Which caliber for deer-hunting AR15?

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jogar80

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Want to buy an upper for an AR15 I have. Want to use this as a primary deer gun. Stuck between .243WSSM, .25WSSM, or 6.8SPCII. Also considered 6.5 Grendel, but I have not found that ammo at any store I have visited and the other calibers I'm looking at are available locally. Looking at a max range of about 500 yds. I've tried to do some reading up on it but I think I just ended up more confused than I started. Any input would be appreciated.
 
A big question is whether or not you reload...that's a game changer.
 
How about just buying a SKS. The 7.62X39mm rnd is a good 30 cal. rnd for deer hunting. For the price of an AR you could buy a SKS and a AK. If you could afford an AR you could afford a SKS, IMO.
 
Currently I only reload for my .308, but would reload for either of those for the AR15 if I could only decide on one! Lol.
 
[How about just buying a SKS. The 7.62X39mm rnd is a good 30 cal. rnd for deer hunting. For the price of an AR you could buy a SKS and a AK. If you could afford an AR you could afford a SKS, IMO. ]

I already have the AR15 and enjoy shooting it a lot. That is the reason I want to use it for deer hunting as well.
 
In my opionon 500yd hunting is well beyond the performance of any of the current AR repeaters cartridges. Fir those kinds if ranges you should be looking at a big belted magnum

let me ask you this. Have you hunted before?
 
i dissagree krochus a 243wssm or a 25wssm will have no problem shooting 500yds and killing a deer and i'm not convinced that a 6.8spc can't kill a deer at 500yards
 
[let me ask you this. Have you hunted before?]

Krochus, Slap me in the face why dont you?

Yes, I have hunted many many years, and love it. I have made 450 yd shots for a successful kill and would only want to go up to 500 before I feel its not worth it to go any further. Besides, I have no senderos longer than 500 yds on my lease.

I have made these kills between 200-450 yds using .308's, .243's, and a .25-06. I have never even shot a magnum rifle of any sort and never felt like I was at any disadvantage at the ranges I'm talking about. To my mind, 500yd shots are challenging but doable with practice. In fact I feel that a shot under 200 yds is cheating when hunting with a rifle. I also bow hunt and am confident out to 80 yds, so you can see why I feel like I'm cheating with a rifle. I believe magnums are for much longer shots that I simply do not have the skills to make, NOT 500yd shots.
 
JTEX53 said:
How about just buying a SKS. The 7.62X39mm rnd is a good 30 cal. rnd for deer hunting. For the price of an AR you could buy a SKS and a AK. If you could afford an AR you could afford a SKS, IMO.
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Or he could buy a 7.62x39mm upper for his AR and shoot the caliber that you suggest in the platform he wants/prefers. ;)

(ETA: OOPS! Didn't see the 500yd comment -- he definitely doesn't want a x39 AR for that...)

I would go up to the larger frame ARs and use a .308, personally, but I'm also a big .308 fan.

Of the ones that work with std. AR lowers, I like the 6.8SPC. Built one for myself for that purpose quite a while back, but eventually sold it (I don't reload and factory 6.8 ammo was hard to find and expensive when you did -- still so, but not as bad as it was).
 
Call Oly Arms on ther new AR 15's that are set up for deer (new for 2010). I have a heavy barrel 25wssm and it shoots very well. Their new rifles will be under 7.5lbs. I am sure the trigger will need some help from Bill Springfield. Also check out dedicated arms, Mike does great work.

Good luck.
 
That's along ways to shoot when you have wind indicators let alone in the field without some serious range finding equipment, but maybe you've got a good range finder and know your wind. Ballistically the 6.8 just doesn't have what it takes at 500 yards, at 400 it only has 600 and change foot pounds. 25 has what it takes, 800 and change out to 500, actually given the same 115gr bullet weight it will have 1000+. 7mm t/cu offers the same as 6.8mm ballistics but you might be able to shoot heavier bullets but availability is low. 25wssm should be most available.
 
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Beagle-zebub said:
Hey now, you're not the first guy to ask us about killing deer at long distances. You very likely ARE the first of them who has actually done it. :D
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Exactly!

Please don't get angry it was a legit question. Based on your answer I really don't think there's a ar-15 cartridge that you'll really be pleased with....yet


The WSSM's are close and are definately the hottest numbers for the AR15 to date short of a 50bmg single shot upper
 
krochus said:
Exactly!

Please don't get angry it was a legit question. Based on your answer I really don't think there's a ar-15 cartridge that you'll really be pleased with....yet


The WSSM's are close and are definately the hottest numbers for the AR15 to date short of a 50bmg single shot upper
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My apologies, wasn't sure if it was a legit question or a sarcastic comment. One of the shortcomings of communicating in writing. I appreciate the input.
 
The most impressive deer rifle that I've seen on the AR platform was an AR-10 in .260 Rem. It would hold minute of angle at 300 yards with carefully assembled handloads. If anything ever happens to my MK X 6.5 Swede bolt action, I am going to get a DPMS in .260.

I knew a reloading fidget that had an AR-15 platform in 6X47 mm, which I think is a 5.56 opened up to 6mm. It was a good deer rifle but 500 yards? Most folks can't see a deer at 500 yards much less hit it.
 
Where on earth do you have 500 yards of open range to hunt Whitetail? :confused:

Otherwise: .308 never failed anyone hunting whitetail. Though it is possible someone failed the .308. So if your really going to hunt with an AR, Stoners 1st will do it. AR-10.
 
.308 or .243 or .260 would be the best choice if you're looking at buying a complete rifle (since you need an AR10 sized receiver).

However, it looks to me like the OP wants to buy a new caliber upper to put on an existing AR15. So he's limited to a cartridge OAL around 2.25"


Also the average distance most deer are taken at is 150yd.

If you're going to do a lot of 500yd shooting buy a bolt gun in a magnum cartridge (bullet drop on .308 is something like 50 inches at 500 yards IIRC)
 
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I have an SKS I have done some work on, and I like it, but it's not a 500 yard rifle.

I do find myself wishing that the Grendel round and uppers were more available as well. I'm wondering if Alexander Arms is going to cling to that exclusivity as they drown.

This pretty much steers me towards a 6.8, but I don't plan on taking hunting shots past 2-300 yards. I would think that for whitetails, it should be plenty.

Having said that, I'm making plans to set up an AR-10 for .308, .243, and .260. I think that when I have them, I won't bother using the AR-15 on anything bigger than coyotes anymore.
 
In my opionon 500yd hunting is well beyond the performance of any of the current AR repeaters cartridges. Fir those kinds if ranges you should be looking at a big belted magnum
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Agreed 100% I think the AR could make kills but it would be exremly good shooting and a lot of luck.
My friend hunts with a 6.8 and we killed a small button buck this year with it. Made a HUGE whole but not much blood trail. Its a good round, about a 300 cartridge.

HB
 
krochus, that's not my favorite either, but he asked for the ar15....

now, if you really want to blast anything in your between you and your 500 yard mark using an AR go with an AR-308 or... even better with a ...

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