M1A as a deer rifle???

EagleScout777 · 03-12-2008, 03:39 PM

Any thoughts on how a M1A would be as a deer gun?

wunhunglo · 03-12-2008, 03:56 PM

If you can carry it and hit what you shoot at, it will do the job. What kind of deer, what ranges and reloads or factory ammo?

LarryO1970 · 03-12-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleScout777

Any thoughts on how a M1A would be as a deer gun?

As long as you are proficient, it will work just as well as anything else. Why not...

iflylow74 · 03-12-2008, 04:02 PM

The 308 caliber is excellant for deer size game out to farther than you should be shooting them. The only problem I see with the M1A would be the weight issue as compared to a bolt action sporting type rifle.

LarryO1970 · 03-12-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iflylow74

The 308 caliber is excellant for deer size game out to farther than you should be shooting them. The only problem I see with the M1A would be the weight issue as compared to a bolt action sporting type rifle.

If you are a mobile hunter, yes, the weight may be a factor. IF you move up to your hunting point than park it... I see no issues.

The M14/M1A is no lightweight gun.

lefty o · 03-12-2008, 10:31 PM

if you dont mind luggin it around, it'll take care of its end of the hunt.

rfc357 · 03-13-2008, 07:44 AM

Just don't shoot commercial hunting ammo. This is not as much of a concern as with the M1, but recommended loads for the M14 and M1A are lighter than commercial hunting ammo. You don't want to risk damage to your gas system.

I guess the rifle will do the job. I would not be my first choice if I had something else to use. I hunt deer with a .308 bolt gun. The cartridge is fine. But I get tired carrying my M1A up and down the range.

Be careful of the bullets you use. I have heard the feeding cycle can shave lead from softpoint bullets. The shavings can then supposedly clog the gas system, requiring a teardown and cleaning. Since I have never fired anything but FMJ, I can't verify this.

madcratebuilder · 03-13-2008, 09:05 AM

The work around for using heavy hunting loads in the m1a is to use a grooved piston.

rfc357 · 03-14-2008, 10:33 PM

Will the rifle still work with the mil dup loads?

Not that I have any intention of ever doing this.

madcratebuilder · 03-15-2008, 09:32 AM

The grooved piston is not compatible with mil surplus ammo, it well short stroke. Another work around would be an adjustable gas plug, they seem to be popular with the M1 guys and they make one for the M14.

03-12-2008, 03:39 PM	#1
EagleScout777 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 39	M1A as a deer rifle??? Any thoughts on how a M1A would be as a deer gun?

03-12-2008, 04:02 PM	#4
iflylow74 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bizzaroworld Posts: 1,120 Blog Entries: 11	The 308 caliber is excellant for deer size game out to farther than you should be shooting them. The only problem I see with the M1A would be the weight issue as compared to a bolt action sporting type rifle. __________________ Guns? What guns??

03-13-2008, 09:05 AM	#8
madcratebuilder Cranky Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 1,341 Images: 3	The work around for using heavy hunting loads in the m1a is to use a grooved piston. __________________ lawyers defend rights... Soldiers provide them.

03-15-2008, 09:32 AM	#10
madcratebuilder Cranky Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 1,341 Images: 3	The grooved piston is not compatible with mil surplus ammo, it well short stroke. Another work around would be an adjustable gas plug, they seem to be popular with the M1 guys and they make one for the M14. __________________ lawyers defend rights... Soldiers provide them.

03-12-2008, 03:56 PM	#2
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 2,321	If you can carry it and hit what you shoot at, it will do the job. What kind of deer, what ranges and reloads or factory ammo?

03-12-2008, 10:31 PM	#6
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,360	if you dont mind luggin it around, it'll take care of its end of the hunt.

03-13-2008, 07:44 AM	#7
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Just don't shoot commercial hunting ammo. This is not as much of a concern as with the M1, but recommended loads for the M14 and M1A are lighter than commercial hunting ammo. You don't want to risk damage to your gas system. I guess the rifle will do the job. I would not be my first choice if I had something else to use. I hunt deer with a .308 bolt gun. The cartridge is fine. But I get tired carrying my M1A up and down the range. Be careful of the bullets you use. I have heard the feeding cycle can shave lead from softpoint bullets. The shavings can then supposedly clog the gas system, requiring a teardown and cleaning. Since I have never fired anything but FMJ, I can't verify this.

03-14-2008, 10:33 PM	#9
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Will the rifle still work with the mil dup loads? Not that I have any intention of ever doing this.