Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

[TNReb]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

Biggest con for me is I don't like them.
I haven't ever shot one that was comfortable for me.
I just prefer a bolt action rifle.

I could list several "cons" for me but all of them can be fixed with time and most importantly, money.

Agreed 100%.

 

[BigD_625]

I sometimes have guest hunt some family land with me. Twice someone shot a deer with an AR and neither deer was recovered. I don't allow them anymore. I'm sure they're lethal with a perfect shot and all that, but life isn't perfect. Plus there's the issue of tracking a wounded deer onto the adjacent property. An AR is GREAT for predators. I ended up selling mine just because it was a pain to hunt with compared to a bolt action. They don't seem to balance well with a hunting scope. That's a personal preference though.

What ammo did you provide with the gun?

I didn't provide the rifle or the ammo. Don't know what they showed up with other than hollow point. I do know it was .223.

Hollow point is all you need to know to find their problem. .223 hollow points are varmint loads unless they are copper solids, which are very hard to find and very expensive (because they penetrate armor). Varmint hollow points basically disintegrate on impact and get no real penetration. If I was going to hunt with .223, I would use a bonded or an all copper bullet like a barnes. If I hunt with an AR this season, it will be 25-45 sharps, 6.5 grendel, or 300 blackout.

 

[jb357]

The only AR I liked was a $2k custom built gun. The rest I've shot have been plastic turds. The idiots at the range blasting away all day at a milk jug at 100 yards to only hit it twice don't help my opinion of them either.
If you have one you want to hunt with by all means use it. If it's 5.56/223 just make sure you can actually shoot it as there's no room for error with that little bullet.
An AR did save my target buck last year though. He chased a doe across the wrong ridge to 50 yards in front of another guy. His action had frozen solid though so the firing pin never moved when he pulled the trigger.

 

[rtaylor]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

I am on my 6th year hunting with an AR and with the .223 round. Haven't lost a deer yet. My 8 year old daughter just shot her first deer with it at 136 yards. The only cons I can think of is replacing the factory trigger with something better but I love deer hunting with the AR and so do my kids.

What bullets do you use? I am setting mine up just becauseand curious to ammo used by others


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I've used federal fusions, Winchester power points but the last few have been the hornady bthp 75 grain.

 

[larry ipock]

I have absolutely embraced it. First thing I did was upgrade to a 6.8mm upper. Scored that from a member here for a great price. In the period of just over a year I've added a good scope, suppressor and limb saver pad so it is unbelievably kid friendly. Just this weekend my 5 year old was busting pumpkins with it at 30 yards. My 9 year old took his first deer with it earlier this year. Next step is a trigger upgrade. This hasn't been the cheapest venture, but I'm thrilled with the results.

Glad you liked it. Can I buy it back? Just kidding.

 

[TAFKAP]

4) It feels like I'm waking up the woods when I chamber a round. There's just no quiet way of doing it.

There are two ways I've found.

1. Push the takedown pin and pivot the upper open. Retract the charging handle. Drop the round into the chamber. Close the charging handle. Carefully guide the bolt closed by pushing on the tail of it with both thumbs. Close and secure the upper to the lower. Insert mag.

2. Retract the charging handle and drop the round into the chamber. Carefully guide the bolt forward with the charging handle until it stops, and push the charging handle until it latches. Use the forward assist and a thumb on the recess in the bolt carrier to push the bolt into battery.

As for .300 blk being hard to find: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/300aac-blackout#

And for non-5.56 uppers being custom, alternate caliber uppers are readily available from a lot of online retailers.

I know that ammo is readily available online, but the ability to walk into an Academy, Bass Pro, etc. and grab a box is dwindling. My .300BLK loves the 125gr Hog Hammer, which is just about impossible to find on the shelf anymore. The only blackout rounds available are 120gr. white box and 220gr subsonic rounds.

As for all that to chamber a round, I would consider that a significant drawback to a bolt action.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

I guess I don't understand the "chamber a round" dilemma. I pull the charging handle back, release the bolt catch, and ease the charging handle back down. If the bolt isn't closed just push the forward assist. That's what it's there for....????

Are y'all just releasing the bolt catch and lettin 'er ride from the tree stand? Be like slamming a gate....

