Are ARs socially acceptable for deer hunting?

[rbernie]

I've hunted with AR pattern rifles for better than a decade here in Texas and rarely get a second look. Considering that WalMart carries them and Remington makes 'em in camo, I'd say that they have made the transition from EBR to general purpose rifle quite nicely.

 

[RPRNY]

I believe you asking about what the NSSF insists we call a "modern sporting rifle "? While I would prefer not to hunt deer with anyone toting the poodle shooter, I would have no issue with someone shooting an AR in quarter bore through 30 Cal. And if 223 were legal in the State we were hunting, I wouldn't expect you to take much interest in what I would prefer.

 

[Sam Cade]

I'd have a Remington R25 if they weren't camo......and probably hunt with it.

DPMS it is then.

 

[Wmike24]

AR Hunting

I have taken 6 deer with my Grendel

 

[targetshooter22]

Not sure exactly what you mean by .26 caliber, but if it's a legal gun, why not? It's been my experience that even staunch traditionalists will do little more than make a couple of good natured comments about the choice, but that's just fun between hunters.

Of course I would practice with said new gun, and that applies to ANY new gun, regardless of action/platform/caliber.

 

[bldsmith]

Socially acceptable? HMMM. Well here is my newest HUNTING rifle.



And I really don't care who likes it. It is a bit bigger than .260. At .458 I think it will drop whatever I hunt. I am not a long distance hunter and will not take a shot over 200yds. If I think I might want to shoot longer distance after much practice, I will take the .308 or the .338.

 

[CraigC]

It is a 6.8 SPC, which can be argued to be more powerful than the traditional .30-30...

Yeah, I don't think so.

 

[wlewisiii]

Not as long as it has a 5 round mag and is in a better chambering than .223.

 

[sixgunner455]

The AR15 was originally advertised as a hunting rifle. That was over forty years ago. It gets used all over the country in every caliber you can think of, to hunt every critter that walks. And next year, my son will probably be using one on a youth deer hunt, since that's what he seems to think is cool and is excited about.

Use what you like. Why should you care what others think of it?

 

[tactikel]

In The area of Wisconsin where I hunt I've seen deer hunters with: AK variants, 12 ga single shots, all sorts of .30-30s, a few Mosins, and several "sporterized" bolt actions. Carrying an AR would probably brand you as a rich ***** from Illinois.
IMHO if you can take a Deer ethically with it screw'em

 

[Ehtereon11B]

All depends on where you are. I was talking to a range safety about an AR build I had started to hunt deer and hog. He looked at me funny and actually called me a heathen for wanting to hunt with something other than a wood furnished rifle.

 

[RhinoDefense]

I believe you asking about what the NSSF insists we call a "modern sporting rifle "? While I would prefer not to hunt deer with anyone toting the poodle shooter, I would have no issue with someone shooting an AR in quarter bore through 30 Cal. And if 223 were legal in the State we were hunting, I wouldn't expect you to take much interest in what I would prefer.

My career with the DNR as a sharpshooter gave me the opportunity to test a variety of weapons and cartridges over the years. My #1 choice was an AR15 in 5.56. I killed over 700 deer with that weapon. Difference between the 5.56 and "quarter bore" cartridges is a mere .033 inches and you think that makes a difference?

 

[CApighunter]

Despite being a young guy, I think I have a sort of old school mentality. I'm not a big fan of the ARs for hunting. They seem to be an answer to a problem that doesn't exist. For plinking? Heck yeah! Home defense? Sure! But I see no purpose for using an AR for big game hunting. There are tons of other rifles that are more accurate, more powerful, weigh less, and cost less. The only hunting application I see for an AR would be predator hunting. I think there is no reason in the world that a .223 should be used on anything bigger than a coyote. Will it work? Sure, but will it also fail sometimes? Probably. If you need a follow up shot insanely fast on a big game hunt, you need to make that first shot more effective.
Just my opinion, CApighunter

 

[RhinoDefense]

I look at it as that I'm so confident in my marksmanship skill that I can use my one and only rifle to take any game species legally authorized while using the same weapon I entrust to defend my home, myself, and my family. The only rifle I have is my AR15 in 5.56. I've never lost an animal to my AR15.

