Can you hunt with a semi-automatic rifle?

Question

Just need to know before i get one

Answer 1

Yes you can unless your local laws say otherwise. Fully automatic weapons are of course illegal. I don't know if you'd need a semi-automatic rifle since a bolt action is the best to use for the reasons that it is simple, reliable, and safe. Unless you feel that a quick follow up shot is absolutely necessary I'd advise you to stick with a bolt action. You can make a follow up shot quick enough. Just don't hunt until you know you can consistenly hit the animal in the vital area thus making a follow up shot unnecessary.

Answer 2

Hunting With Semi Auto Rifles

Answer 3

I wonder why people find it so hard to answer this question? Simple: Get a good upgraded AR15 that has a target barrel, upgraded trigger, a decent gun in .223 for hunting anything between prairie dogs to coyotes (i believe laws require a .25 minimum caliber for deer, even though a .17HMR will kill if placed correctly) and then get the Beta-C mag for it, which is a dual-drum magazine holding a total of 100 rounds. They usually cost about $160 for the Beta-C, and maybe $1200 for a really nice target AR15 that would be appropriate for hunting use (most AR15's under $800 have such poor quality triggers and barrels that they are nearly useless for accuracy past 75 yards). An alternative that you could use for deer, would be any of the 7.62x39mm weapons, such as AK's or an SKS. You can get 75 round magazines for the AK fairly easily, although for the SKS you will have to go to a gun show and really pick through them, and even then it will likely not feed correctly for all 75 rounds. The SKS can get a Fiberforce Dragunov stock mounted on it, and a side-mount scope rail above the action, and you might be able to get a 100 yard shot on a deer if you shot with a bipod or sandbag, but even then you'd be looking at maybe a 2 foot diameter pattern out at 100 yards unless you had a chrome-lined barrel with little use on it (tough to find). The other option is a Ruger Mini-14, with a 90-round "snail drum" magazine, and you can get the Target Mini-14 which would be better for trying to hunt with, or you could get the Ruger Mini-30, and I believe they make some high capacity magazines for it as well. Obviously check your local laws on whether you can actively HUNT with magazines that large, just like you can only hunt geese with three shells in your shotgun, even though they make extended tubes to hold 8 rounds. High capacity magazines are great for shooting in the backyard and at the range, but special laws restrict what you can have when you go hunting. A big concern is that if you have too many rounds in your gun, you could just start firing wildly which is in bad taste and poor sport when hunting, and also very dangerous with rifles, in case a shot went high, and carried for a few miles.

Answer 4

Semi-automatic rifles are usually a legal and a legitimate way to hunt wild game. In northern Michigan, there is a restriction on the number of ammunition rounds that a centerfire semi-automatic rifle can hold; I think it is 6 or 7 in the chamber and magazine combined. In the South side of Michigan, all centerfire rifles are banned and deer hunting is only allowed with shotguns, muzzleloaders, and handguns. So check your local regulations to be sure what's legal for your area.

Answer 5

Here in Virginia it is legal to hunt with semi-automatic rifles, but unless I'm going after something dangerous I prefer a bolt action and I keep my semis at home in case someone does something stupid.

Answer 6

Semi auto centerfire rifles, carbines & shotguns are legal in Texas for big game hunting but the magazines must only hold five rounds for rifles and three for shotguns. In other words, you have to purchase your semi auto with 'hunting' magazines. Check your State laws.

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Answer 7

Pick up a hunting rulebook, usually free where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. It should explain the type of firearm and also the round that may be used. Big game is often shotgun only near large metropolitan areas. You may be able to download the manual online from the DNR, or whatever they call it in your state.

Answer 8

I would say check local laws. Good choice going semi auto if you miss with the first shot you have a second follow up shot before your target knows where the first shot came from.

Answer 9

Every state i have ever hunted in allows the use of semi-autos, but I would check your local regulations first.

Answer 10

You must check with your state game laws on that one, here in Michigan it is OK, however we have a limit on magazine capacity while in the field hunting