What is your favorite deer load in the M&P 15?

[derek45auto]

This seems very interesting to me. The 6.8 cartridges fit in the standard AR-15 magazines, all you need is the different upper? Or can you just change only the barrel and everything else is compatible? Any suggestions on where I can find a good value barrel?

What are the ballistics like? How would it compare to my .270? I assume it would be quite a bit slower.

Again, thanks everyone for your input.

Different bolt, barrel and magazines.

Lots of info here...
Home of the 6.8 SPC - 68forums.com

SSA | Ballistics

carefully working up loads, you can push a 110gr 270 bullet to about 2650-2700fps.

plenty for whitetail deer

Most AR15 companys are making 6.8 uppers, make sure you get the SPC-II chamber and 1:11 twist.

 

[cyphertext]

Hate? No.
If you're going to teach your child to hunt, you should also teach them to wait for the right animal and the right shot.
Killing the small/young ones hurts the deer population more than killing the adults that have already procreated.

Deer that small aren't even worth the processing fee.
Doe days in GA have been limited because of the number of young deer killed by coyotes. The effect on the population is not lessened by irresponsible hunters doing the same thing.
Passing on tiny animals and only killing mature adults is better than teaching our children that it's okay to kill any deer they see.
Waiting for the right deer is much better than the instant gratification of letting them do whatever they want.

That deer is a spike. He doesn't need to "grow up", he needs to be taken out of the herd.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_w7000_0827.pdf

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_lf_w7000_0247.pdf

450 pounds is not a large hog in GA. We have a problem with them here.

I'll go ahead and be the one to call BS on this... 450 lbs for a wild hog is a large hog. Not saying that they don't get that big or bigger, but that is near the top of the scale for the average hog...

http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/files/2010/05/Feral-Hogs-in-Georgia.pdf
"100 to 500+ pounds. Very large hogs (500+ pounds)
are generally from domestic stock. "

I've seen what happens to the deer population when people in the hunting club allow deer of any size to be killed. After a couple of seasons of people shooting a bunch of dog-sized deer, there aren't many adults left in the area. Those dog-sized adolescents have to grow up to become adults worthy of shooting/processing/eating.

Again, it is a spike. See above.

As far as "everything being better in GA", I'm not getting into that urinating competition with you, but I'm glad you don't live here and I wouldn't live in FL on a dare.
Our hogs are bigger, our deer are bigger, our bears are bigger, and I can legally own shotgun specialty ammo here (felony in FL).

FL has it's pluses, but I'm not a beach or theme park person.

I don't think having larger animals of an invasive species that are extremely destructive to agriculture, property, and native wildlife habitat is something to brag about.

 

[A.O.]

That deer is a spike. He doesn't need to "grow up", he needs to be taken out of the herd.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_w7000_0827.pdf

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_lf_w7000_0247.pdf





I'll go ahead and be the one to call BS on this... 450 lbs for a wild hog is a large hog. Not saying that they don't get that big or bigger, but that is near the top of the scale for the average hog...

http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/files/2010/05/Feral-Hogs-in-Georgia.pdf
"100 to 500+ pounds. Very large hogs (500+ pounds)
are generally from domestic stock. "




Again, it is a spike. See above.




I don't think having larger animals of an invasive species that are extremely destructive to agriculture, property, and native wildlife habitat is something to brag about.

I wouldn't waste your breath, some just do not or will not ever understand how things work. I ran a deer ranch for a number of years down in Texas and genetics and the culling of deer was always part of a good herd.

 

[Murdock]

AR15 yes, but not with a 5.56/.223. I bought a CMMC .300 Blackout upper and use 125 grain Hornadys. Didn't connect last year but if I do this year I will post results.

 

[MichiganScott]

I wouldn't waste your breath, some just do not or will not ever understand how things work. I ran a deer ranch for a number of years down in Texas and genetics and the culling of deer was always part of a good herd.

Some misguided individuals still buy limited issue antlerless licenses and throw them away so others can't use them. Then they complain about no big bucks.

 

[MichiganScott]

Hate? No.
If you're going to teach your child to hunt, you should also teach them to wait for the right animal and the right shot.

I'm betting you don't have kids. Computers and smart phones have modern children all about instant gratification.

If they don't get a kill soon after they start deer hunting, they aren't going to continue to do it. The majority of the kids I have seen may try a second year, but they won't do it a third if they don't get a kill.

