YoteSackbuster
New member
I've been purchasing Predator Xtreme magazine for a while. This magazine is mainly for the coyote hunter.
Jon R. Sundra has been spouting off for some time about about AR15 rifles not being the firearm choice of ethical hunters. Here's a current (Feb 2009) letter to the editor and Sundra's response:
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AR's and Ethics
"In the June issue article "ARs as Hunting Rifles?" the author states "I'm too much of a traditionalist to ever consider using an AR for any sort of big game hunting. On the contrary, I like single shot rifles even more than bolt-action repeaters, because to me, having only one shot available elevates hunting to a higher sporting and ethical plane." I disagree. As an ethical hunter I want my game to drop where I shot them, but I have wounded a few. Having a rapid second shot to quickly finish a wounded animal is the only ethical thing to do to end the suffering. - Rolland.
REPONSE FROM JON SUNDRA - I wish there was statistical data to back me up... but I don't think there is. I'm absolutely certain that hunters using single shot rifles would be proven to wound less game than with any other rifle type. As for rapidity of fire, no respecting hunter using a single shot rifle would not have follow-up rounds readily handy - like tucked under a wrist band on the off hand where they are but inches away from the lever on the open action of a falling block rifle. With practice, one can get off an aimed follow-up shot in seconds. I don't consider that much of a disadvantage compared to other action types. - Jon R. Subdra
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Another one in the Feb 2009 issue:
AR Aficionado
I just received my latest issue and overall, it is very good. However, I have to take issue with Jon Sundra's R-15 article "A New Era begins". The new era's "beginning" happened years ago but Mr. Sundra wasn't paying attention. For most of us predator hunters, the AR platform (.223, .204 & 6.5 Grendal) based rifle has been slamming predators for years. What really rocked me was his statement, "I don't think we'll see the day when an AR-type rifle will match the accuracy of a finely tuned bolt-action varmint rifle, etc.". A quality AR platform rifle is capable of one hole, seven shot groups. My AR in .223, without a bull barrel also shoots very tight groups. - Regards, Rick
REPONSE FROM JON - Yes, I've been way behind the curve on AR-platform rifles, but only in the sense of my personal involvement. I've been well aware of what's been going on and readily admit to the efficacy of these rifles in predator hunting. In fact, they may be the best choice for predator hunting. However, as to accuracy, until AR-platform rifles start winning benchrest record or besting existing accuracy records, I stand by my statement. - John R. Sundra
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In the Feb 2009 issue, Sundra goes on to make comments about the AR platform in his column. It's ironic that he choses to make remarks about the lack of bench rest accuracy in the AR, and then talks about 30-30 lever guns as varmint rifles. He does admit that "the semi-auto as an action type is probably the most effective and practical of all. Nothing is faster on follow-up shot; there's no betraying movement required to reload, and accuracy and range are not issues." He then goes on to pick the Ruger Mini-14 as his choice for a predator rifle over the AR "because it is slimmer and smaller". Wait, what about accuracy? Oh, got that covered. He claims the new ones are delivering MOA performance.
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It's obvious Jon R. Sundra is not keen on AR rifles for hunting, and makes disparaging remarks about hunting ethics of those using them. It's ironic that with the bad image varmint and predator hunting has among some people and even other hunters (like those who say "if I don't eat it, I won't shoot it"), Sundra then turns around and questions the ethics of some of his own subgroup. He then displays ignorance about AR accuracy, then praises the Mini-Blaster. And if the single shot rifle is all about ethical hunting and accuracy, why tout the 30-30, with its inaccuracy and magazine capacity that matches the legal hunting capacity of the AR in many states?
In short, Sundra is simply displaying his prejudice and ignorance about AR rifles. Shades of Jim Zumbo!
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What can you do about this horsecrap from yet another divisive gun writer?
Copy and paste this information to other gun and hunting discussion boards.
Go to http://www.predatorxtreme.com/default.aspx and vote in the current poll asking if you hunt with AR type rifles or stick to traditional guns.
Email your complaints and concerns to editor Ralph M. Lermayer ralph@grandviewmedia.com. Remind him that his motto is "Hunt hard, shoot straight, kill clean, apologize to no one." Unless, of course, you're a hunter using an AR, according to Jon R. Sundra.
