Ammo choice.

[GOPerfect]

I wasn't sure where to post this...

Here in Long guns or in the Hunting section.

I am thinking about using an AR for deer hunting this year.

Any suggestions on the best ammo for taking a deer in 5.56/.223?

Thanks.

 

[MilesTeg]

Reloads or factory?

 

[MilesTeg]

I also forgot barrel twist rate.

 

[GOPerfect]

Factory. 1/9, 6 groove

 

[dsdmmat]

Don't go any heavier than 69-70 grains with a 1-9

 

[GOPerfect]

Don't go any heavier than 69-70 grains with a 1-9

Why? I ask only so I know. I am horrible with ballistics. I know nothing.

 

[MilesTeg]

OK so you want to be in 60-75 gr range. You might have trouble getting the heavier stuff to stabilize. So you might have to test out a few different rounds. I know Winchester sells ammo for the AR for deer hunting. I think if you stay with a brand name ammo that is designed for big game hunting not varmint you should do well. If nothing in that category strikes your fancy then look into self defense rounds.

Last thing to keep in mind and what I feel is almost more important than ammo selection, that is know the limitations of the selected round. You need to be spot on with your shot placement. No shoulder hits and no questionable shots. Lastly know the distance your selected round is viable for. Yes you can take a deer at 300 yds with proper shot placement from top end 223 round. The question is , is that ethical? There's such a small window of success you might be dissapointed with wounding and the animal dieing needlessly.

Good luck let us know what you choose how it tests and any kills you hopefully get.

 

[dsdmmat]

Why? I ask only so I know. I am horrible with ballistics. I know nothing.

The bullet doesn't get enough spin and groups open up quite a bit at distances beyond 100 yards. My Ruger#1 will shoot 1 1/2 inch groups with 69 grain match ammo at 300 yards but won't do better than 2 1/2 inches at 200 yards with 75 grain match ammo. If the bullet is not stabilized it will tend to try and hit the target sideways and won't penetrate enough to kill the animal.

 

[dsdmmat]

Winchester has a 64 grain soft point for hunting which actually shoots pretty well.

 

[MilesTeg]

Winchester has a 64 grain soft point for hunting which actually shoots pretty well.

Ya that's why I bought a few hundred of this bullets for reloading. People online rave about them.

 

[dsdmmat]

Ya that's why I bought a few hundred of this bullets for reloading. People online rave about them.

I used to shoot them in the rifle matches my club held while stationed in AZ during the first reloading componet famine of 94.

 

[MilesTeg]

I used to shoot them in the rifle matches my club held while stationed in AZ during the first reloading componet famine of 94.

Ya I still haven't done a work up for them yet. It's probably a good thing I'd fall in love and not be able to find any.

 

[GOPerfect]

Thanks a lot!

 

[NirvanaFan]

I don't have any experience using a .223 for hunting. That said, any premium hunting bullet by the top manufacturers that is designed for deer hunting will do fine. Personally, I'd find a round that uses the Barnes TSX or Nosler Partition. Keep it 65gr or under.

Alternatively, you could build a new AR where you wouldn't have to worry about it so much

 

[Airborneguy]

Winchester has a 64 grain soft point for hunting which actually shoots pretty well.

I have and use these also whenever I take out my .223 rifle. I haven't taken one with it though.

Now 7.62x39 in an AR... Deadly.

 

[ECU Pirates]

There are a few companies that make a good 64 gr SP bullet. .223 is fine on deer with the right bullet. Don't let anyone tell you different!

 

[Snappo]

Don't go any heavier than 69-70 grains with a 1-9

I am not sure I would even recommend that. 70 grains stabilizes well in 1:7 but for 1:9 shouldn't he be shooting like 50 grain Federal? And that's not even for deer. The Asym 70 gr hunting TSX load says 1:7 and 18" to stabilize. And not to be a naysayer - but can a .223 do a really solid double-lung shot consistently? Isn't the AR platform more just for varminting?

 

[ECU Pirates]

I am not sure I would even recommend that. 70 grains stabilizes well in 1:7 but for 1:9 shouldn't he be shooting like 50 grain Federal? And that's not even for deer. The Asym 70 gr hunting TSX load says 1:7 and 18" to stabilize. And not to be a naysayer - but can a .223 do a really solid double-lung shot consistently? Isn't the AR platform more just for varminting?

If you consider the enemies of America varmints then yes!

 

[NirvanaFan]

I am not sure I would even recommend that. 70 grains stabilizes well in 1:7 but for 1:9 shouldn't he be shooting like 50 grain Federal? And that's not even for deer. The Asym 70 gr hunting TSX load says 1:7 and 18" to stabilize. And not to be a naysayer - but can a .223 do a really solid double-lung shot consistently? Isn't the AR platform more just for varminting?

A nice quality bonded bullet will blow through both lungs and out the other side. It's all about expansion inside the deer. Some people use soft points which break apart.

 

[Marine Cpl]

The bullet doesn't get enough spin and groups open up quite a bit at distances beyond 100 yards. My Ruger#1 will shoot 1 1/2 inch groups with 69 grain match ammo at 300 yards but won't do better than 2 1/2 inches at 200 yards with 75 grain match ammo. If the bullet is not stabilized it will tend to try and hit the target sideways and won't penetrate enough to kill the animal.

Question.

1x7 twist from my understanding is one complete twist every 7 inches of barrel from what I've heard.

A 1x7 twist on a 14.5 inch barrel can stabalize a heavier, longer bullet like a 77gr because it'll spin it 2 full times and a tad more.

If that is the case and you have a 1x9 twist on a 20 inch barrel, the bullet would spin almost 2 full turns and a tad more as well.

Will the longer barrel with the looser 1x9 twist stabalize the heavier, longer 77 gr bullet as well?

 

[spat]

Question.

1x7 twist from my understanding is one complete twist every 7 inches of barrel from what I've heard.

A 1x7 twist on a 14.5 inch barrel can stabalize a heavier, longer bullet like a 77gr because it'll spin it 2 full times and a tad more.

If that is the case and you have a 1x9 twist on a 20 inch barrel, the bullet would spin almost 2 full turns and a tad more as well.

Will the longer barrel with the looser 1x9 twist stabalize the heavier, longer 77 gr bullet as well?

no, stabilization is about the RPM the bullet reaches vs the properties of that particular bullet (length, etc). Faster twist means higher RPM. Higher muzzle velocity also means higher RPM. But aside from producing a slightly higher velocity, the longer barrel won't help.

 

[dsdmmat]

no, stabilization is about the RPM the bullet reaches vs the properties of that particular bullet (length, etc). Faster twist means higher RPM. Higher muzzle velocity also means higher RPM. But aside from producing a slightly higher velocity, the longer barrel won't help.

Well put.