Western Hunting newbie

[alexanderl123]

I’m looking to build an AR15 for western hunting and I haven’t decided on a caliber yet, was looking for recommendations/personal experiences with the “best” do all AR caliber, from Coues Deer all the way to Elk/Bear

 

[jaredg]

6ARC?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

6 ARC or 6.5 Grendel.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[N2TRKYS]

6mm or 6.5 are good calibers.

 

[Tobe_B]

6mm ARC. Legal in all western states.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pescetism]

Another vote for 6 ARC.

 

[TaperPin]

It’s a great time to get an AR10. The vast majority of guys I know would say even a 6.5 creed would spank anything that could be fired out of an ar15. A 7mm08 is even better. I bet if you google 7mm08 AR10 there are a pickup load of information about that combination. In bolt rifles that cartridge is often in the list of top cartridges - no reason it wouldn’t be just as effective in a semi auto.

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

I used my Howa Mini in 6 ARC to kill a small bear this spring. 400ish yard shot, 103 ELDX, left side impact a few inches behind center of center, exited out the right rear quarter. He dropped on the spot despite the sub-optimal bullet placement. This is my only experience with 6 ARC on animals so far, but there are quite a few 6 ARC kills in the 6mm for everything thread.

As a side note, in an effort to maximize opportunity and limit effectiveness, "restricted weapon" hunts have started to pop up in the west. Things like the use of scopes and semi-auto rifles aren't allowed in these units. Right now these units are not very widespread and mostly experimental. With the current demand for tags, units like this might become more common in the future. Just something you might want to consider if you are going to build your "one gun" for western hunting on a semi-auto platform.

 

[ElPollo]

I’m looking to build an AR15 for western hunting and I haven’t decided on a caliber yet, was looking for recommendations/personal experiences with the “best” do all AR caliber, from Coues Deer all the way to Elk/Bear

If you are not hunting in one of that area that have a 6mm minimum, you may want to check out this thread linked below. 5.56 is a totally reasonable choice with the right bullets and within ranges that maintain enough velocity for the given bullet to work properly. You’ll also have the ability to use cheaper practice ammo with the 5.56.

P

Thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.'

Jun 3, 2019

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

---

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts...

• PNWGATOR
• Replies: 11,163
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 
• 

 

[eric1115]

Agree with most of the above. Zero reason to do a large frame/AR10 when .223 does so much with the right bullets and does it so well in an AR, and if you decided that wasn't enough gun a 6 ARC in a standard AR-15 is going to be far easier to live with than an AR10.

 

[alexanderl123]

I used my Howa Mini in 6 ARC to kill a small bear this spring. 400ish yard shot, 103 ELDX, left side impact a few inches behind center of center, exited out the right rear quarter. He dropped on the spot despite the sub-optimal bullet placement. This is my only experience with 6 ARC on animals so far, but there are quite a few 6 ARC kills in the 6mm for everything thread.

As a side note, in an effort to maximize opportunity and limit effectiveness, "restricted weapon" hunts have started to pop up in the west. Things like the use of scopes and semi-auto rifles aren't allowed in these units. Right now these units are not very widespread and mostly experimental. With the current demand for tags, units like this might become more common in the future. Just something you might want to consider if you are going to build your "one gun" for western hunting on a semi-auto platform.

Congrats on the bear! What state were you in? Got any pictures?

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

Congrats on the bear! What state were you in? Got any pictures?

Thanks! This was in Idaho. I copied the link to my post in the 6mm thread I mentioned above. It has some pics of the bear. I didn't take any any wound pics though.

[https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6mm-243-hunting-success-on-big-game.284525/post-4180191

 

[VuduDoc]

Agreed on staying away from AR10. No need for the weight and size difference along with the fact they can be a bit finicky to get going.

My vote is also 6 ARC.

 

[alexanderl123]

Thanks! This was in Idaho. I copied the link to my post in the 6mm thread I mentioned above. It has some pics of the bear. I didn't take any any wound pics though.

[https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6mm-243-hunting-success-on-big-game.284525/post-4180191

Beautiful bear! That’s where I’m planning on going, was thinking about somewhere near Coeur d’Alene