The Modern The BuShmASTer .308 hunTer O range of sporting, police and military uses and have their basic imporf the many approaches to fielding a Modern Sporting tant features in common. The .308 Hunter is pure BushRifle suitable for the bulk of North American game master—the basic full-stocked rifle shooting, perhaps the most straightforward taps the with standard gas impingement and origin of the Stoner-AR system. The original AR-10 came a heavy fluted 20-inch barrel freeinto being a year before the introduction of the now-ubiqui- floated in a vented aluminum handguard. It looks like a heavy-duty tous small caliber/small platform AR-15. Bushmaster Predator or By 1956, the military T-65 Varminter right down cartridge developed in the to the flattop rail with early 1950s, had come out in 3/4 risers for mounta number of sporting rifles as ing sporting or tactithe .308 Winchester but was cal optics with stanstill in search of a home for dard height rails. The its intended purpose as a selfrifle is well fitted inside loading service-rifle round. and out and the finish is By 1959, it was paired with an evenly applied matte the Springfield M14 and black. The single feature replaced the M1 Garand and that is not quite in sync long-serving .30-06 as the with the overall qualofficial service rifle. ity (and price) of the The service designation hunter is the basic, nonnow became 7.62x51mm adjustable trigger that This mini-hog Shoot-N-C target from Birchwood Casey was well illuminator 7.62 NATO. As a mililets off at a long and ed by the Laser Genetics designators tary round, it is capable of creepy 7+ pounds. Most at ranges of 200 and 300 yards. useful accuracy out to 1,000 serious users would yards. Loaded with proper immediately replace it hunting projectiles, it affords suffi- game shots under ideal field condi- with a match unit from Rock River, cient energy and suitably flat trajec- tions, Hook and Bullet Television to Jewell or Geissele. The Bushmastory for North American game out the contrary notwithstanding. The ter Hunter differs from similar AR to the 300-yard range that respon- current rifles that proceed from the pattern .308/7.62 rifles designed for sible hunters consider maximum for basic AR-10 are suitable for the full Designated Marksman programs The Bushmaster .308 Hunter coupled with the Leupold 4.5-14x50mm Long Range Tactical sight is a versatile hunting rig that possesses the well-respected down range capabilities of the service round. Mike CuMPston
