Best semi Auto rifle for the money

[expiper]

Here in the hills of West Virginia the Remington 740-742-7400's have killed about 10% of the 10,000,000 deer killed since 1970,,,if you placed them end to end they would reach from my little town (Washington WV) to Kansas City MO,,,(~750 mi.)I have loaded ammo for ~ 20 hunters (including myself) than have harvested ~ 400 deer without a single jam or malfunction ,,,,I have did much load development to get the ammo just rite for all of us,,,,the older 740-742's (mostly 30-06 cal) function more reliably using 4895 powder and 150 gr bullets,,,,the newer 7400/74's prefer 4350 ,,,,even during sighting in and plinking I have only been told of 3 jam/malfunctions,,,never when hunting ,,,we have missed a bunch of them (not the guns fault ,,haha),,,but when shot placement is correct the loins were sizzling that evening,,,,Roger

 

[joshb]

Good "2000" post. I like the good ole Browning BAR. Another older goody is a Remington Model 14 pump in 35 Rem.

 

[rockrat]

How about a Remington semi in 35 Whelen?

 

[Hydenseek]

Browning bar

 

[Zero333]

My favorite guns for hunting Whitetails in the brush are my SKS's shooting the Hornady sst factory ammo. Very accurate. Very light. Very reliable.

My brother refinished the stock on the one in the pic.



The 30'06 is a wee bit over powered for fragile bambi's at spitting distances.

 

[mic2377]

Here in the hills of West Virginia the Remington 740-742-7400's have killed about 10% of the 10,000,000 deer killed since 1970,,,if you placed them end to end they would reach from my little town (Washington WV) to Kansas City MO,,,(~750 mi.)I have loaded ammo for ~ 20 hunters (including myself) than have harvested ~ 400 deer without a single jam or malfunction ,,,,I have did much load development to get the ammo just rite for all of us,,,,the older 740-742's (mostly 30-06 cal) function more reliably using 4895 powder and 150 gr bullets,,,,the newer 7400/74's prefer 4350 ,,,,even during sighting in and plinking I have only been told of 3 jam/malfunctions,,,never when hunting ,,,we have missed a bunch of them (not the guns fault ,,haha),,,but when shot placement is correct the loins were sizzling that evening,,,,Roger

I had a Rem 7400 and my experience was quite the opposite. It was inaccurate (think 4 MOA with factory ammo of multiple types) and prone to both wandering zero and shot stringing with even a small amount of barrel heat. In addition it was not particularly reliable and the trigger was complete garbage. It makes an OK short range woods rifle (which I think is your primary use) but I sold mine pretty quickly with no regrets.

Now in contrast to many here, I am very fond of semi autos and have shot MANY of them, ranging from multiple AR-10's, M1A, BAR, Rem 7400, FAL, SCAR, etc. For a hunting rifle I would get a BAR. They are not easy to take apart, but they are generally reliable, well made, decently accurate, and a reasonable weight.

If I had to pick the BEST semi auto setup in an absolute sense, it would be a good quality AR platform or SCAR-17.

 

[M14AMU]

Brush Gun???

Remington M870 with 000 buckshot!!

 

[kzin]

looking for a reliable, and tough semi auto preferably under $1500. Because I live in Cuomos communist NY AR’s are out of the picture. Primary use will be hunting whitetails, going to put a red dot on it to make it a brush rifle. Lighter weight rifles are a plus, prefer synthetic stocks as long as they aren’t flimsy like Tupperware. Leaning towards 30-06, no particular reason just wanted something different (already have 6.5, 243, 308).

ARs are by no means out of the picture in NY.
Tell il duce fu by bringing one more into the state.

Either featureless or fixed mag would get the job done.
Within all the options there should be something that would suit you.

 

[284winner]

Back in the early to mid 70s, Remington had issues with there 742 Woodsmaster rifles. Some of their guns after firing, would not eject the case, locking the lugs without being able to open the bolt manually. I had one of those guns. It was returned to Remington for repair and I haven't had an issue since. Since that run of bad luck, I think they've been decent guns for the money for sure. Since I've retired that semi auto loader, I purchased a Browning BAR in 270 win. It's been flawless since the beginning. Not that it performs any better than my 742 but seems smoother and built a bit better all around. Definitely pricier for sure. For the money, it's tough to beat the old Woodsmaster tho.

 

[cowboybart]

I have an M-1 Carbine that was rebored to 45 Win Mag. I don't know if NY allows this, but it gets lots of looks at the range!!

 

[people]

I have an M-1 Carbine that was rebored to 45 Win Mag. I don't know if NY allows this, but it gets lots of looks at the range!!

This sounds very cool. I was reading on it sometime in the past and they said the barrel was very thin. Can you post a picture of the breach looking into the chamber and one of the muzzle.

I think one of these would be super handy.

 

[Shep1]

M1a scout perfect taken several deer with mine

 

[cowboybart]

This sounds very cool. I was reading on it sometime in the past and they said the barrel was very thin. Can you post a picture of the breach looking into the chamber and one of the muzzle.

I think one of these would be super handy.

Yeap, very thin = .095" wall thickness at the muzzle.

I haven't been able to keep a scope on it (mount keeps coming lose), so I am gonna go back to the peep sight

Hope the pix help in what you were looking for.

 

[CharlieNC]

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun chambered in 45-70.

 

[joshb]

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun chambered in 45-70.

JM stamped.

 

[people]

Yeap, very thin = .095" wall thickness at the muzzle.

I haven't been able to keep a scope on it (mount keeps coming lose), so I am gonna go back to the peep sight

Hope the pix help in what you were looking for.

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much for posting that. I really liked the idea but that is a little thin for my liking.

 

[CharlieNC]

JM stamped.

Josh I read many reviews on MarlinOwners forum before jumping on a new Remlin several months ago, and am pleased with the quality. After several years it appears most of the bugs have been squashed. Yep, I got the 45-70.

 

[joshb]

Thanks for that, Charlie. I really like the round. I have a "Want list" and an old JM stamped 45/70 is on it. Good to know the new ones are free of issues. I'd read about a lot of problems with rough machining.

 

[CharlieNC]

Thanks for that, Charlie. I really like the round. I have a "Want list" and an old JM stamped 45/70 is on it. Good to know the new ones are free of issues. I'd read about a lot of problems with rough machining.

Today I just received a box of 425gr hard cast bullets to load. If you don't know about hard cast, they are an interesting story.

 

[AckleymanII]

Browning BAR,

Belgium
Safari Grade I and II
and Jap Models

All are very reliable and accurate...no problems.

I had the 270,30/06, and 7 Mag with the BOSS
243, 30/06 and 7 Mag without BOSS

Ruger 44's semi and Win 100's, are NOT for me or my family.