Best Ar 15 for deer hunting on a budget

Yeah I live in Ga so the laws aren't too strict. I don't think I will go less than 243

 

For Ga whitetail a .243 will do everything you need and won't kill your shoulder. If you're smaller take a look at youth models to save on weight, but keep in mind that lighter rifle weight will increase felt recoil. It's a trade-off most are willing to take after lugging a heavy rifle through the woods.

I think the 30-30 has killed more deer in the U.S. than any other caliber (broad generalization with no data to back it up) but beware it's only good out to about 150-200 with great ammo. Past that you're going to get a big drop in power and you'll need to account for bullet drop quite a bit.

.243 is very flat shooting as is the .270; they will almost certainly outshoot your ability and that of inexpensive glass. Calibers like .308, .270 and especially 30-06 are a significant step up in felt recoil compared to a .243, so keep that in mind when choosing your rifle.

If you go with the .243, choose a heavier bullet (~100 grain) for whitetail. Some common complaints about the .243 is that it zips right through the game and/or smaller bullets don't react well to hitting bone. Heavy, modern ammo will take deer all day long under 400 yards with a decent .243 rifle.

 

Thanks for all the info Frady

 

Modern Rifles and Handguns: Centerfire Only, .22-cal. or larger with expanding bullets. There is no restriction on magazine capacity for rifles.
Shotguns: 20-gauge or larger loaded with slugs or buckshot. Buckshot is not allowed on WMAs, unless otherwise specified.
Muzzleloaders: .44-cal. or larger, or muzzleloading shotguns 20 gauge or larger. Scopes are legal.


http://www.eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/general-hunting-information/

 

It doesn't really matter what caliber you use as long as you're accurate with it. The last deer I killed was with a .204 Ruger with 32gr VMax and it killed the deer as dead as dead can be with a shot to the lungs. It ran 40 yards. That's 30 yards less than my deer earlier in the season ran when shot with a 7mm Wby Mag with 139gr Spire Points.

 

With that particular gun, yes. That's the only reason I shot the deer with that small of a caliber. I was pig hunting and the deer came out. I knew that I could make the shot with that particular rifle. Had I not had as much time with the gun before, I would have never taken the shot and risked wounding the deer.

 

I dropped this deer dead in it tracks this year with my windham .223 but I shoot this gun a ton and think I have more experience than the average joe so I know we're my bullet hits all the way up to 400 yards. I only shot it because I didn't get anything with my bow and I gun hunt as a last resort. The only reason I bought the .223 is because I hunt just about everything and wanted a gun I could use for multiple species and then I could have all the money into one gun instead of multiple. I would listen to what the other members are saying for a deer gun and you can find a bigger caliper for about the same price or buy a bow!

 

NICE BUCK! I have a diamond infinite edge bow now

 

Sweet! I have the Mathews chill x. I shoot 3d tournaments and I shoot techno hunt leagues during the winter. I love shooting bow and shoot at least 20 arrows a day.

 

you're better off with a better bullet instead of a 'better' Ar-15.

the deer doesn't care if it's shot with a $150 shotgun or a $3000 KAC SR-15 once it dies.

Look at the TSX line from Barnes, or some of the Winchester bonded bullets. Federal Fusion line gets a good rep as well. Find a 1:7 or 1:8 barrel that will shoot them well.

Check out the hunting section (under "outdoors") on ar15 dot com.

 

Another vote for a 6.8 SPC.. I took 2 deer this year with mine. One dropped where it stood and the second made it 10-15 ft.

Ammo used.. Silver State Armory 110 gr Pro Hunters.

Check out AR Performance for barrels/complete uppers.

 

Core15 makes a base model CORE15 M4 Scout that gets good reviews. My brother got one for $589 he likes it.

 

I always like the "I can do it with a .22lr" crowd, and then they post deer pics that look like someone glued some antlers to a rabbit. A small rabbit

Point being, the species isn't that important, it's the size of the game you want to consider. Down south deer are apparently small, in the mountains here, mule deer are fairly small, but in the plains they're not. I've taken bucks that are almost as big as elk I've seen other places. I took a friend of mine elk/deer a while back and he took a decent for the area buck. Then I dropped to one of my usual meat hunt places and dropped an average doe that was more than twice the size. Same species, different locale and feed.

In the mountains, I'd say a .223 isn't a big issue, in the plains its not enough gun. I've been using a 25-06 for all (small) big game for the last 5-6 years, it's a pretty do all caliber until you get to actual big game.

 

I have friends in Utah that swear by the AR for hunting at this point, but I haven't bought into it yet. I have a Rem 700 BDL Mountain in .270 that has taken elk and deer without batting an eye. It's also lighter and easier for me to carry.

Thinking about some of the recommendations above...I'd consider something like the Ruger American or a Savage in the caliber of choice. The Ruger American is available in most of the calibers mentioned above, and probably for a very good reason.

Out of curiosity, why the interest in the AR platform for hunting?

(Yes, I'm new to TW. No, I'm not anywhere new to guns. Give me time...)

 

I've been using a Ruger American in .243 for the last two years and it's worked Great, light and accurate, low recoil and easy to tote for long walks with a climber on my back, Deer haven't made it further than 40yds when hit by it, using Hornaday SST 95 grain.

 

Here's my Savage Trophy Hunter .243 It's my coyote and deer rifle.



A deer I took earlier this year

 

6.8 spc , close to .270 . Im sure you can build one for 700. Best deals on complete lowers go to Palmetto State A.