Are ARs socially acceptable for deer hunting?

[hq]

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

It all boils down to freedom of choice. As a matter of common courtesy, I don't bother other people with my opinions about what they choose to hunt with, and expect that to be mutual. Everyone speaks for him- or herself, of course, but when we go to generalizations and narrow our points of view enough for them to make sense on a personal level, something has gone terribly wrong.

I like to view AR:s (and all semiauto rifles, regarless of cosmetics) as the true spiritual successors of big game double rifles that were born out of necessity, a near-instant follow-up shot at dangerous game.

AR-platform hasn't been strictly .223 for a long time. Mine range from .22lr to .308 and I've been looking for an excuse to get a .50 Beowulf upper for a while now.

I really wouldn't worry about what people think. Like, generally speaking, I don't really worry about other issues people have inside their heads, unless when I can bill them by the hour for listening their personal problems. Everyone's got an opinion, but whether it's based on facts, whether it's thought out properly, or whether it makes sense objectively is another matter.

 

[CraigC]

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

What the 6.8 does NOT have is sectional density. It only attains its velocity by using light-for-caliber bullets because anything heavier takes up too much powder space. Deer are its limit. The 170gr loadings in the .30-30 will penetrate like a freight train. Making it far more effective on larger game than your precious energy numbers would indicate. By the same token, you could say that the .220Swift with a 50gr ballistic tip is more "powerful" because it produces more energy. Somewhere along the line we have to consider bullet weight and construction, instead of blindly (and stupidly) adhering to the old energy nonsense. Energy is a worthless number. The 6.8 is based on what was basically a rimless .30-30 so what do you really expect??? This is like saying the 7-30Waters is "more powerful" (whatever that means) because it launches a lighter bullet faster. Energy is entirely velocity-dependent so obviously that number will be higher because it puts little emphasis on bullet weight and none on diameter. Your little 110gr varmint bullet should be restricted to perfect broadside shots, whereas the 170gr loading in the .30-30 will break the onside shoulder, penetrate through the vitals and most likely exit from any angle.

Wow, I wish all I had to do is look at the ballistics tables in the back of the various shooting publications to see what cartridges had the most "power". Like I did when I was a kid.

You can say that the 6.8 shoots flatter and that's about it.

Bearing in mind all along that my next AR purchase will probably be a 6.8SPC upper.

 

[68wj]

Yep, definately proved my point about arguing power and the various ways to look at it. I am not going to sit here with comparisons between the two as that kind of drift has no place in this thread. Bottom line, the AR has several cartidges that can perform as well (or better) than the proven cartridges of past. Know the limit, ensure shot placement, enjoy the meat.

 

[rbernie]

Notice the 500lb hog and the 7.62x39 AR in my left hand:

That was almost a decade ago, and the story/pic has been posted here many times. No reason that the AR can't be used for all sorts of things afield.

 

[CMC]

I hunt with a Remington R15 30 Ar and recently bought a 223 ar.
I got some federal premium 60 gr nosler partition bullets.
Does anybody has any experience hunting deer or hogs with this bullet?

 

[CraigC]

I am not going to sit here with comparisons between the two as that kind of drift has no place in this thread.

How convenient.

 

[HKGuns]

They're not legally acceptable in my State.

 

[redneck2]

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

Uhhh....yeah, you can. I do and have for three years. Obviously you didn't read this (or the Indiana game laws)...

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.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Just use the current terminology for them,,,

Tell them you do not have an AR style rifle,,,
Tell them you have an MSR.

Just this past month I started to see them advertised as Modern Sporting Rifles.

Check out any flyer for Wal Mart now,,,
That's what they are being advertised as.

Aarond

.

 

[snakeman]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=683831

I sure like my 6.8!

 

[mshootnit]

Well...I'd consider going deer hunting with a 7.62 upper/lower, if someone would carry it for me.

I carried my 10(t) carbine slung over my shoulder for half a day last week and was surprised how nice it slung up. I downright enjoyed it. I thought it would be heavy but nope. I think the sling was a carcano sling.
Its a 308 sighted in 1.5" high at 200 meters. I am confident to 300-325 yds with it. Thats about what you need for open country.
My 6.8 AR is a 16" carbine. I have it sighted in about the same maybe a little lower. I would recommend it for out to 225-250 but not rely on it for my only rifle in open country in case something pops up 300-400 yds out.
I am setting up a 20" 223 for all around use with Barnes TSX or Partition bullets in the 60-62 gr. range. The 20" will offer the velocity you need instead of the 16" carbine. Every bit helps with the 223.
But if I am really serious I am taking out my 257 weatherby or 270 WSM bolt. I can hold dead on out to 400 the way I am sighted and count on great terminal performance.

