I currently run a Remington 700 LTR in 308 with a simple Leupold VX II 3-9x40 scope for deer hunting.  

I want a AR, preferably in 308 but not necessary, that I can use for the same purposes of deer, hog, coyote.  

Distances are usually under 100 yards but I don't think I'll ever have the need to shoot past 200 yards.

What great ideas can yall throw at me to help me blow some money on and put together.  

I would say look into the 6.5grendel and the 6.8spc. Either of these will slap on your lower and will be lighter then a AR10. Both of these will get you out to 200yds with out a problom. I would personally say go with the grendel as I feel it has the edge over the 6.8spc. This is my opinion of course and I am a little bias as I had a grendel. Research the living crap out both and pick which ever one meets your needs. Also depending on you hunting laws you might be able to use a 223/5.56. Hope this helps, Hunter121

Edited to add: IF you go with a AR10 you can always get a custom upper from ASI/SSK/Gap. I am looking at a ASI 450 marlin upper for elk camp, which is why I sold my grendel. There are a crap load of other options as well with the AR10 platform.

Handload or no handload?

I have a 6.8 spc (2 deer down)

a 300 Fireball (this spring maye a bear)

buying a 50 beowolf or 458 socom

I love my 6.8, easy to load and bullets are easy to find.

OMP

I'm in the same boat you are.  I really want to try a 6.5, but I'm leaning really hard towards the 6.8.  If Rock River releases their .458 before I buy, then they will have swayed my decision I'm sure.  You may want to look towards a 7.63x39 as well.  It would work very well on deer sized game at your ranges.  

I have killed 2 mule deer bucks now with .223 rem. In Utah.
One shot kill with saiga .223 on a medium 3 point buck at 100yds. .55grain soft point Bullet went through both lungs and the heart, then exited the other side, deer made it less than 10 yds.
Second one was with RRA 24" varmint, .64grain soft point .223 at about 200yds, another medium size 3 point buck. Hit him a little far back, in the guts, and it droped him, he was trying to drag himself away with his front legs, when the next one got him in the neck, and it was all over, again less than 10yds.
With the shot placements I made, I dont think that any other cartrige would do any better, also there was no ruined meat on either one.
I have shot other mule deer with 30-06, 7mm rem mag, 30-30 win, 7mm08, and 308. The .223 is not the best choice, but it will work.

As a heads up, there might be a legal limits on the calibers you can use. For example, Virginia requires above .24 for deer, so that rules out .223/5.56. There are also county/city regulations about hunting with rifles/pistols.

For my second AR, I am thinking of a 7.62x39 or 6.8SPC so I'll have this option open. (I don't even have my 1st AR yet and I'm already planning my second! Sounds like a terminal case of BRD.)

Quoted: As a heads up, there might be a legal limits on the calibers you can use. For example, Virginia requires above .24 for deer, so that rules out .223/5.56. There are also county/city regulations about hunting with rifles/pistols. For my second AR, I am thinking of a 7.62x39 or 6.8SPC so I'll have this option open. (I don't even have my 1st AR yet and I'm already planning my second! Sounds like a terminal case of BRD.)

I might be wrong but in TX I think anything is fairgame as long as it's not a rimfire cartridge.  

height=8

Quoted: I might be wrong but in TX I think anything is fairgame as long as it's not a rimfire cartridge.

Yup

height=8

Quoted: height=8 Quoted: As a heads up, there might be a legal limits on the calibers you can use. For example, Virginia requires above .24 for deer, so that rules out .223/5.56. There are also county/city regulations about hunting with rifles/pistols. For my second AR, I am thinking of a 7.62x39 or 6.8SPC so I'll have this option open. (I don't even have my 1st AR yet and I'm already planning my second! ht You're right. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/means/ height=8 Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:    * white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope may NOT be hunted with rimfire ammunition of any caliber. [...]

IM biased...

I hunt with the 458 SOCOM, but thats cuz we got lots of piggies down here and I just love to seem the roll in one shot...or take two with one shot...ya you get the idea.