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Hunting caliber AR choices

P

packratt

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 16, 2005
1,013
697
VA
I'm in the process of building ARs for my nieces and nephew in 223/5.56. I would like to also set up a second upper barreled in something a little more legal for dear.

Before you start on it I'm fully aware that a Speer 70gr semi-spitzer behind a max charge of 3031 will do a marvelous job on them. That's not the point.

Both their grandfather and myself reload so that isn't an issue.

Ranges will be sub 200 most likely sub 100.

Are there any that can utilize the .223 bolt and carrier?
If not, I'm leaning toward the 6.5 or 6.8. I'm open to using a different BCG but would be nice to just need the one.

Don't make me go to ARF.com
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

What is "a little more legal"? It either is or isn't legal.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pwc001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.8 SPC II

With the 85gr Barnes Tac-X bullet. </div></div>
+1
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

what about a 6mm?

6mmAR turbo
6mmAR Turbo 40 IMP
6mm hagar
.224 ar

go to 6mmar.com for specs.

xdeano
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I run a 6.8 for deer. I'm in the process of building a .264 for LR shooting also.

Either one of those would be fine...
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I am in the process of putting a 6.5 Grendel upper together for just this purpose. I plan to use a 120gr Nosler Balistic Tip.

You don't need a second BCG unless you really want one, you can just swap the .223 bolt for the other bolt on your existing carrier when you want to run the other caliber. That is what I plan to do.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

300 blkout is great for, said kids, for hunting at that range. Low recoil, but packs a punch. My 12 year old daughter loves to shoot mine. My second choice would be eather the grendel or 6.8 spc.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

for under 200 yds a 300 blackout is hard to beat as you'll only need a barrel, the bolt, mags are the same as 223/5.56. and there is brass and loaded ammo available.
a 6.5 grendel would be an excellent choice also but need dif barrel, bolt face and mags than 223/5.56
your call.
cheers.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

6.8 works great. but if you can do a .308 I would recommend that.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I fully understand your situation. VA doesn't allow 223/5.56 for deer hunting despite the performance of quality ammo. My solution for my boys was a 300 blackout. I have both a noveske 16" and wilson combat 16" that will dump a 20 round mag into an inch at 100y. Each upper is on a Rock River lower with a Geissle DMR trigger. Combined, we've killed 14 deer over the past 3 years with those little AR's. My favorite load is H110 over Barnes M/LE 110gr (the black tip round designed in conjunction with AAC/Freedom Group). It does wonders on VA deer. The Hornady 110 VMAX's do well also, but if it hits the thicker shoulder bones, it will frag too early and dump most of the energy into the bone v/s punching through and dumping it in the chest cavity. We've never lost a deer with either round OR the 240 SMK's that we've used on occasion. I chose the 300 BO over the 6.8 due to the lighter recoil (an issue with a 5 year old) and the cheaper brass you can get or make from 5.56 cases. I had an 18" AR-10 in 308 that I let them try at first but it was just too heavy.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: packratt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Are there any that can utilize the .223 bolt and carrier?

</div></div>
I am not sure how nobody mentioned it, but the obvious choice to me is a 6x45. Shoot 80-85gr medium game bullets (there are still varmint style bullets in this weight range) and it should do well for you out past 200. It is just a necked up 223, case forming is essentially nonexistent, uses 223 brass (should buy a different head stamp than your 223 loads) 6mm bullets are plentiful, it is easy to load for and you can use the same bolt carrier and go/no go gauges. You really should buy a different bolt for each upper though. That way you wear the lugs less.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

The 6.8 SPC Spec II with 95gr. TTSX's is an amazing combo for hunting, the 120gr. SST is also amazing for hunting and packs quite a punch.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I've whacked several deer with my 6.8, at the range you speak of I doubt you would be dissappointed with it. I agree the TTSX's are superb!
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

Dogmesissiah, you brought out a great point. A different bolt,head- spaced is key. Many good cal. mentioned. To the OP, you can't go wrong with any of the suggested cal.s
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

6.8 or 6.5 are your best choices. The range you're talking about, a 300 will work but it's at it's limit. Better to have enough power and then some, than to barely be sufficient, especially if you might end up hunting a longer distance in the future.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RUM Lover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I fully understand your situation. VA doesn't allow 223/5.56 for deer hunting despite the performance of quality ammo. My solution for my boys was a 300 blackout. ..... I chose the 300 BO over the 6.8 due to the lighter recoil (an issue with a 5 year old) and the cheaper brass you can get or make from 5.56 cases. I had an 18" AR-10 in 308 that I let them try at first but it was just too heavy. </div></div>

223/556 works fine in the hollers of Tn where there is only one game warden in the county and he has sense enough to stay out of the hollers but too many of them running around in my area of VA.

