Shot mine with a 55 gr. Nosler Varmint BT. That thing didn't penetrate far but man did it do some damage. Using a 20" 1:9 twist barrel. This gun seems to like the 55 gr bullets.

My primary rig is a 6.8.

Used my .223 for pigs and yotes so far...no intentions on using it for deer.

I've taken my normal defense/range/competition AR out for hogs and coyotes. Been unsuccesful the times I did but that wasn't the rifle's fault, weather went bad.


For deer i'd probably go up to a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 if I was using the AR instead of my 7mm Mauser, simply because I know i'm not an experienced hunter and 5.56 requires a bit more careful shot placement.

I do. Mostly it's my 6.8. Every once in a while I'll use the 5.56.

I have a 6.8 AR I built for hogs with an illuminated SWFA SS HD and a Hogzilla green LED light. For deer I prefer a bolt gun.

I don't hunt with anything but AR's 6.8, 458, 5.56, and 338 Spectre.

Killed lots of deer, hogs and coyotes with an AR
I have both 5.56 and 6.8, the latter is what I run hunting though I have killed plenty with a 5.56/223

Having said that, I kind of prefer to run a bolt action for deer, I guess out of habit.

This season my 6.8 will get used more as it will be supressed.

I will probably try it with my current plain jane 20" A2 DPMS on hogs. It shoots well enough with the Aion Kinah stock sights as is.

I feel the same way. I've seen too many deer on our lease left unrecovered to shooters of smaller caliber rifles. Of course, a refusal to practice is probably another reason for that.

Just thinking about it, I wouldn't be surprised if the average AR owner doesn't practice more than average as well. I could see where their lighter recoil and overall "cool" appeal causes people to take them out more often.

personally, i don't like hunting with mine, it is just too akward to carry on a sling for me BUT I will NEVER tell anybody not too. I think they are really cool guns

Ever since I got a 4 rd magazine I love hunting with my DPMS 308.