AR15 for Deer Hunting!

Paper · 11-03-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieHunter

Definitely let me know how they do. I'm sick as a dog right now, hoping that whatever I've got goes away before this weekend...but for today, I'm playing keyboard commando at home, trying to keep from infecting my coworkers!

I'm using a Rock River Predator Pursuit upper...20" HB with 1:8 twist, it should like those heavier rounds. Unfortunately, I can't find jack squat around here...looks like I'll be doing some online shopping in the future.

If you're using a heavy barrel, you shouldn't have any issues with heat buildup affecting your accuracy. I regularly put full mags through mine in fairly rapid succession, and the rounds don't stray any more than they will through a cold barrel, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

One thing I would suggest, when scoping up that sportical, is using whatever riser/rings necessary to but the barrel bore exactly three inches below the centerline of your scope. Do this, and then zero the rifle at 75yds using a 55gr round...that will put your point of impact elevation within 1.5" from 40yds to 350yds, due to scope height geometry and bullet drop.

Excellent info on the POI!! Thank you!!

Jury's still out.. I took the Sportical out and I can't say I'm impressed.. Function was fine, but accuracy was so-so..

I tried 55gr Wolf, 55gr Prvi, and 75gr Prvi and none were stellar.. 2-3" groups at 100 yards aren't what I'm used to from a AR.. Would it kill a deer? Yeah, but I want more control over where the round's going than that..

I'll try the 55gr Prvi hunting loads in my CAR this week and will give a better answer on accuracy.. I know the gun loves the 75gr ammo..
Here's the CAR being held by a buddy's son.. He had a big grin when I told him we'd get out and shoot it...

Funny thing was that his Dad now wants to build an AR, too.. Addictive!! The Sportical's the other photo..

ZombieHunter · 11-03-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paper

Excellent info on the POI!! Thank you!!

Jury's still out.. I took the Sportical out and I can't say I'm impressed.. Function was fine, but accuracy was so-so..

I tried 55gr Wolf, 55gr Prvi, and 75gr Prvi and none were stellar.. 2-3" groups at 100 yards aren't what I'm used to from a AR.. Would it kill a deer? Yeah, but I want more control over where the round's going than that..

I'll try the 55gr Prvi hunting loads in my CAR this week and will give a better answer on accuracy.. I know the gun loves the 75gr ammo..
Here's the CAR being held by a buddy's son.. He had a big grin when I told him we'd get out and shoot it...

Funny thing was that his Dad now wants to build an AR, too.. Addictive!! The Sportical's the other photo..

Using a handful of ammo I dug out of the bottom of the range bag, to do a "side by side comparison". I think moisture may have played a part, as the Federal and Remington rounds weren't sealed up, and it was extremely humid during the few weeks those rounds had been sitting in the Jeep.

They were, interestingly enough, in the bottom of that magazine. The Federal rounds were loaded last, with the Remington PSP's loaded up in between. While I was taking time to aim each shot, I wasn't waiting for a "cool-down" period between rounds, and this was the fourth mag I fired like that. The space between the other three 30-rd mags were only what was necessary to walk that 100yds and swap targets...so the barrel was good and warm that day. Ambient temp was roughly 75-80F, with a slight crosswind coming off the gulf blowing left to right.

The Monarch and Federal rounds were fired at the white dot in the center of the head, while the Remington PSPs were fired at center mass.

Needless to say, I'm confident that I can drop a deer in its tracks using an FMJ at 50yds if I need to...

ZombieHunter · 11-03-2009, 08:11 PM

BTW, I'm diggin' the dual-rail gas block, although I can't really think of what I'd ever actually need one for. What's your opinion on that skeletonized stock? I'm thinking I'm going to put one of those on my CAR when I finally get around to building one, but it would kinda defeat the purpose on my rifle right now...I'm actually looking at one of those lead weight wedges DPMS makes, so it'll give a little heft and balance to the AR I'm using now.

Whootsinator · 11-03-2009, 08:16 PM

That Sporticle is wiiieeeerd looking... Can't figure it out...

ZombieHunter · 11-03-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whootsinator

That Sporticle is wiiieeeerd looking... Can't figure it out...

I was thinking the same thing. I think it has something to do with the shorty handguard/vert-grip/collapsing stock combo in conjunction with an actual scope. Just not something you see very often. Nice, but still a bit weird.

Paper · 11-03-2009, 09:30 PM

The dual rail gas block was something I wanted when I ordered the kit from Model 1.. I wanted a place for back up sights, yet still having the bottom rail free for a light or whatever..

