Thread: ar15 or howa etc package?

Hi guys , i am looking for a firearm in .223 for goats and possibly deer if in close range. Money wise an entry package will be a 1000 to 1500 approximately so would i be better off to wait and buy a second hand ar15? What is the advantages? Cheers

The advantage of an AR15 (or other semi-auto) is being able to fire several shots quickly. I can't think of any other advantages, and most people don't need rapid fire for hunting anyway.

If you often come across a big group of goats and need rapid fire then an AR would be useful but a bolt action Howa with a decent scope would put food on the table for less.

Over the medium term AR style rifles are getting cheaper so you could switch later as 2nd hand ARs will often go for 1300 or so without optics

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So no difference in terms of accuracy or range? I thought from the popularity there was real benefit from an ar but maybe its just wank value!

Originally Posted by matto1234

So no difference in terms of accuracy or range? I thought from the popularity there was real benefit from an ar but maybe its just wank value!

They're reasonably accurate.
They're also very "pointable" if that makes much sense. Having a protruding grip makes any rifle very quick to shoulder and aim.
I think the other advantage is the ability to have more than one upper for your AR. I suppose as a disadvantage you can only shoot short action calibers.

Originally Posted by matto1234

So no difference in terms of accuracy or range? I thought from the popularity there was real benefit from an ar but maybe its just wank value!

The howa will probably be more accurate than a cheap ar and about the same as an expensive one out the box.
No range advantage either way.
So basically, yeah, firepower and wank value!

Originally Posted by Daggers_187

They're reasonably accurate.
They're also very "pointable" if that makes much sense. Having a protruding grip makes any rifle very quick to shoulder and aim.
I think the other advantage is the ability to have more than one upper for your AR. I suppose as a disadvantage you can only shoot short action calibers.

Fair call, but you can buy a new howa for the cost of another upper, more toys!
And if its an ar15 as he suggests he is very limited on calibres.

A sporting rifle is nicer to carry slung for those long walk ins!

Not really. With a two point sling and an AR carbine you can sling it muzzle down under your arm pit and forget it's there.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Not really. With a two point sling and an AR carbine you can sling it muzzle down under your arm pit and forget it's there.

Yeah?
I think I'm going to get an Carbine length upper then.
My AR is heavy as f**k - 20in barrel doesn't help either.

I guess I'm lucky NZAR15 doesn't offer finance.....

Might spend a bit more dosh and get a tikka t3

The problem with the AR is you will want another one once you have your first!
Not sure why this is, but it happens to most of us...

Long one, short one, mid length one, suppressed one, FDE one, black one, A-cat one, E-cat one, pink one (not for me mind you), other one...

A sporting rifle is nicer to carry slung for those long walk ins!

I actually agree with this. They're abit of a bitch to carry for extended periods.

Not really. With a two point sling and an AR carbine you can sling it muzzle down under your arm pit and forget it's there.

This is a good idea. But still abit of a mess. Especially if you're walking somewhere with limited headroom (ie. Not on a nice track or flat bit of bush. )

The advantage with a sporting rifle is it's akin to carrying a long stick. It's just that - straight. So it's super easy to push it through gaps in brush. Anything with a pistol grip means you have abit more width to consider. Add some optics and it's more width again.
I haven't hunted with an Acat stock, but with some of the configurations out there, they make the butt end of the rifle f-ing massive.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Not really. With a two point sling and an AR carbine you can sling it muzzle down under your arm pit and forget it's there.

I found that a carbine with a 2 point sling was an absolute pain in the arse to drag around in the bush no matter how you sling it.

I'm not full of experience, but I haven't hunted with my tikka in over a year since I got my AR off Digit. I
mainly shoot wallabys and fallow though and not in a heap of bush so that probably makes a difference.
I use a multi point (I think it's called) sling and love it because I can sling it under my arm if carrying a deer or sling it for the walk in. Plus I personally find it much nicer to shoot with and great for follow up shots since there is so little recoil.


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Originally Posted by matto1234

Might spend a bit more dosh and get a tikka t3

Much of a muchness really, both very good first rifles, the tikka will be lighter, both are as accurate as each other, both have average at best factory stocks although I prefer the hogue on the howa to the Tikkas.

The bonus with the Howa is that if you speak to your local gunshop they can get just a bare barrelled action from Cameron sports, you can then fit and bed it in whichever stock you prefer, Boyds, McMillan, b&c, whatever and have a great little rifle.


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