Deer hunting with an 11.5" - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Deer hunting with an 11.5"

Posted: 10/29/2014 4:57:25 PM EDT

.223/5.56 ar. Using 62gr federal fusions. Is this a feasible deer hunting rifle? I hunt michigan ad most shots are inside of 100yds. I have an aimpoint micro. I was planing to use my bcm a4 20" for deer this year but have since put together an 11.5" and it is so much handier I'd rather hunt with that.

Anyone here have experience huntin game with short bbl ar's in 223 caliber?

Posted: 10/29/2014 5:01:40 PM EDT

[#1]

I think you would be fine at 100 yards. I was thinking this same thing. I see no issue with it.

Posted: 10/29/2014 5:55:22 PM EDT

[#2]

Go for it, I use my 10.5 SBR for one of my hunting areas and have taken deer at 100 meters +. Be sure to know what your drop is if you push it any further than 100 meters.

My stick has an Aimpoint CompM3 2moa and is good to go in my area packed with cedars. The only time I get to engage deer past 50 meters is when I flush them and cut them off crossing into some of the open areas in between the cedars. One of these days I will get the bulldozer out and clear some of them out of the pasture... one of these days...

Posted: 10/29/2014 7:12:11 PM EDT

[#3]

This one was taken at 171 metres using Winchester 62gr PP ammo (factory ammo).

This one was taken within 100 (Not sure of range.) Also with 62 Gr Winchest PP ammo.

Rifle is 12" barreled SBR with midlength gas system.

Posted: 10/29/2014 9:52:10 PM EDT

[#4]

Not allowed to hunt in OHIO with any SBR or suppressors.. very sad indeed.

Posted: 10/29/2014 9:58:56 PM EDT

[#5]

Dont hunt deer with .223s or worse yet reduced velocity .223s.
Have some pity on the poor beast.
Buy a real damned deer rifle.

Posted: 10/29/2014 10:07:44 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dont hunt deer with .223s or worse yet reduced velocity .223s.
Have some pity on the poor beast.
Buy a real damned deer rifle.

View Quote

Not this shit again.

Posted: 10/29/2014 10:12:51 PM EDT

[#7]

I will give my 11.5 a shot this season

Posted: 10/29/2014 10:45:11 PM EDT

[#8]

I've shot 12 this year with a 12" barreled AR. Zero problems. No runners or lost animals. Ranges between 20 and 170 meters.

Posted: 10/29/2014 11:43:13 PM EDT

[#9]

I don't have any info for the OP but wondered what the drop in velocity/energy is between a 18 or 20" and the 11.5 with say a 62GR?

Posted: 10/30/2014 12:43:29 AM EDT

[#10]

My 10.5 SBR is zero'd at 100 meters with a Trijicon TA31 Red Chevron. At 100 Meters it hits at the tip of the chevron but at 150m it hits within the chevron itself. At 200m the round hits just below the chevron as it opens up and at 300m it hits a little above the 400m mark on the BDC.

I don't know the math or how to make pretty pictures but that is how my rig goes. I don't know if that helps or not but hey, at least it is some info to use...

Posted: 10/30/2014 8:55:16 AM EDT

[#11]

Ive used a 10.5 to take a deer at 200 yards before.

77 grainer worked just fine.

Posted: 10/30/2014 3:29:38 PM EDT

[#12]

to all you guys that hunt with SBR's.....that is pretty f'in amazing and i say that in honesty and believe you until proven otherwise since i dont hunt deer.

we all here the stories of how ineffective the 223 round is but it seems the 62ge soft point and 75/77 OTM works well. that being the case, the SBR and specialty ammo seems like it would be just peachy for self defense since deer are alot thicker than humans.

Posted: 10/30/2014 3:31:22 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Go for it, I use my 10.5 SBR for one of my hunting areas and have taken deer at 100 meters +. Be sure to know what your drop is if you push it any further than 100 meters.

My stick has an Aimpoint CompM3 2moa and is good to go in my area packed with cedars. The only time I get to engage deer past 50 meters is when I flush them and cut them off crossing into some of the open areas in between the cedars. One of these days I will get the bulldozer out and clear some of them out of the pasture... one of these days...

View Quote

what bullet did you use?

Posted: 10/30/2014 4:09:14 PM EDT

[#14]

Do you SBR deer hunters use ear pro? Or a suppressor...?

Posted: 10/30/2014 4:42:55 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do you SBR deer hunters use ear pro? Or a suppressor...?

View Quote

Yes and yes.

