Best .300 Rifle and Round for Hunting in AR Style Platform

MD0321

MD0321

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Hello CGN members,
I am planning on buying my first AR style rifle early in the new year and have been researching seemingly endless reviews and product information for the best rifle and .300 round to purchase for hunting purposes. I figured no better way to obtain that information than to ask the guys who have hands on knowledge and experience with what I need. I am most familiar with the M4 chambered in .223 as it was my primary for many years. I of course realize this style of rifle is not traditionally sought for hunting but as they say, a man's hands never forget. I enjoy some target shooting but truly love being off grid in the field, so I thought to try and combine the 2 by having that style of rifle with me on a hunt. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 
Can't hunt with the AR in Canada. The states is a different story, I believe it's now the most popular hunting rifle rifle down there.

If you want an evil black rifle to hunt with in Canada you're looking at something like the XCR or RFB, both 308win.
 
"...Can't hunt with the AR in Canada..." Yep and it includes any variation of AR-15 or AR-10. Restricted by name. You need to learn the law. Hunting and firearms.
 
Xcr in 6.8 or 308, or the Chilean 542 when it shows up, but sadly the AR is a no go for hunting, I'd own every variant possible if I could take it in the bush with me....
 
Well, as a list of factory rifles that might work, XCR-M(.308, 6.5 SPC), M305(.308) in aftermarket stock, or the new FAMAE SG-542(.308)

However there's also the possibility of converting a rifle into 30 cal. 300 Blackout is probably my favorite as it uses .223 bolt face and can be formed from .223 brass, so all you need to do is get a barrel made for it, .308 projectiles and maybe a new pistol powder, and then the dies to load it. It's obviously not the best long range cartridge, but for short range hunting of up to medium game I think it will do quite well. Especially compared to other "nonstandard" calibers that require all new components.

I'm pretty sure brobee has converted a Mini-14 to 300 blackout, as well there's a possibility of converting some other firearms, but then you start running into issues of powder capacity versus minimum non-restricted barrel lengths allowed for semi-autos.

I do believe that the 542s are estimated to arrive summer 2014 for about $2800.
For a choice you could maybe order today, XCR-M would have to be it.

In terms of what the "best" Canadian use 30 caliber hunting cartridge is, .308 Winchester will give you the best results over the widest variety of ranges and targets.

I think for us, as a hunting cartridge the 300blk has its best potential as a manually operated gun, where you can feasibly have a ~10" barrel for a very short and handy field gun for shooting at close range targets.
 
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300Spartans said:
It's stupid how we can hunt with other "black rifles" and yet can not do so with an AR. I would love to be able to take a Remington R25 on a northern hunting trip.
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Well then support the CSSA and NFA, wishing won't change anything.

You are right though, it is stupid we can't take an AR away from the gun range.

If you must have 30 cal then the RFB and the XCR-M are your best options for a black rifle right now.
I own an AR in 300 Blackout and if the XCR-L or the Tavor was available in 300BLK I would own one but for now my hopes lie in building a non restricted barrel in 300BLK for my ACR.
 
for right now the Kel Tec RFB is your best option, In my experience the XCR M is not accurate enough for hunting, the way the barrel is retained on the XCR is it's downfall.

The upcoming SG542 is said to have held 2 MOA at 200yds (4" group) so it will be good for up to 200yds provided you can do your part well and that info is accurate.

Bushmaster ACR is another option and then convert it to 300blk, 450Bushmaster or 50 Beowulf. IMO 300blk would be good for smaller deer and varmits but not enough for large deer
 
Brian46 said:
for right now the Kel Tec RFB is your best option, In my experience the XCR M is not accurate enough for hunting, the way the barrel is retained on the XCR is it's downfall.

The upcoming SG542 is said to have held 2 MOA at 200yds (4" group) so it will be good for up to 200yds provided you can do your part well and that info is accurate.

Bushmaster ACR is another option and then convert it to 300blk, 450Bushmaster or 50 Beowulf. IMO 300blk would be good for smaller deer and varmits but not enough for large deer
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I'll give a full report of how well it takes a deer once I get mine setup. I won't be shooting beyond 100yds though so I think that will help it out a lot. Keep in mind the 300BLK is very popular south of the border for wild hog control and those pigs are tough little buggers. I think it will be fine for any deer within 100yds :D
I already have loads for my 300BLK AR from 110gr V-max, 155gr SST, GMX, 165 SST, and 208gr A-max. It's a versatile little cartridge and the heavier bullets hit pretty hard. I use 3 different powders depending on which bullet I'm using and all of them cycle the action well.
 
MD0321 said:
Hello CGN members,
I am planning on buying my first AR style rifle early in the new year and have been researching seemingly endless reviews and product information for the best rifle and .300 round to purchase for hunting purposes. I figured no better way to obtain that information than to ask the guys who have hands on knowledge and experience with what I need. I am most familiar with the M4 chambered in .223 as it was my primary for many years. I of course realize this style of rifle is not traditionally sought for hunting but as they say, a man's hands never forget. I enjoy some target shooting but truly love being off grid in the field, so I thought to try and combine the 2 by having that style of rifle with me on a hunt. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Click to expand...

So where did you serve ?
 
I realize that you guys are trying to give him good options, but the OP said he wants to hunt with an AR because he is comfortable with the manual of arms of the C8. To say he should switch to the RFB is not really helping him in his search. A bullpup and an AR are not similar, as you all know.

I have to go with the guys recommending the XCR-M. Very similar manual of arms, similar ergonomics, and plenty of hitting power.
 
Acr with 300 blackout would do the trick. Could also source a 6.5 grendel bolt south of the border.
 
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