Another gun question

[Flench]

Why would a person want a AR-15 or AK-47 ?  I have been thinking of buying one BUT what would I use it for . I think each gun is a tool and that tool is used for what season it is . Like I am a big time hunter . Hunt every chance I get but I'm not going to deer hunt with a AK-47 so why buy one ? I'm not going to use it to protect my home so I can't justis buying one .

[GScholz]

You could deer hunt with an AK-47 just as easily as you would any other .30 cal rifle, unless you shoot your deer at ranges beyond 3-400 yards. The AR in 5.56mm would equal (or actually be a little better) than any .223 rifle.

Of course this depends on the quality of the weapon. A proper new-built AK will shoot 1-1.5 MOA which will give you a grouping of 1-1.5 inches at 100 yards. AR's generally shoot better than that.

[DEECONX]

The best definition I have seen is that they (Speaking mostly for AR15's) are "modern musket". Regardless of every other use for them (Varmint hunting, shooting competitions like 3 Gun, etc) there purpose is for a civilian to own a weapon capable for him to take up arms against a corrupt government. That was the original purpose of the 2nd Amendment was to allow the people to have the necessary tools to form a militia to go up against the corrupt governments military arm. Back then it was Muskets, today it's AR15 and it's variants.


That and they're just fun to shoot!  

See Rule #14

[Dago]

If you have no desire for one, don't buy one.  Beats me what you are looking for here, short of trolling against certain guns.  If you feel you have to justify each purchase to include a gun, my sympathies, your life must be boring.

Many who purchase weapons like you mention do it just because they want to.  They buy them because they admire the weapon, it's design, or just flat out enjoy shooting it.  AR's are very accurate, and can be made to be extremely accurate.  Many, many shooters compete in marksmanship contests with them.  Some like to shoot them for the pure fun, including plinking.  (I love plinking, with .22 or any other rifle or handgun)  I also target shoot, challenging myself to improve.

AR's can be used for hunting, and in fact are used by many hunters for that.  Coyotes, feral pigs, etc are well taken with an AR.  AR's are easy to shoot, with the semi-auto action and straight stock design delivering a very reduced recoil.

Personally I have no use or desire for an AK.  I don't feel they are well made, accurate or of any use for me.  So I don't have one, do not plan to ever buy one.  But, I know there are many who enjoy the weapon, good for them, have fun.  Just not for me.

I didn't need to ask anyone why I should or should not buy one.

[Vudu15]

Hunting hogs. You wanna get several of in one go you get an AR maybe an M1A, AK, Mini14/30. all work well for this role.

[DEECONX]

Hunting hogs. You wanna get several of in one go you get an AR maybe an M1A, AK, Mini14/30. all work well for this role.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGC1tjHCSVE   

[Flench]

Hunting hogs. You wanna get several of in one go you get an AR maybe an M1A, AK, Mini14/30. all work well for this role.

Now I could see it used for hogs  .That be fun . To bad we have none here in Mississippi .

[SmokinLoon]

I used to use a stock Colt AR15 to shoot prairie dogs very consistently out to 200-250 yards.  I put a 20X scope on top, fine tuned some ammo (reloaded), and worked in the trigger and it was impressive how accurate it was.  

I used 20rd mags for all of that work.  In fact, I dont hardly use any of my 30rd mags for much. I use 20rd mags for range work and shooting varmints.  Yes, a .223 can take a deer with the right bullet but when there are better calibers and big game hunting platforms available then why?

As far hunting deer with an AK.... dont. If you so desire then be sure and get a shorter capacity mag (10 or 20rd) so the rifle is more handy and weighs less, AND USE PROPER AMMO!!!  Remember, hunting is far more about precision and AK's were not built to be accurate no matter how desperate a person wants it to be.  There is very little a guy can do with an AK for deer that a Remington or Browning autoloader hunting rifle cant do better with a more suitable caliber.  Heck, even the lever actions in .30-30 caliber (a twin in performance to the 7.62x39 Soviet) would be a better platform to hunt deer with than an AK.  Yeah, it can be done and unless there are mag capacity restrictions for hunting big game there is nothing "wrong" with hunting with an AK, but you're rubber stamping yourself if when you do.      

