Hunting with Semi-Automatic Rifles

HuntingEnthusiast · May 17, 2026

A question for the wider community: Who among you hunts—at least occasionally—with a semi-automatic hunting rifle?
And my second question: If you hunt with semi-automatics, which semi-automatic weapon do you use?

Personally, I occasionally use a Sauer 303 in .30-06. Particularly I like using this rifle during so-called "driven hunts" (hunting events where beaters with dogs flush game out of dense cover). During these hunts, a second or third shot—executed with the utmost concentration and haste—is often necessary. Manually cycling the bolt action tends to be a distraction in such situations. The alternative would be a double rifle. However, my Sauer 303 is more accurate, less sensitive to changes in ammunition loads, and not heavier. The photo shows my Sauer 303: It is a second-generation model. All the "teething problems" that the rifle suffered from in its early days have since been resolved.

45-70guy · May 17, 2026

We have a large amount of people maybe 50% in this area who use either browning BAR in 308 or 06 and the Remington semis. For quick follow up shots and ease of function it’s very popular here.
Personally I like the BAR best especially the carbine model in a 308.

Boyd Brooks · May 17, 2026

Depending on the bush I’m hunting I do carry an older Ruger Carbine in 44 Ram Mag. I have been lucky enough to only require 1 shot at each of the deer it has taken.

HuntingEnthusiast · May 17, 2026

45-70guy said:
We have a large amount of people maybe 50% in this area who use either browning BAR in 308 or 06 and the Remington semis. For quick follow up shots and ease of function it’s very popular here.
Personally I like the BAR best especially the carbine model in a 308.

Oh yes, the Browning BAR is very well known here as well. It is arguably the best-selling semi-automatic hunting rifle. I didn't know that Browning also produced a BAR carbine. Could you post a photo?

USN · May 17, 2026

Hunt pigs with an sig 716, once shooting starts just keep firing. I hate pigs! The land owner that allows me to hunt his land has a rule if you see pigs your hunt is over just start blasting the damn pigs.

samson7x · May 17, 2026

I have a thermal set up on top of an AR15 for hogs and coyote. Used to hunt very regularly with it but can’t seem to find the time these days.

mdwest · May 17, 2026

I have an AR 10 in 308 that I use for hogs… suppressor and thermal…

odonata · May 17, 2026

The majority of my hunting is done with single-shot falling-blocks (either a Ruger No. 1 or an 1885) or a bolt action in 30-06.

Winchester 1885 in 405 Win, Steyr CL II in 30-06, Browning 1885 in 44 Mag & a Wilson Combat in 300 HAM'R

My only semi-auto is my Wilson Combat Protector Carbine in 300 HAM'R that I use mainly for hog hunting.

I generally shoot 130gr Speer HotCor bullets @ 2,500 fps which does a good job of replicating the power of a 30-30 Winchester. So it would be good for deer-sized game as well.

I had originally thought about getting a Browning BAR in 308 Win or possibly an AR-10. But I'm pleased with my final choice. It's an accurate & fun rifle to shoot.

Choupique · May 17, 2026

I deer hunt with an AR15 a fair bit. Lots to like about it. Its ultra compact and light, no recoil, excellent accuracy. The adjustable stock is super nice, can be fitted for me or my wife or my kid in seconds

Safari Dave · May 17, 2026

I use a Ruger 10/22 for squirrels occasionally.

Beck · May 17, 2026

I used a BAR for many years

Ruraldoc · May 17, 2026

Have BARs in 25/06, 308 and 270.

Great rifles. I really like Sauers and have 202s in 270 and 30-06.

I would like to try a Sauer 303, but they are very rare in the USA.

How is the trigger and how accurate is your Sauer 303?

mark-hunter · May 17, 2026

HuntingEnthusiast said:
A question for the wider community: Who among you hunts—at least occasionally—with a semi-automatic hunting rifle?
And my second question: If you hunt with semi-automatics, which semi-automatic weapon do you use?

