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For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
#4762835
11/19/13 11:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,379
scot
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,379 |
Why? Also how often do you actually get follow up shots?
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: scot]
#4762873
11/20/13 12:18 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 21,274 |
Never owned both at the same time but I think it matters on what type of hunting you are doing. When I had my AR-10 it would be a sit and wait type hunt. Had a RRA with 24" BB, dude weighed a ton, and I couldnt carry it around the woods all night. So back then if I knew I was doing spot and stalks I would carry my Tikka 25-06. Now if I would of had a light weight 16" barrel 308 I might of gone with that. I now hunt with a 16" 556 and carry it all the time. Light weight and accurate but with poor shot placement I have lost several hogs. Edit: As far as follow up shots, never got the chance with AR10 unless I was 400-500 yards away and I missed on the first 556 given the right environment all the time, its just hitting them when they are running circles around you in the woods that gets me
Last edited by East; 11/20/13 12:25 AM.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: East]
#4762890
11/20/13 12:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,379
scot
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,379 |
What optic? The one time I had a .308 I tried to stand and shoot a deer and 6-8 shots later the deer kept running.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: scot]
#4762895
11/20/13 12:31 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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When I built the 308 I put something big on it, its been a few years, but I made it for long range. It definitely added some weight to the already heavy gun.
The 556 is a cheap 3-12 by Bushnell, I keep meaning to replace it, but I beat the hell out of that gun and it never looses its zero, so why change a good thing. It doesnt do great in low light though, but is clear as day the rest of the time so I am letting it ride for now. I dont baby my 556, it sees rain, mud, etc. Kinda impressed me so I guess thats why I use it as my go to gun.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: East]
#4762899
11/20/13 12:34 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274 |
One thing though, I never use 556 for deer hunting. Only hogs. I have a designated deer rifle that I use.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: East]
#4763623
11/20/13 03:44 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 264
STX Hog Hunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 264 |
Last year all I used was my 308. This year im carrying my 223. Chances on a solid follow up shot are kinda slim.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: STX Hog Hunter]
#4763712
11/20/13 04:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,266
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,266 |
I use my 20" POF 308 with a SWFA 10x SS scope for still hunting, and my 16" custom AR with aimpont T1 for stalking around. It's soon to be a SBR to make it even more mobile.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: KRoyal]
#4763736
11/20/13 04:20 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 237
HBone
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 237 |
Killed 2 bucks this year. 1 at 85 yards with AR15, ran 100 yards with heart shot. 2 nd at 258 yards with LR-308 , 1 shot into the neck ran 50 yards second shot double lung and dropped . It's all about distance and bullet selection.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: HBone]
#4763740
11/20/13 04:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,165
Brother in-law
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,165 |
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Brother in-law]
#4763860
11/20/13 06:13 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 541
Gwood88
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 541 |
I hunt with a .223 with a Primary Arms red dot. No magnification at the moment. I have have taken follow up shots. I recently shot a deer at about 75yrds. I put one in the lungs and it took off and I put another in the neck.
It's not really a question of do you get follow up shots since most animals you shoot at, even when you hit them, they will most likely run. It's more a matter of can you pull off a safe, accurate follow up shot to the kill zone and not in the guts.
Texas A&M Class of 2011
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Gwood88]
#4763915
11/20/13 10:15 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,085
Don Dial
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,085 |
A 223 is basically a 200 yd light Varmit cartridge not even remotely in the same category as a .308. It will take hogs or deer with proper shot placement or luck but so will a 22 LR. I'd have no problem with using it on deer or hogs with good projectiles, but not on wall hanger expensive hunts. The .308 loaded at 2800 FPS with a 150 Barnes TTSX is at least twice the cartridge and good to at least 450 yds.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Don Dial]
#4764393
11/20/13 03:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,759
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,759 |
Neither for a dedicated hunting AR, 6.8 I don't like AR10s for hunting as they are heavy.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: ccoker]
#4764476
11/20/13 03:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 825
Spent Brass
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 825 |
Only once have I taken a follow up with a .223 AR and it was on my buck of a lifetime. He showed up while I was yote hunting and I took a heart/lung shot at 110 yds. He turned the opposite side to me and I hit him again in the heart and he dropped. Dressed out he had no heart muscle left and only one lung. All my hogs have gone down with a single neck shot and never did more than quiver. My .223 is a "target of opportunity" gun. When I'm in the stand for deer it's a 7.62x39 upper. Three one shot kills in three years on heart shot deer, no follow up needed.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Spent Brass]
#4765237
11/20/13 07:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 248
JRPurvis
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 248 |
If I'm actually hunting, a 5.56 is almost useless for me, because it is too big for rabbit and squirrel, but too small for deer and pigs. For me, a 5.56 is strictly for punching holes in paper. For that I actually prefer a .22LR though.
