User Panel
Posted: 3/23/2014 6:07:39 PM EDT
What do you guys suggest? I want to use an AR platform to build an all around decent rifle that can group at 100+ yards! I got a complete lower for mutli caliber where do I go from there?
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Check local hunting laws. Some states restrict the use of some smaller rifle calibers. I for one cannot use .223. However, I prefer .308 anyways...for hunting. |
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Hunted with mine for two years. I found it to be noisy, hard to manuver and heavy. Bought a Savage Mod. 10 from Wally World and it shoots rings around my AR.
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I built a 6.8 for deer hunting and love it. Before I did that I did hunt for severl years with my 223 and it did great. I killed a handfull of deer with 60 grain partitions and it killed them just as dead as the 6.8. This was in Missouri and all shots were 75 yds or less. I would not build a 223 specifically for deer hunting but if that's all you got use it, but don't forget about its limitations .
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I really like these, over some H322 . . . . . Sierra Pro-Hunter Bullets 270 Caliber (277 Diameter) 110 Grain Spitzer http://www.midwayusa.com/product/692638/sierra-pro-hunter-bullets-270-caliber-277-diameter-110-grain-spitzer-box-of-100 |
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I use a 16" .300blk. I don't shoot past 200 yards, and have never had a deer run after the shot. Paired with Barnes TX bullets you can't go wrong.
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Quoted:
I really like these, over some H322 . . . . . Sierra Pro-Hunter Bullets 270 Caliber (277 Diameter) 110 Grain Spitzer http://www.midwayusa.com/product/692638/sierra-pro-hunter-bullets-270-caliber-277-diameter-110-grain-spitzer-box-of-100 http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/692/692638.jpg View Quote great minds think alike. This recipe has never met a whitetail it didnt like... |
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I think 223 556 is to small for deer ( yes it will kill a deer) i would only use 223 to hunt deer if shtf thats all
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.25-223 was my choice. But its pretty much a handloaders proposition.
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.223 is perfectly fine to take deer with. Have seen it done many times. He'll, I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy....... who takes deer with 22 mag. I never said it was legal.
I don't hunt with my ARs personally but granted this last year was the first year it was legal in Kansas. I have always hunted with a 30-06. I would think any larger caliber AR platform would do just fine. |
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I've killed several deer with .223, had zero issues. But? Where I hunt I don't get shots over 100 yards, and I am careful about shot placement. My buddy has a son who hunts solely with .223 and has killed alot with it.
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100+ yards;
As others have mentioned, the 6.8 SPC has had great success. I prefer the classic Winchester cartridge as my 6.8 variant in a bolt gun. An AR chambering that has had my interest piqued has been the 7mm TCU (maybe, someday). I opted for the 6.5 Grendel as a deer oriented AR. The wider selection of bullet choices (at the time) appealed more to me than what worked in the 6.8 SPC. You can't really go wrong with either caliber, I think, since the Grendel has gone SAAMI and more commercial loadings are becoming available. |
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I have two deer slayers. 6.5 Grendel with Sierra Match King 123 gr bullets. So far I have gotten 5 deer with it. http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/clarinath/grendel.jpg And my .50 Beowulf. 300 gr Hornady FTX. Taken 3 with it. View Quote Gun on floor - check. Picture from above, standing over it - check. Foot in picture - check. Well done. The ARFCOM Gods are pleased... |
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+1 for 6.8mm AR Platform.
I shoot Silver State Sierra Pro Hunter ammo. |
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AR's work good on deer. In MO I prefer 300BO. I'm going to do a 6.8 build for hunting in more open terrain.
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I’ve been using a Ruger mini 14 in 223/5.56 since 82 and I’ve taken more deer with it than any other rifle I have. Two years ago I bought my first 2 DPMS Ar-15 carbines in 5.56 and I haven’t looked back. One shot one kill using 55g PSP. This year I will be using my new Ar15-45 carbine using 230gr JHP’s. 100-150yds should be good. I’ve taken deer using 45 acp in my 1911 and my Sig P220-45. <a href="http://s142.photobucket.com/user/39wolfgang/media/Flecktarn%20Camo%20and%20My%20Guns/Ar15-45/001A_zps03112b1c.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/39wolfgang/Flecktarn%20Camo%20and%20My%20Guns/Ar15-45/001A_zps03112b1c.jpg</a> <a href="http://s142.photobucket.com/user/39wolfgang/media/Flecktarn%20Camo%20and%20My%20Guns/Ar15-45/0227141548a_zps2c8a69f1.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/39wolfgang/Flecktarn%20Camo%20and%20My%20Guns/Ar15-45/0227141548a_zps2c8a69f1.jpg</a> View Quote You use that giant scope on a .45? |
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I like to see what I am shooting at. My eyes aren’t that good anymore. That is only a 3x12x50. I just changed it to a 3x9x42. But like I say, I like to see what I am shooting at.
