Best AR 15 for Deer Hunting

The AR-15 needs no introduction. It is an iconic weapon recognized by both gun enthusiasts and gun-haters alike. It is essentially a civilian copy of the equally iconic M16 rifle that was first developed during Vietnam, and the reliability and accuracy of the weapon have made it a favorite ever since.

Though the AR-15 is a great weapon, it is not often regarded as a hunting rifle. This is strange because the weapon is more than capable of taking game, including hogs and deer.

If you are already using your AR-15 for sport shooting, it makes sense to use the weapon you are most familiar with to hunt. And even if you are looking for your first deer-hunting rifle, getting an AR-15 is a good choice.

Who Says You Can’t Hunt With a AR 15?

One reason why the AR is not often regarded as a true hunting rifle is that, as standard, it is not set up like this. However, one of the joys of the AR-15 is adaptability – almost everything on the weapon can be changed and modified, and this allows you to build a great deer hunting rifle from almost any AR-15.

If you want to set up your AR as a deer-hunting rifle, you are going to need a few accessories. Today, I’ll take you through some of these key items. But before we start, you first need o make sure you …

Is Hunting Deer With an AR 15 Legal?

The short answer is yes.  However it comes with a lot of stipulations.  States have various laws when it comes to calibers you can use when hunting deer.  Also, your state may have restrictions to the number of rounds you can have in your magazine.

In this article, although most ARs are chambered in .223 we recommend if you are looking for a AR to hunt deer with, there are more capable calibers we recommend.

Choose The Right AR-15 for Deer Hunting

Before you start thinking about using an AR-15 for deer hunting, you should make sure you have a good AR-15. Almost every major gun manufacturer now makes a version of the AR-15s, and whilst they are superficially similar your choice of base gun can make a big difference.

The core of any rifle, the AR-15 included, is the lower receiver, and when choosing an AR-15 you should make sure that your chosen rifle is adaptable enough for your requirements. The best lower receivers will take a whole range of uppers, so you can essentially choose your own caliber.

When setting up an AR-15 for deer hunting, you are going to want a hefty round that delivers a lot of power. Many states have minimum requirements on the caliber you need to use to hunt deer, so check your local laws before you begin to plan.

To my mind, the minimum caliber you should go for in a deer hunting rifle is a .300 – this is large enough to kill deer in one head shot, limiting both pain to the animal and damage to the meat.

 Best Complete AR 15s for Deer Hunting

You may not be interested in building your own AR 15 or messing around with changing out uppers to get an adequate caliber AR 15 set up for deer hunting.  Here are couple complete AR-15s for deer hunting.

	Product Name	Where to Buy
	PSA 16″ 300AAC BLACKOUT RIFLE
	Federal Fusion – 300 AAC Blackout – 150 Grain Soft Point
	PSA GEN3 PA10 18″ .308 WIN 2-STAGE RIFLE
	Federal Power-Shok 308 – 150 Grain Soft Point

PSA 16″ 300AAC BLACKOUT RIFLE

The Palmetto State Armory .300 AAC is one of the best all around rifles you can buy.  Chambered in .300 AAC Blackout this weapon will serve you well when out hunting all types of game.  The beauty of this round is “the kick” that isn’t there. This is especially handy for youth, and elderly. Some will question the recommendation of a .300 round for deer hunting, but if you are shoot within 100 yards, maybe 150 it will fit the bill.

When hunting deer with your .300 AR the type of .300 round you choose is equally important.  We recommend the Federal Fusion 150 Grain.

Federal Fusion – 300 AAC Blackout – 150 Grain Soft Point

Federal’s Fusion Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) line of ammo going to change your mind about using a .300 AAC Blackout for hunting. This round has perfect rotational stability. At 150 grains and loaded to a muzzle velocity of 1,900 fps, this round’s bonded soft point retains at least 1,000 ft lbs of energy until it reaches 77 yards.

PSA GEN3 PA10 18″ .308 WIN 2-STAGE RIFLE

The .308 Winchester is one of the most trusted calibers for deer hunters. Couple that with the improvements made to the Palmetto State Armories Gen 3 PA10 and you have the ultimate AR for deer hunting. This gun cycles perfectly with all kinds of .308 ammo.

That said if you want the ultimate .308 Ammo for deer hunting we recommend:

Federal Power-Shok 308 – 150 Grain Soft Point

For the price, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more superior round for whitetail deer hunting. Federal is known for creating quality ammo at a reasonable price.

 Get a Scope for Your Deer Hunting AR 15

Once you’ve got a good weapon platform, one of the first accessories you need to buy is a decent scope for your AR-15. Choosing the right scope for your needs is almost as complicated as buying a gun, and you are going to need to do some research. However, there are a few key considerations when buying a scope.

