Deer hunting with AR15 caliber discussion - Page 2

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Deer hunting with AR15 caliber discussion (Page 2 of 2)

Posted: 1/9/2015 2:31:25 AM EDT

[#1]

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Look into the .277 Wolverine. Uses .223/5.56mm brass, mags, bolt, etc.

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Quoted:

Thanks everyone,

I will have to check out some of these 223 wildcats and if I can locate some components and dies I might give one of these a shot. A .270 or 7mm projectile would be very interesting but I suspect it would be impossible because of seating depth.

Look into the .277 Wolverine. Uses .223/5.56mm brass, mags, bolt, etc.

http://www.maddogweapons.com/277-wolverine.html

Loaded ammo is also available for the .277 Wolverine.

Eric

Posted: 1/9/2015 3:26:33 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
im good with the 300blk. im sure some of the 6.8 fanboys will be along shortly to decree is inferiority to their chosen caliber.

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Depends on what ranges you are talking about and whether or not you are shooting supressed. I like 6.8 because my loadings are good for ethical whitetail kills out to 330ish yards and the holdover is basically flat I am going to build up a .300 blackout pistol for shooting 200 yards and in. a 300 yard shot is not nearly as effective with .300blk unless you are loading much lighter bullets...in which case you still have a smaller case capacity.

So, that makes me a 6.8 fanboy I guess. Science and physics. Can't argue with that.

Oh, and a dead deer shot by my 6.8 this year doesn't hurt.

Posted: 1/9/2015 9:14:01 PM EDT

[#3]

Sometimes a picture helps...

Posted: 1/10/2015 10:06:22 AM EDT

[#4]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Its time to confide with the owner of this soon to be upper and make some decisions.

Posted: 1/14/2015 11:38:08 AM EDT

[#5]

I killed a lot of deer thus year with a 14.5" .300blk with 125 SST. INever ran more than 40yds. Can't wait till next season to take my suppressor.

I chose the .30blk for simplicity.

Posted: 1/17/2015 9:53:30 AM EDT

[#6]

I killed 4 deer with 223, including a good WI 8 pointer.
All were double lung shots, all deer ran and left no blood trail.
I use a pencil barrel 16" mid length with an ACOG. It's great to carry - lightweight and ergonomic. Beats any traditional fudd gun with respect to ergonomics.

I am considering upgrading to a 308 AR. They key is to keep it lightweight as possible. There are some new lightweight options out there I am seriously considering.
People go wrong when they get an AR10 with a long bull barrel, quad rails, and heavy scope. A 308 will pound a deer harder than a 223 - no argument.

Posted: 1/23/2015 7:46:06 PM EDT

[#7]

6.8 fast bullet-reloaded, flat shooting, accuracy

Posted: 1/24/2015 9:47:54 PM EDT

[#8]

I have killed 6 deer with a 223 AR-15. Four using a 60 gr Vmax and 2 using a 70gr TSX. IMHO, for agricultural hunts where I can make head shots @ 100 yds the 223 is a no brainer. For hunting in the wilderness where a shot may be 10 yds or 300 yds I want a larger diameter bullet. My favorite deer round is the 25-06. Fast and flat with a large enough mushroomed diameter to guarantee a blood trail.

Now I am looking to get into the 6.5G for deer. I love the ergonomics of an AR but I want a larger hole plain and simple...

Posted: 1/27/2015 9:12:19 AM EDT

[#9]

I took this nice buck and a small doe on a state park this year in Indiana. 450 Bushmaster upper on a no frills PSA lower w/ Rock River 2 stage trigger group. 60 yard shot on both. Neither went more than about 20 yards.

The day before, I let my buddy use my AR on private ground that I have in Indiana and he dropped this nice 9 pointer at about 50 yards. Deer went maybe 30 yards.

Posted: 2/19/2015 12:14:12 PM EDT

[#10]

6.5 grendel

Posted: 2/20/2015 11:35:16 AM EDT

[#11]

It's unfortunate that your round selection depends on your physical location. I'm located in Michigan's "shotgun zone", so I can't use my go to .270 unless I want to drive north of Bay City. However, this past year the legislature legalized centerfire cartridges in the shotgun zone so long as they are .35 or larger, less than 1.8" case length, and straight walled. A .50 Beowulf has officially replaced my 870 this coming deer season.

That said, a well placed 5.56 will get the job done depending on the range. 300blk or 6.5g, no question.

Posted: 2/21/2015 11:32:34 AM EDT

[#12]

Am building a .277 Wolverines as my AR based Deer Rifle.