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Have you ever thought of moving the scope forward so you can get a proper cheek-weld on the stock ? The LARUE SPR-E is an excellent choice. This allows me to shoot " nose to the charging handle" <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/BURRIS1-4x/IMGP5817.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/BURRIS1-4x/IMGP5817.jpg</a> View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I like to see what I am shooting at. My eyes aren’t that good anymore. That is only a 3x12x50. I just changed it to a 3x9x42. But like I say, I like to see what I am shooting at. Have you ever thought of moving the scope forward so you can get a proper cheek-weld on the stock ? The LARUE SPR-E is an excellent choice. This allows me to shoot " nose to the charging handle" <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/BURRIS1-4x/IMGP5817.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/BURRIS1-4x/IMGP5817.jpg</a> What tube is that? JP? Which model? I want 2. |
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Or you could just shoot a .223/556 it is a proven deer slaying cartridge. I killed 3 deer last year 2 with a 300 blackout, and my farthest kill was a Deer at 150 yards using a suppressed 10.5 inch 223 (optics was an aimpoint micro) at 175 yards using 50 grain Soft point reloads. The .223 actually made the deer DRT, and I put it right in the bread basket (i.e. heart lungs).
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Or you could just shoot a .223/556 it is a proven deer slaying cartridge. I killed 3 deer last year 2 with a 300 blackout, and my farthest kill was a Deer at 150 yards using a suppressed 10.5 inch 223 (optics was an aimpoint micro) at 175 yards using 50 grain Soft point reloads. The .223 actually made the deer DRT, and I put it right in the bread basket (i.e. heart lungs). View Quote Thats umpossible...just read responses here and other places on the interweb.... Strange how .223 is a go to round on ARFCOM for two legged target (home defense and such...), but verboten for deer by many....strange. ...in before the "oh, I don't use the .223 for HD...I use the ______ caliber...its much better...." crowd.... |
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Thats umpossible...just read responses here and other places on the interweb.... Strange how .223 is a go to round on ARFCOM for two legged target (home defense and such...), but verboten for deer by many....strange. ...in before the "oh, I don't use the .223 for HD...I use the ______ caliber...its much better...." crowd.... View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Or you could just shoot a .223/556 it is a proven deer slaying cartridge. I killed 3 deer last year 2 with a 300 blackout, and my farthest kill was a Deer at 150 yards using a suppressed 10.5 inch 223 (optics was an aimpoint micro) at 175 yards using 50 grain Soft point reloads. The .223 actually made the deer DRT, and I put it right in the bread basket (i.e. heart lungs). Thats umpossible...just read responses here and other places on the interweb.... Strange how .223 is a go to round on ARFCOM for two legged target (home defense and such...), but verboten for deer by many....strange. ...in before the "oh, I don't use the .223 for HD...I use the ______ caliber...its much better...." crowd.... My plan is to use 12GA 00Buck for meth heads, and either 5.56 or 300BO for deer. According to ARF I am 100% backward. I would feel comfortable using any of the above for either target depending on terrain and other key considerations. |
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300 blk Speer 125 gr TNT. 60 gr partition in 223. 165 SST in 308.
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I just plan on using my .223 ar. Gonna get a reloading press this summer and start Rollin my own hunting loads. Haven't had any luck yet in my first year of hunting deer with the ar
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I’ve been using 5.56 for the last Thirty + years. I haven’t used anything larger than 55gr PSP’s. Last year was the first time I ever used an Ar15. This year I’m going to use my Ar45 using 230gr JHP. See how that goes.
The problem I see with a lot of nay sayers is that they live in states that won’t allow ar’s to be used. |
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I’ve been using 5.56 for the last Thirty + years. I haven’t used anything larger than 55gr PSP’s. Last year was the first time I ever used an Ar15. This year I’m going to use my Ar45 using 230gr JHP. See how that goes. The problem I see with a lot of nay sayers is that they live in states that won’t allow ar’s to be used. View Quote Aren't the deer up North bigger on average? I wonder if that has something to do with it? I'm not saying it can't be done, I just think it might have something to do with the decision for what an acceptable margin of error is. I know I'm crazy for thinking that there is any logic to a fishcop regulation. |
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Ask around to see what most poachers use? I bet you will find out that it is a 22LR or a 22mag.