The EFX Skeleton stock is a HUGE improvement over the A2 stock, and I really am not a fan of a collapsable stock, since I'm using the weapon for shooting comfort.. The rubber pad on the skeleton keeps it stuck in the correct location, and the foam on the tube is comfortable.. I really like it..

The Sportacal's forend is stock, and the previous owner had the grip and I found it an aid in control (but a pain for shooting off the bench).. As far as it's looks, well, I wanted to give the gun a fair shake with an actual scope, and it's what I had on my shelves at home. It's sorta funky looking, but actually controllable and comfortable. I just wished the gun as a whole worked better for accuracy.

Looks like your gun likes the monarch ammo!! My CAR shot a very similar group with the 75grain Prvi, and that's with a 1-9 twist ER Shaw barrel..

Right now, I have a choice of leaving the Sportacal as is, or slapping on a DPMS front gas block sight and a RRA rear handle/sight that came with the rifle.. Either way, it's going on consignment at a friend's gun shop, but I think it'll go as is.. I like the RRA/DPMS sights for a future build.

If someone's using the Sportacal for a plinker and something to use up ammo, it's not a bad weapon, but my 2 builds from Model 1 sales shoot circles around this gun..

My other is a 20" Varmint kit, and it has a hard time missing old golf balls at 100 yards.. The Shaw barrelled Model 1 Sales kits have me a believer!!

ZombieHunter · 11-08-2009, 06:22 PM

So, did anyone get any kills this weekend? All I saw from my stand were a couple of squirrels.

From the sound of it, the people on the lease down the road must have been capping them right and left. Seriously, it sounded like I was in Compton for the past two days...

BTW, picked up some new rounds to use on Bambi. The Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 55gr. Anyone use any of these yet? At $40/box of 20, I hope they're worth the money...

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 06:26 PM

$40 for a box of .223? 180gr Silvertips for my .300 Win Mag cost $44 a box.

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 06:35 PM

Those rounds in .22 caliber are designed to fragment on impact by the way.

ZombieHunter · 11-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tack Driver

Those rounds in .22 caliber are designed to fragment on impact by the way.

Groovy. It'll drive bits of copper and lead all through that cerebellum, and snap his head around like he's been b!tchslapped...

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieHunter

Groovy. It'll drive bits of copper and lead all through that cerebellum, and snap his head around like he's been b!tchslapped...

I still don't understand why they cost almost as much as a box of premium .300 Win Mag ammo.

Whootsinator · 11-08-2009, 07:10 PM

If you're going for headshots, Zombie, I wouldn't consider your $40/box ammo any more effective than M193...

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 07:14 PM

For those of you who choose to deer hunt with a .223, Federal actually makes a load designed for deer hunting.

ZombieHunter · 11-08-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whootsinator

If you're going for headshots, Zombie, I wouldn't consider your $40/box ammo any more effective than M193...

The game camera has been showing groups of 3-4 does near the feeder. I might have to take a few at center mass, after the first one gets an East Texas lobotomy...and hardball 5.56 just ain't the proper tool for that job.

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieHunter

The game camera has been showing groups of 3-4 does near the feeder. I might have to take a few at center mass, after the first one gets an East Texas lobotomy...and hardball 5.56 just ain't the proper tool for that job.

You're right 5.56 ammo is not the proper tool for that, a 150gr bullet launched out of a .30-06 is.

ZombieHunter · 11-08-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tack Driver

You're right 5.56 ammo is not the proper tool for that, a 150gr bullet launched out of a .30-06 is.

I'm really hoping I see something when I head back to the stand in two weeks, just so I can obliterate Bambi for the sake of getting you off my case for not using a cannon! Hahaha!

ZombieHunter · 11-08-2009, 07:22 PM

BTW, I've seen what Federal has to offer, and I've never really been truly satisfied with the accuracy of their rounds. Just my personal opinion, though...

Midas · 11-08-2009, 07:23 PM

It's ok Tack Driver, let the small bore fanatics use what they wish, they can get away with it on deer at least, would be awful if they were forced to hunt bear or such, might have to put the pea shooter away and use a real rifle for that task!

Whootsinator · 11-08-2009, 07:25 PM

Actually, I'd feel very confident hunting bear with SS109. Bear have big ol' heads, and SS109 will punch right through it. Low recoil, fast followup, lots of rounds in the magazine.

I'm not a fan of .223/5.56 for deer, as I've previously said, but I do think it would be fine for bear head.

ZombieHunter · 11-08-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

It's ok Tack Driver, let the small bore fanatics use what they wish, they can get away with it on deer at least, would be awful if they were forced to hunt bear or such, might have to put the pea shooter away and use a real rifle for that task!

