I recently bought my first AR...Ruger 556.

I want to have something interchangeable that's more powerful. What will work for deer?

What will work for Hog? If I don't hit them in the ear hole....

Options please


Something I don't have to add extra parts to existing weapon.

6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC. Both are fine deer and pig rounds.

Many will tell you the .223 is plenty, but you seem to know better than that, already.

Look into the 300blk.

Also, I am one of the ones who have used .223 for deer and have had success. I personally see nothing wrong with it if you have good shot placement.

Yep. Research these two and see what you think. I used my new 6.8 this fall to take 9 deer with 9 shots (MLD) and it performed very well.

300Blk uses same bolt and mags as your 5.56, works fine out to about 200 yds. Further and that I would research and spend a little more money on one of the 6's.

Shots under 150 yards.

300 blk out is the easiest conversion from 223/5.56. I use the 300 blk out for all my Texas hunting and it works great. Many deer, pigs,and varmints taken with it.

I have both 6.8SPC and 300BO. The 300 is easy, change barrel. 6.8 takes a bolt, barrel and mags. The 300 will do what you ask at a less expensive option. I did the 6.8 just cuz. 6.8 will give you a bit more range is biggest advantage to it.

Sota arms 7.62x39 upper.

+1 on the 7.62x39 upper. Mine is from Model One Sales. I use C-Products mags and shoot Russian bulk ammo. Soft point bullets in 123 gr or 154 gr will penetrate a boar's shield and are accurate and cheap enough to shoot all day.

So if I go 300 blackout. all I need is a barrel??????

With 6.8 I need mags and bolt????

Sorry if I'm dumbing this down.

6.8 mags, bolt, and barrel

I'm about to blow some minds. so what's on a complete 300 upper. ? And do I need complete upper. ????

Complete Sota Upper. Complete means assembled and ready to fire plus a bcg.
https://sotaarms.com/index.php/component/jshopping/product/view/2/254?Itemid=0

Technically you don't need the BCG since your 5.56 bcd willl work for 300 blk. . Send them a email, if you don't want it you can probably get down to around $325 shipped. If you want to have the capability to shoot your 5.56 and something else as the need arises you need a complete upper. If you want only one caliber get a new barrel and convert your current upper.

Uppers are easy to swap on lowers -30 second kind of easy. Barrel swaps are a little more involved.

I was able to have some explain this to my level.

I buy a 300 blackout upper from PSA and attach it. I can use my bcg and charging handle from my 556.

Barrel length minimum for 100 yard deer or hog shot???????

14.5 with pinned muzzle or a 16"