AR15 uppers for deer?
 

i have a bushmaster AR15. and, i was thinking about getting a different upper that was chambered for a cartridge that would be feasible do use on deer. i would like to use it as a moderate range rainy day gunbecause of the matte finish and the chrome lined chambers and barrels. or, a stainless steel barrel. i know that there are other AR style (AR10) rifles chambered for the .308win. but, i would hope that i could find an upper for my AR cheaper than buying an entirely new rifle. of course, the .308win probably out performs any cartridge that can be chambered in astandard AR platform. again, i'm not looking for any long range performance anyway.

what chamberings would you recommend? what uppers? where to buy? have you heard of any issues from using different uppers on a standard AR15 lower? will they hold up to a cartridge such as the 450 bushmaster?

how well does the 450 bushmaster perform in a real world situation? i was on hornady's website comparing this cartridge to the 444 marlin. which i have with a 18.5" barrel. "according" to "their" ballistics the 450 bushmaster out performs the 444 marlin, slightly. plus, i checked some websites and the 450 ammo is an average of $6 a box cheaper than the 444 marlin. performance wise i may not gain much, but i would like to try something different. suggestions anyone?

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

6.5mm Grendel http://www.alexanderarms.com/grendel.htm
6.8 SPC
450 Bushmaster
458 SOCOM
50 beowulf

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

.243 WSSM
.25 WSSM

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

You're in Florida. The deer are small. The .223 is a legal caliber. Pick a good bullet. Take your time and place your shot right behind the shoulder and you'll have a dead deer...

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

personally i don't feel comfortable hunting deer with the .223. i know it can be done. i forgot to mention that i'll also be hunting hogs with the AR15 as well. i know people kill hogs (neck shots)with lesser cartridges than the .223. but, it's not for me.

out of curiosity, what bullet would you recommend for the .223?

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

Take a look at something like the Federal 60 gr. Nosler Partition, or similar bullets...

http://www.federalpremium.com/produc...le.aspx?id=210

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

I know you say that you are not comfortable shooting a deer with the AR, but my wife killed her first deer here in TX with an old .223 that my step dad actually killed his first deer with when he was young. If you just have the money burning a whole in your pocket then any of the above mentioned calibers should work just fine.

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

I would (personally) keep the .223 bbl on there. The Federal 60 gr. Nosler Partition IS a great bullet to use and should most definately put a deer down. If you are really uneasy about it, I'd say go grab a .243 barrel. Actually if you don't like .223you might be better off getting a different rifle for deer hunting. check gunbroker.com or some other auction sites. Maybe even the huntingnet free classified ads

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

i have plenty of other rifles, i just want something different. i like the AR15, i want to use it for rainy conditions. i may consider the .223, but i want to explore other options.

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

6.5 Grendel or 6.8SPC, but I would pick the Grendel if you reload. Otherwise, the 6.8 may be more available.

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

I know for a fact that a 60gr Nosler Partition will drop deer pretty regular, neck or hart/lung shot, tracking ranged from 20yds to 110yds. Ive been experimenting over the past four monthswith the Barnes Tripple Shock 70gr, found my load of 23.5gr of H-4895, Federal 205M primers through my DPMS varmint rifle 1&9 twistwill group 1/8" at 100yds, now if the bullet will perform like Barnes claims, that should be a deer killing round.

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

where can i find some complete uppers chambered for these catridges that you have mentioned? i've done some searching with little success. i guess i'm not looking in the right places.

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

Also Olympic Arms for WSSM uppers.

RE: AR15 uppers for deer?
 

I'm hunting this season with a Ko-Tonics upper on a DPMS lower with Armalite trigger chambered in 6.8SPC shooting SSA loaded Sierra 110gr Prohunters. It's a very excellent all around rifle however for hunting I plan on getting a .458 SOCOM upper and perhaps the 6.5 Grendel. I know people use .223s where legal but that's too light for my taste.