Anybody ever hunt Pronghorn Antelope with a 5.56/.223 AR?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anybody ever hunt Pronghorn Antelope with a 5.56/.223 AR?

Posted: 3/7/2018 4:23:52 AM EDT

I'm thinking about doing a Pronghorn hunt in Montana and since they have no caliber restrictions I'd like to take one with the AR and was wondering what loads y'all had success with.

Posted: 3/7/2018 5:17:30 AM EDT

[#1]

Yes, but never shot because it's too damn windy. I wouldn't recommend it.

Posted: 3/7/2018 10:09:23 AM EDT

[#2]

I've hunted pronghorn (successfully), but not with a .223/5.56. However, it doesn't take much of anything to put down a pronghorn, they drop in their tracks. I use a .280 Remington, because that's what I use on whitetail and mulies, but I have friends who take medium range shots with a .243 Win, which drops them in their tracks. The .223 is big enough, but just as already mentioned, crosswinds would be against you for bullet drift. I think if you pick the heaviest .223 bullet you can load to OAL, that is an expanding design, you will be fine, as long as you limit your range if its windy.

Posted: 3/7/2018 10:49:37 AM EDT

[#3]

I have not but the 75 Gold Dot is what I would choose. Good BC to buck the wind.

Posted: 3/7/2018 11:05:16 AM EDT

[#4]

A guy I work with took three with Speer 64 grain Gold Dot. Two at close to 100 yards and on at 300'ish yards from a 16 inch DD

Posted: 3/7/2018 11:05:40 AM EDT

[#5]

Typical shots on Pronghorn might preclude 5.56, especially if the wind kicks up, and you are not spot on with your wind drift calculations.

If you know what you are doing, and have a chance to scout the plot you're hunting on, or are allowed to hunt over bait, 5.56 will easily take a pronghorn.

Posted: 3/7/2018 11:14:28 AM EDT

[#6]

I'm just thinking that a typical shot would be a little long for 556, add the wind factor too..

Might look at a PA10 in 308 from palmetto or pick up a grendel upper for your AR.

If you are insisting on you 556, then what is your barrel rifling? Can it handle heavier bullets? I would go with something from 65 to 75 grains and make sure that your rifle likes it out to atleast 125 yards???

Maybe a 70 gr hornady GMX or 75 gr Swift Scirocco.... There is the 70 Gr Barnes TSX also.

Posted: 3/7/2018 1:42:22 PM EDT

[#7]

Thanks for the help guys, Id bring my usual Tikka in .308 I use out here in WA I just thought I'd try the AR if could make an ethical shot. I'm picking up some 64 grain GD's for a new defense load so maybe I'll play around with those. I'm gonna have to work on my wind compensation though.

Urbanredneck, it's a 1:7 16" BCM barrel in the one I'd take. So I can handle most anything

Posted: 3/7/2018 8:03:33 PM EDT

[#8]

6.5 GRENDEL is what you seek......

Posted: 3/10/2018 4:45:27 PM EDT

[#9]

I've seen a handful killed with 223. I wouldn't think twice about using one.

Posted: 3/22/2018 10:36:22 PM EDT

[#10]

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I've seen a handful killed with 223. I wouldn't think twice about using one.

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Same.

Posted: 4/7/2018 6:05:53 PM EDT

[#11]

The 5.56/.223 barely meets the Nevada requirements of 1000ft lbs of energy at 100yds. It's not a caliber I would use but i've known people in Utah have used it to take a few Antelope. Don't think their shots were very long though.

Posted: 5/4/2018 9:51:51 PM EDT

[#12]

It can and has been done. Limit to 150 yards.

Posted: 5/4/2018 10:30:05 PM EDT

[#13]

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Quoted:
It can and has been done. Limit to 150 yards.

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Maybe if i was using my sbr....

Posted: 5/7/2018 12:38:26 AM EDT

[#14]

@JohnBurns has been involved in a few I believe.

Posted: 5/7/2018 1:33:05 AM EDT

[#15]

Can't in Colorado.

6mm / .240 is minimum caliber allowed for big game.

Posted: 5/7/2018 9:11:34 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
@JohnBurns has been involved in a few I believe.

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5.56/.223 will do a fine job on pronghorn.

Use a good bullet, keep the impact velocity above the expansion threshold, and place the shot well.

The 5.56 does bring some limitations but it can add a challenge to the hunt similar to other reduced range weapons.

I think 300yds it a reasonable max range based on what I have seen.

Good Luck.

Attached File

Posted: 6/4/2018 1:41:20 AM EDT

[#17]

Thanks man I appreciate it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anybody ever hunt Pronghorn Antelope with a 5.56/.223 AR?

Outdoors » Big Game

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