The first is to consider your hunting style, and what kind of environment you are going to be hunting in. If you are going to be taking a lot of long-range shots, you need to make sure that the scope you choose offers enough magnification, and is zeroed accurately enough, to hit targets out to the desired range.

A second consideration is eye relief. This is essentially the distance between your eye and the scope when you are using it, and is an often-overlooked factor when choosing scopes. When trying out a scope in the shop, it might not feel like eye relief is a huge problem, but after a few hours of squinting through a scope you will wish you went for the scope that was more comfortable!

Best Scope for an AR 15 for Deer Hunting

	Product Name	Where to Buy
	Utg 3-9 X32 Compact Cqb Bao Rgb Scope

1. Utg 3-9 X32 Compact Cqb Bao Rgb Scope

Looks and feels great. While it might have an excessively long name the UTG brings some serious durability to the table. A must for a quality scope is it’s totally resistant to water, fog, snow and impact resistant.

You don’t need an additional platform for the UTG and is quick to install.

We tried the UTG in lower lighting conditions and found it performed well. The design incorporates an emerald coated lens that serves to amplify existing light and focus them in your line of sight.

The UTG also comes with a host of options for customization. MOA adjustments are pretty fast as well.

Get A Bipod for Your Deer Hunting AR 15

Bipods are also one of those items that are often overlooked by people setting up their AR-15 for deer hunting. Perhaps this is because most AR owners use their weapon for self- or home-defense, where a bipod is essentially useless, so you just don’t see them around that often.

A bipod can make all the difference, though, when hunting deer. The most obvious way in which this is true is that a bipod will improve your accuracy at the kind of ranges you are going to be taking shots at deer.

However, the utility of a decent bipod goes beyond this – if you are expecting to spend a significant period lying prone in the undergrowth, waiting for a clean shot on a deer, you sure as hell don’t want to be holding your AR up all that time. A bipod will ensure that when the time comes you are alert and fresh.

For hunting purposes, make sure you get a bipod which is light enough to carry easily, and can be collapsed down to a reasonable size. Carrying a heavy bipod, in addition to all the rest of your kit, will quickly get tiring.

Best Bipod for a Deer Hunting AR 15

	Product Name	Where to Buy
	UTG Tactical OP Bipod

1. UTG Tactical OP Bipod (Best Entry Level AR-15 Bipod)

If you are buying your very first rifle bipod, we suggest starting with an entry-level model. This bipod is affordable enough for just about anyone, costing little more than a box or two of AR ammunition. It’s also one of the easiest bipods to mount.

The body and legs of this bipod are both constructed from a durable aluminum and features an all-steel mounting platform on the top.

The feet on the UTG Tactical OP Bipod are rubberized to create more friction between themselves and the surface you place them on. This alone will help give you the most stabilized shooting position possible.

Get a Sling for Your Deer Hunting AR

The same goes for how you carry your AR-15. While it may feel cool to stalk through the woods with your gun in hand, in reality if you have to hike any distance it is best to get a decent sling for your weapon.

Again, slings for AR-15s are not commonly seen, because most people simply leave their AR locked up at home. But trust me, if you are going out hunting for even a few hours you want a comfortable way of carrying your weapon.

What is the Best Deer Hunting AR 15 Sling?

The best sling for a deer hunting AR is one that attaches quickly.  In addition, easily allows you to swing your weapon into position. Our favorite is:

	Product Name	Where to Buy
	Viking Tactics Original Padded 2 Point Sling

Viking Tactics Original Padded 2 Point Sling

Some might find this sling a little pricey. However, the Viking Tactics Original Padded 2 Point Sling is worth every penny. If your out walking the woods all day for that whitetail, you’ll appreciate the great weight distribution the sling provides.  Plenty of padding in the straps will be a welcome feature at the end of the day.

Whatever Works For You

Ultimately, no guide can tell you exactly how to set up your AR-15 for deer hunting. The gun you choose, and the accessories you fit to it, will depend on your style of hunting and what works for you. If you can, try out a range of scopes, bipods, calibers, and slings before settling on a solution that you are comfortable with.

Thankfully, with an AR-15, this shouldn’t be too difficult, because almost every gun store will carry a range of accessories. As I’ve said, this is one of the primary reasons why an AR-15 is actually a great hunting rifle. With a little bit of creativity, you can modify your rifle into a deadly deer-hunting weapon. Here is an article where you can find out what is the absolute best elk hunting rifle.

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Plinking Or Hunting?