I've got some time to decide on a caliber and to acquire parts. They won't be back in the US for another year unless my nieces husband changes his mind and stays regular AF for another enlistment. Recoil is definately an issue. The oldest just turned 5 gave her a Remington Model 5 last year for Christmas. She got to shoot it when they came home on leave last Feb. I wasn't able to be there when my brother shot with her but she had a blast. Got back to England and was telling everyone how she got a real gun and was going to kill a dear and a bear (rifle is a .22lr). Rifle is currently setting in the safe awaiting their return. Now if I can only find another pink Model 5 for the other girl at a reasonable price.

Have you had any feeding issues with the 300BO? Think I read something about that being an issue somewhere.

Need to do some more reading but between the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8SPC, I'm leaning toward the 6.5 Grendel. This is because I already reload 6.5x55 and can probably use some of the same bullets.

That 6.5 Mutt looks very interesting.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

Recoil should be mild in all the choices mentioned. I haven't shot the 6.5 much, as I'm still building mine, but my brotherbused my 6.8 this year in deer season and has had major surgeries this summer/fall on his jaws and nose. He did great with it and enjoyed shooting it. I doubt the 6.5, or 300 are any different.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I really like my 300 blk. It has performed well on several pigs (none over 150#) and should be plenty adequate for deer. Pretty much anything in an AR-15 has light recoil (maybe not the 450 bushmaster!) and the 300 is no exception. The best thing is the ease is building one and finding parts as only the barrel is changed. Well really the best thing is shooting it suppressed. And hunting with it suppressed here in Texas this year
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

450 bushmaster with a brake. doesnt matter if its a good shot or not its going down.
+1 for the 6.5 grendal
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

A buddy stopped by and he's got a fascination for the 300BO. Wouldn't believe me when I told him it is a <200 round. All he sees is the suppression potential and he doesn't even have a suppressor.

These rounds are newer than my books. Anyone got the ballistics data for

300BO 125gr and 220gr
6.8SPC 120gr
6.5Grendel 120gr
6.5 Mutt 120gr
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I've never heard of the mutt but I'm sure it is close to the .264/G.

The 300BO is a little slower than a 7.62X39 but has better bullet choices. Its main advantage is using subs shooting suppressed as it is quite. I would not use it for hunting past 200yds.

The 6.8 and .264/6.5G have made reliable kills out to 400yds, some farther but that would be the distance I would use them for. The 6.8 can throw a 110gr bullet at 2700fps out of a 16" bbl, it works just as good as the barrel gets shorter. The 6.8 has more support, the .264 works better for long range shooting.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I agree 300BLK would be the best choice for you needs. It would save the most money being that you can us the same (mags,bolt,brass) you would just need a new barreled upper.Just a thought 243 would be a good choice as well, its good at 100 and longer if you ever needed or wanted more range.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I had this dilemma this past summer. I finally decided on the 300 blackout. My understanding is that up to 200-250 yds, this round is effective. Beyond that, the 6.8 is preferred over the 300 blkout. For me, another reason was the ability to use standard ar mags. I have 2 300 ARs and I am quite pleased. I hunt pigs out in south central Florida and haven't needed to go beyond 175 yds. That being said, I was in the process of acquiring a 6.8 when the SHTF.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

Have you had any feeding issues with the 300BO? Think I read something about that being an issue somewhere.


