IS IT POSSIBLE TO HUNT BIG GAMES USING AN AR 15?

[gary09]

Mostly big game hunters prefer center fires like Ruger American Rifle, Winchester renegade etc. Why AR 15 is not in big game hunting lists. Is there any ideas like how to build a gun to make it for big game hunting?

[kirkland]

How big? What distance? You can build an AR with a caliber like 6.8 that can take out hogs or deer. Elk maybe. You could build one that shoots an even bigger heavier bullet like a. 458 socom, but you're sacrificing range. It'll certainly do the job up close though, like a brush gun. I would say hunting with 5.56 is very limited, some say it's good enough for deer, but most states do not allow that. You're pretty much limited to cougar or coyotes with a 5.56/223. The performance of the AR-15 is limited by it's short action, you're never going to have a heavy, high velocity bullet that would be ideal for big game like a 300 win mag or something that you can shoot out of a bolt gun, there are many calibers available for the AR-15 but they're always going to be a compromise.

[TheAlsatian]

When thinking of hunting, you have to focus on the cartridge not the platform. The .223 is not a very effective big game cartridge, except on perhaps smallish deer. I have not had experience with the 6.8, you would have to look at its ballistic performance. It is generally considered sporting to use the most effective cartridge possible for the game you are hunting. Accuracy is also key, and magazine capacity is far down on the list. I never once saw anyone in MT carry an AR for hunting, nor any other semi auto for that matter. I see you are in Florida so you are likely not talking about anything particularly large as far as game if you are hunting in state.

[Brahmzy]

I hunt very successfully with my super lightweight AR308. Elk mostly, last was a deer 4-5 weeks ago.
Rifle’s 6.4lbs before optics though. Yes, you can build a handy, lightweight, precision 308 AR and hunt with it.
I personally wouldn’t hunt any large game with 5.56/223.

[mack7.62]

Possible yes, legal or ethical depends. Use the proper caliber/bullet/range and place the bullet in the right place and bingo dinner. Elk are taken all the time with bows and muzzle loaders how can it be argued that a AR-15 cannot do the same with a properly placed shot at a realistic range? Too many want to use the large magnum's as a crutch to overcome lack of hunting/stalking skills and to enable hail mary shots at extended ranges.

[jsbhike]

When thinking of hunting, you have to focus on the cartridge not the platform.

That is true, and I think more than a few places have caliber regulations based on firearm type than anything else. Certainly not based on real world experience.

[Sid Post]

If you can kill an Elephant with a 7x57, I don't see why you couldn't hunt North America with a 5.56.

Of course, bullet selection shot placement, and distance all matter if you want an ethical kill on a game animal. On the flip side, just because you could take a game animal with a 5.56 doesn't mean you should. On the flip side, you don't need the latest whiz-bang boutique cartridge from whatever manufacturer wants to pay to have it named after themselves either.

[jsbhike]

If you can kill an Elephant with a 7x57

I think in that case it was a lot more of the Indian than the arrow.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._D._M._Bell

[Arik]

What is "big game"? Lions, grizzlies, hippos, rhinos or black bear and moose?



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[robbins290]

Attachment 64349

Yes, been doing it for years. All about shot placement. 64 grain bonded bullet. No exit wound (that i could see). The blood on the back was from the mouth. Not sure what you mean “big game” but i will use it on black bear and deer. Never had had to chase a deer either.