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Deer hunting with a Ar.
#8784341
01/20/23 02:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226
Bowhunter 64
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226 |
Was curious how many people hunt with a Ar style rifle. Does anyone hunt with the new Ruger sfar and what they like about it as opposed to a regular ar10 . Just general consensus of hunting deer with a Ar style platform.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784347
01/20/23 02:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,510
Sewer rat
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,510 |
Nothing at all wrong with the platform. Many people just assume 5.56 when you mention AR and while many deer have fell to it I wouldn’t recommend that caliber for deer. I have a 300 HAM’r that is great for deer as well as a 6.5 CM AR-10 which is also a great deer rifle. I prefer them more for hogs than deer because with deer it is pretty rare for me to need more than one shot but on hogs I often shoot at more than one.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784482
01/20/23 04:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 925
Triplesnake
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 925 |
Yep, I've got a couple of 6.8 SPC and an AR-10 that I hunt with sometimes. I've taken lots of game with them. I've also taken several animals with a regular 5.56 AR-15. Mostly pigs and turkeys, and one aoudad. I'd rather not use it on deer since i have better choices, but it will do the job.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784490
01/20/23 05:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,312
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 19,312 |
I've deer hunted with AR-15 in 300 blk out and AR-10 in 308 Win. They are great for hunting. I prefer bolt gun, though. AR's are loud in the stand chambering rounds. Plus, fixing a jam is hard to be quiet without running off critters. I also find myself killing more pigs in a group with a bolt gun than an AR. With an AR, you just miss faster!!
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784493
01/20/23 05:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,121
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,121 |
6.5 Grendel works for me on deer and hogs. I rarely hunt with it but on occasions I will. I just prefer boltaction or singleshot rifles for hunting
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784497
01/20/23 05:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867 |
My wife hunts strictly with an ar in 300blk. She does not tolerate recoil at all, and the 300blk has almost none. I use 300blk sometimes, but more often use a bolt action or my BAR. I have multiple different guns that I will hunt with depending on the situation that I may find myself in, and sometimes just because I want to hunt with that particular rifle for no other reason than I want to hunt with that rifle that weekend.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784507
01/20/23 05:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,629
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,629 |
I've killed probably 20 with my 6.8 AR, and about 10 hogs. I really want a lightweight AR-10 platform in 6.5CM.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784514
01/20/23 05:32 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794
ILUVBIGBUCKS
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794 |
I see nothing wrong with an AR for hunting provided it is chambered in enough power to do the job and more importantly is a good, accurate rifle. I've seen too many cheap ones that spray bullets all over a target at 100 yards and are not nearly accurate enough to take a shot at a deer IMO. I have to much respect for the animals not to have an accurate rifle in a deer stand with me. That said, I own one AR and it is a custom 6.5 geekmore that will easily shoot 1/2" 5-shot 100 yard groups. I bought it purely for investment from the guy who built it because it was just way, way too good a deal to pass up. I've yet to carry it to the stand with me because I've got many bolt action rifles that weight 1/2 as much and are equally or even more accurate than it is.
High fence, low fence, no fence, it really doesn't matter as long as you're hunting!
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784525
01/20/23 05:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,716
Txhunter65
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,716 |
AR-10 in 7mm-08. Works like a champ.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784582
01/20/23 07:14 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,314
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,314 |
I'm not a fan of gas guns but if others like them then go for it.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784603
01/20/23 07:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226
Bowhunter 64
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226 |
Was just curious if the hunting members on here hunted with ARs. I have 2 I have hunted with 6.5 Grendel and 308 . Both are very accurate guns , both Moa are better. I just have more confidence in the 308 caliber but hate the weight in the blind . I guess this happens when we get older. I want own a rifle if it want shoot 1 inch are better at 100 yards. Just picky that way. Today there are to many recently priced guns that will do that. My older guys I work with wouldn’t even dream of hunting with a AR . So was just curious. Thinking about the Ruger SFAR to lighten the load. It’s in the 308 at 6 pounds 8 ounces . Reviews are good even with the 16 inch barrel. I guess the only way to find out is to get it. Oh I still like my bolt guns too.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784608
01/20/23 07:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 209
Inge0071
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 209 |
The SFAR may be picky on deer loads. Depending on the range and/or bullet choice, may not be your best option. It's nice that you can drop a regular size, decent AR trigger in.
I personally like a gas gun platform, but only if it's accurate and reliable. My .223 AR pushes the Bergers beyond what my finicky bolt .308 can accomplish, out to 1,000. The 6GT smoked a few Nilgai last season at outrageous distances.
The AR platform just depends on you - what you feed it, how you shoot it, and what bullet you select.
Pro Deo et patria
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784660
01/20/23 08:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 428
lefty14615
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 428 |
Have two Armalite AR10s in 7.62x51. One with A2 sights and one scoped flat top. Unbelievably accurate and hard hitting and soft recoil. Wouldn't sell but they look like every other AR out there. No soul like a wood and steel gun IMO,
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Inge0071]
#8784664
01/20/23 08:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867
unclebubba
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Posts: 10,867 |
The SFAR may be picky on deer loads. Depending on the range and/or bullet choice, may not be your best option. It's nice that you can drop a regular size, decent AR trigger in.
I personally like a gas gun platform, but only if it's accurate and reliable. My .223 AR pushes the Bergers beyond what my finicky bolt .308 can accomplish, out to 1,000. The 6GT smoked a few Nilgai last season at outrageous distances.
The AR platform just depends on you - what you feed it, how you shoot it, and what bullet you select.
Why would you think the SFAR would be picky on deer loads? Is there something about the design that prefers one type of bullet/load over another?
