I would like your opinion. What is the most popular platform for hunting rifle? AR or Bolt action or Other. Or stated another way, what platform do most hunters use? Thanks.
For me it depends on what I’m hunting. Have used both and will continue to use both. The environment and conditions play a big role in what I choose as well.
Most hunters use a bolt action. Calibers vary, but a .308 Remington 700 with a cheap Leopold or Nikon will probably be the most popular. Any type of rifle round will take out a deer with proper placement, so just find something and practice. For me, it depends on the intended target/s and range.
I really like my bolt guns best but like stated it depends.
If I am going hog hunting only then an AR would be better.
Last time I shot at a pig there were about 30 of them and I had a bolt gun and got 2 of them.
By the time I had chambered round 3 they were gone into the thick brush.
I was close enough to hit them with a rock and they were dispersed into the woods withing 30 more feet and so thick you can't see them.
AR would have been sweet as they were lined up and some big males laying down.
My first shot was the largest female. Very tasty.
I know a lot of folks who hunt with AR’s, but most are new to hunting and don’t know any better. I’d say if you polled every hunter in the country bolt guns would be the gun of choice.
I’ve got a few AR’s, but I’m old school and still mainly hunt with a bolt gun.
I am REAL old school compared to retrieverman who is a pup. When I decide on what I am going to hunt then I select the rifle. I have used my AR last year and harvested a cull buck. My weapon of choice for pigs is my M1A in .308. If the game is a first for me then I take my Remington 700 BDL in .308. This years deer season I will use my Savage lever action in .308 because I have never harvested anything with it. I am hunting antelope in December so I will use my 700 BDL This was the first deer rifle I ever bought in 1969. I still want to harvest a deer with my inherited Winchester lever action 30-30. All in all I am a bolt guy.