Hunting Rifle Advice

Hi TW,

So I'm in the market for a New Semi-auto hunting rifle, preferably a 30-06, with low recoil and a dust cover. Ideally it would also be light. Any suggestions?

Most of the rifles I've found that fit this description are "tactical" rifles with a poor shooting range.

I'm hunting in cali so most of my shots will be 200+ yards.

Thanks in advance for the advise.

 

Low recoil and light generally conflict. The weight of the rifle reduces the felt recoil. Light loads (for reduced recoil) might not operate the action. The Remington 7400 is an option. I understand Browning makes one, too.

My preference is bolt action--lots of options out there. The '06 is a good choice; .308 is very close.

 

You probably won't find what you are looking for. While there are a few 30-06 and bigger semi-autos marketed for hunting, they are heavy and have accuracy issues. What type hunting will you be doing? Bolt actions are by far the best platform for a hunting rifle when it comes to weight and accuracy.

 

I understand what you're saying, that's why I'm choosing a semi-auto. I understand the gas chamber should help some with the recoil. I also prefer bolt action, too many issues with the semi's (hence the dust cover). I've hear good things about he Benelli's, and I'm hoping that with some light Ammo <150gr the recoil will be fairly tolerable. I also like .308, but I've always used 30-06 and the ammo for .30-06 is less expensive out here in Cali.

 

I know! There in lies my dilemma. I mainly hunt for deer and bear. I require a higher caliber ammo since Mulie's are fairly resilient creatures and much harder to drop than their white tail cousins.

 

I can't name a rifle in 30-06 that has trouble shooting straight at 200 yards, what are you concerned about?

Buy an M1 Garand.

 

Bullet selection and placement is more important than cartridge. I've found most anything dies pretty easily went hit in the right spot and most anything can go for miles when not.

But really, why the semi auto? I know it's personal preference, but even the best ones aren't the best for a lot of hunting. As far as recoil, the difference in a bolt and a semi auto won't be that much. Good stock design and weight are bigger factors.

If I only had one gun to hunt everything, it probably would be an '06. Thankfully I have several and can pick and choose. My main deer (whitetail, mulie, and Sitka) and black bear gun is a 7-08 and it's seen it's fair usage on mnt goat and caribou as well. A 280AI fills the need for a long range sheer/goat/elk rifle and a 358STA handles everything bigger.

If recoil is an issue, there are many just as capable rounds for deer and black bear that are easier on the shoulder than the '06.

 

Why not a bolt gun?

 

You could kill two birds with one stone and build an AR-10 chambered in .308. Great large game caliber in a semi auto platform and you would have an AR style rifle before the laws change in January.

 

This ^^^^

 

Minimum shot distance is 200 yards, average 350, I wont take a shot over 450 yards.

 

Semi auto 30-06 that shoots straight: buy an M1 Garand.

 

My preference is actually the bolt action, the semi's are simply too unreliable. The issue I'm attempting to address is recoil. I should mention that I mainly track deer and hike 10+ miles on an average hunt, so a light rifle is a must.

 

I'd build or buy an SR-25 in .308 or grab any decent AR-10 on the market. They're modular, easy to maintain, accurate, cheapish, and they have a HUGE aftermarket following.

If you're into the vintage firearms chocked full of history:
You could go with an FN FAL! I would absolutely love one and an FAL in decent shape will easily shoot out to 500 yards without issue.
http://www.tactical-life.com/firear...n-fal-flexing-the-right-arm-of-the-free-world
On the Russian side of the spectrum there's the Tokarev SVT-38 and SVT-40 (I'd recommend the latter). One in decent condition will be plenty for your range.
http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=45971
Or the US' very own M1 Garand! Go down to your nearest CMP store and pick one up asap, even if you're not using it to hunt.
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1-garand/

If you're looking for something more hunting-rifle-esque:
The Browning BAR in .308 or 30-06 is a fantastic choice.
http://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/the-10-best-hunting-rifles-the-browning-bar-30-06/
The Benelli R1 is good enough for what you're looking for, though certainly not my first choice (calm down you Benelli fans...)
http://www.outdoorlife.com/node/1005005250
If your budget is tight, the Remington 742 will fit it. They've got plenty of problems and you get what you pay for. These can be picked up for around $250 all day long.
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=210659

Or if you hemorrhage money:
There's the Lancer-Systems L30 line. A buddy works for Lancer and took out one of his company's L30 LTRs chambered in 6.5cm. He was shooting out over 1k yards no problem, though the gun is cost prohibitive for me.
http://www.lancer-systems.com/advanced-weapons-components-2/products/l30-rifles/
Any high-quality AR-10 whether it's from Armalite itself (https://armalite.com/product-category/complete-firearms/ar-10/) or another company such as Rainier Arms (https://www.rainierarms.com/complete-firearms-class-iii/rifles/complete-rifles) will treat you as well as what you paid for it.

Hell even the Remington R25 (http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/remington-r-25-review/) will work. If you have a gun (that isn't a .22lr) that you can't shoot out to 200 yards, it's probably not worth its weight. I could go on for days about different guns that apply here. The more you can narrow down your preferences, the closer I can get to finding you something that would fit best. Also, are you out in Californistan? If so, I have no idea about your gun laws and very little desire to learn.


Edit: Shit...I just read the part where you said "light" and "dust cover". I totally glossed over that. Oh well, it's already typed up!

 

This sounds like a great idea, only that I've never built an AR before, and I understand they lack accuracy.

 

Then forget about a semiauto. Get a good light rifle in a capable cartridge. Really, anything from a 243 up is more than capable of the biggest deer around out to 300 yds and farther. I prefer the 7-08 but my daughter hunts everything up to elk with a 257 Roberts and a 260 would work just as well. Long action rounds like the 25-06 and 270 would be more than enough as well.

 

Tikka T3 Lite chambered in your chosen caliber. Add a limbsaver recoil pad. Hunting rifle that is lightweight and sub-MOA guaranteed out of the box.

I built mine in about an hour without any prior AR platform experience. Lots of good tutorials online. And the nice thing about the AR platform is that you can choose which barrel you want.

 

Who told you that?

 

You'll probably end up liking one of these though.