Thread: Hunting with an AR15

Been thinking about getting rid of a couple of rifles of mine an just kitting out a neat AR15 in 223 cal.
who goes hunting with these rifles and rates them in dense bush, open country etc etc
been really interested on some feedback on this one.
Cheers Guys :-)

.223 calibre in the right hands is lethal. I shoot most of my deer with a .223, projectile choice and shot placement is key. Deflection in thick bush is an issue to consider, not that I have experienced it. Open country shots out to 250m or even 300m is not difficult with practice. You would have to accept that you will need to let some animals walk away, as the opportunity for a good shot may not arise. I don't use my 223 in the roar, big fired up stags, shots under pressure are generally combos to avoid.

From all accounts new good branded AR-15s are pretty accurate rifles, so placing a shot in the right spot is not going to be an issue in the right hands. They are very ergonomic, light, handle well etc., so carrying one is easy also. Reliable, so no problems there. The only pitfall some would see with hunting with one in bush would be having to carry it loaded and on safe, as you can't chamber a round quietly, in open country you would probably carry on an empty chamber. They have very reliable safety mechanisms so personally don't see loaded carrying as a major negative factor. I would use one if I didn't already have a nice .223 that I love shooting with.

Originally Posted by wattee

Been thinking about getting rid of a couple of rifles of mine an just kitting out a neat AR15 in 223 cal.
who goes hunting with these rifles and rates them in dense bush, open country etc etc
been really interested on some feedback on this one.
Cheers Guys :-)

Have a read of this thread....

http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...ng-mssa-10762/

Shot a couple of goats at 250yrds+ on the weekend down the in the King country, my LITE HUNTER in 308 is currently my go to gun.
and I see they have just launched a Gen II version

Originally Posted by JoshC

They have very reliable safety mechanisms so personally don't see loaded carrying as a major negative factor. I would use one if I didn't already have a nice .223 that I love shooting with.

I tend to agree here. Carried one with a round up the pipe during several exercises and never had an issue, nor did anyone else I worked with.

Also, that Lite Hunter is looks pretty sweet. Wish I could hunt with an AR.

Originally Posted by Hendrik470

Shot a couple of goats at 250yrds+ on the weekend down the in the King country, my LITE HUNTER in 308 is currently my go to gun.
and I see they have just launched a Gen II version

Hendrik, thats a neat rifle mate, might have to have a looksee......

Mines so light it practically carries itself, eh VC !!!!

I just need to remove the heavy supressor now but can't get used to not using it. Don't like the blast without it

Put some barrel where the suppresor is and there won't be much blast.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Put some barrel where the suppresor is and there won't be much blast.

I have a 20 inch barreled one too, remember you picked it up and said some bad words. Barrel like a truck axle, I really would need a gun bearer fulltime if I used it.

On another note I just brought 2 boxes of .223 ammo (for hunting cause I can't be bothered changing my press over from .45 and all my loaded .223 ammo has VMAX proj's)

Farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrk $44.99 a box, better not miss. First time I have brought factory ammo in 10 years, might be another 10 till I get over the shock

Hope you bought hornady so it'll at least be accurate ish and you can reuse the cases

A good friend of mine has an NEA 14.5" which is practically another limb for him. It is literally the only gun he uses. Has shot lots of goats and a few deer with it. His particular rifle is extremely accurate, best group to date is a 10 shot 11mm group at 100m if I recall. I've seen him pull off some amazing shots with it.

I have used then almost exclusively over the last couple years and reckon they are damn near perfect for what I do.

Just as a fyi sort of thing.

The old man has used whinchester 55gr varmint on deer exclusively on deer out of his 223 for years.
Often remarks it makes more mess than his 3006.

Originally Posted by wattee

Been thinking about getting rid of a couple of rifles of mine an just kitting out a neat AR15 in 223 cal.
who goes hunting with these rifles and rates them in dense bush, open country etc etc
been really interested on some feedback on this one.
Cheers Guys :-)

Hey bud, if you like the AR platform i recommend an AR10. Little bit more weight but a lot more stopping power!

Originally Posted by kiwi39

Hope you bought hornady so it'll at least be accurate ish and you can reuse the cases

Federal Fusion 62gn proj's

The Feds I've put thru my tikka have been all over the place like a mad witch with the shits


Tim