for a practical hunting rifle. The benneli auto and the FNAR are interesting but I have no first hand experience with them.

 

[cloverleaf]

Never heard of a BAR failing and they can be dam accurate. CL

 

[mcseal2]

I had a BAR in 7WSM that shot very well. I had the trigger worked over, but it still wasn't to my liking. I'm used to 2-2.5lb real clean triggers on everything anymore and I just don't shoot that well in the field without one. It really screws with my flinch on a bigger gun like that. Fine gun, just never became a favorite.

 

[Elkman]

i am curious on what people think of getting a semi-auto

I prefer bolt rifles. Thats what i think!

 

[CatskillCrawler]

An AR-10 in 7mm-08 would be awesome. Not that the .308 versions aren't.

Darn. Another fancy to persue...

I'm on a kick for an AR-based .204 varmint rig. It sits right under my quest for a Whelen.

I own an M-1A and two Garands. Carrying them around in the woods all day gives me greater respect for our groundpounders in WWII, Korea and early Nam. Great shooters but not what I'd want to lug up and down the hills around here.

 

[TBASTIAN]

The BAR Safari would be my suggestion. My family has shot them for years. IMHO they're by far the most reliable, strongest actioned, accurate, semi-auto made. I have a Safari II in .338 Winchester Magnum, that's never failed me, and is used as my back-up elk rifle. Let us know what you land on...

 

[JD338]

I always liked the BAR, easy on the eyes and the ones I shot were very accurate.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Same here. My pops has used a Browning 30-06 BAR for just about as long as I've been alive. Accurate and dependable with plenty of accuracy. I would like one myself some day, just a cool rifle.