Posted: 10/30/2014 5:01:37 PM EDT

[#16]

No experience yet, but I plan to try it out with 300blk on deer here in Pa., I need to get a side charge upper and a gas tube free barrel first though...

Posted: 10/30/2014 5:54:39 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
to all you guys that hunt with SBR's.....that is pretty f'in amazing and i say that in honesty and believe you until proven otherwise since i dont hunt deer.

we all here the stories of how ineffective the 223 round is but it seems the 62ge soft point and 75/77 OTM works well. that being the case, the SBR and specialty ammo seems like it would be just peachy for self defense since deer are alot thicker than humans.

View Quote

The guys that complain likely have never used a SBR on a bad guy, or they couldn't put the rounds where they needed to be and caliber then is irrelative.

I have trained with some guys who swore by 10" guns within a couple hundred yards and they never once said anything about the caliber being lacking.

Posted: 10/30/2014 7:21:35 PM EDT

[#18]

Use 6.8 spc for sbr hunting of deer

Posted: 10/30/2014 8:06:01 PM EDT

[#19]

I am using my 8.2" 300 Blackout SBR for deer and elk this year. It carries nice in the mountains.

Posted: 10/30/2014 11:00:40 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I am using my 8.2" 300 Blackout SBR for deer and elk this year. It carries nice in the mountains.

View Quote

A customer got a deer with his 10.2 300blk using an sdn-6 with 208gr subs approximately 150yards.. should be fine with a 556 11.5"

Posted: 10/31/2014 1:11:02 AM EDT

[#21]

I'll be going next Sunday with my 10.3. I'll be back with a status report.

Posted: 10/31/2014 3:57:29 PM EDT

[#22]

I'll shoot the first deer I see while I'm hunting with my 11.5 5.56 and report the results

Posted: 11/1/2014 1:30:06 PM EDT

[#23]

62 gr seems kinda lite, but maybe it has excellent construction. Chasing wounded game sucks, I would use something closer to 70 gr or more.

Posted: 11/2/2014 7:46:12 AM EDT

[#24]

I'll try to find heavier locally.

Posted: 11/2/2014 4:45:47 PM EDT

[#25]

You'll be fine with 62gr. I'm assuming you guys are going to shoot little whitetail?
All the deer i've shot have been large Wapii/Red cross deer. The largest of which has gone 140kg (~300lbs). They all died pretty quick. 62 will be plenty.

Posted: 11/2/2014 7:40:13 PM EDT

[#26]

Probably gonna use my 9.5" 300 BLK with suppressor this year. Barnes black tips.

Posted: 11/4/2014 10:14:10 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dont hunt deer with .223s or worse yet reduced velocity .223s.
Have some pity on the poor beast.
Buy a real damned deer rifle.

View Quote

Ive quite a few deer with a 5.56. It always baffles me when someone thinks it isn't adequate. IMO the 5.56 is the best deer round available if the shot is less than 500 yards. Clean kills and it doesn't waste meat. And what is a reduced velocity .223? Are you talking about 22lr?

An 11.5 ar is more than adequate to kill a deer. I have shot a few with a 12.5 with no problem.

ETA: 500 yds might be hard with an 11.5. I usually use a 18 in barrel for deer hunting.

Posted: 11/4/2014 10:15:34 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do you SBR deer hunters use ear pro? Or a suppressor...?

View Quote

I always use a suppressor and foam ear plugs.

Posted: 11/4/2014 2:38:48 PM EDT

[#29]

I will probably be using electronic hearig protection. I am going to be buying myself a nice pair as an early Christmas gift since the sbr is so loud but hunting requires unplugged ears. Can't wait to dust a whitetail with my ar!

Posted: 11/7/2014 1:26:26 PM EDT

[#30]

I too am in Michigan. I don't have an sbr released from jail yet, but when I do I don't think I will be hunting with it in 5.56. I shoot SSA 70gr TSX on of my 16" lightweight CHF BCM upper. I mount it to a stag lower (gotta have a deer head on a deer rifle). Actually I use the stag because there is no slop or noise between the upper and lower. All my bcm lowers have slop. I can't stand little noises while I am hunting.

Back on track. I have decided in 5.56 I want the velocity of the 16" barrel. It really is a nice handling package without much sacrifice.

I just got back from the range and sighted in my new Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40. This rifle with the SSA ammo shot a .6" 3 rd group at 100yds. I know it's not a 10 round group but oh well.

