Advice for choice of round

edctac

edctac

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May 7, 2011
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I might have the chance to go dear hunting this fall, I've never been dear hunting but I'm excited. I don't exactly have a designated rifle. I do however have an AR-15 chambered in 300AAC. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with this round for dear, and if so what brand ammo and what grain. The rifle is still pretty new to me, so I'd like to get it out in the field and see how it does. My other option would be my rem 870, but I only have a non rifled barrel, and it's only 18". Any advice would be great.
 
I never hunt with less than a .243, but I've seen a deer killed at a short distance with a .22 mag hollow point, with a side lung shot and it only went about 60 yards before falling over dead. I have a little Savage 110 in .223 and with the right shot I'd think it would drop a deer just fine. Here is an article that has a lot of information and it does advise not taking shots with a .223 on deer over 150 yards, due to the velocity dropping over that.

http://www.americanhunter.org/blogs/223-for-deer-hunting/
 
Do you know what the area you're hunting is like? What's your likely shot distance? Under 200 yards, and 300AAC is going to do the job. If you want another upper, 6.8spc would be even better and give you lots more distance.

If you want a cheap dedicated rifle, grab a Mosin Nagant! Savage also makes some reasonable rifles (~$300) that you can get in 270, 30-06, or 308.
 
I'm pretty sure all the shots will be under 200 yards, I'd love a 6.8 but don't really have the money for it right now.
 
I second the notion of going with the 7.62x54R. Really nice round with a good level of power! My first choice would be a solid bolt action in .308, second choice would find me picking a smooth turnbolt in .270 Winchester or 30-06.
 
I guess I should have phrased it differently. My options are the 300AAC(7.62x35) or my rem 870. I don't have the funds for a new rifle right now. I know a 12ga slug will do the job, but was hoping to use my new rifle.
 
Use the .300 AAC (I'm assuming that the ammo is what Remington calls ".30 AR"). This should be fine up to 300 yards on a white tail or black tail deer. On a large muley, I'd limit it to 200 yards. Get the Accu-tip in 125 grain or the 150 grain core-lokt. They are well constructed bullets. Honestly, on white tails or muley's, I'd go with the 150 grain. Looking at the Remington ballistics tables on the two, I'd say that the difference between the 150 and 125 in terms of velocity and energy is negligible, so go with a heavier bullet. My .02.
 
In that case, pick up some Barnes TtSX in 110gr or 130gr. It will do the job nicely on a deer. I've hunted with a friend who takes at least one deer a year with .223 Remington Core Lokt (55gr) and they drop pretty fast. It's more about shot placement and bullet expansion, because deer really aren't that hard to take down.
 
Yeah, you can buy Barnes loaded by Barnes in 300AAC. Federal, Black Hills, Core-Bon, and a bunch of other load barnes, as well, but I don't think they've made them in that caliber yet. Other than that, Remington UMC or Remington Premium is about the only other widely available option.
 
I don't know much about the .300 blackout, but from a quick look at some ballistic info, it comes pretty close to .30-30 (similar velocity but lighter bullets and a bit lower muzzle energy). .30-30 is a great deer round, you just have to keep in mind the range limitations. I would expect the .300 blackout to be similar.

Choose a round with a good hunting bullet and test it to figure out the range in which you can make an ethical shot.
 
Here's some interesting analysis of this round compared to others.

Some good info in the comments.

I have no experience with this round.
 
Don't overlook the Rem. 870 even with an 18" barrel. Buy some standard rifled slugs in different brands and see what they do at 50 and 75 yards. If you hunt in thick cover shots may not be a lot longer and a slug round in 12 ga. placed in the boiler has them going down in a hurry.
 
willseeyalater said:
Don't overlook the Rem. 870 even with an 18" barrel. Buy some standard rifled slugs in different brands and see what they do at 50 and 75 yards. If you hunt in thick cover shots may not be a lot longer and a slug round in 12 ga. placed in the boiler has them going down in a hurry.
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+1 Take them both. In real thick cover OO or OOO buck will increase your probability of success. That way you will have your bases covered out to @ 200 yards. Years ago I had an acquaintance who would drive down the road until he found a large stand of heavy brush in whitetail country. He would grab his 12 gauge and go in one side. Hours later he would come out with his deer.
 
I will be bringing both, just in case. I might also bring my marlin 45-70(although that might be a bit much for white tails)
 
It's spelled Corbon !! They are an excellent ammo maker and for their premium defense and hunting rounds they use Barnes all copper bullets . Their 300AAC is loaded with a 110 Barnes but I have no idea what the performance is.
 
The new 110gr barnes vortex round for 300BLK is supposed to be pretty awesome and I'd think out to 300 yards it would be tits. No hunting experience with it but seen video on youtube holding together through a car door and opening up wide on impact with the balistics gel. The wound channel was seriously impressive. Talk about hydro shock!
 
Whatever shoots well from your rifle. Make sure you zero with whatever ammo you use, and you'll be fine. The sights on your rifle will probably be a bigger limiting factor than anything else. If you can make the 200 yard shot with with rifle, any 150 grain bullet will do the job when it gets there. Good luck!
 
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