In my day that was true!
Pennsylvania Semi-Autos for Big Game
- Thread starter DumpHollow
- Start date
Obviously!
The magazine limit rather than a round count limit is prohibitive, most AR 15 rifle magazines are currently available in 5 round. To purchase 3 round magazines would be expensive!
I prefer carrying my A5 15 rifles with 5 round magazines as the rifle handles better.
I prefer carrying my A5 15 rifles with 5 round magazines as the rifle handles better.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
PA has many competing hunting cultures for deer, tree standers, drivers, ground sitters, baiters, and the deer camp. Add in grouse, pheasant, waterfowl and raptor hunters. Making one happy usually makes another unhappy. Semi-autos are now allowed for small game. I suspect it's just a matter of time for their use on large game with demographics being the driver of change.
PA is a just having to come to grips with the new reality… AR15’s are the most popular rifle for people under 50yo. I bet if you did a survey of 18yo - 50yo the common answer would be that essential firearms are AR15, Glock, and Ruger 10-22 … the only arsenal you need to survive the apocalypse 
Arguably since the Gulf War, but at least for the last 24 years (post 9/11) the M16/AR15 may be the only rifle to be used, fired and then personally owned by a large number of adults. For everyone else in this age range,who didn’t serve in military, the M16/AR15 has been their “virtual firearm” used in every video game that they’ve played. It makes sense that ithis is the firearm they want to hunt with.
MagPul could easily pump out 3-round mags or simple use their existing 5-round mags with either a spacer or modified follower that limits internal capacity to only 3 rounds. Polymer magazines are easy to make and therefore cheap.
Arguably since the Gulf War, but at least for the last 24 years (post 9/11) the M16/AR15 may be the only rifle to be used, fired and then personally owned by a large number of adults. For everyone else in this age range,who didn’t serve in military, the M16/AR15 has been their “virtual firearm” used in every video game that they’ve played. It makes sense that ithis is the firearm they want to hunt with.
MagPul could easily pump out 3-round mags or simple use their existing 5-round mags with either a spacer or modified follower that limits internal capacity to only 3 rounds. Polymer magazines are easy to make and therefore cheap.
DRK
Silver $$ Contributor
PA is a just having to come to grips with the new reality… AR15’s are the most popular rifle for people under 50yo. I bet if you did a survey of 18yo - 50yo the common answer would be that essential firearms are AR15, Glock, and Ruger 10-22 … the only arsenal you need to survive the apocalypse
Arguably since the Gulf War, but at least for the last 24 years (post 9/11) the M16/AR15 may be the only rifle to be used, fired and then personally owned by a large number of adults. For everyone else in this age range,who didn’t serve in military, the M16/AR15 has been their “virtual firearm” used in every video game that they’ve played. It makes sense that ithis is the firearm they want to hunt with.
MagPul could easily pump out 3-round mags or simple use their existing 5-round mags with either a spacer or modified follower that limits internal capacity to only 3 rounds. Polymer magazines are easy to make and therefore cheap.
Under 50 here by a fair amount. Don't own an AR, Glock (had them in various flavors over the years) or 10/22. I did about 10 years ago have a papered M16, it's gone, don't miss it. I still do enjoy my papered subguns though.
Too much has been lost these days to lack of marksmanship fundamentals, sight alignment, trigger control, etc. I'm fine with allowing for repeaters for hunting, however, this mentality of bang, bang, bang I might hit something is a step backwards not forwards.
That said, I have more bolt guns, M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, & revolvers than I can count. I still carry a J frame too.
Absolutely agree about the loss of shooting fundamentals. It is striking to witness the shift of shooters with AR15 to the 25 yard and 50 yard line, with very few ever shooting them at 100 yard line. Everyone should enjoy an afternoon with a 22lr bolt rifle with a set of iron or peep sight. Makes for a fun couple of hours shooting slow while contemplating life’s challenges with a friend.
It takes discipline to shoot slowly when there is a magazine full of ammo. Even for experienced shooters there is an unconscious uptick in tempo of their shooting when they shift from a bolt rifle to AR platform. It’s the funniest thing as if a little voice whispers, “This gun was made to shoot fast!” It’s not like the barrel is any different than a bolt rifle… bang bang bang and 20-30 rounds later in under a minute or 2 and the magazine is empty. Who needs precise shot placement when you can send a barrage. No thought about barrel heat or wear.
My trick is to only use 10-round magazine at range and load it with 5 rounds. I hunt hogs with AR15, and carry a couple of 20-round magazine usually half full. The 20 round magazine length is a little easier to grab and also locate in my backpack in the dark. There’s no reason to carry 30-round magazines or load upmore than 5-10 cartridges for pigs… even less ammo for deer. Unnecessary weight hanging off the gun.
I totally get everyone’s concern and distrust. However, this doesn’t change the fact that a large percentage of younger shooters (18-50) have a strong affinity/connection to the AR15. This is their rifle. Also, due to its modularity it is now primary platform for young shooters (children) for hunting.
It takes discipline to shoot slowly when there is a magazine full of ammo. Even for experienced shooters there is an unconscious uptick in tempo of their shooting when they shift from a bolt rifle to AR platform. It’s the funniest thing as if a little voice whispers, “This gun was made to shoot fast!” It’s not like the barrel is any different than a bolt rifle… bang bang bang and 20-30 rounds later in under a minute or 2 and the magazine is empty. Who needs precise shot placement when you can send a barrage. No thought about barrel heat or wear.
My trick is to only use 10-round magazine at range and load it with 5 rounds. I hunt hogs with AR15, and carry a couple of 20-round magazine usually half full. The 20 round magazine length is a little easier to grab and also locate in my backpack in the dark. There’s no reason to carry 30-round magazines or load upmore than 5-10 cartridges for pigs… even less ammo for deer. Unnecessary weight hanging off the gun.
I totally get everyone’s concern and distrust. However, this doesn’t change the fact that a large percentage of younger shooters (18-50) have a strong affinity/connection to the AR15. This is their rifle. Also, due to its modularity it is now primary platform for young shooters (children) for hunting.
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Great thread. I was talking to a good friend of mine yesterday about deer hunting. He has two grandsons, the oldest 12, the youngest 10. Both have taken deer with their AR15's (suppressed) in 5.56. One took his first deer at age 10, the other last year when he was 9. The only restriction placed on them is that the deer have to be under 50 yards and they have to take neck shots. Every deer they have shot was DRT. He is black and I am white and we give each other grief all of the time. I told him that his grandkids were a liberals worst nightmare. Two young black kids running around with AR's. We both laughed at that one. 
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