AK vs AR (for a woods gun)

[jeepster]

Alright, this is probably a huge can of worms, but what the heck

AK vs AR

we know what they look like. we know the reputations. ever since they were first put against each other on the battlefield back in the 1960s, it has probably been one of the most heated gun debates of all time. two rivals, two very different background storys, coming from two very different parts of the world. one designed by a relatively uneducated tank crew member, the other the Colt labratory, but they both seem to end up in the same parts of the world, usually shooting at each other, with respect from both sides receiving lead down range

the reason why i ask about this is because i am considering trading one in for the other,

a few years back i bought a DPMS Panther A3 Oracle, with intent on taking it to Hawaii as a hog hunting rifle, however, i never shipped it, and up until a week a go, never shot it. Recently my grandfather passed, and as a salute i popped off a few in the back yard (i live way way out of town) and after owning a Saiga .223 (AK style rifle), i was rather disappointed in the feel, how the action felt like a 10/22, needless to say, it left me wanting more. so i started thinking, and this is where this is going

i am considering trading in my AR, it has 6 rounds through it, and i can't hunt with it. sure, its a nice rifle (lower end AR, paid 750 or so, with a red dot), its brand new, minus 6 rounds, but, about all it would do is ride around in the jeep, blast come cans, but frankly if I'm in the back woods, i usually just take the shotgun.

the AK has inherent accuracy flaws, but has been known to shoot half way decently up to 150 yards or more, and is very very similar to the 30-30 ballistically speaking, some come with a folding stock, and with a small magazine, would theoretically make a decent brush gun, that can legally be used on a deer.

i feel the AR would be more of a range rifle, can gun, target shooter, maybe a varmint gun, but i haven't shot varmints with anything more than a 22lr, and doubt i will ever need something else

i thought i would get your guys opinions about using an AK as a brush gun, an off-road trail gun, a camp gun, just a good general reliable woods gun, that can also used for a deer getter. I'm not talking about making that 250 yard shot on a mule deer out in eastern washington, i have a 7mm for that  but as a good general purpose backwoods gun??

AK would be 7.62, my AR is 5.56, in case i had to clarify 

thoughts?

[JimmyHoffa]

does the variety of AR uppers make any decisions for this?  you can use 7.62x39 from an AR lower.

[jeepster]

does the variety of AR uppers make any decisions for this?  you can use 7.62x39 from an AR lower.

I haven't looked into uppers, as the price is probably more than I have.

AK seems like a low budget no frills bogus free thrill ride, ARs seem trendy and the new it and in thing

[Duckslayer89]

does the variety of AR uppers make any decisions for this?  you can use 7.62x39 from an AR lower.

yeah, i was considering that too, i mean, i am not in need of a deer rifle by any means, i have a 35rem, 300sav, and 7mm mag, so a 7.62 seems to be a little light weight of a caliber compared to the rest, but the debate is more or less to trade in the Ar, or not to trade in the AR, if i were, the AK is just what i would happen to get. i could always slap a 308 upper on my lower, or something to that extent, i honestly haven't really looked at uppers, but doesn't really matter, as the cash just isn't there. the logic proceeds as such: trade in AR, put $ towards something cool that i will enjoy shooting, or keep it collecting dust. i could always get dual wielding 10/22 charger pistols too, but if i were to trade, the AK just seems to appeal because of its reliability, size, folding stock, and a caliber i could zap a bambi with, say if i were cruising down some logging road, it seems it would be a great grab and go, jeep gun; park the rig, jump out, unfold the stock, pop in a 5 round mag, and off i go. besides, you can't be too careful in the woods these days, and i like the idea of something that can hold 30 or more rounds, because in a survival situation, whether serious, or just getting the rig stuck in the waaaay back country, a 30 round mag, is really 10 SOS calls the way i see it, whether it be 22lr, 556, 308, 762...

but for the smaller west side deer that one would encounter on a logging road or out in the brush? why not?

Check out the Arsenal Sam7sf. I've done a lot of research lately and these seem to be some of the best without going into the custom range of $2500+.

[NW-GSP]

Allot of the issues with the ak accuracy is that when the barrel is pressed into the receiver it is usually a automatic press and it ends up bending the barrel. A custom made ak that has a barrel pressed into the receiver by somome who is paying attention will have better accuracy.

[MountainWalk]

I've been reading a lot concerning these two. One piece in particular was by the Russian ex spetnatz and he preceeded to lay out good info concerning both models and the AK in particular.  He states the the accuracy or lack of with the AK is mostly oft repeated hogwash.    He also prefers stamped to milled,  which at first sounds counter intuitive. 

 I think I'd take the AK every time. 

[csaaphill]

I had a Mac -90 SKS back in the 90's killed a deer with it no issues.
I do like the newer look of the AR compared to what they looked like in the 90's but never hunted with one so...
Since I have at least with a AK or Mac 90 SKS type and worked good I'd go with that then.

[Jellymon]

300WM AR. Here you go.

https://nemoarms.com/rifles/

[Bean Counter]

I've shot both. If I had to chose I'd rather be shot by the AR than the AK, but the AR is our preferred Sport Utility Rifle for home defense and the zombie liberal apocalypse. I'd rather see you with just one and several cases ammo with it than two and not more than a few paltry boxes around the house. I'm not really a gear queer but I like the modular system that an AR affords. Lights, lasers, optics, etc. 

[hunter399]

Id keep the ar ,and just buy a 300 blackout barrel for 100 dollar.Theres alot more hunting ammo for it than ak ,and it get u to 150 yrd brush gun.all the mags ,everthing inter changes except barrel.I would look into it.

[Special T]

AK is better for western wa. open sights and short shots. Since you already have the AR you could just get a Grendal upper or convert yours to one then you can hunt and have near 308 balisitics.

Additionally everyone i know who had a 7.62x39 upper on an AR was a jam o matic!

[Duckslayer89]

Seems like every AR at the rifle range always has some kind of issue people are trying to figure out. Even my buddy's colt we brought wouldn't feed without jamming every few shots. Just seems like AKs are known for more reliability

[CP]

I'd own a Ruger mini 30 over an AK -

[Duckslayer89]

I'd own a Ruger mini 30 over an AK -

I have one it's never jammed or had any issues. You can mount a nice scope on it as well. I posted this pic before on a different thread but OP might be interested in seeing this set up as another possible option. Dad dropped a deer at around 200 yards with this gun

[JimmyHoffa]

Seems like every AR at the rifle range always has some kind of issue people are trying to figure out. Even my buddy's colt we brought wouldn't feed without jamming every few shots. Just seems like AKs are known for more reliability

Most of the ARs I've encountered have had some kind of issue at one point in time.  Usually takes a little bit out of range time to figure it out.  Even other types of modern 'battle rifles' have had something happen.  Typically it is a new ammo, sticky lugs, gas port adjustment.  But pull out the AK or SKS and they seem to just work all the time--can't remember ever having any issue with either of those (even using drum mags in an AK never an issue).