With most 30 cal bullets, feeding isn't an issue. It's only when you use the rounded bullets v/s the more pointed ones that I've had any issues...like a 220gr round nose soft point. The Grendel is a great choice, but a lot more expensive to build and load for. Also, if you have a suppressor with any of the calibers, the kids don't develop bad habbits in reaction to the noise. I disagree that the 300 BO is limited to less than 200 yards. I've dropped deer at ~200 with 240gr subsonics out of my 16" encore in 300 BO. It's all about shot placement as with any caliber. That's the great thing about an AR platform, you can get match triggers and barrels to limit mistakes plus a quick follow up shot. Lastly, whatever caliber you end up with, I strongly recommend the Barnes TTSX's.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

like i said before 450 bushmaster...... inside of 250 its not going anywhere...my 87 year old grandfather shoots it...its a tack driver very little recoil...its a semi automatic 45-70...what more do you want????
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

Suburbanhick

I daresay your 87 year old grandfather probably weighs 4 or 5 times more than my nieces. He also without a doubt has more experience dealing with recoil.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I use both a grendel and a 300blk for deer up in WI and both work just fine. I sit in stand with the 6.5 since I run into longer shots sitting on stand and the 300blk as my brush gun. I have taken many big deer with the grendel and never had them go more than 30 yards. Have taken two small does on drives with the 300blk they both droped in 40 yards or less.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

if your a reloader, here is something to think about a 6mmx45 its just a 5.56mm necked up to 6mm, i first moved to Tn many years ago you could only hunt with a center fired 6mm or bigger for deer, i settled on the 6mmx45 because all i had to do is change the barrel on my AR same bolt/mags etc...here is the nice part just run .223/5.56mm brass into a 6mmx45 dies with a 80-85gr bullets and thats it, i shoot a 80gr bullet at 2750 FPS out of a 16" barrel, also back than there was no 6.8 or 300 blackout only a 7.62x39 AR, there are a number of companys that make barrels and dies for the 6mmx45, feed well shoots good and cheap to shoot look at 6.8/6.5/300blackout ammo prices, the 80-85gr bullet is just right to feed in the mags, i have 6.8 and 300 blackout guns but its hard to bet the 6mmx45, just my .02
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

Another for the .300 Blk. Been playing with different subsonic rounds. Dropped a coyote , 2 hogs and some varmints so far.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I have a couple of 5.56 rifles . they are very under rated for deer at a reasonable range . 70 grain barnes do great.
one 308 ar we all know what a great cartridge this is and the only thing I will say about it is its heavy .
also I have a 458 socom and fear nothing when I have it in my hands . it is a frequent companion when I walk my property especially since I have been finding hog sign and apparently there are more moutain lions and a few bears the dnr failed to reveal. for young adults or teens no way would I try to teach them marksmanship and hunting with this cannon.
my 300 blackout it a treat it shoots bullets from 100 grain up to 220 with amazing accuracy and easy to shoot on the cheap 147 grain pulled milsurp bullets and about 15 grains of lil-gun makes a nice plinking load also when loading 100 grain through 115 grain bullet weights between 18 and 20 grains of powder will do .
220 grain subs about 10.5 grains of powder . the 300 blackout wouild be my first choice do to the parts compatability and its ballistics in the woods. If your hunting on the great plains then forget it and go with a grendel.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

300 blackout 300 blackout, the year of the 300 blackout !!! the 300 whisper has been out there for many many years i shot it over 15 years ago in the army, AAC added .025 to its trim length modified the free bore some and did a great job of marketing it !! see my machine below i set it up over 15 years ago to make 300 whisper brass to make 300 blackout brass i just back out my cutter .025

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1FIs0FDmFQ
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

Take a look here, here, and here. The 6.8 continues to perform beyond its weight class on game. Inside 400 yds I would be completely comfortable shooting any game in the lower 48.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

if you getting a barrel 20in or longer then 6.5 for sure. If your getting a 16in or shorter barrel then 6.8.
 
Re: Hunting caliber AR choices

I have the Grendel/Beowulf system ( same bolt ) and for 250 and in I would look at the Beowulf. The recoil is not bad and the 325 factory ammo is a HOOT on anything you choose to put down with it. The 6.5 Grendel will take you out to a grand if need be. It has no problem out running the 308 when you get out there a bit.Good luck with your choice...With what I see in this thread you can't go wrong with any of it...
 
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