Jon R. Sundra has been spouting off for some time about about AR15 rifles not being the firearm choice of ethical hunters. Here's a current (Feb 2009) letter to the editor and Sundra's response:
------------
AR's and Ethics
"In the June issue article "ARs as Hunting Rifles?" the author states "I'm too much of a traditionalist to ever consider using an AR for any sort of big game hunting. On the contrary, I like single shot rifles even more than bolt-action repeaters, because to me, having only one shot available elevates hunting to a higher sporting and ethical plane." I disagree. As an ethical hunter I want my game to drop where I shot them, but I have wounded a few. Having a rapid second shot to quickly finish a wounded animal is the only ethical thing to do to end the suffering. - Rolland.
REPONSE FROM JON SUNDRA - I wish there was statistical data to back me up... but I don't think there is. I'm absolutely certain that hunters using single shot rifles would be proven to wound less game than with any other rifle type. As for rapidity of fire, no respecting hunter using a single shot rifle would not have follow-up rounds readily handy - like tucked under a wrist band on the off hand where they are but inches away from the lever on the open action of a falling block rifle. With practice, one can get off an aimed follow-up shot in seconds. I don't consider that much of a disadvantage compared to other action types. - Jon R. Subdra
----------------
Another one in the Feb 2009 issue:
AR Aficionado
I just received my latest issue and overall, it is very good. However, I have to take issue with Jon Sundra's R-15 article "A New Era begins". The new era's "beginning" happened years ago but Mr. Sundra wasn't paying attention. For most of us predator hunters, the AR platform (.223, .204 & 6.5 Grendal) based rifle has been slamming predators for years. What really rocked me was his statement, "I don't think we'll see the day when an AR-type rifle will match the accuracy of a finely tuned bolt-action varmint rifle, etc.". A quality AR platform rifle is capable of one hole, seven shot groups. My AR in .223, without a bull barrel also shoots very tight groups. - Regards, Rick
REPONSE FROM JON - Yes, I've been way behind the curve on AR-platform rifles, but only in the sense of my personal involvement. I've been well aware of what's been going on and readily admit to the efficacy of these rifles in predator hunting. In fact, they may be the best choice for predator hunting. However, as to accuracy, until AR-platform rifles start winning benchrest record or besting existing accuracy records, I stand by my statement. - John R. Sundra
-------------------
In the Feb 2009 issue, Sundra goes on to make comments about the AR platform in his column. It's ironic that he choses to make remarks about the lack of bench rest accuracy in the AR, and then talks about 30-30 lever guns as varmint rifles. He does admit that "the semi-auto as an action type is probably the most effective and practical of all. Nothing is faster on follow-up shot; there's no betraying movement required to reload, and accuracy and range are not issues." He then goes on to pick the Ruger Mini-14 as his choice for a predator rifle over the AR "because it is slimmer and smaller". Wait, what about accuracy? Oh, got that covered. He claims the new ones are delivering MOA performance.
--------------------
It's obvious Jon R. Sundra is not keen on AR rifles for hunting, and makes disparaging remarks about hunting ethics of those using them. It's ironic that with the bad image varmint and predator hunting has among some people and even other hunters (like those who say "if I don't eat it, I won't shoot it"), Sundra then turns around and questions the ethics of some of his own subgroup. He then displays ignorance about AR accuracy, then praises the Mini-Blaster. And if the single shot rifle is all about ethical hunting and accuracy, why tout the 30-30, with its inaccuracy and magazine capacity that matches the legal hunting capacity of the AR in many states?
In short, Sundra is simply displaying his prejudice and ignorance about AR rifles. Shades of Jim Zumbo!
---------------------
What can you do about this horsecrap from yet another divisive gun writer?
Copy and paste this information to other gun and hunting discussion boards.
Go to http://www.predatorxtreme.com/default.aspx and vote in the current poll asking if you hunt with AR type rifles or stick to traditional guns.
Email your complaints and concerns to editor Ralph M. Lermayer ralph@grandviewmedia.com. Remind him that his motto is "Hunt hard, shoot straight, kill clean, apologize to no one." Unless, of course, you're a hunter using an AR, according to Jon R. Sundra.