2 caliber questions regarding deer and ARs.

[RandomHero]

1st question:

I gave my dad my lower that i built from a PSA lower and parts that were given to me. I currently have an A1 profile barrel and a bolt carrier (no FA cutouts). he always said he wanted a retro style rifle and these parts were perfect for it. Now, he says he wants something he can mount a scope to (A3 build) and use it for deer hunting.

Has anyone here used a .223/5.56 for deer hunting? i know it can be used but he would have to use heavier loads and be careful with his shots. can a 1/12 twist barrel handle this?

2nd question:

300blk or 6.8spc? im building an AR as well, and when i get the chance i want to build a "hunting upper" that in one of these calibers. i know with 300blk i can use everything i already have just need a barrel. the 6.8 i would need a barrel, a magazine, and a bolt (can use the same carrier).

bonus question: since im poor, building a dedicated upper would take awhile. would it be a bad idea to have a 300blk barrel or 6.8 setup put away for hunting season and just swap barrels back and forth when the time comes?

 

[Younggun]

.223 is a fine caliber for deer but I would prefer a heavier bullet than the 1/12 twist will want to stabilize. If keep my shots within 100 yards and wouldn't try punching through the shoulder. At the right angle a well placed shot should drop them. Or just shoot'em in the head.

 

[RandomHero]

.223 is a fine caliber for deer but I would prefer a heavier bullet than the 1/12 twist will want to stabilize. If keep my shots within 100 yards and wouldn't try punching through the shoulder. At the right angle a well placed shot should drop them. Or just shoot'em in the head.

yea, im thinking of selling the barrel and getting a 1x9 nitride from jse. like i said, its for my pops. the parts were given to me and i gave them to him. he originally wanted old school retro, which was perfect. now he wants a flat top with detachable carry handle so he can mount a scope and take deer hunting. totally flipped the build direction on me.

 

[dbgun]

My wife's uncle, who owns his own land near Gonzales, Texas has been hunting with a Browning 22-250 and has killed a few deer. Of course, he always goes for a neck shot. So, I'm pretty sure the 5.56/.223 in a heavier bullet (than a 55 grain) should be ok, if you have a well placed shot.

I think with in 100 yards (many be more) the 6.8spc would work great on Texas white tails. Just my $.02

 

[Hoji]

My opinion on .223/5.56 for deer is: Unless you are perfect with shot placement ( head or neck vertebrae ) you are going to lose a lot of deer. They may die, but miles away from where you shot them.

 

[just jk]

My opinion on .223/5.56 for deer is: Unless you are perfect with shot placement ( head or neck vertebrae ) you are going to lose a lot of deer. They may die, but miles away from where you shot them.

this^^^^



i think this is true of any round less than a .270 - which i think is the widely accepted "whitetail round"

 

[Ericstac]

^ I agree

That said though, I have let one of my sons take a doe down with his Rossi youth .223 rifle. DRT'd at 125yrds with regular ole FMJ shot was right in the shoulder too. As long as your not looking at an old big deer a 223 is fine.

 

[Hoji]

I have killed 150+ pound feral hogs with a .22 short. Does not mean I would recommend it for hunting with.

 

[Younggun]

I think many think that need a much more powerful round to take white tail than is really necessary. Try to keep in mind many are not hunting huge trophy bucks that look like the hulk.

I hunted deer with a .243 since I was 12 and never had one run. It's still my go to rifle for deer. I know a LOT of people in my area who started their kids hunting with a .233 because of the mild recoil and have had no problems.

Yes, it has it's limitations and you won't be taking a monster buck at 400 yrds. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be used on an average white tail at 100.

 

[shooterfpga]

I think many think that need a much more powerful round to take white tail than is really necessary. Try to keep in mind many are not hunting huge trophy bucks that look like the hulk.

I hunted deer with a .243 since I was 12 and never had one run. It's still my go to rifle for deer. I know a LOT of people in my area who started their kids hunting with a .233 because of the mild recoil and have had no problems.

Yes, it has it's limitations and you won't be taking a monster buck at 400 yrds. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be used on an average white tail at 100.

yep. most of them "gotta use this round" for huntin is based on distance and then size. anything within 100yds you should be able to take prolly even with an airgun. we use, 5.56, 243, 270, 30-06, and 308. mainly the first three for hunting. it hasnt been a let down yet.

 

[LJH]

A 223 can kill a deer. That said it is not the optimal deer round. Hell a slingshot can kill a deer but that is not a reason to hunt deer with one.

 

[navyguy]

A couple of points. If you want to stabilize heavier bullets (which would be best for hunting) a 1-7, or at least a 1-8 barrel would be best. IME, which admittedly is some what limited, about 69 gr is the high end on a 1-9 barrel. A 1-12 would be a stretch.

.223 is not the optimum loading for deer sized hunting, but as pointed out, will work with well placed shots, and perhaps being prepared to trail the game, as with bow hunting. The likelihood of a 100+ lb deer falling like it was hit with a 180 gr 30.06 is pretty slim.

 

[Younggun]

I don't think anyone should hunt white tail with anything less than a .50 BMG and hollow point rounds.

Anything else is not optimal for killing the animal quickly.

 

[Ericstac]

I don't think anyone should hunt white tail with anything less than a .50 BMG and hollow point rounds.

Anything else is not optimal for killing the animal quickly.

Lol, sounds like. 50 cal upper is in order...

http://www.watsonsfirearms.com/809/5952.html

 

[M. Sage]

A couple of points. If you want to stabilize heavier bullets (which would be best for hunting) a 1-7, or at least a 1-8 barrel would be best. IME, which admittedly is some what limited, about 69 gr is the high end on a 1-9 barrel. A 1-12 would be a stretch.

.223 is not the optimum loading for deer sized hunting, but as pointed out, will work with well placed shots, and perhaps being prepared to trail the game, as with bow hunting. The likelihood of a 100+ lb deer falling like it was hit with a 180 gr 30.06 is pretty slim.

My experience agrees, 69 grain is as heavy as I've been able to really stabilize. Unless you want to shoot really heavy for caliber bullets like 77gr, I'd probably split the difference with a 1:8 barrel.

 

[Younggun]

Already got that.

Sad thing is, I've seen videos of people deer hunting with them and missing or getting bad shots so the deer still ran.

They do make some copper bullets for hunting. Mostly just the bullet, some loaded rounds, all very expensive.

 

[Mike D Texas]

A .223 will kill a deer stone cold dead.
Just make sure to use a well constructed bullet like a Barnes or a Nosler Partition.

Stay away from ballistic top rounds, in small calibers they are designed for varmints, not medium game.


Sent from iPhone/Tapatalk

 

[RandomHero]

now that the 223/5.56 argument has gone on for 2 pages.....


6.8spc or 300blk?

 

[LJH]

now that the 223/5.56 argument has gone on for 2 pages.....


6.8spc or 300blk?

Your first post makes this a no brainer, 300 as all you need is the barrel.

 

[robertc1024]

I hunted deer with a .243 since I was 12 and never had one run. It's still my go to rifle for deer.

^^^^ this. .243 is a flat, flat round and will drop them in their tracks.