Ultimately, if you want an AR15 or an AK variant of some kind then plan on it being in the case or gun safe unless you're taking it to the range for fun.  If the zombie apocalypse ever comes you will be able to stave off a few based on how much ammo you have.    Do you *need* one to hunt?  No, not at all.  I actually frown upon using them to hunt in their "military" form. It is your choice, but if you're looking for a hunting platform them buy a hunting rifle.  

[colmbo]

Why would a person want a AR-15 or AK-47 ?

do you ever do anything just for fun?  Do you own an ATV, jetski, skiboat, airplane, dirtbike?  I bought my AR because I like the weapon and I enjoy "tactical" style shooting -- I don't hunt.

[mbailey]

Hunting hogs. You wanna get several of in one go you get an AR maybe an M1A, AK, Mini14/30. all work well for this role.

One of my next purchases is a Mini14, stainless Ranch Rifle with a good set of optics.....Swarovski maybe ...probably going to look into having it put into a nice highend wood stock, im thinking Tiger Maple.   I always liked the look of that rifle, and am very pleased with the way they function and shoot............one more for the list.

[ToeTag]

I don't own either and probably never will.  I liken these guns to sports cars.  They look cool and have a certain mystique about them.  When you do shoot one you feel a little bit cooler than the guy next to you at the range...but...they are niche guns that can't do a lot other than shoot fast and only the AR does it accurately.  Go get a more versatile caliber like a 30-06 in either a bolt design or semi auto.  You can do a lot more with it and shoot just about any bullet weight you want.   That will open up options for hunting that you wont get with either the AR or the AK.

[GScholz]

If you use a lever action in .30-30 you're not shooting much beyond 100 yards due to the rounded nose bullets; maximum effective range at about 200 yards. A good AK with good ammo is accurate at those ranges, even with just iron sights. That has nothing to do with being desperate. It's just a fact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8-nIV9kq-4

[ToeTag]

One of my next purchases is a Mini14, stainless Ranch Rifle with a good set of optics.....Swarovski maybe ...probably going to look into having it put into a nice highend wood stock, im thinking Tiger Maple.   I always liked the look of that rifle, and am very pleased with the way they function and shoot............one more for the list.

I would not waste my money on nice optics for a mini 14...you can not float the barrels in most designs and you will never get better than average accuracy with it. 

[mbailey]

As far hunting deer with an AK.... dont. If you so desire then be sure and get a shorter capacity mag (10 or 20rd) so the rifle is more handy and weighs less, AND USE PROPER AMMO!!!  Remember, hunting is far more about precision and AK's were not built to be accurate no matter how desperate a person wants it to be.  There is very little a guy can do with an AK for deer that a Remington or Browning autoloader hunting rifle cant do better with a more suitable caliber.  Heck, even the lever actions in .30-30 caliber (a twin in performance to the 7.62x39 Soviet) would be a better platform to hunt deer with than an AK.  Yeah, it can be done and unless there are mag capacity restrictions for hunting big game there is nothing "wrong" with hunting with an AK, but you're rubber stamping yourself if when you do.      

 

This, and double check your hunting laws, I know in PA hunting with a Semi Auto rifle is against the law.

[mbailey]

I would not waste my money on nice optics for a mini 14...you can not float the barrels in most designs and you will never get better than average accuracy with it.  

Actually a good friend of mine has one that he had done by EGW a  years ago (Evolution Gun works is a custom gunsmith near me, built my IPSC 45, also built IPSC champion Doug Koenigs)......he is punching cloverleafs at 200yrds with custom (handloaded) Hornaday 55gr bullets and Zeiss optics.

I still shoot circles around him with my Paul Jaeger custom tho....