If you want to be taken seriously, you probably need to be specific about what the hell you are talking about.  Because I think you are using a some what perjorative phrase which has no meaning except hot button emotional impact assigned to it by dumb ass idiots.

I have never heard people who are knowledgable about guns, and that includes police, soldiers, FBI, as well as guys that just like guns; use the phrase "assault rifle".

They usually refer to M4 or M16 or AR15, AK74, they may use a phrase like semi auto, or full auto.  Etc, etc, you get my point.

As for hunting I know lots of people who are good with the AR15 platform, possibly the best general purpose adaptable design ever created.  Yes that includes the shorter barrel M4 style.