Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The AR-15 is not just a range rifle or a tactical toy. It is a genuinely capable hunting platform, and if you have spent any real time chasing game with one, you already know the critics are missing the point.
It’s rather common for people to claim the AR-15 isn’t meant for hunting. The logic is usually along the lines of how no one needs 30 rounds for a deer, the AR-15 is a weapon of war, and it’s entirely impractical and silly. However, the AR-15 is fantastic for hunting, including deer hunting. Those who say otherwise don’t know what they’re talking about. Here’s why.
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How the AR-15 Earned Its Place in Hunting Camp
At one time hunting was strictly the purview of bolt-actions. Sure, there’d be some muzzleloaders and levers out there, but the woods were largely ruled by bolts. This was both a generational thing and due to the fact that the AR platform was either non-existent or in need of too much work. After all, when the AR-15 was new, it did have more issues than today’s models. Plus the generation of shooters that it was initially introduced to for sporting purposes more closely associated it with the Vietnam War, despite the fact that the AR-15 isn’t the same as an M16.
It took a few years, well, decades, for the AR-15 to really gain traction in the hunting world. In fact, the most noticeable boost came when the Clinton-era AWB expired in 2004 thanks to a sunset clause. It was nothing but good news and great sales for fans of the AR-15, and as a result, the design was tweaked and a ridiculous number of manufacturers appeared. Today the market is basically glutted with ARs, which does at least give hunters the ability to take their pick.
Why the AR-15 Keeps Winning Hunters Over
Hunting isn’t only about deer even though deer season gets the most press and the greatest number of accessories and related sales. There’s all kinds of hunting to consider like feral hogs, coyotes, aoudad, pronghorn, prairie dogs, turkeys, and exotics. The AR-15 isn’t a platform that’s restricted to only one use or one game animal or varmint. The AR-15 is versatile, adaptive, and fun. It’s also capable of being run with a little 5-round magazine or a drum magazine, although I’d discourage the latter unless you want to fight the awkward size and weight of that style of magazine. Many hunters go with a 10- or 20-round AR mag to allow for extra ammo without being excessively cumbersome.
Using an AR-15 for hunting gives hunters the ability to customize their setup far beyond that of a lever- or bolt-action rifle. Picatinny rails and M-LOK handguards can be used to mount optics, lights, lasers, magnifiers, vertical grips. The sky is the limit. It might seem more traditional to go without all the extra gear, but why not take every advantage you can get?
Capacity is definitely a factor for using an AR-15 for hunting, even if you’re deer hunting. Just because you’re sitting in a blind waiting on whitetail doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself in the position to shoot an errant coyote or some other varmint. Or, if you’re in a state like Texas, a turkey could wander out and you can legally shoot it with a rifle, assuming it’s still fall turkey season, of course. Do you really want to climb into a stand with only a few rounds at your disposal? What if you miss? Admit it, it happens.
Another reason to use an AR-15 to hunt is for diverse options when it comes to caliber and barrel length. Sure, you can find a lot of options in bolt-actions, but the AR-15 is undeniably more varied. And if the calibers offered in the AR-15 aren’t enough for you, check out the AR-10 for some bigger options.
The “Tactical Only” AR-15 Myth Needs to Die
It’s patently untrue that the AR-15 is made for tactical applications only. It’s a sporting rifle that can be used for any number of things from plinking to home defense to hunting. Those who believe it’s a so-called assault rifle don’t understand the differences between the M4/M16 and the AR-15. Say it with me: they are not the same gun. The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle available for sporting use. You cannot simply wander into a gun store and wander right back out clutching a full-auto rifle. It doesn’t work like that.
The semi-auto capabilities of the AR-15 are great for hunting because they don’t require you to adjust or move to cycle a bolt to load the next round. Although it’s possible to cycle a bolt without moving your head, it’s more challenging than you might realize. Not to mention the need for follow-through for an accurate shot, so it’s going to be a hot second before you should be moving to run that bolt. Why not go with an AR-15 instead, that ejects spent brass all on its own?
Deer Hunting With an AR-15 Actually Makes a Lot of Sense
Yes, I’ve spent time deer hunting with an AR-15 and an AR-10. More than a little time. You’ll also find me out there with handguns, shotguns, and lever- and bolt-actions. It’s basically whatever mood strikes me, unless I’m specifically reviewing a firearm for an article. The AR-15 is fantastic for hunting deer because it offers straightforward operation, semi-auto fire, and plenty of rail space for your choice of optic. While it’s true that many deer hunters only shoot their game within 100 yards, many other hunters find themselves needing optics capable of longer shots. In addition, we can go back to the fact that coyotes and other valid targets often wander through during a deer hunt, immediately turning it into a coyote hunt.
Should You Hunt With an AR-15? Yes, and Here’s Why
You should absolutely hunt with an AR-15, or an AR-10, or both. If you’re chasing feral hogs, it’s valuable to have a magazine full of ammo, and if you’re after whitetail deer, it’s useful to have a customized rifle that’s semi-auto and capable of greater distance, just in case. There are still some hunters who say the AR-15 isn’t meant for hunting, and they’re wrong. Any legal firearm can be used for hunting, and when you try to take one away from hunters, you’re saying they don’t have the right to hunt and feed their family unless they do it your way. What kind of nonsense is that?
Get an AR-15. Mount a good scope on it, because glass should always outdo the gun, and find the perfect ammo. You’ll have the best season ever.
Want a great rifle? Check out Bushmaster here.
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a prolific outdoor writer based in North Texas. Her love and enjoyment of firearms extends to both self-defense and hunting, and she’s driven to teach safe gun handling. Kat’s the author of several books and thousands of articles as well as a successful editor with more than a decade of experience in marketing. With experience in everything from defensive handgun use to field dressing a deer, Kat’s background is varied and extensive. She firmly believes in the importance of protecting the Second Amendment as well as the First.
When she’s not behind a gun or processing her own game meat, Kat can be found trapping, boating, doing yoga, and mudding. The outdoors and the Lone Star State are where she belongs.
Experience
Author:
Handgun Hunting and anthologies including The Deer Shot Back: And Other Hunting Tales and How Not to Shoot Fish and Other Deer That Got Away.
Dedicated Outdoorsman:
Year-round enthusiast of hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Advanced Training:
More than 1000 hours of training in defensive handguns, long guns, edged weapons, self-defense law, force-on-force, handgun retention, and related topics.
Focused Specialty Skills:
Expert witness. Massad Ayoob Group certified Deadly Force Instructor and graduate of Active Self Protection The Practice & Preparation of Being an Expert Witness.