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Posted: 12/28/2023 5:15:31 PM EDT
Looking to get a hunting rifle. I don't hunt much, but my father in law does.
I have 5.56 - Semi Auto 243, 6.5 Creedmoor - Bolt I found the attached chart on which caliber for which game. Would you say this is accurate? If I want a semi-auto that can successfully take Florida wild hog and deer, and do it in a semi-auto, any ideas? I didn't see 6.5 Creedmoor on the list anywhere. .308 looks to be a likely winner as I don't have an AR10. Am I correct in thinking either 6.5 or .308 will work? Is there a preference? Anything else I should be considering? 7mm? Thanks.  Attached File |
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MI, USA
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Posted: 12/28/2023 5:37:59 PM EDT
[#1]
If you’re not shooting over long ranges, .308 for the cheapest blasting for hogs. If you plan to shoot 400+, 6.5 Creedmoor. All the calibers you listed are more than capable. A .223 will put down deer and hogs as well, as will .300blk, 6.5G, and 7.62x39, to name a few AR-15 compatible calibers.
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Posted: 12/28/2023 5:40:31 PM EDT
[#2]
For semi auto hunting, look at the 6.5 Grendel.
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Posted: 12/28/2023 5:45:28 PM EDT
[#3]
300WM will take care of anything in NA. I want one, so therefore you should get one
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Posted: 12/28/2023 5:52:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GSPatton]
[#4]
That chart is just plain silly.
6.5 Grendel was invented just to fill the niche you are looking for. |
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MT, USA
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Posted: 12/28/2023 6:33:17 PM EDT
[#5]
6.8SPC and 6.5G are both murder on hogs and deer to 300 yards. From my experience in Texas, the 6.8 literally blows the eyes out of a hogs head(head shots) at 100 yards.
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Posted: 12/28/2023 6:41:28 PM EDT
[Last Edit: jwlaxton]
[#6]
For deer and hogs in an AR15 platform, I use a 6.8 SPC or 300 HAM'R. Either is a good choice.
308 Win is also effective, but the AR10s tend to be heavier if that matters to you. If you want an AR10, the 338 Federal is also very effective. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 12/28/2023 7:07:37 PM EDT
[#7]
For hogs n deer n medium sized game at 300 yards or less...suggest AR in 6.8spc. Especially if you handload. Light carry, medium light recoil, great terminal results and with right ammo n trigger finger....very accurate. Waaay ahead of 223.
One of the better barrels....ARP made by Blackstone. Reasonable prices. Good 2nd Amendment folks. |
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MO, USA
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Posted: 12/28/2023 7:44:26 PM EDT
[#8]
30 06
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Posted: 12/28/2023 7:58:49 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Gr8Santini: For semi auto hunting, look at the 6.5 Grendel. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 12/28/2023 8:12:09 PM EDT
[Last Edit: VaFish]
[#10]
I can't recommend a caliber with the information you have given. You say you want it for hogs in Florida, but that really doesn't tell me how you hunt.
What ranges are we talking here? IF the vast majority of your shots are under 100 yards, I'd say get a .450 Bushmaster or .458 Socom. I'd throw the .350 Legend in there too. All work from AR15 action size. .308 works great on hogs and ammo is easy to find anywhere. There's a lot to be said for an AR10 in .308. But they are also quite a bit heavier than an AR15. The 6.5's have some better ballistic coefficient for longer ranges, but I doubt you are shooting hogs at close to 1,000 yards. I use a .300 BLK on hogs. |
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Posted: 12/28/2023 8:42:17 PM EDT
[#11]
It really depends on the terrain you’re hunting, the size of your biggest animal, platform, etc.
30-06 has been doing it all for over 100 years. Lots of good guns and cartridges. I tend to favor big, fast, and flat. |
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Posted: 12/28/2023 9:05:25 PM EDT
[#12]
For some reason I thought 6.5 Grendel had peaked and the round wasn't as popular anymore?
