Which hunting AR15 Ammo?

Federal Fusion 62 grain.

What caliber? I’m assuming 223/5.56 but that’s not as safe of a bet as it used to be. My AR hunting round is 110gr Hornady ballistic tip in a 6.8spc case with a healthy dose of 3031 in it. Tula primer.

Don't overthink it. Most any 60-75 gr bullet with an expanding tip will take deer and hogs at reasonable ranges. The 50-55 gr solid copper bullets might be even better. Try some and choose the one that shoots best for you

mshootnit said:

I also shoot that in 6.8. Hows it workin for ya?..... But yeah original question pertains to 223

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Everything I can see makes me certain that the 6.8 load will perform extremely well but I haven’t gotten to try it out. At 500 yards it’s roughly a 6” gun though. No way I would shoot that far at an animal unless it was a second or third shot but I do know I can make that shot.

With anything light And fast my experience has been that ballistic tips are The way to go. Massive shock damage when the bullet suddenly and violently deforms. Only other thing I have seen do damage like that is fast, light, and big pocket hollow points. My first few deer were taken with a .256winmag and it’s a light, fast hollowpoint that made a serious mess. With my old 223 (stag) I have connected with ballistic tips and it made a really bad day for the coyote. I would not hesitate using the same 56 gr ballistic tip on a deer.

I have taken numerous deer, hogs, and turkeys using Hornady 75 grain BTHP match. It is insanely accurate from all of the guns I have fired it through, and I never had any issues recovering any animal I shot with it. On all of the deer and hogs, it exited sideways. Special Operations units also had great success with it overseas.

I have taken 3 deer with the SSA bonded 64 grain bullets in 5.56. one shot kills if you do you work and hit the lungs. I will take a pic of the box when i get a second.

I am currently looking for a load for .223 with a 1/12 twist rate for a remington 700 in 223. I dont think i can use 5.56 in that rifle.

This is the ammo i was talking about.

I think the group less then 1” at 100 yards with a 16” barrel.

It's 70 gr but my wife and I LOVED this cartridge for Hogs & Rams:
Barnes Bullets 31191 VOR-TX 223 Remington/5.56 NATO 70 Grain TSX Boat Tail
https://www.wholesalehunter.com/Product/Details/11181734

Very accurate out of a SIG 516.
We haven't tried it for Whitetails, but it would probably be OK for Whitetails and a sure thing for groundhogs, varmints etc...

MAKster said:

Federal Fusion 62 grain.

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If I had to use factory, it'd be that if it had to be 60 gr. +.
I plan on loading a 60 gr. Partition load for hunting with my Axis.

I reload, but if I didn’t, vor-tx. It’s the factory version of what I load for white tails when I need a guaranteed drop, for instance a new hunter that I don’t want to be traumatized after his or her first kill.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016541377
I’ve also had good results loading Winchester 64gr psp which is also available factory loaded. There’s even a deer on the box.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900402682?pid=402682
If neither of those do it for you, my favorite deer load uses a Sierra game king. Wilson loads those.
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/223-Rem-65-gr-Sierra-SBT-2730-FPS-16-Barrel-20_Box/productinfo/A223-65-SBT/

Those links work but are sold out, I’m just showing you the products.

if none of those please you, those who recommended fusions are not wrong. You certainly have plenty of options. After seeing the prices of factory rounds, I made a good decision when I started loading. Holy cow.

I used fed premium 60 gr partitions in my 223 last season. Was impressed with the bullet performance. Shot was taken inside 30 yds quartering forward, the bullet shattered the inside shoulder and exited the offside ribcage. Deer went 10 yds.

I haven't used them yet but the win deer season xp 64 gr looks real good ballisticly. Has real good energy retention, check out the specs.

MAKster said:

Federal Fusion 62 grain.

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Federal fusion is always a good answer in my book.

I was just curious what you guys are using for hunting bigger stuff with your AR15. Such as culling deer, hog hunting.

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Most 450 bushmaster/458 socom for pigs but have used a 300 Blk on one, that a .22lr would have likely worked on. Took longer to clean this little one than it did to eat it.



In a trap, a 55 gn JHP in the head is pretty instant.

If my shots were further out that I can comfortably make with the stuff I am using, I’d give my 6.5 Grendel a go. It shoots great at distance for sure.

FL-NC said:

it exited sideways

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I've heard stories about how devastating .223 FMJ is on deer due to tumbling. Apparently that was the case with you.

I've not yet worked up the nerve to deer hunt with my .223, but I have a box of 60 gr. Nosler Partitions stashed away for when I do.

mshootnit said:

I was just curious what you guys are using for hunting bigger stuff with your AR15. Such as culling deer, hog hunting. I am looking for a quality accurate load, 60-65 gr. range.
Not bulk stuff but good accurate stuff.
Edit: 223 Factory Ammo

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If you are not encumbered by a FMJ prohibition - 55 gr. FMJ M193 Ball.

Otherwise, Barnes TSX is pretty good stuff.

Barnes (VOR-TX) loads the 55 gr., while Remington (HTP/HH) loads the 62 gr..




GR

Laphroaig said:

I've heard stories about how devastating .223 FMJ is on deer due to tumbling. Apparently that was the case with you.

I've not yet worked up the nerve to deer hunt with my .223, but I have a box of 60 gr. Nosler Partitions stashed away for when I do.

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The round I use is a 75 grain boat tail hollow point match. Called open tip match in the mil.

FL-NC said:

Called open tip match in the mil.

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Do they call it that to get around the Geneva Convention ban on expanding bullets? My thinking was that most match HP's aren't designed to expand and might hold together and behave more like a FMJ. From your description of

FL-NC said:

it exited sideways

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I figured that's what happened to you.

I used 62gr Federal Fusion MSR to take my deer @ 125yds this last year. Hit it in the heart / lungs. It jumped in the air and landed dead right there.



Check out that expansion in ballistic gel:



Above screen shot taken from this video:



Another video:

mshootnit said:

Only thing is I am running 9 twist in 5.56 so I am sticking to the 64-65 gr. stuff

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I have a Mossberg MVP and several AR's with 1:9 and never had any accuracy/stabilization issues with the 75 grain Hornady or the 77 grain MK262 (black hills). I have read many places that 1:9 won't cut it for the heavier bullets, but have seen no evidence on a target to back this up.