Being of sound (hunting) mind, I won't use an AR for hunting deer, bear, or moose. In fact, I don't even own one and not planning to at this time of my life. My Remington 700, 270 Win, using the proper handloads, will quickly kill any game I can seek in Maine. It has killed a moose with one-shot at about 270 yards and that's the biggest kind of animal in this state.
Larger Game Hunting in Maine
- Thread starter Picher
- Start date
courtgreene
Member
I took a .30-30 after bears in Maine, but didn’t have a chance to shoot one. Having seen all sorts of mease, I don’t think I’d use the .30-30 on them. Pretty big.
Nothing wrong with a Remington 700 but an ar10 would be fine for anything in Maine.
I'd use a 270, with proper bullet choice, to kill any animal in North America and all but about 4 on the planet. And it will, and has, killed those 4. I'd just want something bigger. For completely irrational reasons I prefer 30-06 for that role, but that is purely personal preference.
The 223 round, from an AR or any other rifle is a legitimate deer cartridge with some limitations such as range and bullet choices. But it isn't suitable for game larger than deer. As a rule, I hunt with a bolt action rifle chambered in 308 or 30-06 because bear season runs the same dates as deer season most places here and even if there are no bear in the area I'm not willing to live with the range limitations most of the time.
I've killed deer with a 223 round fired from an AR. They died just like the ones I shot with a 30-06. Under the right conditions the compact 16" barrel, the ability to get off 2-3 quick accurate shots, and virtually no recoil make for a good package.
The 223 round, from an AR or any other rifle is a legitimate deer cartridge with some limitations such as range and bullet choices. But it isn't suitable for game larger than deer. As a rule, I hunt with a bolt action rifle chambered in 308 or 30-06 because bear season runs the same dates as deer season most places here and even if there are no bear in the area I'm not willing to live with the range limitations most of the time.
I've killed deer with a 223 round fired from an AR. They died just like the ones I shot with a 30-06. Under the right conditions the compact 16" barrel, the ability to get off 2-3 quick accurate shots, and virtually no recoil make for a good package.
Jerry M
Member
A .450 Bushmaster cartridge, even out of a black rifle, is certainly capable of taking a moose or anything else Maine has to offer.
Rebel Dave
Member
My 45/70, and 30-30 Marlins have been my huntin companions for years in the North Woods of Wisconsin.
I sold my Blk Rifles, and didn't look back. I do have a Ruger late model Mini 14 in .223, that I like.
Picher send some of those moose this way.
Dave
I sold my Blk Rifles, and didn't look back. I do have a Ruger late model Mini 14 in .223, that I like.
Picher send some of those moose this way.
Dave
I tried Dave, but they don't herd worth a dang! BTW: If you shot a moose with a Mini 14, he'd take it away from you and spank you silly with it.
dobedo
Member
In the late 70s I was stationed in Kittery. I had a 45/70 and it was one and done on a Moose.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Not sure how Maine is different than most of the Northeast or Midwest, but thank you for your thoughts @Picher.
I have hunted Wisconsin for more than forty years. In additionn, I have hunted Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, and South Carolina.
Like Picher , I prefer a bolt action rifle for hunting deer, black bears, and elk (yes we have elk in WI) we don't have moose seasons. We may have a lost moose from the UP cross the border
Of the states that I have hunted, South Carolina is a place that an AR can have an advantage. With pigs under feeders and in agriculture fields. Also most deer are shot over bait and much smaller than those in the Midwest.
I have hunted Wisconsin for more than forty years. In additionn, I have hunted Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, and South Carolina.
Like Picher , I prefer a bolt action rifle for hunting deer, black bears, and elk (yes we have elk in WI) we don't have moose seasons. We may have a lost moose from the UP cross the border
Of the states that I have hunted, South Carolina is a place that an AR can have an advantage. With pigs under feeders and in agriculture fields. Also most deer are shot over bait and much smaller than those in the Midwest.
Buzznrose
Member
Edited to soften my tone, that was probably harsh. Not trying to be “low road”…
AR platform is a solid platform for hunting. Not every AR is chambered in the .223/5.56 cartridge, and there are great options like 6.5 Grendel, .300 Blackout, and 458 SOCOM to name a few.
I no longer hunt, and when I did, I typically used bolt or lever guns, but zero wrong hunting with an AR platform.
Too many people bash the evil “black guns” these days. If they are not your choice, that’s okay. But we need to respect the other guys ethical choices.
Gun enthusiasts don’t let friends be a Jim Zumbo.
AR platform is a solid platform for hunting. Not every AR is chambered in the .223/5.56 cartridge, and there are great options like 6.5 Grendel, .300 Blackout, and 458 SOCOM to name a few.
I no longer hunt, and when I did, I typically used bolt or lever guns, but zero wrong hunting with an AR platform.
Too many people bash the evil “black guns” these days. If they are not your choice, that’s okay. But we need to respect the other guys ethical choices.
Gun enthusiasts don’t let friends be a Jim Zumbo.
Last edited:
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Sorry if I offended you with my comment. I truly don't like 22 caliber cartridges for large game. For smaller deer and pigs they are fine with the right bullets (my opinion). I have not personally used the other cartridges that fit the platform, but the ballistics of those you listed make them capable mid range deer/bear rounds.
My choice of rifle, while different from what the OP used is still adequate for anything on this continent. My choice is a Winchester Model 1895 chambered in 405 WCF.
As for the AR and similar, I will be getting several if my brother predecessors me. Otherwise, no, not for me.
Kevin
As for the AR and similar, I will be getting several if my brother predecessors me. Otherwise, no, not for me.
Kevin
WisBorn
Contributing Member
TEDDY TOOK A 1895 TO AFRICA ON SAFARI! GOTTA BE GOOD
Buzznrose
Member
No offense taken.
We all get our opinions, but the inference about others not being of “sound mind” was wrong. That was not your post.
huntersdog
Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 53
There is a 205 page thread of hunting with a .223 for bear, deer, elk and moose on Rokslide,
I believe he took three of the Model 1895s. Two in 405, one for him and one for his son. And one in 30 US (30-40).TEDDY TOOK A 1895 TO AFRICA ON SAFARI! GOTTA BE GOOD
He made good use of them.
Kevin
DM~
Member
I wouldn't bet on that one, I shot a bull moose at about 30 yards with one round out of a 12 ga., loaded with Hi brass 6's, and it had no problem killing it.
The moose went about 10 yards, layed down and expired.
DM
WisBorn
Contributing Member
DM~
Member
The short answer is, because that's all I had, and it had no problem getting the job done.
DM
herrwalther
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
- Messages
- 8,130
Before moving to the deep south, I shot every game animal in Maine with a 35Remington except Moose. I did take the 35R on Moose hunts but never had a shot I was comfortable enough to try on that target and it was my only hunting rifle at the time. If I went on a Moose hunt in Maine now, I would bring my 30-06 for a Moose rematch. And I got that rare permit again...
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