Which AR-15 round is most suitable for deer?

All of the above?

I like the Grendel

But I am a bit biased. The 6.5 Grendel will let you shoot 90gr TNT's all the way up to 140gr Partitions of Game Kings (you will have to single load, they will not feed from the mag), but there are a ton of great hunting bullets in 6.5 in tghe 120-130 range. I just think that it is great to be able to shoot a gun that kicks like a varmint rifle but hits like a deer rifle.

Now, I have not shot deer with my 6.5 Grendel (no time for hunting this season) but will take it out next year. Others have had great results with the Grendel on the Grendel forum.

My 6.8spc AR shoots easily under an inch at 100yds, with an 18" barrel. I have it loaded up with 110 Sierra pro hunters. Might try it on deer next year.

I voted for the 6.8 spc. I think it is better suited to the AR platform then all the others mentioned except the 6.5 and 556. It caries more bullet weight and larger caliber then 556 and will probably stick around longer than the other rounds mentioned(except 7.62x39). If you want a 7.62x39 I would opt for the AK platform or an sks. Though the close range thumpers the 450 and 50 would be cool if you reload since they might not last.

I use .223 almost exclusivley in bolt's not AR's. But I'm workin on getting an AR. Remington 55gr PSP's have never failed me. My dad shot one that we never found, but between me, him, my brother, and all the friends we let use our 700 while hunting with us, we've taken over 100 Hill Country Whitetails with the 55gr PSP's, so just 1 out of 100+ is better than any of our freinds with big guns can claim. I'll take a .223 over anything else any day of the week.

Shadow Shock, you run into problems in states like here in Washington, where deer/elk/big game requires .24 cal or bigger by law.

7.62x39 is a terrific deer round, inside of 250 yards. I've used it on deer and hog from my ARs to great effect. I am switching over to 6.8SPC in general, but I'd not hesitate to use either.

The WSSMs are known for feeding issues in ARs, and I'm avoiding them. I may build a 458 SOCOM one day, but I'll not likely use it for deer.

No listing for .458 SOCOM?
Has ballistics very similar to a 45-70 and uses the same bullets as one. Also importantly enough, standard 556 magazines work with this cartridge. I'm planning on getting an upper in this chambering one of these years for hunting.

The one you have? Or the new upper you're trying to justify?

Doesn't the 450 Bushmaster use standard mags (with a follower change) too?

Click to expand...

Yes the 450 Bushmaster uses the standard 5.56 30 round mag with a new single stack follower that makes it good for 9 rounds.

"The overall cartridge matches the 223 Remington at 2.250”, but uses a specially designed magazine." Hornady press release.

Lots of guys on AR15.com have used 6.8mm SPC for their deer kills...there's a thread up somewhere showing off their kills

"Shadow Shock, you run into problems in states like here in Washington, where deer/elk/big game requires .24 cal or bigger by law."

That's why I live in Texas

.223 is illegal in KS, besides IMHO not enough gun.

7.62X39 is a capable deer killer if kept within .30/30 range.

6.8 SPC shows a lot of promise.