Taking my AR15 hunting, what do I need to know?

[JDPhx501]

My soon to be father in law up in the Fresno area invited me to go hunting with him and his friends later this year for deer and boar. From what they tell me, they go with experienced hunters who know the area and what they are doing.

I would pack my AR with a 16" 1/7 barrel and Vortex pst 1-4x.

What are some practical things for me to know and consider for such a venture?

Please keep in mind buying a new gun or even AR upper is out of the question right now. Also, hunting with my future in laws most likely would be a one time or once every year or few years kind of thing so I prefer to use the gun I have.

Will I be able to use hunting bullets out of my gun?

[Ross]

If it's your first time hunting a .22 is a rather small caliber in fact, it is too small to hunt with in many states for large game.

I would recommend, at a minimum, nothing smaller than a .243 for deer and .270 for pig.

[cdizzle666]

You should be fine. Use the largest grain expanding bullet you can get your hands on, I think that's a 77grn bullet. Make sure you sight in your rifle with the specific ammo you plan to use. Some might say 55.6/223 is small for deer and boar. Ive used it and some of my family and friends use it. shot placement is key lungs, heart and head if you can ethically make that shot. They might run with a lung or heart shot but not very far, blood will be shootn out like a squirt gun.

[huntandski]

If they're experienced hunters, I'm sure they have an extra gun... Just borrow a 30 cal.

But if it's all you have, it's all you have. A gun is a gun... Good luck and have fun.

[jkody]

Borrow a rifle if possible. Take the AR just in case the father in law decides he has second thoughts about you.

[68302stang]

I hunt boar myself with an AR .223 setup using 55gr Barnes. Shot placement is key. If you aim for the head or neck you shouldn't have to track an injured boar and you wont ruin the meat, it stops them on their tracks. 223/5.56 is powerful enough to bring down a boar just make sure you can accurately place that bullet on the boars head or neck.

[ElvenSoul]

68gr AMAX and you will be fine.

However this is the last year it looks like for lead bullets so you might want to invest in 6.8 Upper for hunting with your AR

Good Lead Free Choices in 6.8 or 6.5 Grendel.

[CK_32]

Take a hunter safety course.

[vpravada]

I think you need a 5rd mag

[scottz]

70gr tsx barnes works fine on our 100 pound deer will turn vital organs to jello.

[ElvenSoul]

70gr tsx barnes works fine on our 100 pound deer will turn vital organs to jello.

Does anyone load those commercially? I think this guy needs ammo he can buy at a store ready to shoot!

[NorCalFocus]

I think you need a 5rd mag

False. In CA there are no special mag limits for hunting with rifles. You can use a 10 round just like you were shooting at the range.


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[ElvenSoul]

10round mag is fine for hunting in CA.

[Jarhead715]

I would worry about hunters safety course and valid hunting license. If you have that. Go have fun and good luck!

[mif_slim]

Ive used 45gr up to 75gr. They all the die the same. I dont know how these people come up with using the heaviest grains.

Like many said, shot placement is key. Please no head shot. Neck is best but you loose the yummy meat there. The most important is knowing when to take the shot. This comes through "seat time", not always true but usually new hunters dont have the patients to hold the shot.

OP question:
Just make sure you stay in legal format. 10rd or less for BB, etc. Other then that, hunting safety class, license, tag, good boot, water, flash light and most important than the AR, bring TP. Plenty! You dont want to use pine cones. LoL.