Please Explain the popularity of AR's for hunting big game

[cbond3318]

Um yeah, who wouldn't want to take their big game hunting style to " Delta " mode? Shakin' down the local Squirrel populations for intel on the whereabouts of the herd bull, traversing through crunchy pinecones and loose scree like a Serbian mine field. way cool....

[WoodlandShooter]

Um yeah, who wouldn't want to take their big game hunting style to " Delta " mode? Shakin' down the local Squirrel populations for intel on the whereabouts of the herd bull, traversing through crunchy pinecones and loose scree like a Serbian mine field. way cool....

   

[jaymark6655]

I think its that you can have one lower and many uppers to match whatever you want to go do.

plinking or pest problem throw on your .22 LR upper or insert a conversion bolt

Coyote hunting throw on the 5.56

deer - depending on were you live almost any caliber you want

hog - .450 bushmaster upper or 458 SOCOM

tank - no problem, you can launch a .50 BMG with the right upper

They are like legos for big kids, I love building them almost more than shooting them.

Just about anybody who has served has shot something similar and there is a lot to be said for owning something that you are already familiar with.

[pianoman9701]

I think also that someone has the opportunity to build a top long distance MSR for about half the price it would cost to have a standard rifle built to the same accuracy capabilities and same comfort.

LOL, I am currently in the middle of a build like that... but for about 1/5 the cost of the MSR.

I don't think that's the norm, especially if you're not machining or woodcrafting yourself. Buying a fine, custom, precision bolt action rifle isn't cheap.

[WoodlandShooter]

no, not the norm for a nice "truck" rifle built for under $2000 sans scope.

[ghosthunter]

I asked a young man who was into AR s and my son.
The answer from my son was , It is the platform I used for four years in the Marines.

The other young man said the same thing. It is what my generation came up on. 

[follow maggie]

They're comfortable and easy to shoot accurately.

[EmeraldBullet]

I originally got my Sig m716 for protection against a bear and mountain lion I had in my back yard. I know I'm not a pro hunter so I wanted something I knew I could accurately and have many shots in case the first one wasn't enough. I agree that rifle would be a bit heavy for a hunting trip in the mountains, but I would still use it as that's what I have for now.

[300rum]

Part of it is the same reason we rarely see a lever gun any longer in the woods.  Soldiers like to use what they used. 

[jackelope]

Recoil management is probably the number 1 reason.  Number 2 is probably cost,To buy a better rifle would cost a lot more than say an AR-10.That would shoot as well.

I've got to disagree with the cost thing. There are bunches of $500 rifles that shoot amazingly well. Ruger American, Savage, Weatherby Vanguard...the list goes on. I don't think an AR platform'd rifle exists that costs less than $500 that will run with any of those rifles I mentioned in an accuracy standpoint.

[pianoman9701]

Recoil management is probably the number 1 reason.  Number 2 is probably cost,To buy a better rifle would cost a lot more than say an AR-10.That would shoot as well.

I've got to disagree with the cost thing. There are bunches of $500 rifles that shoot amazingly well. Ruger American, Savage, Weatherby Vanguard...the list goes on. I don't think an AR platform'd rifle exists that costs less than $500 that will run with any of those rifles I mentioned in an accuracy standpoint.

Off the rack, I'd agree. But for a precision custom rifle, I think that pendulum swings the other way.

[Curly]

So, what ballpark price range would it be for a decent AR to be used for deer or elk?   (That would get less than 1" groups at 100 yards).

[Oh Mah]

I wonder how much a Ruger American .308 with custom stock,Almost zero recoil ,Muzzle brake(AR),and detachable mag would cost?Yes there are some fine rifles out there that are less the cost. 

[Oh Mah]

So, what ballpark price range would it be for a decent AR to be used for deer or elk?

Cabelas just had an ar-10 on sale for just under $800

[Biggerhammer]

Because I can...