If they can't brag about it to their friends on Facebook, it's not going to be worth doing.

 

[Mr. P]

My friends land -- he was good with it. For the same reasons as mentioned above

When I get some personal issues taken care of I'll be looking into a 6.8 or a 7.62/.308

For now we'll use what we got

Thanks all

 

[jaymoore]

I started hunting with a .223 just to see how well it performed for myself. started with 60gr Nosler Partitions out of a 20" 1-7 twist barrel. Chest shots worked about like the usual .308 rounds. Nothing moved far after being hit, 50yds at most. Ok, then.

Then transitioned to a 55gr Sierra out of a 1-12"twist 20" barrel. Ummm, WOW! Best deer stopper ever! Nothing hit in the chest out to 100yds has taken another step. Boomflop. Often breaks multiple ribs on the entry side. Usually penetrates clean through, but if the jacket separates it has been found stuck on the far side ribs, nicely expanded, BTW. Cores always go through.

Went a little far forward on this buck and missed the chest cavity at what turned out to be ~150yds. He still didn't go far.

circa 2008


Having been well pleased with the 20" barreled rifles' performances, I have since tested some 16" rifle/load combos. 1-7 twist is all I have, so have been reluctant to use the 55gr bullet in them. But Partitions are still fine. As well, the factory 64 Winchester PP load. Again, about like using a .308. Broke all sorts of shoulder bones at entry with that bullet on one smallish deer, but penetration was still good enough to exit the animal.

Shoulder bone frags circa 2010, 64gr WW PP

Most recent example, made a rearward to forward shot with the "ol' favorite" 55gr/20". Not a big deer this time but broke ribs on the near side and shattered the far upper front leg bone near the shoulder joint! Bullet exited. Deer went nowhere...

Exit wound side:

from 2012

Anymore the first thing I'll pick to take to the woods is a 20" barreled AR with those 55gr bullets. Have put together a lighter upper for this year. No iron sights this time, just a tiny ACOG. (I hunt on the ground 95% of the time. No stands, just creeping about or sitting. No beanfields.)

If you can put an appropriately constructed bullet in the chest cavity at distances less than 200yards, then you should have no problem taking deer..

 

[15Krounds]

Took a look at the Wilson Combat 6.8 uppers.

Holy cats $1,250. I could by two M&P sports for that much. I think I'd be more interested in building a new upper.

What is the difference between the SPC II chamber and the ARP chamber? Looks like I can get a barrel for a little better than $200.

Any sources for some of the parts needed? Bolt, mags, barrels?

 

[erickg]

Happily, the 223 is not legal for big game here in Colorado.

I'll bet arrows are though, makes perfect sense......

 

[rojodiablo]

Took a look at the Wilson Combat 6.8 uppers.

Holy cats $1,250. I could by two M&P sports for that much. I think I'd be more interested in building a new upper.

What is the difference between the SPC II chamber and the ARP chamber? Looks like I can get a barrel for a little better than $200.

Any sources for some of the parts needed? Bolt, mags, barrels?

If I recall correctly, the bolt is the same as the 556. Uses the same brass, just the neck is stretched open to .270. Magazines are the same, you only need a different follower, which is a whopping $4-6 ea. Barrels bolt right in like any standard 556 barrel, gas length tubes are equal.

I like the 6.8spc. Think of it as an AK round shoved into an AR. Better hit authority, less wind deflection, but a little slower moving bullet.

 

[derek45auto]

6.8 has a different bolt.
the carrier is the same

barrel, bolt and magazine are different

STAG ARMS usually has quality affordable bolts in stock.

 

[snoopdawg45]

A well placed small caliber is better than a misplaced large caliber. I use a 62 gr. BTSP

 

[2001gmc]

My friend at work lets his young daughter use a Mossberg MVP I think its called. She shoots 55gr Soft Points and the deer never runs more than 40yds. Shoots right behind the shoulder.

 

[vipermd]

Took a look at the Wilson Combat 6.8 uppers.Holy cats $1,250. I could by two M&P sports for that much. I think I'd be more interested in building a new upper.What is the difference between the SPC II chamber and the ARP chamber? Looks like I can get a barrel for a little better than $200.Any sources for some of the parts needed? Bolt, mags, barrels?