Personally, I occasionally use a Sauer 303 in .30-06. Particularly I like using this rifle during so-called "driven hunts" (hunting events where beaters with dogs flush game out of dense cover). During these hunts, a second or third shot—executed with the utmost concentration and haste—is often necessary. Manually cycling the bolt action tends to be a distraction in such situations. The alternative would be a double rifle. However, my Sauer 303 is more accurate, less sensitive to changes in ammunition loads, and not heavier. The photo shows my Sauer 303: It is a second-generation model. All the "teething problems" that the rifle suffered from in its early days have since been resolved.

I use semi auto, exactly for the same purpose.
Wild boar driven hunt.

My first choice would be double rifle, but good one costs.
So, I use semi automatic, as optional "poor mans double rifle", which is the reason of my final choice.

I use Benelli Argo 9.3x62, with Meopta R2 1-6x24 on QD mounts.
No complaints so far..

PARA45 · May 17, 2026

Boyd Brooks said:
Depending on the bush I’m hunting I do carry an older Ruger Carbine in 44 Ram Mag. I have been lucky enough to only require 1 shot at each of the deer it has taken.View attachment 764912

Took my first deer with one. Great little carbine. I’d love to get my hands on one, but they are pricy.

skydiver386 · May 17, 2026

I've hunted with a Browning BAR in 270WBY and an AR10 308. I still hunt hogs with an AR15.

Boyd Brooks · May 17, 2026

PARA45 said:
Took my first deer with one. Great little carbine. I’d love to get my hands on one, but they are pricy.

Bought mine about 15 years ago for $600.00, today they want around $2000.00 depending on condition.

jeanes · May 17, 2026

Took my first whitetail with a Winchester 100 in .308. Still use it occasionally.

HuntingEnthusiast · May 17, 2026

Ruraldoc said:
Have BARs in 25/06, 308 and 270.

Great rifles. I really like Sauers and have 202s in 270 and 30-06.

I would like to try a Sauer 303, but they are very rare in the USA.

How is the trigger and how accurate is your Sauer 303?

The trigger on the Sauer 303 is a dream. It breaks absolutely "crisp" and releases at 1.98 pounds. It is a trigger worthy of a match-grade rifle. The precision is average—not quite as good as that of a high-quality bolt-action rifle. My rifle produces a spread of 1.2 to 2 inches, using a handload featuring 165-grain Barnes TTSX bullets.
The images show my best groupings.

The best feature of the Sauer is its manual cocking system. You can roam the hunting grounds with a round chambered, then quickly and silently cock the rifle the moment game comes into view. This makes hunting extremely safe.

SAUER 303, Barnes TTSX=165 Grain_001.jpg

HuntingEnthusiast · May 17, 2026

mark-hunter said:
I use semi auto, exactly for the same purpose.
Wild boar driven hunt.

My first choice would be double rifle, but good one costs.
So, I use semi automatic, as optional "poor mans double rifle", which is the reason of my final choice.

I use Benelli Argo 9.3x62, with Meopta R2 1-6x24 on QD mounts.
No complaints so far..

The 9.3x62 is an excellent caliber for wild boars. How accurate is the Benelli in this caliber?

HuntingEnthusiast · May 17, 2026

Boyd Brooks said:
Depending on the bush I’m hunting I do carry an older Ruger Carbine in 44 Ram Mag. I have been lucky enough to only require 1 shot at each of the deer it has taken.View attachment 764912

A beautiful firearm, in an interesting caliber. In Europe, we only shoot the .44 Magnum out of handguns—and not for hunting (with the exception of tracking wounded game). At what distance do you use the .44 Magnum for hunting? (I’m thinking about getting a Marlin lever-action rifle in .44 Magnum).

Hunting with Semi-Automatic Rifles

HuntingEnthusiast

45-70guy

Boyd Brooks

HuntingEnthusiast

USN

samson7x

mdwest

odonata

Choupique

Safari Dave

Beck

Ruraldoc

mark-hunter

PARA45

skydiver386

Boyd Brooks

jeanes

HuntingEnthusiast

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