I've had the similar conversation. There are plenty of people who use ARs for hunting in fact all my hunting partners for coyotes carry ARs into the field when we go calling. I'm the only one who carries a bolt gun. I only have my .243 as far as center fires are concerned. The comment about hunting rifles being like sniper rifles are correct. My coyote gun my .243 is all black and sports a 4-12x40 optic I can tell you this I shoot it enough and know it inside and out if I can see it I can kill it. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 500yd shot or farther.
Regardless of what guns you fancy AR, long rifles, pistols, cowboy action, ect they are all lethal and all subject to be banned if the powers to be want.