Back to post # 25: Why can you not turn down the scope to 3, 2.5? If it was on 5x is that the bottom? For less than 50$ you can buy a 3x9x40, put it on the 270 and not have a problem. Or buy a 300 blackout upper with or with out a BCG, use mags and BCG from your AR.
Jaymo/Vinney47: 308 Nosler Ballistic tip, 235 yds, 2 doe, consecutive days) went through both lungs , and they ran, 30-40 yds only but I had to use a handgun to kill them. Why did they punch right through?? The perfect range for poor performance, they are now used on paper..
Michigan Scott: You are hunting the wrong places! Hunting farmland in Pa ( Bucks County) to big woods ( Potter co) never shot a buck or doe that dressed over 150. First doe outside of cheboygan dressed 156 on certified scales, first buck in the UP was 187 certified scales in Mi Commemorative Bucks. SPIKES? We do not shoot 2 1/2 yr old 8's with 17" spreads, (our choice), If you look at research Dr deer (Kroll) and others you will find that all things being equal, ( nutrition,water, habitat,protection) you will find that they could not determine which spike would grow up to be 8-12 points or become an older bigger spike. I do know that we do not take them unless we have a new hunter ( first time ) then we give the Mulligan and let them take whatever. We hunt on our property that is not fenced, so it depends on other hunters also. I wish one and all a great Deer season with bow,handgun,rifle, muzzle loader. Be Safe,

 

[sgtsandman]

This is just my 2 cents on the subject. If you are going to use a .223 round for deer hunting, get the heaviest soft point bullet you can get. A deer is at the upper limit of what the round can handle ethically. I would recommend going with a round more suitable for the game you are looking to go after. Typically, .30 caliber rounds tend to be the favorite, .30-30, .308, 30-06, .303, etc. You want a round that will quickly kill your game, not something that will allow them to run for hundreds of yards and then die a slow death. Then you have to search for it and hope you find it. The faster it drops, the better for you and the deer. Take what you will from it and good luck.

 

[A.O.]

This is just my 2 cents on the subject. If you are going to use a .223 round for deer hunting, get the heaviest soft point bullet you can get. A deer is at the upper limit of what the round can handle ethically. I would recommend going with a round more suitable for the game you are looking to go after. Typically, .30 caliber rounds tend to be the favorite, .30-30, .308, 30-06, .303, etc. You want a round that will quickly kill your game, not something that will allow them to run for hundreds of yards and then die a slow death. Then you have to search for it and hope you find it. The faster it drops, the better for you and the deer. Take what you will from it and good luck.

Like I posted way up earlier in this thread, I started my daughter with a little 223 carbine. Never once did we have to track a deer hundreds of yards. Most in fact dropped and died within 50 yards and about half dropped in their tracks!
Have you ever shot a deer with a 223, or are these scenarios just what you think would happen?

 

[jaymoore]

Jaymo/Vinney47: 308 Nosler Ballistic tip, 235 yds, 2 doe, consecutive days) went through both lungs , and they ran, 30-40 yds only but I had to use a handgun to kill them. Why did they punch right through?? The perfect range for poor performance, they are now used on paper..
,

I shot a buck last week with a 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip in a .308W case at a lasered 228 yards. He went about 100 yards but did leave a very easy to follow blood trail. Have shot several other deer with 150gr NBTs with good results, but still prefer the little.223 55gr Sierras for most of my rifle hunting.

 

[sgtsandman]

Like I posted way up earlier in this thread, I started my daughter with a little 223 carbine. Never once did we have to track a deer hundreds of yards. Most in fact dropped and died within 50 yards and about half dropped in their tracks!
Have you ever shot a deer with a 223, or are these scenarios just what you think would happen?

Not from personal experience and I did make pains to note this was a personal opinion. Most hunting magazines shy away from a .223 for deer hunting. Some even from a .243. Me personally, since I usually hunt in the woods, a .30-30 lever action with iron sights works just fine and PA doesn't allow semi-autos for deer hunting. It has to be a pump, lever, bolt or single shot rifle.

 

[jaymoore]

AR15 yes, but not with a 5.56/.223. I bought a CMMC .300 Blackout upper and use 125 grain Hornadys. Didn't connect last year but if I do this year I will post results.

Friend of mine shot a deer with that round a couple of years ago. He found a wee bit of lung, but we searched for hours and never found a blood trail or deer. I think it is another round that needs bullets specifically tailored for the task at hand to have best results. And pushed as hard as it will go.