Best semi-auto hunting rifle????

GummyMonster · #1 04-07-2009, 09:51 PM

Looking for informed opinions.
Getting back into big game hunting big time.Looking for opinions.Would like an autoloader in a big game caliber powerful enough for game from deer up to elk.
Accurate to 300 yards, short and light.
I really like the new remington r-25, but i assume its restricted in canada.

Also, where can you research which guns are on the restricted list??

Thanx in advance
K

elkhunter11 · #2 04-07-2009, 10:19 PM

Be aware that these lists are not up to date.

http://stason.org/TULARC/society/gun...in-Canada.html
http://wiretap.area.com/Gopher/Libra...hts/canada.gun

Cowtown guy · #3 04-07-2009, 10:27 PM

I am just curious what would make a person specifically look for an auto loader? I am not slagging here. I am simply curious. I have never been interested in hunting with one so I am wondering if I am missing something. Is there an advantage that I may be overlooking?

IR_mike · #4 04-07-2009, 10:32 PM

[QUOTE=GummyMonster;300864]Looking for informed opinions.
Getting back into big game hunting big time.Looking for opinions.Would like an autoloader in a big game caliber powerful enough for game from deer up to elk.
Accurate to 300 yards, short and light.
QUOTE]

Well they aren't short or that light, but if you can find a belgian made browning safari grade BAR you will probably like it. Well made accurate rifles.
JMHO

munyee4321 · #5 04-07-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

I am just curious what would make a person specifically look for an auto loader? I am not slagging here. I am simply curious. I have never been interested in hunting with one so I am wondering if I am missing something. Is there an advantage that I may be overlooking?

Faster follow up shot would be my guess.... As that would be my reasoning for getting one and that would be for yotes and varmints.

I love bolts to much and far better accuracy.

P.S. The R25 is a restricted firearm

FallAirFever · #6 04-08-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

I am just curious what would make a person specifically look for an auto loader? I am not slagging here. I am simply curious. I have never been interested in hunting with one so I am wondering if I am missing something. Is there an advantage that I may be overlooking?

beside the quick follow up as was said, some guys lean to them for reduced recoil. Some of the recoil gets "used up" in cycleing the action. The Benelli R1 is interesting, maybe take a look at those.

Personally I prefer something with less moving parts in a hunting rifle give me a good old bolt action anyday. I would love a nice lever bush gun one day as well.

2fast4uRuss · #7 04-08-2009, 01:18 AM

I don't think you can go wrong with the Browning bar rifles or some of the Remington 740 or 7400 I think that is the model #. Me and my father have taken many deer with his Remington and I also managed a few with a relatives Browning. Both are 30-06 and are very capable of making any shot a similar bolt action would. IMOP

gunned · #8 04-08-2009, 01:38 AM

Like FallAirFever said, the recoil is much less. I find a 30-06 on the upper end of my tollerance and with a Remington semi we have, it is much more enjoyable to shoot off the bench. Plenty accurate for me. I find it heavy and uncomfortable to pack around in the bush though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhDPoVm74To
They really reduced the recoil with this shotgun, maybe with some of the loads they have developed for it, you could find something up your ally for elk

220swifty · #9 04-08-2009, 08:16 AM

Anybody who says bolt actions are more accurate hasn't played with a Swiss Arms. Sure, they are $3000 plus, but the one i played with rivaled my HB savage for accuracy, which is the most accurate rifle in my cabinet.

ducky_hunter · #10 04-08-2009, 08:26 AM

my gramps has a browning 30 06 it is a shooter seen lots of deer shot at 500 yards with it if i were to go to a semi I would look at the browning first

Grizzly Adams · #11 04-08-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220swifty

Anybody who says bolt actions are more accurate hasn't played with a Swiss Arms. Sure, they are $3000 plus, but the one i played with rivaled my HB savage for accuracy, which is the most accurate rifle in my cabinet.

I guess that's why I bought the Savage.

I see they make the Brownings in a take down version now.
Grizz

GummyMonster · #12 04-09-2009, 03:12 AM

Thanx for the input everyone, gave me some good options to research.
As for the reason for a semi, its nothing more than something new to try. I have many hunting rifles in one action or another, but not a large caliber autoloader.
Saw an ad for an FNAR rifle, also found some positive reviews on it,
now to convince my better half its a need, not a want.

K

duffy4 · #13 04-09-2009, 08:44 AM

You will have to "hunt" for one but the Winchester model 100 in a neat semiauto big game rifle. I have one in .284 and one in .308.

