WardenWolf
member
I have a Radical Firearms FGS-12 rifle in 5.56. It's a budget AR, although you wouldn't know it by how it looks and performs; just a damn good gun. However, 5.56 is not legal for deer hunting in Virginia (.225 diameter minimum). As a result, I'm trying to figure out what I want to do for my next upper.
The obvious choices are 6.8 SPC, 7.62x39, .300 Blackout, .458 SOCOM, and .50 Beowulf. I was leaning towards either 7.62x39 or .300 Blackout (basically the same round in terms of performance), but I was in a gun store the other day and a guy was looking for better .300 Blackout ammo, saying he was not happy with its performance on Virginia deer (poor penetration with expanding ammo). FMJ is legal to hunt with in Virginia (and no magazine size limit), but I still consider that a bit unethical.
So, I've ruled out 7.62x39 and .300 Blackout. 6.8 SPC has a good reputation for accuracy, and some people say it's a great deer caliber, but the absolute knockdown power of .458 SOCOM or .50 Beowulf is appealing. Both are near .45-70 in power, a proven caliber that's capable of handling everything in North America and the Big Five in Africa. 6.5 Grendel is on the table as well.
So, I'm rather split. I can't really see myself shooting at over 150 yards. I'd appreciate any advice or personal experience anyone might have.
Thanks in advance.
The obvious choices are 6.8 SPC, 7.62x39, .300 Blackout, .458 SOCOM, and .50 Beowulf. I was leaning towards either 7.62x39 or .300 Blackout (basically the same round in terms of performance), but I was in a gun store the other day and a guy was looking for better .300 Blackout ammo, saying he was not happy with its performance on Virginia deer (poor penetration with expanding ammo). FMJ is legal to hunt with in Virginia (and no magazine size limit), but I still consider that a bit unethical.
So, I've ruled out 7.62x39 and .300 Blackout. 6.8 SPC has a good reputation for accuracy, and some people say it's a great deer caliber, but the absolute knockdown power of .458 SOCOM or .50 Beowulf is appealing. Both are near .45-70 in power, a proven caliber that's capable of handling everything in North America and the Big Five in Africa. 6.5 Grendel is on the table as well.
So, I'm rather split. I can't really see myself shooting at over 150 yards. I'd appreciate any advice or personal experience anyone might have.
Thanks in advance.