This is going to be my first venture into the woods after the all-mighty Bambi (or Bambi's dad) in about 15 years. Money being what it is, I'll be venturing out with my AR spitting out 75gr Hornady Superformance Match in 5.56. Since it's a rifle I already owned, it makes sense to use it rather than dropping another chunk of change on a "deer rifle".
The biggest worry I have is my scope. I know the rifle shoots better than I do. I have it sighted-in at 100 yds right now and it's dead on. If I put it where it needs to be, I'll have venison for quite some time. Now the deer just need to cooperate and show themselves.
I shot my first AR-15 deer yesterday. The handloaded 55gr Barnes TSX completely passed through leaving a nicjle sized exit wound. Deer went maybe 20 yards and bounced off a cedar tree and fell dead. While it didn't do what my 30-06 does to a deer I would do it again.
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Is there any caliber that can be shot from a AR 15 platform that is suitable for deer hunting? I know some states have restrictions on on the calibers you are able to use, some folks say just be a good shot but looking to if there are any calibers that will produce a quick/clean kill (providing he hit your target) on the AR 15 platform or is it just the wrong gun for task?
Several 308's out there, and Remington has a 7-08.
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The .223 would probably be fine you just have to be a little more careful with bullet selection. With that being said the right bullet in a .223 will drop a deer in a heartbeat.
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If your hunting and you see the biggest buck you've ever seen, a trophy of a lifetime, maybe a new state record even, step out just inside the 200 yard mark..... are you really going to be comfortable and confident sitting there with a .223 ????????
6.5, 6.8 would be much better, but I would feel quite a bit more confident with a .30 cal. myself on the large AR platform... JMO
if I was limited to choosing from an AR platform that is.....
If your hunting and you see the biggest buck you've ever seen, a trophy of a lifetime, maybe a new state record even, step out just inside the 200 yard mark..... are you really going to be comfortable and confident sitting there with a .223 ????????
6.5, 6.8 would be much better, but I would feel quite a bit more confident with a .30 cal. myself on the large AR platform... JMO
if I was limited to choosing from an AR platform that is.....
I agree with your statement 100%, I would not use a .223 at 200 yards. My average shot in Missouri is less than 50 yards and I know I can put the bullet exactly where it needs to go. I was only using my AR in the first place because I had injured my shoulder at work less than one week before Missouri's opening day and I did not feel like abusing my shoulder with one of my larger deer rifles.
I agree with your statement 100%, I would not use a .223 at 200 yards. My average shot in Missouri is less than 50 yards and I know I can put the bullet exactly where it needs to go. I was only using my AR in the first place because I had injured my shoulder at work less than one week before Missouri's opening day and I did not feel like abusing my shoulder with one of my larger deer rifles.
I'm in the same boat here in Wisconsin. There isn't anywhere that I hunt that I can see for 200 yds, let alone contemplate taking a deer.
I carry a Marlin 30 30 during daylight hours mainly because it is scoped and dead on when we sighted it in at over 100 yards. BUT, in the evening it is different. I carried my AR due to the fact that in cloudy conditions and low light my scope fails my 50+ something eyesight, especially in the heavily wooded areas around where we hunt.
My husband and I have discussed the efficiency of the AR when it comes to deer hunting along with the .223 round and I have to agree with him that the round has been used in wartime for a lot of years by the US military and has no problem penetrating the body mass of a human being in full battle gear. Now the average doe body mass along with many bucks is about the same as a humans. Does around us field dress at around 110 give or take a few pounds. I'm a still a little uncertain about the efficiency of the round on some of the big bucks I've seen that might tip the scales at 250 on the hoof but once again, the efficiency of the .223 in combat cannot be ignored. DH thinks it would handle a big buck just as well. And a deer isn't wearing battle gear either.
I hope I get a chance to test out the theory some day on the ten pointer I saw but didn't get a shot at. But I think I'm really hoping that I have my 30 30 with me so I can get off a shot at him with my scoped rifle.
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[QUOTE=redhed;1496701]I carry a Marlin 30 30...
My husband and I have discussed the efficiency of the AR when it comes to deer hunting along with the .223 round and I have to agree with him that the round has been used in wartime for a lot of years by the US military and has no problem penetrating the body mass of a human being in full battle gear. Now the average doe body mass along with many bucks is about the same as a humans. ...QUOTE]
I think you are proving the opposite point when you cite battlefield efficiency of the .223. There is a hew and cry from the troops is for a better battle round because often it does NOT stop the enemy.
but a google search on the topic will come up with many more citations where various 6.5, 7 mm, and 30 cal options are being recommended as better alternatives.
I agree there are a lot of good reasons why someone would like to use the AR/223: light weight, accurate, low recoil, inexpensive (relatively) ammo, fun. But battlefield proven stopping power is not one. IMHO
If an AR style rifle is all you have and simply cannot afford a new rifle then that alone shouldnt keep you from enjoying the sport. I do believe if that's the case you should try to upgrade it to a larger caliber than the .223. Though there are exceptions I simply don't believe in hunting whitetails with 22s. My g/f is 5'1" and maybe 105lbs soaking wet and shoots a Sako .222, but she can bust dimes at 250 yrds with it and she knows 200 is her max yardage on whitetails. Just like deadzero said I, personally, will always carry enough gun to make any shot that may present itself. My largest deer was takin at over 450 yds and when my 30.06 round hit it, it took a few staggering steps and hit the deck. I would have never even considered taking that shot with a .223. And I don't know any situation deer hunting where your gonna need to take multiple shot in rapid succession to bring down a deer. If you couldnt hit it standing still with the first one a doubt your gonna hit it with your 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th shot with it running at full speed. If its truly your only option go for if but id never reach across my model 700 to grab an automatic.
if an ar style rifle is all you have and simply cannot afford a new rifle then that alone shouldnt keep you from enjoying the sport. I do believe if that's the case you should try to upgrade it to a larger caliber than the .223.
if you can afford to upgrade an ar to a larger caliber, you can afford a larger caliber rifle. Or just pass on the shots that are out of range for the 223.
Though there are exceptions i simply don't believe in hunting whitetails with 22s. My g/f is 5'1" and maybe 105lbs soaking wet and shoots a sako .222, but she can bust dimes at 250 yrds with it and she knows 200 is her max yardage on whitetails. Just like deadzero said i, personally, will always carry enough gun to make any shot that may present itself. My largest deer was takin at over 450 yds and when my 30.06 round hit it, it took a few staggering steps and hit the deck. I would have never even considered taking that shot with a .223. And i don't know any situation deer hunting where your gonna need to take multiple shot in rapid succession to bring down a deer. If you couldnt hit it standing still with the first one a doubt your gonna hit it with your 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th shot with it running at full speed. If its truly your only option go for if but id never reach across my model 700 to grab an automatic.
I personally have had exceptional results shooting .223/5.56mm out of an AR-15. It doesn't matter what you are shooting, as long as you have accurate shot placement and a thorough understanding of the ballistic characteristics of the round you are shooting.
I fully understand the apprehension many people have about shooting a smaller round than the traditional .270, .30-06, .308 that have become mainstays. I think it all boils down to confidence and familiarity with your weapon system. The military has blessed me with several years of shooting time on the M-4/M-16 platform, and various marksmanship schools, which causes this rifle to be first pick for every use.
Pick a rifle, equip it with quality optics, and go shoot at various ranges to get good dope on your rifle.
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