Too many think capacity with AR15s instead of familiarity.

 

[Inebriated]

Who cares?


It's your rifle, it's your game, and it's legal (assuming it is).

 

[JPG19]

Took my first deer the past weekend with my AR...sold my 30-06 to buy it!

 

[r1derbike]

You know, that new LE AR with .308 bits interchangeable might be the ticket. Getting one might be a problem, though, and I hear it isn't cheap. Any takers? At 9.4 lbs., better bring a sherpa.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtRifles/ColtLE90116S.aspx

 

[redneck2]

I've got three AR's. All get used for hunting. The .223 varminter is a prairie dog & coyote gun. I have a custom .358 WSSM and .458 SOCOM that are both Indiana legal for deer.

The .358 has 4.5x14x40 Leupold VX-R. Shoots .4's with Hornady 180 Spire Points. The SOCOM hits like the hammer of Thor.

Many assume that if it's an AR, it's gotta be .223.

 

[kingcheese]

I can't use a high power rifle caliber in Indiana for dear, but the thing is, if you can use one, peoples opinion don't matter much, just be safe and make good shots

 

[helotaxi]

You know, that new LE AR with .308 bits interchangeable might be the ticket. Getting one might be a problem, though, and I hear it isn't cheap. Any takers? At 9.4 lbs., better bring a sherpa.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtRifles/ColtLE90116S.aspx

Just Colt's take on the AR10. Nothing special about it.

 

[68wj]

It is a 6.8 SPC, which can be argued to be more powerful than the traditional .30-30...

Yeah, I don't think so.

Yes, and by you stating it can't proves that it can.

The reason I say "argued" is there are many ways to look at it. How about the basic ballistics from Hornady factory loads:

6.8 110 Grain Vmax
Test Barrel (16") Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 100 200 300
2550/1588 2319/1313 2100/1077 1893/875

.30-30 150 Grain RN
Test Barrel (24") Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 100 200 300
2390/1902 1959/1278 1581/832 1276/542

There are better rounds available for both, but these are common. Also note that the 6.8 data is from a 16" barrel and the .30-30 is 24". So, I will grab my 16" AR, and you can grab your 24" .30-30 (you have one, right?), and if we both get good shots on equal deer at similar ranges, the result will probably be 2 dead deer.

This isn't a 6.8 fanboy thread, so I can also include what I guess to be the OP's choice of 6.5 Grendel is also very effective on medium game. Maybe also more-so than the ol' thirty.

 

[303 hunter]

Yeah, I don't think so.

I think so. I own both,load for both,and hunt 90% of the time with my 6.8. It has 400 fps more velocity, at least 100 yards more effective range,is more accurate,and has more bullet choices than any 30-30. Use what you like,but my 6.8 has put 2 bucks in the freezer already this season.

 

[Hokkmike]

Illegal in PA. (no semi autos for deer)

Socially acceptable - these guns are queen of the prom otherwise.

If you can by all means!

 

[aka108]

I think the AR's at one time would have been unacceptable in the deer camp but they have become extremely popular in the last few years. The uppers are available in a good number of cartridge sizes up to 50 BMG. I see a lot of them now in 308. Even some of the good ol' country boys with big tired lifted pickups with dog boxes in the back and big whip radio antennas are seen with AR platforms quite frequently. So, if you want to use a AR platform for any type of hunting, have at it.

 

[henschman]

How many other people do you go hunting with usually?! If I go, it is with some close friends or family, in which case I would know their attitudes about such things pretty well (none of them would turn their nose up at an AR). But I really don't give a damn what any random strangers think of my weapon choice.