I feel good about shooting the 70gr TSX out of a 16" upper. I don't think I would feel as confident with a sbr in 5.56. Now when my 300blk AAC factory SBR gets out of jail that will be a different story. I plan to run that with 110gr black tip tsx. Next season I guess. If we can convince the DNR to allow suppressors I'm going to be very happy with that setup. This rifle weighs 7lb 12oz unloaded. If I put the CTR on instead of the ACSL in drops a few more ounces.

Sorry for the potato pic.

Posted: 11/7/2014 1:55:09 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dont hunt deer with .223s or worse yet reduced velocity .223s.
Have some pity on the poor beast.
Buy a real damned deer rifle.

View Quote

Velocity isn't nearly as crucial when using quality expanding ammunition. OP will be fine out to and well past 100yds.

Posted: 11/16/2014 12:55:57 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13396376/spikerAr15.jpg

This one was taken at 171 metres using Winchester 62gr PP ammo (factory ammo).

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13396376/1404598404785%5B1%5D.jpg

This one was taken within 100 (Not sure of range.) Also with 62 Gr Winchest PP ammo.

Rifle is 12" barreled SBR with midlength gas system.

View Quote

A 12" barreled midlength SBR?
I've been kicking around this idea, what size did you have to open the gas port too, or is it for suppressor use only?

Posted: 11/16/2014 2:18:15 AM EDT

[#33]

Is it legal to hunt here in MI with a sbr?

Posted: 11/19/2014 4:06:34 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is it legal to hunt here in MI with a sbr?

View Quote

I don't see why not.

Posted: 11/19/2014 10:27:42 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13396376/spikerAr15.jpg

This one was taken at 171 metres using Winchester 62gr PP ammo (factory ammo).

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13396376/1404598404785%5B1%5D.jpg

This one was taken within 100 (Not sure of range.) Also with 62 Gr Winchest PP ammo.

Rifle is 12" barreled SBR with midlength gas system.

View Quote

damn that just ripped him apart

nice kill.

Posted: 11/20/2014 12:53:35 AM EDT

[#36]

The past four years I have taken whitetail's with my suppressed 11.5, the first two years using 70gr. TSX and the last two 55gr. TSX.

No issues provided I do my part.

Posted: 11/20/2014 4:57:28 PM EDT

[#37]

Well I bought a pair of electronic hearing protection because them damn sbrs are LOUD. Heading up north to hunt with it this weekend, will post any results. My last ditch effort will be Varmint control on Sunday afternoon if no deer are shot this weekend

Posted: 11/20/2014 9:55:48 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is it legal to hunt here in MI with a sbr?

View Quote

Not that I can recall. We can hunt with pistols too.

No suppressors though.

Posted: 11/23/2014 4:47:01 PM EDT

[#39]

Building a 12.5" Grendel to sbr it for hunting in Michigan. Just waiting on 3 more people to buy barrels for the group buy, hoping to get just after new year.

Posted: 11/24/2014 11:33:40 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dont hunt deer with .223s or worse yet reduced velocity .223s.
Have some pity on the poor beast.
Buy a real damned deer rifle.

View Quote

Do you tell bow hunters that?

Posted: 11/24/2014 11:37:45 AM EDT

[#41]

It should be fine just dont be shooting at deer 100+ yards

Posted: 11/24/2014 2:14:23 PM EDT

[#42]

Well guys I had a doe at 10yds. Red dot on her chest...

Me and my buddy (landowner) were hunting his property. He had just received his grandpas old hunting rifle, a beautiful old wetherby. Well we were sitting in the ground blind together when she came out to feed at 5 minutes until legal shooting hours were to end. I had her in my sights but told him to pick her off with his rig. This was his first deer and he wanted a buck but she was the only deer we saw all weekend and I wanted to him to get his first deer down. So I didn't get to test out my new pistol but he promised me I'd get a shot before this season is over. All in all I'm very happy and got to teach him how to gut skin and butcher his first deer ever

Posted: 11/24/2014 11:32:14 PM EDT

[#43]

I have killed a bunch of deer as well as numerous hogs and other woodland critter christmas animals with 11.5 inch guns. Inside 125 or so yards and with MK262 I have never had to track one very far. I will shoot pigs all day out to 200 yards with whatever garbage walmart grade ammo I have available. FMJ or whatever.

ETA: I have messed up a whole lot of animals with my little beater meat axe. Had this little SBR for fifteen years or so now and have beat it like a rented mule and killed soooooo much stuff with it. I should be ashamed. It has a custom 12.5 Kino upper on it now.