Being able to just get a new upper wouldn't be too bad. What would the tradeoff be from a .308? |
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Posted: 12/28/2023 9:08:44 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Gr8Santini: For semi auto hunting, look at the 6.5 Grendel. Bingo, and that chart is circa 1983 data. Times have changed the way bullets and cartridges perform. A 5.56 will kill a deer just fine with the right bullet and shot placement. |
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Posted: 12/28/2023 9:30:02 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Gr8Santini: For semi auto hunting, look at the 6.5 Grendel. Good answer, especially for deer and hogs. |
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Posted: 12/28/2023 9:36:21 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By VaFish: I can't recommend a caliber with the information you have given. You say you want it for hogs in Florida, but that really doesn't tell me how you hunt. What ranges are we talking here? IF the vast majority of your shots are under 100 yards, I'd say get a .450 Bushmaster or .458 Socom. I'd throw the .350 Legend in there too. All work from AR15 action size. .308 works great on hogs and ammo is easy to find anywhere. There's a lot to be said for an AR10 in .308. But they are also quite a bit heavier than an AR15. The 6.5's have some better ballistic coefficient for longer ranges, but I doubt you are shooting hogs at close to 1,000 yards. I use a .300 BLK on hogs. Most shots will most likely be taken at or under 100 yards. Out in a pasture that may extend to 150-200. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 12/29/2023 2:42:27 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dana]
[#16]
I wish i could see what the future holds for 6.5 Grendel. It is perfect for your needs. Fits the normal AR platform. Mine has been 100% reliable, stupid accurat and great energy at good range for the midsized game you mention. I have a 16" and it is great. But even the 12" ballistics look like they would be great out to about 200 yards on deer and hog.
I shot a hog in Texas with mine 123rg SST, double lung, perfect terminal effect. I hope the rounds has staying power because it is fantastic for what you want. But I would imagine 6mm ARC and 6.8 are also very good. Take your pick. Honestly 5.56 might even work fine for you. One thing that i have learned is not to buy somthing that "it will be beter when i do XYZ in the future". All that i really mean is dont think "i want to hog/deer hunt now but i would like to elk hunt in the next 5 years so i should buy a 280 AI". The truth is buy what is perfect for your needs now. If those needs change in 5 years buy something different then. You know you will probably buy or sell guns as time goes on anyway. I still make that mistake all the time. I try to buy things that will do everything and end not doing anything well. Kind of where i am with my Grendel. I lived in the southest when i built it. But now i live in Montana. My Creedmoor is better suited out here and I dont know that i really need the Grendel any more. Great caliber but the Creedmoor fills my needs better now. |
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Posted: 12/29/2023 3:48:19 PM EDT
[#17]
Florida hog and deer?
5.56. Florida deer are tiny and hogs don’t require anything special. Anything larger than that is just extra, but not required. |
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Posted: 12/29/2023 10:38:44 PM EDT
[#18]
From what I remember of Florida when I lived there the Grendel is exactly what you need. If you aren’t afraid to sbr it I would build a 12” and put a can on it. That’s one of my favorite ar’s in the safe.
Is the Grendel dead? Not hardly. Loaded rounds and components are far mor available than 6 arc which would also be a good choice for you. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 12/30/2023 12:45:18 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SpeyRod: From what I remember of Florida when I lived there the Grendel is exactly what you need. If you aren’t afraid to sbr it I would build a 12” and put a can on it. That’s one of my favorite ar’s in the safe. Is the Grendel dead? Not hardly. Loaded rounds and components are far mor available than 6 arc which would also be a good choice for you. This. Almost all my lowers have a stamp. Even a few that ussualy wear 16" barrels. Since i got my Tikka Creedmoor i am realizing my Grendel will more than likely be used for smaller animals like whitetail and hog and probably under 200 yards. Even a 12" Grendel has great balistics for that. If i am shooting over 200 yards i am probably in a more open terrain and the long barrel on my 24" Creedmoor bolt gun isnt going to be that hard to deal with. But i am a novice hunter so take what i say with a grain of salt |
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USA
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Posted: 12/30/2023 9:21:03 PM EDT
[#20]
For lower 48 hunting, all you really need is a quality .308 rifle. If Alaska is on the menu for real, then get a .30-06 to allow for pushing the heavier 200grn and 220grn loads.
