AR-15 Elk Hunting?

HunterTango384 · 03-25-2010, 06:16 PM

Title says all. Would an AR-15 be good for elk hunting? I am thinking the caliber (7.62x36) may be too small to take down an elk. Please answer. thanks

cycloneman · 03-25-2010, 06:22 PM

I have been at a ranch in New Mexico and talked to guides there. We had a conversation aobut this and they wanted to see their customers use a 30 cal at least at 3006. I think the bullet for that cal will be too light to do the job correctly, even if you are close. Now an ar in 308 may work with at least a 180gr performance bullet. .02

Zhurh · 03-25-2010, 09:45 PM

In the winter, we shoot most everything from trk window or off snowmachine. That means mini-14 & AR or pistol. Caribou are followers, easy head shots with 223s and we all rather just shoot them on the road anyway, just easier with subsistence.

Old Grump · 03-26-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTango384

Title says all. Would an AR-15 be good for elk hunting? I am thinking the caliber (7.62x36) may be too small to take down an elk. Please answer. thanks

No, no, no, no. 7.62x51, yes but not the 7.62x39 unless you are under 100 yards and you are good at placing your shot.

old semperfi · 03-26-2010, 07:00 PM

the 7.62x39 has basically the same ballistics as a 30-30 winchester and to me it would be absolutley miminum caliber under 100 yards.i also think it would be more humane to use either at minimum a 308 but i think a 7mm mag or 300 win mag would be a better choice old semperfi

ofitg · 03-26-2010, 07:24 PM

Better look at the Colorado laws -

http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonl...CD9/0/Ch02.pdf

Page 5 says you need at least .24 caliber, and at least an 85-grain expanding bullet. The impact energy at 100 yards must be at least 1000 ft-lbs.

If they catch you hunting elk with a .223 AR15, you're in deep s**t.

Since you mention the 7.62X39, I wonder if you have a different rifle in mind? I think the 7.62X39 would satisfy Colorado laws.... just barely..... but it would be wise to use a more powerful cartridge.

al45lc · 03-26-2010, 10:15 PM

Yep, the 7.62 x 39 is about 1200 ft.lbs @ 100 yds, assuming a 123 gr bullet @ 2400 ft./sec @ muzzle. It's legal, but I wouldn't try it, simply because I don't see the point of risking my hunt on a borderline cartridge (and bullets) for the task.

al45lc · 03-26-2010, 10:19 PM

One other point, many states, including Colorado, don't allow for more than 5 rds in the rifle, so a large capacity mag is a big no-no.

Bobitis · 03-27-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTango384

Title says all. Would an AR-15 be good for elk hunting? I am thinking the caliber (7.62x36) may be too small to take down an elk. Please answer. thanks

03-25-2010, 06:16 PM	#1
HunterTango384 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 5	AR-15 Elk Hunting? Title says all. Would an AR-15 be good for elk hunting? I am thinking the caliber (7.62x36) may be too small to take down an elk. Please answer. thanks __________________ BOOM HEADSHOT!! -->

03-25-2010, 06:22 PM	#2
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,397	Re: AR-15 Elk Hunting? I have been at a ranch in New Mexico and talked to guides there. We had a conversation aobut this and they wanted to see their customers use a 30 cal at least at 3006. I think the bullet for that cal will be too light to do the job correctly, even if you are close. Now an ar in 308 may work with at least a 180gr performance bullet. .02 __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

03-25-2010, 09:45 PM	#3
Zhurh Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upper Yukon, Alaska Posts: 1,807	Re: AR-15 Elk Hunting? In the winter, we shoot most everything from trk window or off snowmachine. That means mini-14 & AR or pistol. Caribou are followers, easy head shots with 223s and we all rather just shoot them on the road anyway, just easier with subsistence.

03-26-2010, 07:00 PM	#5
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: AR-15 Elk Hunting? the 7.62x39 has basically the same ballistics as a 30-30 winchester and to me it would be absolutley miminum caliber under 100 yards.i also think it would be more humane to use either at minimum a 308 but i think a 7mm mag or 300 win mag would be a better choice old semperfi

03-26-2010, 07:24 PM	#6
ofitg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,447	Re: AR-15 Elk Hunting? Better look at the Colorado laws - http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonl...CD9/0/Ch02.pdf Page 5 says you need at least .24 caliber, and at least an 85-grain expanding bullet. The impact energy at 100 yards must be at least 1000 ft-lbs. If they catch you hunting elk with a .223 AR15, you're in deep s*t. Since you mention the 7.62X39, I wonder if you have a different rifle in mind? I think the 7.62X39 would satisfy Colorado laws.... just barely..... but it would be wise to use a more powerful cartridge. Last edited by ofitg; 03-26-2010 at 08:04 PM..*

03-26-2010, 10:15 PM	#7
al45lc Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: colorful colorado Posts: 1,016	Re: AR-15 Elk Hunting? Yep, the 7.62 x 39 is about 1200 ft.lbs @ 100 yds, assuming a 123 gr bullet @ 2400 ft./sec @ muzzle. It's legal, but I wouldn't try it, simply because I don't see the point of risking my hunt on a borderline cartridge (and bullets) for the task.

03-26-2010, 10:19 PM	#8
al45lc Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: colorful colorado Posts: 1,016	Re: AR-15 Elk Hunting? One other point, many states, including Colorado, don't allow for more than 5 rds in the rifle, so a large capacity mag is a big no-no.