Gregor

Ok, so I caved in to the peer pressure several years back and purchased a DPMS Panther Lite AR-15 for home defense and probably because I felt I may not be able to ever buy one again under the current administration (gun dealers are getting rich under the Democraps).

My black rifle in the 5.56/.223 then sat 'stranded', locked up tight, in my gun safe for about a year. Sure I got it out and capped off rounds at my range at targets out to 300 yards. That's fun and all, but it isn't hunting.

So last year, much to the chagrin of many of my hunt club members, I took my black rifle hunting. I heard comments ranging from "You've officially lost it" to "you're an unethical hunter to use the small .223 on white tail".

My late Grandfather regularly took deer with a .22 WM so I followed in his footsteps. The result? I took two nice does with my purdy black rifle both on the same day. One at 140 yards and the other at 175, and I used standard Wolf Ammo to do it. The proof is frozen in my freezer.

Don't get me wrong, my bolt action, wooden stock rifles will always be my FIRST choice as my 'go to' hunting rifles, but I want to use all of my weapons on the farm in any way I can. The AR-15 had almost zero recoil and quick follow-up shots are a snap because you don't lose your sight picture. Neither of my kill shots required a follow-up, but it is nice to know it's there if you need it.

It is my belief if you practice enough with your weapon of choice and learn your effective range with it, you can take game regularly without anything to worry about. I'm a bowhunter also, so I know a little bit about effective range and patience for the right shot.

Thoughts?

liberalsmakemepuke

A .223 is plenty of rifle for an ethical hunter who knows his gun. The reason it gets so much disdain is because way to many hunters are neither. In my state, .223 was just made legal for big game last year. I toyed with the idea of using it, but didn't. I have too much long shooting where I was hunting this year, and opted for something with a little more oomph. I thing I will be using an AR when I am hunting closer range. Like you, I just kind of like the idea I should use it if I own it.

SparkE

It's not legal here in Kansas.

Old Chorizo

I've never used my EBR for hunting as it is of the M4gery persuasion and is better suited for CQ type shooting. But I don't see any issue with using one for deer. As long as your rifle fits within the hunting regulations where you live, use it!

My grandfather would take deer with anything from a .22 LR, to his .218 Bee, his .30-30 or anything else he had in his gun room.

Granted the white tail in Arizona are smaller than most other places in the country, but he'd kill mulies too.

vonsemm

Gregor,

Like with any caliber it’s the placement of the shot. I’ve put many notches on my 70’s model Colt AR(s) hunting deer in the past sending 55g Soft Point Boat Tails. I no longer have the Colts, however I recently purchased a SR-556 and I load it with Hornady Match 75 Grain Boat Tail Hollow Point. Wasn’t lucky to put my sights on a deer this year. Next year.

Cloud

eh, nothing wrong with using a .223 to hunt whitetail with. a .223 is the calibre rifle i took my first spike with when i was just a lad. my grandpa let me shoot my grandma's rifle (cant remember what it was, but i remember it was a .223) because he said his .30-06 was a little too much kick for my young shoulder. i was probably 11 years old. point is, i dropped the spike with one shot, and my grandma killed lots of whitetail with it over the years. she even bagged a 12 point bigger than my grandpas 14 (much to his chagrin.). if i had an EBR, i would definitely take it hunting. trying to coax my buddy to let me borrow his before the end of the season.

BoBDoG2o02

If its enough to kill men with it can probably kill the deer. Ballistically speaking the deeper the target is with .223 the more energy is dumped into the target. Hence, more hydrastatic shock. Helps turn the insides into Jello. Keep hunting my friend, your precision .223 is definately up to the challenge.

liberalsmakemepuke

Vonsemm - How is the SR treating you, and is is stabilizing the 75 gr.s okay?

vonsemm

Liberalsmakemepuke,

I’ve sent over 2k rounds of 55g with no problem.

Only shot 5 of the 75g to sight-in (they cost a little more).

The rifle operation has been flawless with the piston setting on #2 with both grains.

I've heard and seen pics of excessive carrier tilt wear however I'm not having that problem and I believe that they may be running the pistion setting too hot.

liberalsmakemepuke

Vonsemm - Little less than a thousand through mine, no real wear on the buffer. Very minimal, not worried at this point. I too share your thoughts about cranking it up too high. I have had some feed issues with some Hornady .223 when set on 2. Turning it up to 3 cured it. I will either shoot that ammo through my Mini, or save it for a hunting scenario anyway.

vonsemm

Liberalsmakemepuke,

Glad to hear that you too only have minimal wear. I have to say that realy like my sr556 piston system.

liberalsmakemepuke

Yeah, I like it.

Gregor

Glad to hear from you guys!




Here is the equipment:

Lower: DPMS Panther Lite

Upper: Stag Arms Model 6H

Caliber: 5.56 Nato Chamber
Forged and Mil Spec.
None/Gas Block
24" Stainless Steel 1/8 Twist

(Put a better shot in the gun gallery if interested)

nebmike

You could always get a different upper in a larger caliber. I've got one in 6.5 Grendel on a DPMS lower that I absolutely love. Something like that would be more than enough gun for deer out to any range you'd be comfortable taking a shot at. A lot of guys are even using it for elk and moose at closer ranges. Now that Hornady has jumped on the Grendel bandwagon ammo should become easier to find if you dont reload.

FWIW

Attached Images

Grendal1.JPG (42.9 KB, 11 views)

Gregor

nebmike,

I have been considering the 6.5 and the .204. The AR platform is extremely versatile and one of the reasons I wanted one. Nice looking weapon you have there. Made any harvests with it?