M1A for deer and Elk?

I used an M14 while in the military and loved it.I am considering using one for deer and elk hunting.I'm left handed and can not get used to a left hand bolt and the right hand bolt is just awkward.Would an M1A be a good choice? Thanks for any input.

It's a great caliber for hunting, not too much overkill for deer and not crazy-light for elk (though on the light side).

I have an M1a, so I've thought of this before. I'd put it in a plastic or fiberglass camo stock, pull the flash hider or brake off, which will make the rifle 2 inches shorter, and get a nice big aperature for the rear sight. I've handled an M1a set up like that, and it as badass! Short and handy, though a little heavy.

If you are hunting in very cold weather, buff the grease off or use a light oil... regular tetra or whatever might get gummy in very cold weather and slow the action down enought to cause a misfeed. Not that my M1a has ever, EVER misfed or malfunctioned in any way.

-jeff

Yeah, But I'll still take my Garand. I have this discussion every time I shoot with my best friend. He does shoot a little tighter with his M1a but I don't think it's the rifle. Both of them have been incredibly reliable and accurate firing surplus ammo. With Federal Match the Garand or M1a is better than I'll ever be. Now she's going to Carl Sokol for a tune-up and beauty treatment this winter. I am looking forward to spring. Bill C

Your reply didn't sound exactly right, knowing many law abiding friends that hunt Michigan's Upper Peninsula with Remington and Browning semi-autos, so I looked things up. Here's what I found.

Cut and pasted directly from the Michigan DNR website.

'Shell Capacity for Shotguns and Centerfire Rifles It is unlawful to hunt with a semi-automatic shotgun or semi-automatic rifle, other than a .22 caliber rimfire, that can hold more than six shells in the barrel and magazine combined. Fully automatic firearms are illegal. All shotguns used for migratory game birds (including woodcock) must be plugged so the total capacity of the shotgun does not exceed three shells.'

Go for it Mike. I use an Armalite AR10 to do most of my hunting with, both deer and hogs, and love it. If you're comfortable with it, use it!

If useing a Semi-auto rifle is legal for hunting big game when you plan to hunt, the M1A will certainly get the job done.

choice?

No flies on the 308 cartridge and the Springfield Armory M1A has enjoyed a strong reputation in the past but it is built for battle or competition, making it an awful lot of iron to drag through the woods. There are several slide-action, lever-action, single-shot, or even a commercial selfloaders that are essentially ambidextrous, lighter, handier, and offered in a wider variety of cartridges, and some for a lot less money. Good hunting!

Incorrect.

Correct (in the case of centerfires). See <<a target='_blank' rel=nofollow target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href='http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153- 10363_10919_11749-31578

Use a 5 round mag. in the rifle, the are availible from Springfield Armory.