Is it possible to hunt big games using an AR 15?

[gary09]

Mostly big game hunters prefer centerfires like Ruger American Rifle, Winchester XPR renegade etc. Why AR 15 is not in big game hunting lists. Is there any Customization ideas out there like how to build a gun to make it for big game hunting?

[encorehunter]

My wife used an AR in .300 blackout to harvest a Mule Deer on Saturday. They do not have as much energy as a lot of bolt guns in bigger calibers, but they still work. I have used an AR in .223 to harvest several whitetails in Texas. My sons will be using an AR in Texas for whitetail as well, due to it being so much easier adjusting the length of pull.

[Planner]

CO law sets the minimum big game caliber to .243 (6mm). You certainly can hunt with one if you follow the caliber size requirements and magazine capacity limit. I think an AR-10 would work for any big game here in CO.

6mm ARC opens up interesting options.......


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[def90]

From the CPW big game guide:

"1. CENTERFIRE RIFLES
a. Must be a minimum of .24 caliber (6 mm).
b. Must have a minimum 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.
c. If semiautomatic, a maximum of six rounds are allowed in the magazine and
chamber combined.
d. Must use expanding bullets that weigh a minimum of 70 grains for deer,
pronghorn and bear, 85 grains for elk and moose, and have an impact
energy (at 100 yards) of 1,000 ft.-pounds as rated by manufacturer.
e. It is illegal to hunt game birds, small-game mammals or furbearers with
a centerfire rifle larger than .23 caliber during regular rifle deer and elk
seasons west of I-25, without an unfilled deer or elk license for the season.
A small-game, furbearer or unfilled big-game license is required.
NOTE: SMART RIFLES are prohibited, including any firearm equipped with a target tracking system, electronically controlled, assisted or computer-linked
trigger or a ballistics computer. Any firearm equipped with a scope containing a computer processor is considered to be a smart rifle.
NOTE: FULLY AUTOMATIC RIFLES are prohibited."

[TRnCO]

I've used my AR15 .243 WSSM on a few antelope. The cartridges are so fat that I can only get 4 rds. in a 10 rd. mag.

[whitewalrus]

The big bore uppers they make would be good for big game.

My thought was always that my bolt gun was so light, I didn?t really want to tote around a heavier gun. If i was hunting white tails on the plains I would use one of my ARs.


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[Colorado Osprey]

I have used and own an AR-15 upper chambered in 6x45. 223 case necked up to 6mm. The easiest of wildcat. It only requires a barrel change. Mags, bolt face are stock.
Deer and Antelope but mostly coyotes. I would not use it on elk. When you reload bullets are available from 40 grain to 108.
Interestingly enough more velocity using the same bullet weight when compared to 223. Because there is less bearing surface shooting the 6x45 vs the 223 in say 55 grain you gain almost 100ft/sec with the same powder charge you would use in the 223. It is even more obvious when you compare 77 grain 223 and 80 grain 6x45 where the 223 cant get to 2900 ft/sec and the 6x45 with a heavier bullet will easily reach 2900 ft/sec.

[Gman]

As addressed above, the AR-15 is a platform, not a caliber.

[VDW]

My brother has taken several cow elk with an AR in .450 Bushmaster.

[wyome]

Didn't someone here take an elk with a 300BLK AR pistol a few years ago