Making an AR-15 a Deer Rifle...

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wanderinwalker

wanderinwalker

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Yep. It seems crazy, I fully realize it, but I had to start this.

First off, let me say that I am not exactly in favor of taking a .223 AR-15 out deer hunting. Just doesn't seem like enough gun to me, unless we're taking head-shots only on small rat-deer.

That said, I decided at the range today that I really do shoot better away from the bench with an AR-15 than I do with a "conventional" deer rifle. I mean, way better. Granted, 50 yards isn't much of a test, but 50 yards is how far a shot is likely to be in these woods anyway. But offhand, sitting, kneeling, braced, whatever, I can definitely shoot an AR-15 well.

So...

I'm looking at a longer future forecast before the budget allows this, but I figured I'd get a forum concensus. The options I see for turning an AR into a semi-useful deer gun are:

A) 7.62x39mm upper

B) 6.8mm SPC upper

C) .50 Beowulf

D) 6.5 Grendel

What is the concensus on the future of these options? I realize that in terms of power, that the Beowulf stomps all of the other. But availability and ease of use are concerns, to a point. I do reload, so finding commercially made ammo isn't a huge issue, in my mind. What does everybody think for making an AR-15 into a 100-150 yard deer rifle? Which is the most logical route?
 
This is my current deer/pig gun.
Bushmaster AR-10 chambered in 7.62 topped with a Leupold 6.5-20 LR scope
th_AR-10PIC2.jpg

I took a nice deer with it Wednesday with a neck shot at 175 yards. Ammo used was Honady 168 grain TAP. The rifle seems to like it, 3/4" to 1" groups at 100 yards using it.

.308 ammo is fairly cheap and easy to get, a big plus for any rifle.
 
I built a 7.62x39 upper for deer hunting. The biggest issue with 7.62x39 in an AR platform is usually hi-cap magazine availability, but that's not a problem for deer hunting. I used a free-floated Model1Sales barrel and bolt with a DPMS upper and lower. It's a solid MOA performer.

For 200 yard or less deer hunting, it's the bee's knees.
 
In 223, look at the 70gr Barnes TSX bullet. It is longer than a 77SMK and over half its length is a solid shank. A guy posted on SH that he's taken multiple deer with it (under 100 yards) and it has no problem punching through both lungs and breaking the far shoulder on the way out.

In 6.8SPC, I have just loaded up some of the following rounds for the WI deer season:

110gr Sierra Pro-Hunter (2630fps)
100gr Barnes XFB (2680fps)
110gr Barnes TSX (2610fps)

Based on the bullet construction, I expect these to all perform, but I won't have the actual data until after..

Here's the 70gr 223 fired into books:
[ link to LARGER image ]

Since the district I'll be hunting in has unlimited tags available, I may get the chance to have myself or other hunters try all those 6.8 loads in addition to the 70gr 223 (from a suppressed 14.5" no less!)
 
For what B, C or D would cost you could be in an AR-10 (and .308 is plenty good for deer ... and less expensive to shoot for practice than the other 3).

I just have a problem with 7.62x39 in an AR ... but not for any logical reasons ... it just seems wrong. In addition I don't know if its as inherently accurate as .308.
 
I had thought of an AR-10. With that route I could even have it made into my beloved .260 later on in life, which would be cool. Actually, at Camp Perry in August I got to hold a DPMS chambered in .300 RSAUM. The platform has always interested me.

My father has a spare AR-15 lower hanging around that I suspect I could talk him out of for not much $$. Half the fun I see with an AR is the ability to go from a dedicated .22LR, a long-barreled varmint gun, a match rifle, a short-barreled bullet hose and more just by pushing some pins. Plug and play! And it beats my friend's Encore cause you never have to worry about shot number 2 (or 3, or 4, or 5...). :evil:
 
if you get the beowolf you can use the same 223 mags. and i think a 30rnd 223 mag holds 10 50 beowolf so its legal in most areas. less fiddling around if you ask me :) that being said if you dont reload i could see how this could get to be problematic.

hey dont forget they make a 50 cal upper for the ar 15:p
 
I used to own a 20" (LW) AR-10. It was heavy. I wouldn't want to carry it around the woods all day. But it would certainly get the job done, no question.

rbernie,

They are from my 18". I would not expect them to lose much FPS from a 16" however.
 
I would think you could do fine with .223 if you pick your ammo carefully and take only sure accurate shots.
Otherwise, you will have more ammo choices in .308 than other alternatives.
 
In Wisconsin, a .22 centerfire cartridge is legal for deer, as long as FMJ ammo is not used.

I know of a LEO who uses a box-stock AR-15 (a semi-automatic) and he is a very successful deer hunter.

I also have talked to several guys at the sporting goods store where I work who have wifes of slight stature. Their favorite caliber is 22-250.

Same old argument. It's the man, not the machine.
 
Zak must have dual-residency.

;)

(As a Wisconsin resident living in Florida, myself, with the USGI home of record exemption...)


Myself, I understand why some states outlaw the .223 for deer hunting. Hell, often it doesn't even work on two-legged critters. Granted, I've witnessed poachers in Wisconsin (Sauk County) take deer with .22 Long Rifle, but that doesn't make it right. And I've owned dogs that are bigger than Texas deer, so maybe it's ok down there for .223 Remington.

I am intrigued, however, by an AR-15 chambered either for 6.5PPC/Grendel or 6.8 SPC as a Bambi-thumper.
 
i'd go with the .50 Beowulf as a first option because:
all you need is a barrel change. the rim on the Beo is the same size as the .223. the width of the Beo is the same as a staggerstacked .223, so no mag change.
it's also powerful.

as a second option i'd go with the 6.5 Grendel.
7,62x39 is kinda underpowered. better than .223, but...
~TMM
 
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