Fads are fads. …. So avoid the 6.5 ManBun and the 6.8 Neckbeard. While popular with the coffee-shop commandos, ammo and reloading components are quite spendy in comparison to the established .308/.30-06 family. You can thank me later. |
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CO, USA
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Posted: 1/1/2024 3:00:13 PM EDT
[#21]
If all you want to hunt is hogs and deer of the southern US an AR in 6.5 CM will do.
An AR-10 in 308 would be my choice if it had to be a semiauto. My first choice however, would be a bolt gun. If I were limited to one rifle I would chose the boring and pedestrian 30/06. With the right loads it will take everything from feral pigs in FL to Eland in Africa. I have used it extensively in both the US and it has accompanied me to Africa. The biggest animals I have taken with it are Elk, Blue Wildebeest, and Oryx. It would have easily taken my Eland and Kudu but it was not the rifle I had at hand that day. Personally I would rather have a battery of options to choose from but that may not be your case financially. The only thing I would not hunt on this planet with an 06 are African/Australian Buffalo, Elephant, hippo, Rhino, and Grizzly/Brown/Polar bears. |
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NY, USA
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Posted: 1/1/2024 10:59:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: frozenny]
[#22]
don't over think this...
first off, deer and hogs aren't t.Rex or Godzilla. They are fairly easy to kill if you hit em right... Lots of good choices. You have a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun. That fits the bill PERFECTLY. Load up a suitable 130 or 140 grain hunting bullet, and go shoot hogs and deer. Its just about ideal... ignore the fucking chart. It was accurate when Carter was in the Whitehouse, and totally obsolete today. One warning: I have been VERY disappointed specifically with Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELDx factory loads.... I was seeing surprisingly mild performance on deer. I found the reason: It is normal for actual velocities observed in our rifles to be a bit slower than the hocus pocus marketing department claims on the boxes and factory 'specs". it's kind of normal and customary. If the box says 2800 fps, and you get 2713, or 2740, or something like that, its fairly reasonable. However, the Precision Hunter stuff is giving me mid 2400's when its advertised as mid 2700's... Thats totally unacceptable, and its enough velocity loss that its starting to seriously impact the cartridges performance. Your experience might vary. However, I've shot two different lots of this ammo over THREE different chronographs and get absolutely shitty 2480's for speed. It's pathetic. The Creedmoor is an EXCELLENT choice. Just use some other (non Precision Hunter) loads... If you want a semi, I'd recommend either a 6.5 Grendel or a 350 Legend. Both are very very adequate |
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Posted: 1/1/2024 11:04:36 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Markes: For some reason I thought 6.5 Grendel had peaked and the round wasn't as popular anymore? Being able to just get a new upper wouldn't be too bad. What would the tradeoff be from a .308? PSA is supposed to be making 6.5 G ammo this year. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 1/2/2024 12:45:55 PM EDT
[#24]
6.5 Grendel punches way above its weight. The cartridge is very much alive and inside 300 yards will be positively perfect on deer, hogs and anything smaller.
Reloading opens everything up of course, but factory options are highly effective. It’s so good you might not be able to differentiate terminal results from the 6.5 Creedmoor within practical hunting ranges. If you’re wanting to buy a new rifle in a nice hunting caliber no matter what, my recommendation is 7mm-08 Remington. Bullets range from 120gr TTSX/BT at 3100 FPS up to about 162 gr ELD-X upper limit based on twist rate and max velocity. It’s a really fun and effective round. |
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Posted: 1/2/2024 1:23:49 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jd2395: 300WM will take care of anything in NA. I want one, so therefore you should get one Sold mine but still have 200 rounds, thinking about buying another one. 556 and 223 not legal for deer in Va. .308 or 30-30 for most short range game, 6.5 for longer range. |
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Posted: 1/2/2024 1:32:34 PM EDT
[#26]
I’d look at 7mm or 300 win mag if I was in your shoes.
