Funny, but true of the Ar15

[capt.hollis]

I tell all my friends that I just finished my first Ar15 build from the ground up, and there like " oh ok good "?? Finally this weekend at deer camp I was able to brag some. I was just sighting her in at 100 yds for zero, and the next thing I knew I had 15 people watching me. Now I'll remind you that some of these guys were very skeptic of my new build. Next thing I knew is that everyone wanted to shoot it when they seen what it could do ! After all its said and done they all wanted one, lol! They even offered me a few hundred extra to build it for them. I just think its funny, because most if them called it a burp gun, and could not ever match there sole and true deer rifles they grew up with. I was in the same place likewise, but always wanted one anyhow, now it's all I hunt with. I DOA'd 2 big axis deer this weekend. One at 130 yds, and the other at 200. Neither took a step using black hill 60 gr ballistic, right behind the shoulder. I just finished a rock river lower, Dpms 1/8 twist heavy stainless black barrel, Yankee hill upper reciever, all 5.56 mil spec. What an accurate weapon that makes skeptics into believers.

 

[.338Sako]

Cool story, I bought a ar-15 years ago and the guys I work with gave me some crap about the 5.56. The one that gave me the most crap now has one and braggs about how it will take out deer to 200yrds. Funny stuff.

 

[Sky]

Think most people who have used the AR and have actually killed things with the AR have faith in the platform and the 5.56 round.

 

[68wj]

Sounds like you got good buy-in on the modern sporting rifle. There are always those that will resist the urge, or honestly won't care for it. That is fine, as variety is a good thing. I personally prefer a different cartridge in my AR, but it is what I take into the woods and haven't had a Fudd problem yet.

 

[sansone]

I resisted for years just because I didn't like the "look".. got over it

 

[Davek1977]

I used an AR-15 deer hunting for the first time last weekend...and collected a nice 5x5 whitetail on opening day....deer only went a few yards, and just laid down. I was fairly certain he was done, but walked closer to decide whether another shot was necessary. However, at that point I jumped another small whitetail buck, and my "dead" deer bolted along with with. There was a significant bloodtrail, however, and in short order he was found. Was impressed with the AR-15/ Federal Fusion 62 gr. combo.....took out both lungs, nicked heart, and excited opposite shoulder....will use it again next year (or to fill my 2 antlerless permits).

 

[mshootnit]

I am completing a 6.8 build I hope to take out second week of deer season. This one is an Armalite spec II 16" carbine upper, mated to a Surplus Ammo and Arms (Aero precision) lower. For parts I am using a Stag LPK with Palmetto CTR milspec black stock kit and heavy buffer. I am going to try the tactical SSA 115 gr Pro Hunter load and the SSA 110 Accubond load to see which groups best and functions best.

+1 on the 60 gr stuff for 5.56. I used a handloaded Nosler 60 gr Partition to take a coyote at 235 yds . Awesome performance.

 

[AMG04]

For over a year now I was sceptical of using my AR-15 on hogs or deer. However, like you I gave it a try. So far this year I have shot a 120lbs hog and 140lbs doe. Both were heart/lung shots and DRT. I will never question the 5.56 again. My build shoots .25" one hole groups at 50 yards and sub 1" at 100 yards. To me an accurate shot is better than a large caliber that misses its mark. The 60 grain v-max and Nosler 60 grain ballistic tips are devastating on soft tissue. Best of Luck, and congrats on your two Axis deer!

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Very interesting. I always seem to forget how versitile a platform the AR is. Thanks to the OP for the perspective.

I really need to just bite the bullet, buy my lower, and start my "Slow as Molasses, father of three" build...

 

[LoonWulf]

LOL, glad your happy with your AR I used a .223 chambered remington adl for years on deer when i lived on molokai, Never lost one. I never got over the fact that pretty much all the ARs i handled rattled here and there, just kinda bugged me, so i never got one. Im thinking i might build one in the near future since im out of other projects lol.

 

[d2wing]

After they became legal here for deer I had my doubts, but because I had shoulder surgery I tried an AR in .223. I 've shot dozens of deer with all kind of cartridges. The .223 55 gr soft points did the job as good as any thing else at the range of under 100 yards.

