Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Deer hunting with ar15

65 grain Gamekings get high praise.

About any 55 grain soft points will work fine too.

I bought a few hundred plane Jane 60gr hornady SP at midwayusa a few weeks ago specifically for shooting deer out of my AR. Never used them from an AR but they turn a deer’s lights out in a hurry out of a 22-250. Hornady 55 are deadly too. 60’s seem to penetrate a bit better as would be expected. I’ve killed quite a few deer with Sierra 1365’s out of a 223 also. They worked great but it was a 12” twist gun. Not sure if the faster twist of an AR would change much but of those three I’d go with the 60gr hornady and go forth and kill deer!

Fixed it for you.

This year my AR deer is going to be shot with a 350 legend due to straight sided cartridge rule. They only allow 4 different cartridges, 45-70, 444 Marlin, 450 Bushmaster and 350 Legend. Going with the 180 gr. Hornady XTP pushed to 2100 fps with 1680.

I've only shot 1 game animal with a .22 cal. That was an antelope with a 22-250 and a 55 gr Sierra Game King. It laid that boy low. It took out both lungs and the heart and I found it in the far shoulder, nicely mushroomed.

223, Deer,, Elk, Axis, Aoudad, Coyotes, Bobcat, a few semi loads of pigs, and misc, other critters, 52 gr. SP works for me. Rio7

If you are talking the 55gr interlock, that is a tough little bullet. It has the interlock ring to help the bullet hold together during impact on larger game. It really isn't a varmint bullet. If you are talking the 55gr Vmax, that is a varmint bullet. There's more than just 1 "55" Hornady..

I'll be taking my Granddaughter deer hunting to hopefully shoot her first deer this season. She is 10 years old and shooting my AR15 well. I plan on using 64gr sp. She can put 5 of them in less than an inch at 50 yds. That will be the approx. feeder distance where she will hunt. My question is, what is the best shot placement for her. Double lung shot just behind the shoulder? Or right on the point of the shoulder to brake some bone or high shoulder (cns)

I would like for her to have a DRT experience for her first one

Probably going to take a high shoulder or neck shot to drop one. Study anatomy charts with her and coach her to take the high shoulder shot.

This for a DRT. Or about 4" lower & a few inches back with that bullet. It will work. May make a few tracks but generally drop in sight.



Be ready for a follow up. If hit too high they will drop instantly. If no kicking then be ready, may not be dead, a little kicking is the norm.

10ga. Thanks for the Pic. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Killed my biggest buck, 240 lbs, with my .223 when he didnt want to come in bow range. Neck shot pulled the carpet out from under him.

Nice. Hopefully we will get it done. I think I'm more excited than she is.

my AR is in 300 BO, or 25 WSSM

yep works fine.

Barnes 55 grn ttsx works fine for deer and hogs in my experience

Virginia law requires .23 caliber or larger.

I use 6x45 and other calibers accordingly.