An incident set my attitude to semi-autos very early in my shooting life.

I had a bolt action .222, a super accurate clunker Remington 788, still got it.

A friend bought a Sterling Semi-auto .22 RF with its much needed 15 shot magazine.

We see a rabbit and I hear, "BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG."

And the rabbit runs off everytime unscathed.

If I raised my rifle, a sitting rabbit, usually "BANG" and a dead rabbit.

Firepower does not make up for shooting ability and accuracy.

If I wanted to shoot like my early friend at 15 or 16 years old, I would use a shotgun.

I definitely do not think they are good for novice hunters or shooters. A single shot is what a tyro should start off with everytime. To learn safety and how to shoot accurately with the first shot.

I have used semi-auto rifles such as a SKK before they were stolen off us by idiot John Howard.

It was gutless and pretty useless shooting feral goats with the FMJ mil ammo. Filing off the points helped. But it was great fun.

I liked shooting it at target, plastic bottles filled with water etc. A fun gun.

I think they are good for culling, with proper ammo, where large numbers of beasts needs to be shot quickly and efficiently. A 3 shot magazine is a complete waste of time for a semi-auto, even a five shot, IMO. Probably a reason our European friends are not impressed by them. Ten shot or twenty plus shot is the way to go.

Lots of Victoria sambar hunters used to have BAR's, Woodmasters and the sort, for the running shots at sambar deer required during hound hunting or stalking.

I would like one in .223, another in .308 as a serious hunting / culling rifle, especially for uninvited visitors.

Shooting them say in a rapid fire target shoot would be fun. And once upon a time, citizens were encouraged to develop good shooting skills, in order for the populace to be able to defend their country or be called up in such a need. I think Mil style shooting clubs should be part of our normal way of life for the same reasons.

I like the old SLRs and FN FALs in 7.62. The Valmets were good. SKKs are cheap and nasty. AR47 a bit better and more fun with rapid fire. An accurate AR would be fun too. Nowadays largely academic unless one from here travels to faraway places!