 

[1stmarine]

I am surprised among all the crowds you do not have a veteran or somebody knows the true value of the AR.
I think the AR is more than adequate for deer, pigs and black bear. It got banned in many places due to folks using some old surplus fmj ammo that might not be the best choice but any hunting 223 bullet 60gr, 70gr will do.
The 70gr barnes TSX will pop them like they are hit by lightning, neck shot or not. If you are withing 100yards and are good at shots behind the hear then
a 22LR will also do it.
This business of folks thinking we need an artillery shell to kill a deer started to escalate in the last 10 years specially. In many cases totally unnecessary. I would say if you want to provide a good dose of morphine at 300 yards then look into the 6.8spc or a simple yet very effective 6x45 but the .223 TSX might be all you need, again, make sure you are legal due to .223 restrictions and do not take the shot if you do not feel ok you can kill quickly but this is with any gun.
for everything else we have the 30.06 and 308win with some other exceptions in some more specialty type of situations.

Building and AR it only requires some time, patience and be able to follow instructions well. Congrats on your first build. Do not build rifles for others with few exceptions for family and helping close friends. It can be a lot of fun.

Building for profit has some potential liabilities associated with it. Every round coming out of one of those systems has your name in it. I am not a lawyer but I read what happens sometimes.

cheers.
E.

 

[LoonWulf]

I dont think it was the last 10yrs or so where we got the real big jump in power. Id say early in the century. IMHO i think the last 10-15yrs has seen the advent of newer bullets that generally allows for a reduction in power. The .223/5.56 wouldnt have been a good choice as a deer round, with what was available, when it was created.

 

[Sky]

Ammo choices IMO are now fantastic in 223. The 7.62x39 is coming along nicely also.

 

[1stmarine]

Hi,
I am not sure what you mean with "power" but definitely have been some huge advances in the last 10-15 years in terminal performance.

A - powders .....help with consistent loads impervious to weather
B - Accuracy .... placement is always more important than pure raw power. Modern ARs rival many bolt action.
C - terminal ballistics.

A standard AR today is far from the original AR and original round. Stoner was very clear about his objectives in many statements. The Rifle was designed for the round and not the other way around. That round has changed so the rifle has changed.
Simply ft/lbs has nothing to do with the overall performance and even if that was ever a concern there is plenty to spare. Not long ago and for decades generations of Americans found the 1873 rifle a suitable rifle that took more deer than we can imagine and now suddenly 1 or 2 generations decided an AR with 3 times the energy of the 1873 is not good for deer? nosense.
All that is needed to take an animal was well figured out before the trends and magazines and fashions came along. Ask any experienced hunter or marksman if a .223 with a suitable hunting bullet can take a deer or a hog or a black bear and they will tell you. Now is the best choice for everything out there? probably not. that is not the same as not suitable.

Those who put the restrictions on 223 had to do it due to inexperienced folks misusing the 223 rounds and hunting the wrong way. otherwise there was not need to ban anything.

...by the way I agree with Sky too, the 7.62x39 is one of the most popular hunting rounds in the world. Also good for deer. Like the 223 one has to know the limitations of the carbine or rifle and oneself so do not ever try to pop a deer with any of those at 600 yards. That is not a good idea.

 

[LoonWulf]

I agree with you, ft/lbs isnt the only criteria to consider a rounds ability to kill. By power i DO mean ft/lbs; your example 73 or a 94, or any of the standard BP rounds, which would be easy to consider as standard hunting rounds, were eclipsed by the .30-06.
As i stated before, i consider the .223 to be a fine round for animals under 300lbs.
I cant personally say for bear as ive never and likely never will hunt one, but i have killed a great many axis deer with a .223 firing 55grn varmint bullets. The only better options wouldnt stabilize in my rifle, or were not affordable. As you say, shot placement matters more then raw power, BUT more power gives you SOME leeway.

