I am wanting to build an AR pistol for deer hunting here in MI. I live and hunt in the shotgun only part of the state, and after years of slug guns and muzzle loaders I'd like to try something else for my usual 70 yd and under shots. Our hunting regulations state that the pistol has to be chambered in a straight walled cartridge of .35 caliber or greater and cannot hold more than 9 rounds total.
I was originally thinking along the lines of building a 10" or 11" 6.8 but that's a no go. Then .450 Bushmaster but my google searches didn't really turn up any useful information. What caliber/barrel length would you guys recommend? I reload so cartridge availability isn't that great of an issue.
Might take a look in this thread for some ideas:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_15/492170_posibilities_of_a__357_maximum_rimless_.html
and this:
http://www.shootersforum.com/wildcat-cartridges/70848-rimless-357-maximum.html
The 450 Bushmaster seems like it might be a bit much in a pistol but someone was just asking about it not too long ago.
A large diameter straight wall case isn't the best in an AR but that's what is required by these inane state hunting regulations in several states, so folks are trying to make them work.