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784680
01/20/23 09:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,564
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,564 |
In the search for a low recoil ambidextrous rifle for my left eye dominant right handed son and left handed daughter, I bought an AR-15 in 300 blackout. Loaded it up with some 125 grain nbt’s I had laying around. I shot a javalina with it and my son got his first hunt in and shot a javalina as well. Worked great both times. Will do a little more bullet testing and plan to get him a deer next year. Not my preference but they are functional. They are load er to load but if you load it when you get in the blind it’s no biggie.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: unclebubba]
#8784707
01/20/23 10:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 209
Inge0071
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 209 |
Why would you think the SFAR would be picky on deer loads? Is there something about the design that prefers one type of bullet/load over another? It's hard to mass produce a precise AR. In this case, pick up an SFAR and cycle it a few times. What do you hear and feel? Add generic "hunting ammo" into the equation and standard deviation grows. For most hunters, it doesn't matter because the distance well, isn't. These guys are average shooters. Some of the issues they have are ammo, some is equipment, and some is the gun. But their results might be interesting https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/12/27/tfb-review-ruger-sfar/One final point: For $2k, you can buy a precise AR, built in Fort Worth by vets that will outshoot most custom bolt rifles. https://www.sgtofarms.com/
Pro Deo et patria
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Inge0071]
#8784717
01/20/23 10:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867 |
Why would you think the SFAR would be picky on deer loads? Is there something about the design that prefers one type of bullet/load over another? It's hard to mass produce a precise AR. In this case, pick up an SFAR and cycle it a few times. What do you hear and feel? Add generic "hunting ammo" into the equation and standard deviation grows. For most hunters, it doesn't matter because the distance well, isn't. These guys are average shooters. Some of the issues they have are ammo, some is equipment, and some is the gun. But their results might be interesting https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/12/27/tfb-review-ruger-sfar/One final point: For $2k, you can buy a precise AR, built in Fort Worth by vets that will outshoot most custom bolt rifles. https://www.sgtofarms.com/I have 2 PSA rifles and one Wilson Combat. All 3 shoot approx 1.5" with factory ammo, and less than an inch with my handloads. One of which I got .55" during load development. I wouldn't neccecarily say that it's hard to mass produce accurate AR rifles. Granted, I have not touched or cycled the SFAR, so there's that. Have you shot a SFAR? I have a buddy who has a Ruger MSR in 6.5cm, and it shoots very well, so I personally would expect the same from a SFAR. Edit: His is a Savage MSR, not Ruger. Strike my last comment.
Last edited by unclebubba; 01/20/23 10:55 PM.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784748
01/20/23 11:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226
Bowhunter 64
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226 |
Didn’t want to start a argument over ARs. If I get it and all I can get out of it is 1.5 then I am ok with it because most of my shots where I hunt now are 150 are less mostly about 100 yards . Where we hunt now is thick. However if I need to shoot longer distances I have other rifles for that. My 6.5 Grendel is all custom built and can get half inch groups out of it. I just tend to like 308. If I need to shoot a deer out to 3 or 400 yards I have a 270 for that. I do like rifles that will hold a one inch group So I guess we will find out.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784755
01/20/23 11:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,475
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,475 |
I have a 12.5" 6.8 upper built by Blackstone Arms (THF member) with an ARP barrel (ARP is now owned by Blackstone Arms), on an LMT lower, with an SSA-E trigger. It's shot sub-MOA with everything I've put through it, and I made that only a little better with reloads.
In a .223 Wylde, 5.56, or 6.8 SPC-II barrel, it's tough to beat ARP for the money. Not AR10, per the OP. While my 6.8 has been enough for any deer or hog I've come across, if I were to go AR10, I'd probably build my own in 6.5CM or 7-08. After that, I'd likely buy one of Mr. Wilson's turnkey rifles (after saving a few more pennies). The SFAR has never really piqued my interest all that much.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784781
01/21/23 12:10 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,867 |
Didn’t want to start a argument over ARs. If I get it and all I can get out of it is 1.5 then I am ok with it because most of my shots where I hunt now are 150 are less mostly about 100 yards . Where we hunt now is thick. However if I need to shoot longer distances I have other rifles for that. My 6.5 Grendel is all custom built and can get half inch groups out of it. I just tend to like 308. If I need to shoot a deer out to 3 or 400 yards I have a 270 for that. I do like rifles that will hold a one inch group So I guess we will find out. If you get the SFAR, I'd like to see a review.
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784788
01/21/23 12:21 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,564
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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Mine is a ruger. I have not shot it much, didn’t even work up a load for it, just loaded a mid range load to get shooting. I have not been impressed with the accuracy or factory ammo out of it but it’s still more than good enough for hunting.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784798
01/21/23 12:36 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,961
maximum
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,961 |
Don't have one myself. I have friends and relatives that use them successfully for whitetail and swine. One relative has used an AR for at least 30 years for all his whitetail hunting. Right under the tree stand at about 15 feet or so. Never lost one that I'm aware of. At least 2 every season for all those years
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784817
01/21/23 01:16 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,725
jrgocards
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,725 |
I head to the stand in the morning with my Remi 700 25-06. Mornings are when i see more deer than in the afternoon. In the afternoon, I carry my AR-15 6.8SPC. Much more likely to see a sounder of hogs in the evening.
JR
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784836
01/21/23 01:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 227
grizzlyman
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 227 |
NRA Certified Rifle/ML Instructor NRA Certified RSO Graduate of Benning's School for Wayward Boys
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Re: Deer hunting with a Ar.
[Re: Bowhunter 64]
#8784880
01/21/23 03:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226
Bowhunter 64
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 226 |
I ordered it earlier through candelas . Was almost 200.00 less than on gun broker . Once it comes in I will scope it and run some different loads through it and let y’all know what it will do.
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