 

[justice06rr]

Congrats on your AR build. I'm on the process of building my AR too, after selling my Bushmaster 5.56M4 Carbine just last month. Its definitely an exciting build, and the AR platform is so versatile and compatible, you can use it for almost anything.

Post pics if you have them, would like to see how it looks like.

 

[capt.hollis]

Thanks guys, I'll post some up tonight!

 

[35 Whelen]

After all its said and done they all wanted one, lol! They even offered me a few hundred extra to build it for them.

Don't you realize that due to your statement above that you're going to be bombarded by people quoting BATF rules and telling you that you are going put under the prison for the mere mention of the fact that someone wants you to assemble an AR for them?

As far as hunting round, one only has to be cognizant of the limitations of the .223. I say this as one who began his deer hunting 30+ years ago with a .222 Remington LONG before the advent of premium bullets. with proper bullets, .22 centerfires are fine for deer, but they're not 300+ yard big game hunting cartridges.

35W

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Building and AR it only requires some time, patience and be able to follow instructions well. Congrats on your first build. Do not build rifles for others with few exceptions for family and helping close friends. It can be a lot of fun.

Building for profit has some potential liabilities associated with it. Every round coming out of one of those systems has your name in it. I am not a lawyer but I read what happens sometimes.

Unless you put it together wrong, I doubt there would be any liabilities. BUT doing this kind of thing seems like to me like gunsmithing and gunsmithing without a FFL is a big no no in the BATF's book.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

German DWM cartridges roughly equivalent to the .223/5.56 (5.6x47R and 5.6x50) are commonly used (with heavy bullets) to take deer in Europe.

Some states base their cartridge limitations for deer on the idea that all .22 centerfire cartridges are either too weak or are loaded with highly frangible varmint bullets. With the right bullets, .223 is a good deer round. Just check your local hunting regs.

 

[capt.hollis]

35 Whelen, I really dont give a sh%$ who may accuse me of building an AR 15 for someone, and how I've opened myself up to the skeptics! I'll never build a gun for anyone else other than my father, but thats my business. As far as the 223 goes for hunting,,,,, Its legal in Texas, and has proven itself to be a deadly round for deer in the hands of the right people. Other than that here is a photo of my AR, and I hope you guys like it. Thanks to all of the positive post guys, and I appreciate the help I've recieved while in the process.

 

[1stmarine]

Very nice system in deed. I know a few folks down in texas they are having a great success with the 55gr and 62gr barnes TSX. It is massive trauma no matter what caliber.

I don't think that anyone is accusing anyone of nothing here. I provided some advice in good faith. Of course we/anyone! can help our family and friends building anything, from roof tops to mechanical marvels but I was making a comment based on a potential but very real liability. Again I am not a lawyer but I read about some cases and totally hardworking, honest people got screwed because something they sold or they built ended up in someone hands and something bad happened with it. .....and once they call to your door and call you to testify you have to go.

Again I am not saying in a negative way. Something just to think about it.

Even police are afraid to shoot someone these days as you have gang bangers and crack heads whit a couple of shots laying down on the ground and first thing they do is calling their lawyers making all sort of claims after even being caught in a crime. The law system is not an exact science and very precise these days. Sometimes it favors the guilty and screws up the innocent.
Not being aware of a situation is not excuse to be legaly immune to it.
I never come to any quick conclusions, I read, digest, think about it, take additional information if I have to, and then proceed accordingly.

Sorry for the sermon man.

 

[35 Whelen]

35 Whelen, I really dont give a sh%$ who may accuse me of building an AR 15 for someone, and how I've opened myself up to the skeptics! I'll never build a gun for anyone else other than my father, but thats my business.

That's the kind of attitude I love about my fellow Texans! Reminiscent of the "Come and take it" flag that was hoisted for the Mexicans to see at the Alamo!

35W

 

[suzukisam]

the doe my brother dropped last year with a 70gr tsx at 350 yds didn't seem to know that a 223 was too small! I am a firm believer that premium bullets have changed what calibers are "needed".. now a 7mm mag will always do a better job than a 223, but a 223,243,6.8,etc... all offer killing power without ridiculous recoil..