Looked into all the other calibers that are currently offered and the Wolverine checked off all the blocks.
Only a barrel swap needed , uses all other 223 AR parts with no issues or adjustments.
Maxinum sporting killing range of approx 300 yards using a 90-100 grain bullet.
Everything , Dies , Barrels , Formed Brass , Load Data , Everything to convert on the market now.
Testing and load data for Subsonic use being done as we speak , May NOT match 300 blk but it will be very close using a 150-200 grain pill.
Only downside , for blasting it does not offer a large supply of FMJ pills to buy like the 300blk crowd can pick from.

Posted: 2/21/2015 12:45:25 PM EDT

[#13]

6.5 Grendel

Or 6.8 SPC, 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf, or anything larger than .223/5.56 that you can source factory ammo for. In VA we cannot legally game hunt with .223/5.56....

I reload and chose the 6.5G for general hunting purposes. I like having the option of using factory ammo though.

I'm just starting to play around with a 6.5 PCC SBR build that I hope to be able to run sub/suppressed.

Posted: 3/6/2015 1:29:12 AM EDT

[#14]

Another plug for .277 Wolverine. 95 TTSX is purpose-designed for 6.8/277's lower expansion thresholds.

Posted: 3/11/2015 8:43:22 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's unfortunate that your round selection depends on your physical location. I'm located in Michigan's "shotgun zone", so I can't use my go to .270 unless I want to drive north of Bay City. However, this past year the legislature legalized centerfire cartridges in the shotgun zone so long as they are .35 or larger, less than 1.8" case length, and straight walled. A .50 Beowulf has officially replaced my 870 this coming deer season.

That said, a well placed 5.56 will get the job done depending on the range. 300blk or 6.5g, no question.

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You are going to love deer hunting with the .50 Beo. I know I do!

Posted: 3/26/2015 6:10:43 PM EDT

[#16]

If I were building an AR for deer hunting (it's on the list) I'd go with the 6.8 SPC. Nothing wrong with the .300 BLK, I just prefer the 6.8 ballistically.

Posted: 4/12/2015 1:16:04 AM EDT

[#17]

Wish 6mmx45 ammo and rifles were readily available for deer. Would be a great choice with 100 grain bullets.

Otherwise, would have to step up the AR-10 platform in .243.

Posted: 5/6/2015 1:01:41 AM EDT

[#18]

I have taken Hogs and Axis with .223 64g GDSP under 200 yards. Neck shots on Deer and they drop within 20 yards. 300+lb Boar head shot are DRT. I have a .308 boltgun that I can use in those situations but if i know it is going to be within 200 yards I take my AR

Posted: 5/20/2015 10:02:19 PM EDT

[#19]

Hog hunters in South Texas choosing the 6.8spc. Hogs can range up to 200 pounds are common. The round is easy recoil, flat shooting and...........it's a .270 caliber. Plenty of bullet selection when you reload.

Good Hunts

Posted: 6/25/2015 11:15:32 AM EDT

[#20]

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For inside 200 yards, the 458 SOCOM is devastating on deer. Ballistics are virtually identical to factory .45-70. About 2,400-2,500 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle, and still holding 1400-1500 at 200 yards. Best used to 150 yards due to trajectory, but strong whitetail medicine in Eastern woods where there is little open country.

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This. While magazine capacity is limited, this is no problem whatsoever in a deer rifle. I hunt a good bit with a .45-70 in woods. It is truly devastating inside 200 yards, and trajectory is reasonable out to that distance. You can handload pointed bullets and improve on that a bit.

Ammo is more difficult to find and more expensive, but 458 SOCOM is extremely effective.

Posted: 6/25/2015 11:33:52 AM EDT

[#21]

Took two with 75gr .223 last year. Second one went stiff and fell over. First one made it 20 feet. Took a big nine point with a 62gr neck shot----he made it 25 feet.

If you spooked it- don't shoot it. Know what organ you are aiming at.

Posted: 7/3/2015 5:24:58 AM EDT

[#22]

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Quoted:
25-45 cause 'Merica

I just find the caliber interesting, and it seems like it would be a decent round for deer huntin'

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I built a very similar .25-223 round several years ago for my daughter. Bought a barrel off a guy in the AR Variants forum by the name of 320PF. Very accurate rifle, have only shot one medium sized hog with it. It killed him.

But based on the size of deer the OP says they have, I would go with a 6.8.

Posted: 7/3/2015 9:56:53 AM EDT

[#23]

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Quoted:
.300blk. Parts commonality, ammo price and availability, ability to make your own brass from 5.56 if you reload. No brainer as far as I'm concerned. 6.8 would be a close second.

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IF you don't reload, 7.62x39 is more available and economical.

Posted: 7/5/2015 12:44:32 AM EDT

[#24]

6.8 all the way! Great hunting round!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Deer hunting with AR15 caliber discussion (Page 2 of 2)

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