I got asked if, a 223 rem AR 15 is a good choice for a deer rifle?
I think youll get more than a few people who will tell you,
it has no place in the deer hunting woods,
but Id also bet about 98% of the time its the rifles semi military looks,
and the idea that you might be inclined to have a spray bullets,mentality,
in the general direction of game
that brings about the objection,
not its ability to kill deer cleanly,
thats the root of any objection.
in experienced hands,its certainly adequate, and in most cases very accurate.
if loaded with the correct ammo,
but in my mind far from ideal.
notice in the videos linked below that lead core projectiles leave lead fragmentation trash in the wound and the all copper projectile bullets may be a better choice if you want too salvage the most meat.
I have got to agree with everyone Ive talked too, over decades,, that the 223 is far from ideal,
but that being understood you might want to hand-load your ammo.
23.5 grains of varget powder to start, 24 grains in most rifles is accurate ,
and this hornady bullet in hand loads ,
have been used rather frequently on small florida deer successfully
stick to heart/lung shots at under 200 yards
https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/22-cal-224-70-gr-gmx#!/
http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=223%20Remington&Weight=75&type=Rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
and yeah, if its the only rifle you have it works,if your rifles got a 1-in- 7 or 1- in- 8 twist rate.
check your state game laws it may not be legal, and thats important, to know, before use.
but seriously a more practical answer is get a real deer rifle like a 308 win, 25/06 7mm08, 257 roberts , or 6.5mm swedish mauser etc.
I think many of the guys Ive hunted with have tried using the AR15 rifles on hog and deer hunts,
theres no question they work in the hands of a decent shot with those hand-loads,
but as stated, get a real deer rifle.
Ive had excellent results with my 257 roberts and 100 grain hornady bullets
I've used and seen used, hundreds of rifles in dozens of calibers,
over 50 plus years of hunting,
and its been almost without question the skill and experience'
of the guy using a rifle,
not the caliber or rifle type that mattered in my experience.
http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=223 Remington&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_st223_120606/
http://www.realguns.com/loads/223r.htm
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2011/5/20/the-myth-the-223-is-too-light-for-deer/
CAN the AR 15 be used EFFECTIVELY for deer hunting?
If its your only center fire caliber rifle , Id suggest you carefully verify the local game department laws concerning adequate and legal hunting rifles as a first step..
well from the legality view point yeah, in most states its legal if you use the correct ammo and have a 4-5 round max capacity magazine.
about 35 of the 50 states game laws allow the use of a 223 remington caliber AR 15 (semi auto rifle)
If its used with expanding bullets, for deer hunting, most have a 4 or five round max capacity magazine rule and Penn. requires or used to require, the rifles be converted to manual operation.
the 62 grain to 75 grain expanding bullets that increase the calibers lethality will generally require a 7:1 or 8:1 rifle twist rate.
I've seen the AR15 in caliber 223 rem used about a dozen times, while hunting in Florida and while I personally think there are better choices in a deer rifle,
and the 223 caliber is less than ideal,
theres zero doubt that in skilled and experienced hands,
its fully able to kill deer efficiently with the correct ammo and with good shot placement,
I've seen several deer dropped very effectively with a single well placed shot.
Id strongly suggest use of a good quality 2x-7x scope, and sighting the rifle in at 2" -to 3" high at 100 yards
there are dozens of options in quality bullets but heres a few suggestions, for bullets deer hunting with a 223 rem. these bullets penetrate and expand reliably, and in a gun with a good barrel with a fast 7:1 or 8:1 twist are generally more than accurate enough to get the job done!
there are 5 round capacity magazines readily available for hunters
AND thats all you should carry in the field while hunting as its going to make the game warden much more inclined to believe your not some knuckle head, red-neck shooting up the neighborhood, Ive seen the local LEO, attitude change rapidly for the better when the game warden is politely addressed with a big smile, and shown all apropriate licences, and shown you only have a single 5 round capacity magazine, with an AR 15 my neighbor hunts with occasionally.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...897410697.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn
Id suggest these bullets be used simply because I know they work.
the 62 grain barnes triple shock
70 grain speer semi spitzer
barnes 70 grain triple shock
http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/ammo/223-remington-viable-deer-cartridge/
http://outdoorhill.com/223-caliber-for-deer-hunting/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/7-62-39-deer-hunting-ammo.14831/
http://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-hunting/turning-the-ar-15-into-a-great-hunting-rifle/
http://beatricedailysun.com/sports/...cle_0f3c08a7-131a-5f21-aa06-a8af735a0e73.html
http://www.alloutdoor.com/2013/06/12/hunting-ar-15/
I think youll get more than a few people who will tell you,
it has no place in the deer hunting woods,
but Id also bet about 98% of the time its the rifles semi military looks,
and the idea that you might be inclined to have a spray bullets,mentality,
in the general direction of game
that brings about the objection,
not its ability to kill deer cleanly,
thats the root of any objection.
in experienced hands,its certainly adequate, and in most cases very accurate.
if loaded with the correct ammo,
but in my mind far from ideal.
notice in the videos linked below that lead core projectiles leave lead fragmentation trash in the wound and the all copper projectile bullets may be a better choice if you want too salvage the most meat.