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ID, USA
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Posted: 1/2/2024 1:54:58 PM EDT
[#27]
If you insist on semi auto AR15 platform, 350 Legend, 300 HAMR, 6.5G, 6.8SPC, etc, etc, anything in that neighborhood will all git it done. Yes, 5.56 will work, but I'd like a touch more jam than that, personally (and also it's not legal for big game in many states, not sure about FL).
If not limited to AR-15 platform, I'd suggest 6.5CM, 308, 30-06, 7mag, 270, etc, etc are all "enough gun", and you will never need another gun in the lower 48. I knocked down a 750/800 lb moose last year with what was ballisticaly a 308 win with a 150 grain bullet - shot through the chest, made it about 30 yards before it took a dirt nap. If that had been 140 grain 6.5 bullet, the results would have been identical. As was noted earlier, if you're going to go hunt Alaska, then a 30-06 or bigger would be recommended. |
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Posted: 1/2/2024 6:49:50 PM EDT
[#28]
Thanks all.
What's the best barrel length for 6.5G? I'll put that 6.5g on an existing upper and add a .308 to the collection as well. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 1/2/2024 6:54:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: jwright4288]
[#29]
6.5 Grendel 12” suppressed AR all day everyday for the range you mentioned. Also LMAO at that chart: 30-06 being needed for hogs is comical
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Posted: 1/2/2024 7:26:31 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Gr8Santini]
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jwright4288: 6.5 Grendel 12” suppressed AR all day everyday for the range you mentioned. Also LMAO at that chart: 30-06 being needed for hogs is comical This. I’ve shot several deer, mostly medium sized, with 12” and 16” Grendels. All shots under 100 yards. All deer dropped where they stood. I shoot 123 grain hornady SST factory ammo. With the can, the other deer usually only run 20-30 yards. |
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Posted: 1/2/2024 8:49:59 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Markes: Thanks all. What's the best barrel length for 6.5G? I'll put that 6.5g on an existing upper and add a .308 to the collection as well. |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 1/2/2024 8:59:08 PM EDT
[#32]
Does Florida have any cartridge restrictions?
Deer hunting in Iowa is straight wall only with an approved cartridge list. |
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Posted: 1/2/2024 9:20:56 PM EDT
[#33]
Here in FL 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 would be plenty for anything you can hunt here. 6.8SPC or 6.5 Grendel will do it too, heck .223 is plenty for most uses. The last time I went hunting I used a 12” 6.5G, didn’t shoot anything though. I have an 18” 6.5G I’d be perfectly happy to use also. The Ruger SFAR in .308 looks nice if you want the bigger round.
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Posted: 1/2/2024 9:23:49 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By stewie97: Does Florida have any cartridge restrictions? Deer hunting in Iowa is straight wall only with an approved cartridge list. Can’t use Rimfire cartridges or FMJ bullets for deer. |
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AR, USA
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Posted: 1/2/2024 11:40:58 PM EDT
[#35]
Here’s another vote for the 6.5 Grendel. It’s all I hunt medium sized game with anymore, which is 90% of the hunting I do.
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Posted: 1/3/2024 10:50:40 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Gr8Santini: This. I’ve shot several deer, mostly medium sized, with 12” and 16” Grendels. All shots under 100 yards. All deer dropped where they stood. I shoot 123 grain hornady SST factory ammo. With the can, the other deer usually only run 20-30 yards. This is the way. The 6.5 Grendel is what I use on TX hogs and deer. |
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Posted: 1/7/2024 12:26:28 AM EDT
[#37]
Thanks all for the help.
Bought a PSA .308 and added a 6.5 grendel upper to the cart while I was at it. |
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Posted: 1/7/2024 6:43:36 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Markes: Thanks all for the help. Bought a PSA .308 and added a 6.5 grendel upper to the cart while I was at it. Enjoy and good luck with the hunts!! |
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Posted: 1/13/2024 11:25:11 PM EDT
[#39]
6.5 Creedmoor will kill anything in NA effectively, has little recoil, superb factory ammo and is chambered in all the latest and greatest.
