Thread: Why do people frown at using military rifles for hunting?

I can give some accurate weights of guns and parts when the next shipment arrives on the 28th. The 10lb on our site is simply nominal number for postage calculation - not that there is a postage cost for our guns.

I have been fortunate to have fired countless rnds thru just about every available assault rifle on the market that was available pre the early 2000's due to my military career, the weapon systems havnt changed that much. I have never hunted quadrapeds with one on foot but have fired plenty of rounds from machines over the years doing venison and various culls with everything from AR's, Sig's. Ak's, Styers and a few others. All were just as effective but my favorite had to be AUG for that task.
I would not hesitate to take any number of platforms hunting. My only minor gripe would be just about every system is a pain in the ass to sling, due to numerous lumpy bits. This means it is easier to carry it and a prick if ya need your hands free for any length of time.
Trust me when you carry one 16hrs a day and then sleep with the friggin thing they get to be uncomfortable as most Grunts, I am sure would agree. A small respite is an SA-80 type sling which allows hands free and it can be at the ready quickly. They are a heap more accurate across the board than a conventional hunting rifle from most unsupported postitions, especially standing unsupported due to their ergonomics. They are faster with target acquisition and obviously follow ups. As most are in 5.56 the calibre and being my favorite hunting cartridge, it is limited in the bush. Go to 6.8 or 7.62 and up goes the weight a little.
If I had a ton of coin I wouldnt look past the SIG 551 series, my favorite system out of them all. They also make the best auto pistols IMO. Although due to fine tolerances the 551's were deemed to not be grunt proof.

I had a burn on a Sig 551 once. Nice rifle for sure, kinda like somebody took the basic AK design and turned it into a Rolls Royce. I really can't justify the price of them though.

Originally Posted by Beavis

I had a burn on a Sig 551 once. Nice rifle for sure, kinda like somebody took the basic AK design and turned it into a Rolls Royce. I really can't justify the price of them though.

I cant remember the exact price but I remember they were close to 10-12gs per unit, even with the military bulk buying power. If I ever come across one at the right price I would grab it and happily hunt with it.

AR's are where its it at i've decided, after shooting a .4 group,all 3 shots through half of the other one in a line from l-r I know they can outshoot a bolt gun... but then again the temptation of 6.5x55 CZ mannlicher is ooohhh yes that hits the spot nicely...

I think its more a case of AR's becoming more and more widly accepted as a whole because being are starting to see what they offer in terms of versatility and capability, you buy an ar for 2500 and you've essentially bought a custom rifle....
thats reason enough for me!

Rock River arms predator pursuit 20",hardy supressed,hogue grip with a2 stock and free float forend,weaver classic 4-16x44,nikon m-223 mount and a rem bipod(untill it fell to pieces after 50 rounds!)
seriously next time your in a gunshop go pick one up if they stock em and just feel the empowerment and feel the absolute quality

Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

AR's are where its it at i've decided, after shooting a .4 group,all 3 shots through half of the other one in a line from l-r I know they can outshoot a bolt gun... but then again the temptation of 6.5x55 CZ mannlicher is ooohhh yes that hits the spot nicely...

I think its more a case of AR's becoming more and more widly accepted as a whole because being are starting to see what they offer in terms of versatility and capability, you buy an ar for 2500 and you've essentially bought a custom rifle....
thats reason enough for me!

Rock River arms predator pursuit 20",hardy supressed,hogue grip with a2 stock and free float forend,weaver classic 4-16x44,nikon m-223 mount and a rem bipod(untill it fell to pieces after 50 rounds!)
seriously next time your in a gunshop go pick one up if they stock em and just feel the empowerment and feel the absolute quality

A piston driven gas system on one and then maybe Id agree.

Originally Posted by R93

A piston driven gas system on one and then maybe Id agree.

Blasphemy. I quite like DI

You can buy an AR for under $2000 now and yes our philosophy is entirely to raise awareness of the AR as a sporting platform - its not just a black rifle.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Blasphemy. I quite like DI

LOL. I had my fair share of stoppages at wanky times. You can run a better buffer with a piston driven system and of course clean it. If you have a gas issue in the field it can be fixed 99% of the time. Otherwise you would have to have a quiver for all the DI tubes you would need

Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

seriously next time your in a gunshop go pick one up if they stock em and just feel the empowerment and feel the absolute quality

Think you may have just answered the original question of the thread.

Originally Posted by R93

LOL. I had my fair share of stoppages at wanky times. You can run a better buffer with a piston driven system and of course clean it. If you have a gas issue in the field it can be fixed 99% of the time. Otherwise you would have to have a quiver for all the DI tubes you would need

Most of the issues with them is due to shitty magazine followers and improper lubrication. People tend to think if you put oil in the BGC it will accumulate carbon and attract foreign debris, resulting in problems, when in fact it's the other way around. As long as you keep it wet it should keep going, no matter how dirty it gets. If you can be bothered look up Bravo Company's "filthy 14" rifle.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Think you may have just answered the original question of the thread.

That does sound pretty funny. I've got an image of someone filling the cup after grabbing a Hogue grip.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Most of the issues with them is due to shitty magazine followers and improper lubrication. People tend to think if you put oil in the BGC it will accumulate carbon and attract foreign debris, resulting in problems, when in fact it's the other way around. As long as you keep it wet it should keep going, no matter how dirty it gets. If you can be bothered look up Bravo Company's "filthy 14" rifle.

DI is fine but you have to admitt a piston system like the rickity AK-47 is more reliable and lasts longer adverse conditions. I doubt you would ever have a problem in NZ outside the military with DI. Venison recovery is hard on them but they are the most popular.

Piston might be objectively superior for reliability, but if you want one get a piston design built from the ground up, not one shoe-horned on top of a DI rifle. I've seen heaps of reports of problems of things like carrier tilt etc on the band-aid piston kits for the AR platform. It's not designed for it.

Originally Posted by gimp

Piston might be objectively superior for reliability, but if you want one get a piston design built from the ground up, not one shoe-horned on top of a DI rifle. I've seen heaps of reports of problems of things like carrier tilt etc on the band-aid piston kits for the AR platform. It's not designed for it.

Goes without saying really. I would start by re-designing the carrier and upper reciever slightly, its been done. The work from the block back to the reciever is simple and I wouldnt have a fixed piston and it would be a short stroke.