What to choose for a deer hunting AR

B

Billsauk

New member
I'm debating what kind of upper to get for deer hunting and looking for ideas. I have both a ar15 (.223) and ar10 DPMS (6.5 CM). The 6.5 is just to heavy for tree stand hunting. I did that last year and it's not a off hand rifle. I've been looking at 6.8's 6x45's for the ar15 or just going for a 16 inch .308 in the ar10. Wanting something light enough for hunting and enough power for big game. Deer hunting in the woods our shots are close. 75 yards is a longest shot I've had in our woods in 25 years. Thanks Bill
 
Bill, I just built an AR with a Specialized Dynamics 6.8 upper and it weighs 9lbs with 10 rounds in it. It has a 20inch barrel, I know you can get it lighter with a shorter barrel or a polymer lower. The 6.8 is more than enough to kill a deer at the ranges you talk about.
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Get a 6.5 Grendel with a lighter shorter barrel. Then you will be able to use the same bullets in each.
 
I have a DPMS AP4 in .308 that I use for deer hunting. I really like it. Yes, it is a bit on the heavy side (right @ 8lbs w/o optics), but it works great. It'll shoot the heavy stuff with authority. The 6.5 & 6.8 work great also, but I just like the added energy the .308 has over the other two.
 
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I'd go with the 6.8 or 6.5 over the 308 for less than 200 yds, strictly from a gun weight standpoint. For your application, I would go with the 6.8 in a 16 inch barrel, the 6.8 was design for maximum efficiency out of the shorter barrels. If legal you could even go the SBR route in the 6.8.

Hope this helps.
 
I chose the 6.8spc II with a 20" tube,
for deer and hogs from close up
out two 250 meters. It will do the job nicely
 
The 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8SPC would be the logical choices. Don't make the upper too heavy with a big ole barrel. 16-18" is about right for length. TTT
 
Well I think I am narrowing it down to 16 inch 6.8. I have looked at ARperformance. there are many nice uppers there, but most have the full length rail which I wouldn't need for a deer rifle. They do have the classic combat which is pretty plain jane non free float. How important would the free float be for this application? Also the classic combat is discontinued on March 30th. Who else makes a stripped down light weight 6.8? I'm thinking a low profile contour maybe pencil barrell. I have a plum crazy I could throw this on and have light deer rifle. Custom is nice but the pocket book wouldn't care for it as much!
 
Why not a .450 Bushmaster if you are only shooting 75yds? You can get a 16" and throw a 250gr bullet at deer. You won't need much scope for that range, if any, so you could keep it real light.
 
I never really considered the .450 but it is a interesting idea. I did a little looking around and dont see any in stock though. It would really hit hard thats for sure!
 
Originally Posted By: BillsaukI never really considered the .450 but it is a interesting idea. I did a little looking around and dont see any in stock though. It would really hit hard thats for sure!

I own a 450 Bushmaster, they are a stopper. Mine is the 16" barrel.

I use SIG 556 magazines. Great brush rifle.
 
I originally built my 6.8 for whitetail but I took a piggy with it last friday and the 6.8 hits with authority. I hit this sow at 145 yds and I was way above her...the bullet entered high on the left shoulder and exited right between her back legs. she made it about 150 yds away but the blood path was like a highway.
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+1 on Bison. Mine is a 16" Recon profile barrel with a YHM smooth free float forearm. I just had one bullt for my hunting buddy. Same barrel, but he went with a Troy extreme forearm. I like the Troy extreme better than the forearm I have on mine. Smaller diameter and a bit lighter.
Mine's a great shooter, that handels as well as my 5.56 M-4.
 
6.8 will work fine, I built one for my lil brother and I'm gonna build myself one just cause. But there is nothing a 6.8 can do that a 6.5 can't do PERIOD... The 6.5 has cheap Wolf ammo available, and thats something the 6.8 can't say...

The only thing I can say the 6.8 has over a 6.5 is the 6.8 has the 85 grain Barnes, and the 6.5's 85 grain is a varmint bullet. But that not an issue for me.
 
I checked out Bison and was eyeing the 16 inch recon yesterday afternoon. They looked pretty good and just what I was looking for actually. I had read over on the 6.8forum that bison was one of the good ones to go with. I got a feeling the 6.8 is going to fit the bill perfect for a handy little deer hunting AR! Now just need to save a few pennies. Thanks guys for the suggestions.
 


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