Can't go wrong. 308 is perfectly suitable. I like 6.5 better. |
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Posted: 1/15/2024 4:05:43 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jwright4288: 6.5 Grendel 12” suppressed AR all day everyday for the range you mentioned. Also LMAO at that chart: 30-06 being needed for hogs is comical This! My 12” G is one of my favorite rifles. Accurate, light and plenty of power. |
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Posted: 1/15/2024 4:14:01 PM EDT
[#41]
I’m a 6.8 fan. I have even killed a 5x5 bull elk with a 12.5” barrel 6.8.
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Posted: 1/16/2024 6:52:18 PM EDT
[#42]
260 Remington is king.
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Posted: 1/17/2024 3:36:58 PM EDT
[#43]
Last year I started off hunting hogs with a 16" 556. Then built a 18" 6.5g for more power. Then picked up a ruger sfar 16" in 308 that weighs less than the 556 and 6.5g and is just as handy. And the 125sst at 2950 is hard on about anything.
This year I'll probaby take the sfar and a 12" 6.5g. Will probably end up with a 6.5crd sfar as well. Would like the 6.5crd with a 16" barrel though. |
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Posted: 1/17/2024 4:05:21 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TxRabbitBane]
[#44]
6.5 and/or .243 will kill anything in your area that you’re likely to hunt. My son killed a 300+ pound mule deer with a 6.5CM a month ago.
Gazillions of hogs and deer are killed every year with them. With a decent hunting bullet, you can also kill both with .223/5.56 just fine. There is no reason to buy another rifle, unless you just want to… which is ok too. |
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Posted: 3/27/2024 8:57:17 AM EDT
[#45]
Originally Posted By Markes: For some reason I thought 6.5 Grendel had peaked and the round wasn't as popular anymore? Being able to just get a new upper wouldn't be too bad. What would the tradeoff be from a .308? .223 with a TSX or Gold Dot/Fusion, or even a heavy-ish match bullet will flatten the shit out of any deer in the southeast US. A lot of people seem to think they need a .270 or .300 Win with a 4-12x scope to kill deer down here, and that’s soooo far from the truth. These are human-sized animals that live in heavy wood and brush. Any cartridge that feeds in an AR magwell will do just fine, as will the lowest power, quality scope. Heavier cartridges just make practice less fun and more expensive at a certain point. |
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Posted: 3/27/2024 9:13:34 AM EDT
[#46]
In FL, a 6.5 Grendel is perfect. Just get an upper.
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Posted: 3/27/2024 11:50:41 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Markes: Thanks all for the help. Bought a PSA .308 and added a 6.5 grendel upper to the cart while I was at it. Let us know what you think. FWIW, I have some nice, $$, rifles and the PSA 12” Grendel is at the top of the list. Pretty good for a $285 Black Friday spend. |
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Posted: 3/28/2024 3:59:01 PM EDT
[#48]
Originally Posted By Markes: Looking to get a hunting rifle. I don't hunt much, but my father in law does. I have 5.56 - Semi Auto 243, 6.5 Creedmoor - Bolt I found the attached chart on which caliber for which game. Would you say this is accurate? If I want a semi-auto that can successfully take Florida wild hog and deer, and do it in a semi-auto, any ideas? I didn't see 6.5 Creedmoor on the list anywhere. .308 looks to be a likely winner as I don't have an AR10. Am I correct in thinking either 6.5 or .308 will work? Is there a preference? Anything else I should be considering? 7mm? Thanks. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/151114/Hunting_Calibers_jpg-3073875.JPG That chart… You don’t need a 30-06-parent cartridge to kill a hog. That’s silly. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 12:05:06 PM EDT
[#49]
As a drop on upper, 6.5G, .350L, .450bm.
.308, 6.5, .243 are going to be AR10 platform. If I could offer a suggestion, start with your .243 and make sure you actually like hunting before buying stuff. It will kill anything you're looking at easily and ammo is available anywhere. Avoid calibers you can't find at 8pm on the night before the hunt in the middle of nowhere. |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 3/31/2024 1:33:27 PM EDT
[#50]
Semiauto?
Does it have to be in AR platform? Look into the Browning BAR line. I have one in 30-06. The 308s have detachable mags. https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/bar/bar-mk-3-dbm-wood.html |
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