I have no use for any auto loading hunting rifle.
Me either, they just don't interest me for hunting. Seen to many people who think emptying a magazine is equal to taking an aimed shot. The only auto loaders I have are military or military style rifles: AR's, FAL's, M1's, a M1 carbine. I would not hesitate to take a Garand or FAL (complete with a 20 round mag
) deer hunting; loaded with suitable bullets of course. But there are so many sportin rifles I've never gotten around to it. I would not denigrate a person for what he chooses to hunt with, well there is that 24 caliber thing
, though I may discuss the merits of his choice with him!
I remember frantically searching the reloading tables at a gun show sometime back, looking for anyone who had any of the recently discontinued .338 180 gr. Nosler BT's. I couldn't find any and grew quite frustrated. The last dealer suggested another, heavier, bullet and I told him I used the 180's in my favorite deer load and I didn't need anything heavier. He looked at me and said, "some people might think you don't need a .338 for deer." Of course he was right.
So, if someone wants to hunt deer with an AR in, say, 260 or 308, good on 'em! But for me, there are a whole bunch of bolt guns and single shots out there I'd buy first!
Now when it comes to shooting a high power match, I've retired my '03 and Garand and use my AR.