 

[Bucket]

I have absolutely embraced it. First thing I did was upgrade to a 6.8mm upper. Scored that from a member here for a great price. In the period of just over a year I've added a good scope, suppressor and limb saver pad so it is unbelievably kid friendly. Just this weekend my 5 year old was busting pumpkins with it at 30 yards. My 9 year old took his first deer with it earlier this year. Next step is a trigger upgrade. This hasn't been the cheapest venture, but I'm thrilled with the results.

Glad you liked it. Can I buy it back? Just kidding.

My kids would kill me! They really enjoy shooting and hunting with it. I'm already thinking about a 2nd one!

 

[Tennessee Lead]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

Biggest con for me is I don't like them.
I haven't ever shot one that was comfortable for me.
I just prefer a bolt action rifle.

I could list several "cons" for me but all of them can be fixed with time and most importantly, money.

I agree with you Ruger lol.


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[fullstream]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

Have taken a couple with my 223 and enjoyed carrying it.

Bought a 300 blackout and look forward to using it on deer/hogs in January with 110gn Barnes.


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[PillsburyDoughboy]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

IDK I never thought the .223 round was all that great if a man stopper and still stand by that . I always said a man needs a real rifle in a real life or death situation so I never bought into the AR family. I guess with today's Family of AR it might be different . But if your going to use it for HD then u need to see what it does ballistically and what better way than with hunting


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[rukiddin]

Pros: quick follow up shot. Low recoil

Con: hunting in Beautiful woods watching the beautiful whitetails only to be holding a gun that's ugly as sin. Deer don't deserve to die by a butt ugly weapon. Hahaha

 

[EastTNHunter]

I guess I don't understand the "chamber a round" dilemma. I pull the charging handle back, release the bolt catch, and ease the charging handle back down. If the bolt isn't closed just push the forward assist. That's what it's there for....????

Are y'all just releasing the bolt catch and lettin 'er ride from the tree stand? Be like slamming a gate....

X2

 

[TN Song Dog]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

I guess I don't understand the "chamber a round" dilemma. I pull the charging handle back, release the bolt catch, and ease the charging handle back down. If the bolt isn't closed just push the forward assist. That's what it's there for....????

Are y'all just releasing the bolt catch and lettin 'er ride from the tree stand? Be like slamming a gate....

Same here, ease the bolt forward and then use fw assist to close.

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[280longshot]

I have one for varmint hunting in 223 but never got into the AR thing for deer hunting. It has its pros and cons like others have said but I'm a bolt action guy when it comes to deer hunting. The various calibers out today are perfect for deer hunting so I can see why everyone is buying them .
The AR has come a long way since the older version I qualified with the A1 back in 1983.

 

[pastorofgrace]

Thank you all for your opinions.

 

[darren1969]

i like to shoot many types of guns, i have shot deer with bolt actions and lever actions , this year i shot my 7 pointer with my .450 bushmaster ar-15. there are many guns and cartridges' that are suitable for deer hunting . i know its been said , shot placement ,and ethical shots are what matters, game animals should not suffer poor hunting. pro- suitable for deer, con- a little awkward to carry slung. pro- also like the adjustable stock that adjusts to layers of clothing. my a bolt wont do that.

 

[Wildcat]

The biggest Con against them is are they are #1 on Biden/Harris list. Sorry but it's true.

By the way, I lost all mine in KY Lake years ago.

 

[backyardtndeer]

First time I seriously carried an ar platform rifle last year, but it is a 6.5 creedmoor. Have a 308 as well, it never came out of the safe. Did not squeeze the trigger on a deer with it. The gun I built is extremely accurate, may be more accurate than any of my bolt guns. I know others here do, but I would not use a .223 for deer. Most my handloads for .223 are varmageddon tipped or 55 grain sp's, not ideal for deer.

Only con I could list, my 6.5 is a bit heavier than my bolt guns. Hoping next season to get an opportunity on a deer with one of my builds.

 

[duckriver]

Re: Pros & Cons of using an AR-15 for Deer Hunting

I will let you know, trying to get first blood on my Adams AR10 that I got brand new for 799.00 this past September.
Also
The wife will be trying the 7.62x39.

I have all the conferences in the world in them. 3 years ago I dropped a good size deer with 223 with no issues. Nothing left of the insides of deer it was a mess. I used the Hog round in my 223.

I hit it behind the shoulder but that bullet just bounces inside.

The bigger Caliber bullets for me anyway are the way to go.

I just hope they don't come out with one in the 30/06.

Please don't tell me if they have one lol


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I'd love to have a AR in 30'06. That would be like a dream come true for me