7.62x39 ammo prices have taken a large jump compared to what they were last year.  Why not look for a standard .223/5.56 AR15?

You have to consider that you may need to do more research on your caliber.  If its not enough, than look at a different weapon.  While there are plenty of other calibers for the AR15, its still mainly a 5.56 world, though some will cry to hear that.  

You don't even mention what it is that you want to hunt, so you aren't giving anyone enough info to be of any help.

A company called MGI is about to release a lower/upper combination that lets you use AR mags and barrel or ak mags and barrel-but I digress

A guy I was shooting with over the summer said he uses his 7.62x39 upper for hunting whitetails here in upstate NY. I've never owned a 7.62x39 upper, but have heard that the bolts are not the greatest, reliability wise.

We constantly argue here about hunting deer with .223. Lots of guys have done it, personally I wouldn't, but we generally have bigger deer up here.


I don't know that you're really saving money over a 7.62x39, but there are some larger caliber uppers that are sort of in the 45-70 range. I've shot a 50beowulf and it feels like a 20 gauge slug gun. Rock River Arms is going to start selling the 458, which I believe is similar. Olympic sells 243 wssm uppers, but I have never seen one.

Byron South posted here about hunting deer with an AR, I think, www.comingtothecall.com/ but I ain't no Byron South.

It's a great gun in 223, light and very accurate. Have fun.

Even cabelas sells 50 beowulf uppers if you get the urge to spend some money down the road.