Alternate AR-15 cartridges for hunting?

[Guy Miner]

Yeah, I'm thinking the 6.5 or 6.8 is probably a good choice for me... Might be a while before I spring for a new upper though! Other irons in the fire right now. Just gathering info.

 

[Oldtrader3]

How about the .338 Federal? You can buy an upper in that caliber.

 

[Guy Miner]

Only for the AR-10/.308 based platforms.

The AR-15/.223 based rifles are smaller.

 

[cloverleaf]

Somebody on this board has an AR in .25 WSSM. Cant remember who.... As much As I think the case was wasted effort, I can see how it would be a plus for you. Basically 25-06 balistics and you've already got the lead... CL More of the same but what fun is that!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Only for the AR-10/.308 based platforms.

The AR-15/.223 based rifles are smaller.

That action size was implied.

 

[SJB358]

Somebody on this board has an AR in .25 WSSM. Cant remember who.... As much As I think the case was wasted effort, I can see how it would be a plus for you. Basically 25-06 balistics and you've already got the lead... CL More of the same but what fun is that!

I think it is Ridge Runner.. I imagine he is busy, but he has a sweet set up from what I have seen from the pictures.

 

[Guy Miner]

Only for the AR-10/.308 based platforms.

The AR-15/.223 based rifles are smaller.

That action size was implied.

Maybe so, but doggone it, I still don't have an AR-10 type rifle! :grin:

Really ought to solve that problem too someday.

Re the .25 WSSM - interesting thought. I know the doggone .25 WSSM has impressive ballistics, but I'd likely get very jealous looks from the CDL if I started stealing .257" bullets from it, to feed some AR-type rifle!

Interesting discussion guys. Thanks for all the input. These "black rifles" are different, but I kind of like 'em. Sure have been shooting them for a long time now. Got to thinking about it, and over the past 35 years, I've likely expended more 5.56 than any other center-fire cartridge. Until recently though, it was all with an issued rifle and ammo.

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

I've likely expended more 5.56 than any other center-fire cartridge. Until recently though, it was all with an issued rifle and ammo.

Regards, Guy

That's the best kinda 5.56... Free!

 

[Guy Miner]

I've likely expended more 5.56 than any other center-fire cartridge. Until recently though, it was all with an issued rifle and ammo.

Regards, Guy

That's the best kinda 5.56... Free!

Indeed! Just sign up and get a free rifle & ammo! :grin: Pretty cool.

But the time has come for me to own my very own AR-15. Actually I'd like a small fleet of 'em:

16" 5.56 for general purpose & police work

20" 5.56 match grade rifle for NRA Highpower competition

6.5? 6.8? Something... for deer hunting

Yup, that would be a good start! :grin:

My oldest son has a 24" varmint rifle AR-15, very accurate and easy to shoot. I put a 6.5-20x Leupold scope on it for him a few years ago. Neat setup for plinking varmints or shooting targets.

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have never fired an AR of either size. When I was in the Army, they issued us M-1's and then M-14's when we went to Berlin in 1962. I carried a 1911 most of the time back in the USof A. When I was discharged, I forsook all things military for bolt action rifles and I still don't own any military configured rifle.

I probably should for when the civil war starts against Obama.

 

[Woodycreek]

This is a neat 6.8 SPC.

http://www.star15.com/DSC_DEER_RIFLE.html

 

[Oldtrader3]

I still think that the .338 Federal would (on the .308 based upper) be a great all-around hunting cartridge for the AR10.

 

[Woodycreek]

Somebody makes or made an AR-10 in 338 Fed? DPMS was one of them and maybe Armalite? I had an AR-10 in 308 and shot a few others. All of them had functioning problems. Crappy mags was the big issue years back. I think Mag-pul make descent ones now.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I saw them advertised in American Rifleman. I checked and the .338 Federal uppers are made by Armalite.

 

[SJB358]

I saw them advertised in American Rifleman. I checked and the .338 Federal uppers are made by Armalite.

That would be a cool thumper for sure Charlie. My problem is I don't particularly wanna carry an AR when I don't have too. They are 100% very capable firearms, but nothing seems as nice as a proper lever gun or nice bolt gun for a walk in the woods.

 

[Guy Miner]

Scotty - that's likely why I avoided getting one for so long.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty - that's likely why I avoided getting one for so long.

Yeah, I had a cool shorty I pieced together back in 98-99, but it just didn't do much for me. I love to shoot long so spraying brass all around the area doesn't really appeal to me. I don't even like to lose 1 piece of brass.

 

[Guest]

...spraying brass all around the area doesn't really appeal to me. I don't even like to lose 1 piece of brass.

Scotty, I hear you. I almost hate the "multi-shot" situation in the woods. This season, I lost a piece of 300Wby brass (some of that you sent over - sorry!) and I spent at least 30-40min looking for it, sifting through the leaves and searching the area thoroughly. I have no idea where it went, either. It pained me to give up looking for it, but at least I found the other brass I shot up this year on deer and coyotes. I almost lost a piece of 350RemMag brass but I went back and found it a couple hours later, after I finished my hunt. Amazing how if you just reconstruct the situation, you can find almost all your brass. This piece had ejected, bounced off a couple of rocks, and landed maybe 20-25' down a steep creekbed wall. It took me 15min to climb down and back, because I had to go around my arse to get to my elbow, and back. But I got it!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I do not own anything that resembles a military rifle either. I had an M-1 Carbine when I got out of the Army but once I used up the two metal cans (2000 rounds or so) of ammo that I found on post, I sold it.

 

[SJB358]

...spraying brass all around the area doesn't really appeal to me. I don't even like to lose 1 piece of brass.

Scotty, I hear you. I almost hate the "multi-shot" situation in the woods. This season, I lost a piece of 300Wby brass (some of that you sent over - sorry!) and I spent at least 30-40min looking for it, sifting through the leaves and searching the area thoroughly. I have no idea where it went, either. It pained me to give up looking for it, but at least I found the other brass I shot up this year on deer and coyotes. I almost lost a piece of 350RemMag brass but I went back and found it a couple hours later, after I finished my hunt. Amazing how if you just reconstruct the situation, you can find almost all your brass. This piece had ejected, bounced off a couple of rocks, and landed maybe 20-25' down a steep creekbed wall. It took me 15min to climb down and back, because I had to go around my arse to get to my elbow, and back. But I got it!

I don't mind losing a piece or two of brass hunting, but on the range, picking up a ton of brass is a pain...