Best High Powered Combat / Assault Rifle Semi-Auto?
I’m looking to buy a high power semi-auto assault rifle, only problem is I can’t seem to find one that fits what I’m looking for… .50 BMG is too expensive at almost 12k, .50 Beowulf seems too short ranged at only being good at 200 yards and it seems a bit risky seeing how only alexander arms make the ammo (If they go down, so does the ammo), 458 Socom’s ammo is too much unless you reload (and I don’t…) and the 50 Beowulf ammo seems to pack a way bigger punch (going though cars, bricks, etc) at a cheaper price. I seem to like ar-15s most but I’m open for opinions.
I want something accurate, hard hitting (can go though a windshield and still hit near target), and reliable (heard some stories of the Beowulfs jamming… don’t know if it’s true or not), and some what practical… If I go hunting large game I don’t want to be carrying a cannon.
Thanks for any help!
Thanks for all the great options so far! I will admit that I am new to the rifle scene so I do not know much nor the best terms, when I say semi-auto assault rifle I am speaking in the way the assault rifles look and feel in a semi-auto form (because I can not get full auto). I would also like to add that I do NOT play call of duty nor base the LITTLE information I have on video games. I feel I asked a respectful question and I deserve a respectful answer! So Mr. B.J, I would like to say you are a very immature person for passing judgment and you can F#*$ off or “BJ” yourself. Have a nice day 
I have a colt AR-15 in .223 H-bar . I have no doubt about it’s ability to go through a windshield and I know for a fact it’s long range accuracy is top notch. It is probably more accurate than I am. Plus the bonus is you will be able to afford to practice a lot more since .223 is much cheaper than any variation of a .50 . Practice is important. Yeah you could get a .50 BMG and how much could you practice at $4-5 per round?
If you want to get bigger game you may consider my gun in 308 (7.62)
PS you can hunt with “black rifles” in some states but to my knowledge no state will let you hunt with a .50 BMG.
Several thoughts come to mind. Semi-auto high power combat/ assault rifle are not legal to hunt with.
Also I really don’t think you’ll find any big game hiding behind A windshield.
Why don’t you ask your local law enforcement for suggestions allot of them are hunter’s and X military.
They will get you on the rite path.
* The M-1 Garand, or the M-14.* I prefer the M-14.*
I would suggest the 8.6x70mm (.338) Lapua Magnum round. It is a round used by the military for sniping and anti material/anti personnel, and is now used by many hunters today. It has the ability to take down all game short of the big five. (Although it has been used for the big five, it is advisable to have a backup caliber). Because of the growing popularity of this round ammo is now much easier to come by. The only downside to this type of rifle is the cost. Your looking at appx 5 -7K depending on how tricked out you want it. Ive used this rifle for years, both in military service and civilian hunting. Its very dependable, has easy maintenance, and has substantial power.
The term semi automatic assault rifle is a oxymoron. One of the key things that make a assault rifle a assault rifle is its select fire capability. Stop playing call of duty. How ever if you were looking into a nice semi auto sporter rifle I would recommend a mini-14. Mini-14s have accuracy just about as good as a ar-15 and a much more reliable.
AK47.
If you like the ar 15 then you seem to be concerned about accuracy. However, the ar 15 doesn’t give a wallop of a punch. They can be tiresome to clean and expensive. When I was in the military, we used to clean ours (m16a2′s) for almost an hour to make sure they were clean. Sometimes we cleaned over that time. The problem is that for the gun to work it uses the direct blow back of some of the gases to chamber the next round. This direct blow back can foul the gun after a while. They are fun to shoot and accurate though. My choice is the ak series of rifles. Though they are not know for accuracy (on full auto) on semi auto they are quite accurate. Mine will place 20/20 rounds in a 5in target at 100yds. To me, that is accurate for an assault style weapon. However, if you want the best of both worlds get an ak74 style clone. They have improved accuracy and the benefits of the ak design.
Best high powered combat / semi-auto rifle?
IMO, it’s a matter of 1 and 1A between the HK-91 and FN-FAL
If you want an AR-15 that packs a bigger punch, look into the AR-10. It’s basically the same as the 15 but fires the 308/7.62×51 NATO round. And *run like a deer fly like an eagle* I don’t think he wants to spend upwards of 20 grand to buy an m14 that he can’t even hunt with.
Now, you should also look into the M1A. It’s a semi auto version of the m14 which is an upgraded version of the M1 Garand. The base model runs about 1000 dollars. And used probably about 800. It fires the 7.62×51 and the 308.
Assault rifles are NOT semi-auto. The AR-15 and their larger cousin will not handle a high powered round. You can settle for mid power rounds and hunt anything in North America. Of the ones you listed, the .50 BMG is the only caliber that most people than know anything about firearms would call high power. The .30-06 is a mid power round and has more energy than any of the other rounds that you listed. The M1a is a semi-auto .308 that looks like the M14 which I would call a battle rifle. An M1 Garand would also fit your requirements if you will settle for a mid powered .30-06. DPMS make some rifles that look like larger AR-15s that will shoot .243, .260, and .308 which have longer distance capabilities than most of the calibers you listed above.