I have got to agree with everyone Ive talked too, over decades,, that the 223 is far from ideal,
but that being understood you might want to hand-load your ammo.
23.5 grains of varget powder to start, 24 grains in most rifles is accurate ,
and this hornady bullet in hand loads ,
have been used rather frequently on small florida deer successfully
stick to heart/lung shots at under 200 yards
https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/22-cal-224-70-gr-gmx#!/
http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=223%20Remington&Weight=75&type=Rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
and yeah, if its the only rifle you have it works,if your rifles got a 1-in- 7 or 1- in- 8 twist rate.
check your state game laws it may not be legal, and thats important, to know, before use.
but seriously a more practical answer is get a real deer rifle like a 308 win, 25/06 7mm08, 257 roberts , or 6.5mm swedish mauser etc.
I think many of the guys Ive hunted with have tried using the AR15 rifles on hog and deer hunts,
theres no question they work in the hands of a decent shot with those hand-loads,
but as stated, get a real deer rifle.
Ive had excellent results with my 257 roberts and 100 grain hornady bullets
I've used and seen used, hundreds of rifles in dozens of calibers,
over 50 plus years of hunting,
and its been almost without question the skill and experience'
of the guy using a rifle,
not the caliber or rifle type that mattered in my experience.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_st223_120606/
http://www.realguns.com/loads/223r.htm
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2011/5/20/the-myth-the-223-is-too-light-for-deer/
CAN the AR 15 be used EFFECTIVELY for deer hunting?
If its your only center fire caliber rifle , Id suggest you carefully verify the local game department laws concerning adequate and legal hunting rifles as a first step..
well from the legality view point yeah, in most states its legal if you use the correct ammo and have a 4-5 round max capacity magazine.
about 35 of the 50 states game laws allow the use of a 223 remington caliber AR 15 (semi auto rifle)
If its used with expanding bullets, for deer hunting, most have a 4 or five round max capacity magazine rule and Penn. requires or used to require, the rifles be converted to manual operation.
the 62 grain to 75 grain expanding bullets that increase the calibers lethality will generally require a 7:1 or 8:1 rifle twist rate.
I've seen the AR15 in caliber 223 rem used about a dozen times, while hunting in Florida and while I personally think there are better choices in a deer rifle,
and the 223 caliber is less than ideal,
theres zero doubt that in skilled and experienced hands,
its fully able to kill deer efficiently with the correct ammo and with good shot placement,
I've seen several deer dropped very effectively with a single well placed shot.
Id strongly suggest use of a good quality 2x-7x scope, and sighting the rifle in at 2" -to 3" high at 100 yards
there are dozens of options in quality bullets but heres a few suggestions, for bullets deer hunting with a 223 rem. these bullets penetrate and expand reliably, and in a gun with a good barrel with a fast 7:1 or 8:1 twist are generally more than accurate enough to get the job done!
there are 5 round capacity magazines readily available for hunters
AND thats all you should carry in the field while hunting as its going to make the game warden much more inclined to believe your not some knuckle head, red-neck shooting up the neighborhood, Ive seen the local LEO, attitude change rapidly for the better when the game warden is politely addressed with a big smile, and shown all apropriate licences, and shown you only have a single 5 round capacity magazine, with an AR 15 my neighbor hunts with occasionally.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...897410697.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn
Id suggest these bullets be used simply because I know they work.
the 62 grain barnes triple shock
70 grain speer semi spitzer
barnes 70 grain triple shock
http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/ammo/223-remington-viable-deer-cartridge/
http://outdoorhill.com/223-caliber-for-deer-hunting/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/7-62-39-deer-hunting-ammo.14831/
http://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-hunting/turning-the-ar-15-into-a-great-hunting-rifle/
http://beatricedailysun.com/sports/...cle_0f3c08a7-131a-5f21-aa06-a8af735a0e73.html
http://www.alloutdoor.com/2013/06/12/hunting-ar-15/
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