Frustrating hunt with AR rifle

[lightsoutcalls]

  I had the perfect setup...  Trail camera showed 2 doe and a fawn coming in to corn 40 yards in front of my natural blind, a blown over cedar tree that I had cut the lower branches out of.  I was able to sit in my 3 legged hunting blind chair with a few inches of head room.  My outline was well broken up and I was shadowed with the rising sun at the back of my left shoulder. 
  Although I had shot the AR rifle at the range several times, this was my first hunt with it.  Trying to be quiet, I had pulled the charging handle back before I got in the woods and manually tried to push the first round into the chamber.  It didn't work as smoothly as at the range, and I had some concerns, but the round went into the chamber.  I pulled the charging handle back a little just to check, and noticed the extractor did not have the round, but it sat loose in the chamber.     I decided to go ahead and get to my setup. 
  I got in quietly and without the landowner's Anatolian Shepherd noticing my presence (huge dog that will sit about 15 yards from me while in the woods).  Just before 8 AM I noticed a deer's back through the trees.  I watched through the trees and saw its legs go through another thicket about 60 yards in front of me... but not in a clearing.  Around 8, the fawn came into my setup without a care.  The 2 doe lagged 15-20 yards behind, but began to make their way in.  One doe stopped with her head and tail exposed, but the vitals well covered by a large oak and a large cedar tree.  She was cautious and turned, but didn't run.  I got a bead behind her shoulder and squeezed the trigger... CLICK! 

   Three white tails flew up and ran in different directions.

  I pulled the charging handle back and the round popped out.  It had a dimple on the primer, but did not fire.  I tried to coax another round into the chamber the same way I had the first round, and noticed the extractor again did not grab the round.  I sat another 45 minutes before the wind picked up and I decided the deer were not coming back that morning. 
   I walked to the far side of the 120 acres, which included crossing a county road.  I got to a creek bed where a bodark (osage orange) tree had dropped probably 30 "hedge apples" onto a sand/gravel bar.  I pulled the charging handle back and let it go... like you are supposed to do.  Three rounds exploded 3 hedge apples and left nice pock marks in the sandbar.   
   My best guess is that my attempt to be quiet did not allow the rifle to chamber the round the way it was intended.  I had planned to go back and hunt the following day.  My frustration got the best of me.  I took the day off from hunting and chose not to go back.  If I had stuck with my trusty Marlin 336, I likely would have filled my 3rd tag for the season.  Lesson learned...

[barry]

Lots of semi-autos are like that, just have to release it and let go.
Sorry it happened on a deer

[Hognutz]

Sorry to hear about the misfire. That is not the first time it has happened, nor will it be the last. Those actions are made to be slammed. You don't want to "baby" any action, ever, including bolts.. Benelli's are famous for this..I load up when I leave the vehicle and make sure that I slam it home, no matter the risk. I had the dreaded Benelli "click" once and it will never happen again!!! Hopefully..Sheepish grin...   :>)

It may all be Karma, Lightsout. Next time you may wind up with a real toad.. Good luck..

[Fatbeard]

Hate that happened but I prefer bolt action you can do it quite and know it loaded

[Deputy 14]

Your rifle should have a bolt assist plunger to seat the bullet. A light push with your thumb will usually fully seat the bullet. You may already know this but I've saw this happen with the AR rifles.

[misfire]

Wendell,
Is there not a " forward assist " on the weapon?

[lightsoutcalls]

I actually pushed the forward assist on the rifle and didn't hear or feel anything happen.    As I mentioned, after I gave up for the morning, I went and fired 3 rounds after removing and reinserting the magazine and allowing the charging handle to slam shut as it was intended.  It fired without a hiccup.  I am new to AR rifles and just have to consider this a lesson learned. 

It had rained the night before, so I chose not to take a chance on getting my lever action rifle wet.  I figured the finish on the AR would take moisture better.  Next time I will have the .35 Remington with me regardless.  Hopefully in the spring I can pick up an upper in 6.8 SPC.  If so, I will spend more time with the AR and may consider taking it more frequently to hunt. 

[surehuntsalot]

if you would have had the 35 with you,you would have deer meat
my 1st rifle was a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington......I sure wish I still had that rifle

[rev]

Don't ride the charging handle, pull back and let it go, not very quite, it slams shut hard

[lightsoutcalls]

Don't ride the charging handle, pull back and let it go, not very quite, it slams shut hard

After the fact, that was what I thought I did wrong.  Hopefully I will get a chance with some feral hogs to redeem myself.     As they dispose of all of the acorns, I suspect they will begin to come down out of the mountains more and make themselves targets at bait sites.

[rev]

Enjoy the fun now, it may not last long