My .284 was in this herd.

SakoAlberta · #14 04-09-2009, 01:49 PM

We've got a couple of merkel SR1's coming in soon. they will be in 30/06. Quality firearm and for a reasonable price.

BuckMaster101 · #15 04-09-2009, 04:29 PM

I have a browning Bar Safari 11 in a 7MM. I bought it new six years ago and just love it. Using winchester shells I've never had it jam or miss fire. The gun shoots a inch group at a hundred yards, Witch is very good for myself. I can't say enough good things about this gun. The best thing is when your buddies are reloading you can knockim down.

elkhunter11 · #16 04-09-2009, 04:36 PM

I owned a BAR mark II in 7mmremmag for a short time.It was quite accurate,but after jamming twice in cold wet weather,I sold it.It was properly maintained,and lubricated,so that was not the cause of the jams.In warm weather,or dry weather,it functioned perfectly.

Okotokian · #17 04-09-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckMaster101

The best thing is when your buddies are reloading you can knockim down.

You must have a heck of a clip if they are reloading and you are still shooting.

Doesn't say much for their marksmanship either, unless they are using single shots.

Jerry D · #18 04-09-2009, 04:44 PM

My choice would be the browning Bar or the Benelli R1.

Winchester's new model, ive never heard much about yet

Remington's, well I just don't like their rifle selection all that much.

BuckMaster101 · #19 04-09-2009, 05:22 PM

Well Okotokian, By reloading I was talking about rechambering and shell with a bolt action. If your brain was half as fast as your fingers you would of figured that out. And Ya I have missed on the first shoot, but your awesome so you never had to follow up. Right

shortaction · #20 04-09-2009, 08:54 PM

Remingtons are the cheapest but I have found some of them to be more prone to jams and I find they carry alot of their weight on the front hand which I don't care for. I have owned a couple of them and several of my friends use them, seen lots of game taken with them.

I have both a Browning BAR Belgium and a Browning Shorttrac. I like both and they are quite reliable. The Shorttrac is much lighter and is slightly more accurate. I have another Shorttrac on order - Oil Finish Grade II in 7mm-08 hoping to get in by the middle of May.

Never shot a Benneli and I am not fond of their styling but have heard nothing but great things about them. They are also the most expensive.

I use all kinds of actions and calibers for hunting but I do enjoy the reduced recoil of the semi's. They are the most likely to fail but I have found if you keep them clean and use a synthetic oil (not to much) that doesn't thicken in the cold weather you will be fine.

altaberg · #21 04-09-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakoAlberta

We've got a couple of merkel SR1's coming in soon. they will be in 30/06. Quality firearm and for a reasonable price.

that's a beautiful rifle,

I'm afraid to ask but could you pm me what "reasonable price" means?

Cheers

shekaree · #22 04-10-2009, 05:54 AM

I got Benelli R1 in 3006 and I love it

You can't expect a sub moa accuracy from it but it will drop the animal on track. I shot 5 deer in the last couple of years with it and never have to shoot the same animal twice, didn't
have to because they dropped dead on the first shot.

I also own a Sako 85 in 300 win mag and depending on the areas I go, I choose my gun. If I am walking in a bushes and I know I won't be taking any LONG shots then my preference is the Benelli. If I am going to hunt in an open area, then it will be my Sako 85. I have shots deer with this semi and all shots were less then 100 yards whereas, with my sako I dropped the buck and moose cow at 349 and 436 yards. I will never take a shot at moose with my benelli at 436 yards but with my relaible sako, any day.

My Benelli has comfortec stalk so the 3006 pretty much feels like shooting a 243. It is also not cheap and currently they are going for $1899 at WSS. They eat the ammo pretty fast too. It never jammed on me yet even in cold weathers. You cannot go wrong with benelli but also keep in mind, you won't be getting 1 inch groups either. Once I start reloading, then I may have to edit this post

SakoAlberta · #23 04-10-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altaberg

that's a beautiful rifle,

I'm afraid to ask but could you pm me what "reasonable price" means?

Cheers

Sorry, PM sent but I've had a lot of PM's so I'll provide the info here in the open forum. Mods please feel free to delete if I've broken any board rules.

We have two still available in 30/06. We hope to have them here in late April but it could be mid summer if they miss the shipment. Normal cost to a retailer is over $1700 but we 'got a deal' and will offer them retail at $1179.