Somewhere along the line we have to consider bullet weight and construction, instead of blindly (and stupidly) adhering to the old energy nonsense. Energy is a worthless number

This was true before the Barnes TTSX came along.

 

[schnarrgj]

Both my brother and I have used the AR for a number of years now. We are both in our 60's and find them more than capable and adequate. In the past 5 years we and our kids have taken a good number of deer with them. As with any rifle, you do your part, use the correct bullet (as with any caliber), and it is a very good deer rifle. So use what you wish, do your part, and don't worry about what others say.

 

[CraigC]

This was true before the Barnes TTSX came along.

A magic bullet???

 

[LeonCarr]

About 20 years ago a buddy of mine's Dad was hunting his 110 acre farm near Normangee, Texas and had a Colt AR-15 SP-1 that he bought new in 1968. When the Game Warden visited his farm all the Game Warden asked was, "Is that a 15 or a 16?" My buddy's Dad replied that it was a 15. The Game Warden did not inquire about the 20 round magazine or anything (No magazine capacity limit for hunting in Texas). So even back then in Texas they were perfectly fine .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[r1derbike]

Tell them you do not have an AR style rifle,,,
Tell them you have an MSR.

Just this past month I started to see them advertised as Modern Sporting Rifles.

Check out any flyer for Wal Mart now,,,
That's what they are being advertised as.

Aarond

.

I like that. That will be my new moniker for the 6920.

 

[akodo]

I am interested in an AR-style rifle for hunting, probably in 0.26 caliber. However, I am wondering what fellow hunters will think if I show up with a "black rifle". Is there stigma attached to hunting with an AR?

They'll probably think '***? This guy too lazy to camo his gun?'

 

[browningguy]

You can wound with anything. If you came to my camp spouting the typical nonsense of "true deer cartridges", you'd not be offered a beer at the fire.

You obviously didn't actually read what I wrote, but that's to be expected. And I don't drink beer so it wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

People who learned to shoot in the military tend to be more accepting of using the service rifle for sporting purposes. It's what they are familiar with and can handle without relearning. Like that generation that wanted bolt actions when lever guns had been good enuf fer dad and granpa. Them Mausers and Springfields were Army rifles consarn it.

 

[conrad427]

Personally I think ar's are a pretty silly choice for a deer, pig, unicorn rifle. Heavy, ugly, limited ammo choices. But they sell. they make more sense to me than pointy stick and doe urine. seems kind of screwballish but having said that i have an ar in .221 fireball that i think is really good for gophers being a bit of a screwball myself. so in other words, to heck with the people who dont think they are any good use what you like. Personally it irritates me to call mine an MSR.

 

[shafter]

I'd never do it but don't let anyone stop you if you want to. Be sure of your target and what's beyong just like you would with any other rifle and no sane person will give you a hard time. . .hopefully.

 

[d2wing]

Getting back on topic, I chose a AR15 a few years ago when they became legal.
I had a recent shoulder surgery and need a light recoiling rifle. There were some snickers at camp as expected. After I dropped a 14 pt buck everyone was good with it. Bullet selection and range is more critical than with a 30-06 but it works fine if you are selective in your shots and ammo.

 

[BigN]

When I start worrying about what's "socially acceptable" I'll change my party affiliation to Democrat and purposely end my life...

 

[Sam Cade]

Personally I think ar's are a pretty silly choice for a deer, pig, unicorn rifle. Heavy, ugly, limited ammo choices.

Compared to what?

An M4 clone with a full 30 round magazine is lighter than an empty Marlin 336A.

 

[snakeman]

I love hunting with my ar in 6.8. That said my savage 99 in 308 is my favorite!

 

[Gtscotty]

Most people in my deer camp don't have a problem with me using a 6.8 AR, and the ones do can keep it to themselves.

On a side note, I would take my 6.8 over a 30-30 for deer any day of the week and twice on Sunday. There is certainly nothing wrong with a 30-30, but it doesn't take "freight train" -esq penetration to bring down Bambi... a 110 gr Accubond through both shoulders works pretty well.

BTW, not every 110 gr bullet is a varmint bullet Craigc, you might want to read up on bonded and monolithic bullets before picking up that 6.8 .