Deer quality is not measured by antler size
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: JRPurvis]
#4766505
11/21/13 02:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 342
Capt Craig
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 342 |
I have a .223, a .308 and a 300 Blackout. I like all three and use them based on the game. Predators and hogs I like a .223 at 100 yards or so. Hogs alone and at possibly longer distances, I prefer my .308, and for predator or hog in closer spaces less than 100 yards, I love the 300 Blackout because I get a .30 cal bullet that impacts likes a hammer at 2100 FPS in a smaller package with a 16" barrel.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Capt Craig]
#4767779
11/21/13 03:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534
JustWingem
Gentleman Jack
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Gentleman Jack
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534 |
I actually split the difference and built 2 6.8's on the AR platform. Enough punch for deer and hogs comfortably to 300 yards. Has about 7-10 lbs less recoil than a 7mm 08 makes it a good fit for my 8 year old to use. I built them with an adjustable stocks just for that purpose.
DON'T GET CONFUSED BETWEEN MY PERSONALITY AND MY ATTITUDE. MY PERSONALITY IS WHO I AM...MY ATTITUDE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: JustWingem]
#4768149
11/21/13 05:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,776
NTXBowfisher
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,776 |
I use my AR-10 w/ big glass on it for sit and wait hunt like East.
my 5.56 and 300BLK (I alternate) w/ aimpoints go w/ me riding around type hunting and/or at night (for hogs, obviously I don't shoot deer at night)
as for follow up shots I have had them w/ both. had a big group of pigs come by the stand and opened up on them w/ the .308 (FNAR at the time) knocked a couple down, running shot is pretty difficult w/ bigger glass i will say, much easier w/ the AR-15s w/ aimpoints.
signature coming soon
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: NTXBowfisher]
#4768863
11/21/13 09:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,591
Pointer
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,591 |
I am sure I am offending those who love it, but I wouldn't give a nickle for the 5.56 or .223 cartridge as a hunting round. I've used it with miserable results on hogs. I have too much respect for deer to even try. Before you say I can't shoot, I am 3 for 3 dropping hogs in their tracks since I began carrying my .308 and shooting from the same position ( a measured 120 yd shot).
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Pointer]
#4768950
11/21/13 09:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274 |
You cant shoot
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: East]
#4768970
11/21/13 09:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,776
NTXBowfisher
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,776 |
You cant shoot beat me to it, I'll killed plenty of deer with 5.56. but if your not comfortable with it, don't try it.
signature coming soon
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: NTXBowfisher]
#4769020
11/21/13 09:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,266
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,266 |
Maybe it was just the ammo you were using.. A good hunting round out of a AR will put a pig dead right there. I don't know about deer, because I don't hunt deer. I just shoot SS109 62gr steel core penetrator at hogs. Is probably the worst possible round for hunting because it is supposed to penetrate not expand. I don't really care how many times I have to shoot hogs, I hate the creatures.. They still work fine though.
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: KRoyal]
#4769456
11/22/13 12:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 97
Sader762
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 97 |
The AR that I use most is my 6.8 SPC - great hunting round!
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Re: For hunting, do you use 5.56 or .308 AR more often?
[Re: Sader762]
#4771130
11/22/13 02:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Markschu
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42 |
I use my 5.56 but will use my 308 once the suppressor comes in.
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