AR 15 as a Deer Rifle? What caliber?

[Rick Mc]

  I love the feel and balance of the AR.  Just not sure about the cal.
 If I understand correctly,  you can only get the 243 or 308  in the larger   9 lb. +  rifle.
 I would much prefer the 6 to 7 lb carbine size but the only calibers offered that I know of are
 223 , a little smallish ... 7.62X 39 , borderline at best  at 100 + yards.  The ballistic spec`s of the new
 6.8 SPC. looks really good, but does anyone make a good hunting round for it?
   I would really like some opinions .
   I hunt in Ga.    not too many deer over 200 lb. here .   200 maybe 250 yds max range.

    Thanks for any info.
                          Rick McCullough
                          Stockbridge, Ga.

[jasonprox700]

You could try the .50 Beowulf.  Here are the ballistics.
http://www.50beowulf.com/PDF/beowulf_ballistics.pdf[url]

[DEPUTY]

or get one in 243, 260 308 or a 300sm   dpms sells them all..............

[jasonprox700]

or get one in 243, 260 308 or a 300sm   dpms sells them all..............

If you wanted to get one in those calibers, then you would have to step up to the AR-10 platform which is a little heavier.  He wanted to stay with the 6 - 7 lb gun.

I myself would get the AR-10 just because the ammo is probably cheaper being that you can shoot it in a standard rifle. 

I am actually looking into getting a AR-10.  My in-laws do drives in thick stuff where a long shot is 75 yards.  I wanted to get a .308 with a 20" barrel that was really light.  The .300 WSM looks very appealing as well.

[Lone Star]

Hornady loads a 110-grain V-Max at 2550 fps, it should expand well on deer as it is designed for much higher velocities on varmints. 
Remington loads a 115-grain Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded bullet at over 2600 fps which should be perfect.


.

[jasonprox700]

If you need more help, there is a website dedicated to AR's.

www.ar15.com

Should have every answer for all your AR needs.

[Rick Mc]

  Good info , thanks  .
  That remington load sounds about right.
    I understand that Rock River is comming out with a new  308  . Anyone know what it`s going to be like?
  size weight  I see they`re running a little  late on the release.
 
                            Thanks ,
                                      Rick McCullough
                                      Stockbridge,Ga.

[cetme]

how about 243 or 25 WSSM? there are a couple of people making rifles in these chamberings.

[scout34]

I know most people don't recommend the use of the .223 as a deer round, and I am of the "big bullet, big hole" school.  I will say that there are plenty of deer taken with the .223 every year here in TX.  With a Sirocco 75gr premium bullet you should have a fairly capable deer load.

I would go the other way though with a .458 Socom or .50 Beowolf.  There is plenty of 6.8SPC ammo available and components are easy to get.  Wolf Gold will be loading the 6.5 Grendel.  All of the above would make good deer loads.  Not to mention the lowly 7.62x39mm, which is essentially a 30-30 with a spitzer bullet.

Plenty of choices.

[teddy12b]

I have a bushmaster 6.8 carbine.  I went the 6.8 route because I wanted an AR with more power than the 223.  I think the 6.8 will do the job just fine.  I havn't taken it hunting yet but someday I might.  I've read all kind of reviews from guys who got deer with the sierra pro-hunters especially and the barnes 110gr tsx.  Go to midway and look up 6.8 ammo and read the specific reviews.  I haven't taken a deer with my 6.8 yet, but someday I might.

[BillP]

Here in MN .223 is not legal for deer.  I have seen ads for ARs in 7.62/39.  That round is balisticly the same as a 30-30, a round that perhaps has killed more deer than any other.  You would also have the advantage of cheep practice ammo.  Make sure you use good SP ammo for hunting.

[BRL]

I love my Bushmaster in .308. The recoil is absolutely mild...so why not go up the power scale a little. Just my opinion. Of course, I only own a BM .308 and one in .223 and have never shot another brand or caliber (in an AR)...but I am completely satisfied with what I have. I probably won't take any of my other rifles into the woods this season but the BM .308 for deer or hog.