You seem to be following the same logic path I did a few years ago:
1) Interested in an autoloading hunting rifle.
2) Would prefer to have more downrange pop than available from 6.8spc, not sure as to the viability of the 450 bushmaster - not wanting to be beholden to mail order "special ammo".
3) Step 3, check out the AR-10's. Lots more $, but willing to pay the price if it truly is what I'm interested in. OMG! AR10's are fricking heavy! Surely there's a better option...
4)) Browning BAR/Remington 750. Both nice rifles w/ good reputations, not nearly as heavy but they do have a major draw back compared to an AR-10 - They are a pain to clean and weren't really designed to be fully stripped. This ensures that you will either grow to hate the rifle as you strip it after each trip to the lease or you will skip the stripping and the rifle will gunk up over time and eventually fail you.
Which leads me to where I ended up:
Benelli R1 in 30-06. Reasonably priced ammunition as near as the nearest Academy - Winchester PP's shoot very well in this rifle and to the same POI as my normal hunting load, Hornady 150 grn SST's.
The rifle can be quickly and easily stripped for cleaning, zero returns every time:
My son likes mine so much that I bought him one as well. Both 30-06, wood stocked 20" barrels.
Both shoot right at MOA w/ 150grn Hornady SST's. 400+ rounds fired between the 2 rifles w/o a single malfunction. They get stripped and cleaned after each trip to the range or lease. Zero always returns after stripping.
The rifles weigh 7 pounds before you add the scope, much lighter than an AR-10. 30-06 w/ a 20" barrel gives considerably more pop than a 16" AR-10! Did I mention that each rifle is shipped w/ a complete shim kit to adjust stock fit to the individual? Really makes a difference if you are thinking jump shots on running pigs may be in your future!
Some folks think they're ugly, I've grown rather fond of ours. Regardless, you can't argue the performance! They are pricey, about the same price as an AR-10.
Shot this pig at my lease on the run w/ my R1:
My son w/ a bruiser he shot on the run w/ his R1:
Just another option to consider...
David
