Using an AR 15 platform for stalking ?

[bowji john]

I have an AR15 .223 which I bought before I had any idea what kind of shooting I wanted to do

It has sat in the gun cupboard for ages

Being a Southern gun company rifle it is well made, has a fluted bull barrel 1:8 and is pretty accurate

Thinking of using it to put a thermal scope on it to go after fox (69 grain) and rabbit (50 grain)

Anyone else using a 'rambo' style platform for hunting ????

 

[Miki]

.223 and 50gn = rabbit soup

 

[bowji john]

Just headless hopefully

Just trying to make use of an otherwise useless piece of ironware

 

[iain b]

If you do make sure no one sees you. Last thing you need is a phone call to plod. “ I’ve just seen a man with a army rifle “. Armed police on the way. Won’t end well.

 

[bowji john]

Hmmm !

Yup - I can see that happening - though in Cornwall you could just about go shopping in a main battle tank and you will just get a complaint for using up two parking spots

 

[mickeyluv]

I use an SGC speedmaster and nobody's ever complained, there again I've never met anyone round our fields at night

 

[bowji john]

Not too noisy when cocking then?

I hope to get away with it as a night tool also

After all - it is conditioned for vermin so plod could not complain

 

[iain b]

Not too noisy when cocking then?

I hope to get away with it as a night tool also

After all - it is conditioned for vermin so plod could not complain

its too late after the police arrive. They won’t think to look if you have permission to be on the land. A load of armed coppers, Adrenalin running through the brain cell and a semi auto .223 in their hands. A recipe for disaster

 

[reloader54]

its too late after the police arrive. They won’t think to look if you have permission to be on the land. A load of armed coppers, Adrenalin running through the brain cell and a semi auto .223 in their hands. A recipe for disaster

just hope their the ones that don't get out of the vehicle.

 

[bowji john]

My land!

My dear wife would - after picking herself up off the ground from laughing - if I were shot - Sue for armed trespass

 

[nun_hunter]

its too late after the police arrive. They won’t think to look if you have permission to be on the land. A load of armed coppers, Adrenalin running through the brain cell and a semi auto .223 in their hands. A recipe for disaster

Contrary to what you may think most armed coppers have more than just one brain cell and aren't looking to shoot someone.

Walking round the town with a tactical rifle will definitely increase the risk of it not ending well but out in the countryside at night and you'll most likely be fine. The police are aware of the difficulty of sourcing illegal rifle/carbine etc in the UK so the first thought is most likely air soft rather than a CF rifle so the response will geared more towards that than and MTFA incident.

If you are worried let the police know where and when you'll be out via email with a phone number and you shouldn't have any issues. Worst case and you do find the ARVS get called out then you'll have better NV/thermal than them and you know they're coming way before they find you so just put the rifle in a slip or lay it down and make your self known. You'll have a chat, they may want to check your ID or FAC even and then you'll be on your way. Their presence and possible helicopter has probably scared everything off but the chance of you getting shot is very slim and almost zero if you do as requested and don't point it any anyone.

 

[bowji john]

Contrary to what you may think most armed coppers have more than just one brain cell and aren't looking to shoot someone.

If you are worried let the police know where and when you'll be out via email with a phone number and you shouldn't have any issues. Worst case and you do find the ARVS get called out then you'll have better NV/thermal than them and you know they're coming way before they find you so just put the rifle in a slip or lay it down and make your self known. You'll have a chat, they may want to check your ID or FAC even and then you'll be on your way. Their presence and possible helicopter has probably scared everything off but the chance of you getting shot is very slim and almost zero if you do as requested and don't point it any anyone.

Entirely sensible - thank you nun-hunter

As an aside - I've had most of the armed response teams from D&C at my place for an advanced trauma management training day so I do know some of them - one or two i know quite well

The posts did take an unexpected direction re army style rifles -

I was thinking more along the lines of the problems of the noise of cocking a straight-pull

 

[Whitebeard]

.223 and 50gn = rabbit soup

Feed em a few carrots and potatoes and you will have a ready made stew all be it a bit undercooked

Ian.

 

[nun_hunter]

Threads do often go off on a tangent on here. Not knowing your set up does it have the plunger/forward assist like on the H&K 416/417 Sig MCX etc? If so could you slowly and quietly get the bolt locked in?

 

[mealiejimmy]

its too late after the police arrive. They won’t think to look if you have permission to be on the land. A load of armed coppers, Adrenalin running through the brain cell and a semi auto .223 in their hands. A recipe for disaster

If it's a 223 it won't be semi automatic - they've been illegal for a long while now.
Used at night with NV/thermal kit then no-one will know what kind of rifle you're using
I wouldn't take it stalking though
PS If you read Robert Bucknells excellent book "Foxing with Lamp and Rifle" he states that the best foxing rifle he ever had was a Colt AR15 which shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards

Cheers

Bruce

 

[nun_hunter]

If it's a 223 it won't be semi automatic - they've been illegal for a long while now.
Used at night with NV/thermal kit then no-one will know what kind of rifle you're using
I wouldn't take it stalking though
PS If you read Robert Bucknells excellent book "Foxing with Lamp and Rifle" he states that the best foxing rifle he ever had was a Colt AR15 which shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards

Cheers

Bruce

The police have the semi autos.

 

[bowji john]

No forward assist - I'll try and get a pic on here

 

[rarms]

You shouldn't need forward assist if you push the handle on the bolt forward slowly it will achieve the same thing, should be able to cock it with only the noise of the buffer spring sliding I would have thought

 

[Kjf]

Crack on mate, a 223 is a 223

a spade is a spade!!!!!!!!

get it out and use it man!!!!

kjf

 

[bowji john]

If you read Robert Bucknells excellent book "Foxing with Lamp and Rifle" he states that the best foxing rifle he ever had was a Colt AR15 which shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards

Once again Bruce - I'm indebted to you - just ordered the book as it looks fascinating

j