Haha! We're not allowed to shoot bear here in Texas, they're a "protected species" or some such BS. It's kinda funny, all the Kwik-E-Marts in EastTex have these signs posted near the door showing the silhouettes of a wild pig and a bear, warning you not to make the $10k mistake of shooting a bear while hog hunting. Until two months ago, I didn't even know we had bears in Texas...I thought they only had those up in Yankeeland.

11-03-2009, 09:30 PM	#226
Paper Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: IL/WI Border Posts: 1,913	The dual rail gas block was something I wanted when I ordered the kit from Model 1.. I wanted a place for back up sights, yet still having the bottom rail free for a light or whatever.. The EFX Skeleton stock is a HUGE improvement over the A2 stock, and I really am not a fan of a collapsable stock, since I'm using the weapon for shooting comfort.. The rubber pad on the skeleton keeps it stuck in the correct location, and the foam on the tube is comfortable.. I really like it.. The Sportacal's forend is stock, and the previous owner had the grip and I found it an aid in control (but a pain for shooting off the bench).. As far as it's looks, well, I wanted to give the gun a fair shake with an actual scope, and it's what I had on my shelves at home. It's sorta funky looking, but actually controllable and comfortable. I just wished the gun as a whole worked better for accuracy. Looks like your gun likes the monarch ammo!! My CAR shot a very similar group with the 75grain Prvi, and that's with a 1-9 twist ER Shaw barrel.. Right now, I have a choice of leaving the Sportacal as is, or slapping on a DPMS front gas block sight and a RRA rear handle/sight that came with the rifle.. Either way, it's going on consignment at a friend's gun shop, but I think it'll go as is.. I like the RRA/DPMS sights for a future build. If someone's using the Sportacal for a plinker and something to use up ammo, it's not a bad weapon, but my 2 builds from Model 1 sales shoot circles around this gun.. My other is a 20" Varmint kit, and it has a hard time missing old golf balls at 100 yards.. The Shaw barrelled Model 1 Sales kits have me a believer!! __________________ I'm on vacation!!! Last edited by Paper; 11-03-2009 at 09:36 PM.

11-08-2009, 06:22 PM	#227
ZombieHunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 101	So, did anyone get any kills this weekend? All I saw from my stand were a couple of squirrels. From the sound of it, the people on the lease down the road must have been capping them right and left. Seriously, it sounded like I was in Compton for the past two days... BTW, picked up some new rounds to use on Bambi. The Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 55gr. Anyone use any of these yet? At $40/box of 20, I hope they're worth the money... Last edited by ZombieHunter; 11-08-2009 at 06:25 PM.

11-08-2009, 06:26 PM	#228
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	$40 for a box of .223? 180gr Silvertips for my .300 Win Mag cost $44 a box. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?

11-08-2009, 06:35 PM	#229
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	Those rounds in .22 caliber are designed to fragment on impact by the way. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?

11-08-2009, 07:14 PM	#233
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	For those of you who choose to deer hunt with a .223, Federal actually makes a load designed for deer hunting. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?

11-03-2009, 08:11 PM	#223
ZombieHunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 101	BTW, I'm diggin' the dual-rail gas block, although I can't really think of what I'd ever actually need one for. What's your opinion on that skeletonized stock? I'm thinking I'm going to put one of those on my CAR when I finally get around to building one, but it would kinda defeat the purpose on my rifle right now...I'm actually looking at one of those lead weight wedges DPMS makes, so it'll give a little heft and balance to the AR I'm using now.

11-03-2009, 08:16 PM	#224
Whootsinator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 582	That Sporticle is wiiieeeerd looking... Can't figure it out...

11-08-2009, 07:10 PM	#232
Whootsinator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 582	If you're going for headshots, Zombie, I wouldn't consider your $40/box ammo any more effective than M193...

11-08-2009, 07:22 PM	#237
ZombieHunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 101	BTW, I've seen what Federal has to offer, and I've never really been truly satisfied with the accuracy of their rounds. Just my personal opinion, though...

11-08-2009, 07:23 PM	#238
Midas Chief Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 3,571 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	It's ok Tack Driver, let the small bore fanatics use what they wish, they can get away with it on deer at least, would be awful if they were forced to hunt bear or such, might have to put the pea shooter away and use a real rifle for that task! __________________ The Second Amendment: America's Original Homeland Security. NRA Life Member

11-08-2009, 07:25 PM	#239
Whootsinator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 582	Actually, I'd feel very confident hunting bear with SS109. Bear have big ol' heads, and SS109 will punch right through it. Low recoil, fast followup, lots of rounds in the magazine. I'm not a fan of .223/5.56 for deer, as I've previously said, but I do think it would be fine for bear head.