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Aren't the deer up North bigger on average? I wonder if that has something to do with it? I'm not saying it can't be done, I just think it might have something to do with the decision for what an acceptable margin of error is. I know I'm crazy for thinking that there is any logic to a fishcop regulation. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I’ve been using 5.56 for the last Thirty + years. I haven’t used anything larger than 55gr PSP’s. Last year was the first time I ever used an Ar15. This year I’m going to use my Ar45 using 230gr JHP. See how that goes. The problem I see with a lot of nay sayers is that they live in states that won’t allow ar’s to be used. Aren't the deer up North bigger on average? I wonder if that has something to do with it? I'm not saying it can't be done, I just think it might have something to do with the decision for what an acceptable margin of error is. I know I'm crazy for thinking that there is any logic to a fishcop regulation. Different parts of the country have different sized deer. Generally north and midwestern deer are larger than south and eastern deer. Here in VA I've shot several deer that weren't any larger than my Dalmation was. |
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OK, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I've started using my 3gun AR for deer lately, after the last fall matches I take off the comp and put on a QD for my can and rezero for my hunting load.
I use a Sierra 55 gr BTHP Game King loaded at near M193 velocity. Rifle is a 18" 1/8 twist barrel with rifle length gas system topped off with a 1x5 tactical optic. Shortest shot was 60yds, doe, head shot. DRT. Longest shot was 238 yards, mature doe, double lung shot and never took a step. I also took a 2 yr old 8pt and a 3 yr old 7pt at around 100 yds. It's all about what you are comfortable with, your abilities to place the shot and to know when to let'm walk. OK, somtimes I cheat and use an AR-10 or an 03A3. Is it deer season yet? Old Marine |
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Ask around to see what most poachers use? I bet you will find out that it is a 22LR or a 22mag. View Quote Not to be TOO argumentative, but... Most poachers probably could not care less about wounding an animal. With that said, I whole heartedly agree that .223 is just fine for killing deer. Even though I have not killed one with that caliber, the pinned thread on here showing multiple kills cannot be ignored. |
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I don't hunt with any of my ARs now, but that is because I have too many bolt actions. I'm building a 7.62x39 upper for short range work now, and I would not hesitate to use my ARs if I had the required magazine for hunting in OK.
Having said that, I use a .223 Tikka T3 periodically. I load 60 grain Nosler Partitions in it with a mild load of Varget. My MV is about what you'd expect from a 16" barrel, maybe a tad faster. The Nosler Partitions are made to expand violently up to the Partition, giving you the expansion necessary for tissue destruction, but also giving the bullet the ability to penetrate deeply. Those two things are the most common caveats I hear people put on the 223 for deer...Overexpansion with varmint bullets and thus, not sufficient penetration and the lack of expansion/energy at long range that results in killing the animal. The Nosler Partition solves both of those. I honestly think it's the best bullet for the .223 because you can shoot close and not worry about explosive expansion that limits your penetration, and you can shoot long while still getting reliable expansion and tissue damage. The damage that bullet does, close and far, is amazing considering it's a "penetration" oriented bullet. |
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I use my ar 10 with 168 win ballistic silver tip handloads.
Match my match grade rounds for dope out to 600 yards. Always an entry and exit wound. Correction, big exit wound. TXL |
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With that said, I whole heartedly agree that .223 is just fine for killing deer. Even though I have not killed one with that caliber, the pinned thread on here showing multiple kills cannot be ignored. View Quote No, it's not, and yes, it can. 5.56 will kill a deer. DRT, every time. But, that does not mean it is a good round for deer. 5.56 is a varmint round. Varmints are varmints. In the military, or in self-defense, 5.56 does the right job at the right time. However, in deer hunting the goal changes. If a 2, or 4, legged varmint is hit by a 5.56 and runs away to die, that's fine. With deer, when they run, you need to be able to find them (legally and ethically). A 1/4" entry wound does not bleed. Most people cannot track a deer without blood, thay can't read sign in the first place. Most need some semblance of a blood trail. A deer, with a lung shot, or even a heart shot, can run 2-12 seconds. A 1/4" entry hole 'seals' within 2 seconds or less. A 'dead' deer can run hundreds of yards, and still 'live' for 10-12 seconds after being 'killed' by a 5.56. You need a round that 'guarantees' an entry and EXIT wound. That exit wound needs to be fist sized. Not .450 sized. A large, gaping, bleeding, exit is the requisite. .270 is the smallest round I would recommend (its velocity vs weight is an issue). I now prefer .308 as a deer round. TRG |
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