I'm looking for a semi-automatic rifle that I can use to take out pigs on our property. For reasons of personal taste and budget, I'm not looking at an AR platform. Basically if it's "tactical", that's not what I'm going for. I usually shoot pigs with my bolt action deer rifle, but I'd like to at least have an opportunity to take out multiple pigs under my feeders. Shots are usually under 75yds, but I'd like to have a longer reach if necessary.

I really value the knockdown power of a .308, 30-06, 7mm, etc. over the usual AR15 calibers (I never have to go looking for pigs taken with my .308), and I don't have the desire or budget to spend >2k for gun/optics on an AR10.

All that said, do y'all have any advice regarding a larger caliber, semi-automatic or (maybe) lever-action, rifle? I've looked into the Remington 7400, Remington 7600, Henry Long Ranger, and Browning BAR MKIII (love this one, but pricey) just for a few examples.

I don't care if it's pretty....definitely looking for a utilitarian option.

Expert opinions are valued greatly as I'm not exceptionally well-versed in firearms, calibers, etc.

Looking at your requirements, I'd look into an SKS.

Or a Mini-30.

Great idea and something I hadn't thought of yet. How difficult is it to add optics to an SKS?

The Remington Semi is about the least expensive reliable one you'll find. Anything else is going to be what you consider expensive. Other potential options you might look at are an older Winchester 100. If it was me and I wasn't wanting to go tactical (which I would but that's not what you asked for) - I'd go with a Browning BAR. The higher the grade number, the higher the cost so look at a Grade 1.

If you want my .02 - it impossible to add optics to an SKS and it to be very accurate - at least compared to the options above.

Earl

Find a 742 woodmaster. Should be buyable in the $350-475 range.

This might be what I'm looking for

Others may have had good experiences with the Remington autos, but I certainly didn't. I'd look for an older BAR with a scratched up stock that you can buy for reasonable $.

If you shoot them in the neck, it doesn’t matter

A good semi-auto shotgun with buckshot or slugs would put them down at closer ranges.

75 yards, longer reach if necessary, ability to add optics.

The answer is a 16" AR-10 in .308 Win

But that's not what you want...

I'll show myself out.

I thought of this because I have a decent semi-auto. I assume I'd have to be pretty close though, like 40yds or less?

I just figured that would cost me an arm and a leg. I was hoping to spend around a grand for the setup. Based on my very limited research, a decent AR-10 in .308 would cost me 1200-1500 without a scope, right?

If you can be patient palmetto has had ar10 in the past even earlier this year under 700

Not right.

Piece it together, with the parts you like, and in the end it won't cost and arm and a leg. Sub $900 if you play your cards right. And before anyone says they're too heavy, they can be made so that they are not.

$250 lower - https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...gpul-stock-and-grip-olive-drab?a=2130600

$450 upper in 7.62x39 - https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...complete-upper-16-heavy-barrel?a=2186253

$150-$400 scope

I have a 450 bushmaster in an ar-15 and it knocks em down I bought a blemished complete lower from psa and replaced trigger and an upper from bca. Cheap build and a lot of people dont like bca but it holds under an inch at 100 and thumps em good. Another to look at might be 350 legend

For an exclusive hog gun I like big heavy bullets. If I couldn’t choose the AR platform I would choose a Remington 750 in 35 Whelen. One of these days I will get one.

I love that gun

It’s a great suggestion

Just when I thought I had my mind made up....

I'm just so ignorant when it comes to AR's. I'm seeing .223/300 BLK listed for that lower. Does that mean I could only use those calibers?

Nope. Lots of options with a ar-15 lower. I’m loving the 7.62x39 right now. Ammo was cheap. Cost was 4-5 to one for .300blk. So I throw plenty at the piggy’s.

You need to look at that .300 Hamr thread brother. I know you said you do not want an AR but for killing pigs I use an AR 10 and I have a wilson Hamr on the way. It hits hard at that range and will get it done

For what you are looking for I would try and find a Ruger lever action .44 or a Semi Auto.

A model 7400 carbine would also fit the bill

But in all reality you probably won’t be able to kill any more pigs at 75 yards with a semi-auto than you would a bolt gun

remington 141 in 35 remington

For your specified parameters I would look for a used Browning BAR. Or a marlin lever action.

The one I had in 308 didn't cycle for crap. Sold it and got 6.8AR, it cycles without issue and has killed hundreds of hogs in E TX.

You can still find PTR-91s for cheaper than most AR-10s. Good, reliable, tough as [censored] semi-auto .308, and the mags are dirt cheap for it. It's a heavy gun, so it's not conducive to a lot of walking through the woods, but if you're in a blind or a stand wanting to take a bunch of them out quickly, that would be my suggestion.

That’s very true

If a $1,000 is your budget and you hate tactical, I would look for a used BAR. Design has been around for long time and is reliable.

Absolutely check out the Wilson Combat 300 Ham'r thread, I've recently built a higher end 300 Ham'r and love it, no hogs here in Central Obamastan, but lots of coyotes, and its very accurate... you can convert any 5.56/.223 AR rifle to 300 with a simple barrel change. A nice little thumper, and fun to shoot, if we believe the many, many accounts of hog hunting on the 300 Ham'r thread, it "Big Medicine" on pork!

Me either.

Browning BAR .308 or .30-06

Some really good suggestions here. I knew I would get some flack for the AR bit, and that's understandable. I really love the BAR. I think I'll try and convince the wife of a budget that makes that happen.

I used a BAR in 270 for years. Great rifle, though a bit heavy. Dad had one in 308. I replaced mine with a bolt gun so I could get more case life when reloading, and because a bolt gun was easier to clean the South Texas dust out of. Dad got a bolt gun because of weight as he got older. The Ultralight rifle was easier for him to tote around.

Mine would shoot to about an inch with reloads. I still miss it sometimes.

Where are you located? I have 375 Socom, 458 Socom and 358 Winchester ARs, if you want to see if one of those would work for you before you go to looking or building. All are scoped, zero'd and ready to roll.

You'd need to furnish ammo, I can help with that if you will replenish what you shoot.

Heck at 75 yards or less wouldn't need optics. . I'd be thinking about ammo prices also. 7.62x39 is probably the lowest larger caliber ammo to wack a pig. It will hammer um pretty solid and If you miss try out the bayonet. Come pick this up and try it out. Yugo SKS.

Semi definitely makes a difference in shot opportunities. Even working a lever or pump is not comparable to squeeze the trigger, line up the shot, repeat.

Remingnton woods master is a sexy beast but has the jamomatic reputation. If you find a good one take good care of it, or it will eventually become jamomatic too.

I think the BAR is what you want, shop and buy used.

Love the SKS. Shot quite a few hogs with the FIL's. I do think I would like the option to add optics if I want to in the future. Hopefully ammo will come around. Finding .308 168gr is like finding a 3 dollar bill nowadays.

I think this is where I'm at. I put a bid on a nice looking woodmaster, but I'm not going to get in bidding war over it. Probably end up saving up a little cash for the BAR.

I would second the SKS

I would look at an M1. Look at CMP. PSA puts the new Springfield Armory ones on sale periodically for around 1,200. I use my 1943 M1 as my pig popper and have zero complaints on the results.

You can get a Field grade for under 800. Word of advice if you go that route and use the Garand, you'll need to be sensitive about ammo. You can use M1 Ball all day long, but if you go to a modern hunting load, you'll need an adjustable gas plug (~$30) so the pressure doesn't damage the op-rod.