Looking Forward -- Gun Choices

[bamaranger]

attention getter

I'm not really offended, but when the term "antipersonnel" came up, the alarm bell sounded.

Lumping and labeling calibers and types of firearms into categories ( such as antipersonnel v. hunting) plays right into the hands of those who oppose our hobbies, pastimes, beliefs and lifestyle. It seems not a far step at all to consider military v. civilian, then appropriate v. unappropriate, then prohibited v. approved.

Perhaps it is the current social and political climate that has made me a bit touchy. My earlier post was intended too call attention to what I considered dangerous terminology and mindset. If I offended anybody, here is a public apology unsolicited and fully intended. All are certainly entitled to own and hunt, or choose not to, any legal firearm they choose.

 

[Pep in CA]

Again, as the OP, thanks for the replies to everyone. I will say this in closing:

I don't intend to buy an AR-15 for hunting purposes, but that is just my preference. Certainly, plenty of hunting tasks can be accomplished with an AR-15. I won't deny that.

However, I cannot shake that I just don't feel a gun with a 16" barrel and a 30 round magazine is a hunting weapon. For me it's a tactical weapon.

And I don't feel I'm prejudiced in that opinion. I would prefer to say I am old school (even though I'm new to the hunting sport).

Also, I don't wish to harm or diminish anyone's right to own an AR-15. I hope I didn't infer that. In that realm, I should be more careful in what words I choose when I state my cases or opinions. Noted.

Cheers, and thanks once more for the replies and advice.

 

[FrankenMauser]

Also, I don't wish to harm or diminish anyone's right to own an AR-15. I hope I didn't infer that. In that realm, I should be more careful in what words I choose when I state my cases or opinions. Noted.

Understood.
I think we've all learned that lesson the hard way... one way or another.

And, to be honest, I was very much "anti-AR15" until about two years ago. I had no problem with anyone else owning one. I just didn't want one for myself. Something that 'poops where it eats' just isn't right...
But, then I started messing with them out of boredom. ...And now there's an entire assortment living in one of my safes.
They're fun. They're cheap. They're easy to maintain. They're like 'adult legos' to modify or tinker with. And you don't have to run 30+ round magazines, if you don't want to.
The .475 Tremor is limited to 11 rounds, max (with a "30-round" magazine). But, like most of my other ARs, I typically use 10-rounders (which means 4 rounds in the Tremor).


Even so...
No AR is going to pull me away from my passion for more classic firearms - especially the Marlins.

 

[riggins_83]

Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP Package in .308 Win

I do agree the Trophy Hunter XP package is a good value, I would recommend purchasing a better base/mount (or a 1 piece such as the DNZ game reaper). Package guns generally don't have well mounted scopes, a combination of cheap rings and no threadlock may ruin a good hunt.

 

[979Texas]

Well Pep, the AR is certainly a tactical rifle. But at least in my neck of the woods hog hunting can be a tactical game. We "engage multiple targets" some sounders around here can be close to 100 pigs but on average are around 12 to 25 pigs. So that 30 round clip has potential to get burnt up on one group.

I pretty much hog hunt on cattle ranches exclusively so it's really just pest control so we "take no prisoners" so the semi auto action is very necessary for when "we got a runner". If you shoot into a pack, they will run and split up so a manual action will just hinder me in my ability to "neutralize the threats" because I will need more than 1 shot if I come upon a group which I frequently do.

I shoot a .300 Blackout in my AR and I love hog hunting with the AR because it's very short and lightweight with excellent and comfortable ergonomics. Most of my hog hunting is done on foot on the move through all sorts of terrain that you can't even imagine so having that short, smooth, light, easy handling rifle offering 30 semi auto shots. You just can't beat that when it comes to hog hunting.

Also so much hog hunting is done at night so nightvision and gunmounted lights are a must. So the AR platform has more aftermarket nightvision, laser, mounts, rails, lights, illuminators, etc. than you can imagine and most of them are easy and quick to install and uninstall. Unlike other "non-tactical" guns that do not all offer this abundance of gear or ease to install it on.

So no offense taken. But hog hunting can be a "tactical" hunt, so why not use a "tactical" gun for the "tactical job". And they are great guns for much more hunting than just hogs. I've taken deer, coyotes, feral dogs, snakes, nutrias, and beavers with mine.