Which barrel length, caliber, and upper, for hunthing deer? Need advice

AR/M4 AR Pistols & Pistol Caliber ARs
1

Your idea appears legal in MN…

LEGAL FIREARMS (INCLUDES HANDGUNS) FOR BIG GAME
•It is at least .220 caliber and has center fire ignition;
•It is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;
•The projectile used has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type;*
•The muzzleloader (long gun or handgun) used cannot be loaded at the
breech (muzzleloading revolvers are not legal for taking big game);
• The smooth-bore muzzleloader used is at least .45 caliber and
• The rifled muzzleloader used is at least .40 caliber;
• Muzzleloaders with scopes are legal during the regular firearms deer
seasons, but are not allowed during the muzzleloader season except by
special permit for hunters with a medically certified visual impairment.
Applications are available from the DNR Info Center, see page 125.

Other Restrictions

• No person may discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow on, over,
across, or within the right-of-way of an improved public highway
(including but not limited to federal, state, county, and township
roadways) at a big game animal or a decoy of a big game animal that
has been set out by a licensed peace officer.
• A person may not use a dog or horse to take big game.

I’m scratching my head a bit as to the “why”.

2

Okay, so I want to hunt deer here in MN. In MN you can hunt deer in shotgun zone only, with a pistol. So guess what? I want to build an AR pistol.

My questions are should I go with the 7.62x39 or 5.56? Both would do, but I believe the 7.62 would have more stopping power cause of the heavier bullet. So what length of barrel should I go with and what manufacture? Also if I do decide to go with the 7.62 what twist rate?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

3

Could you make an AR10 (308) ar pistol? That is a great deer caliber. That said sks’ (7.62x39) have killed many many deer.

4

First thing, what is the legal definition of a pistol in your state?

Second, around here I sometimes see 7.62x39 on the shelf around deer season. I can find 5-6 loads available all the time in 223 Rem that would be appropriate for deer hunting. The 223 ammo will feed in an AR, while the large softpoint 7.62x39 may cause more feeding issues. 7.62x39 does not have a reputation for feeding well in an AR with ball ammo.

5

308 for a pistol? I don’t think so, If you could you would need one good muzzle break

Because I want to be tacticool in the woods… JK Instead of buying another pistol, I would rather shoot my AR pistol which I am in the process building. Plus I think it would have more of an advantage for distance and recoil.

I believe it is the same as others. Must not have buttstock and I’m not sure about the barrel length…

6

I’m assuming 12.5" is the max bbl length you’re looking for.

While 5.56 could work in a pistol, velocity suffers in short barrels.

I feel 5.56 is a marginal caliber for deer, even out of rifle length barrels.

X39 or 300blk are options in 30 cal that are much better given the bbl length.

As noted x39 has feeding and bolt strength challenges, as well as few choices for good hunting ammo.

Both of those will be short range performers due to trajectory and velocity loss.

The best overall performance will be with the 6.8SPC.

It will provide you a max performance range of at least 200 yards and has many good factory hunting loads available.

7

Pistol length barrel I’d go with the .300BLK, its very efficient and would be a good choice, while 5.56 works from 16" and longer barrels I wouldn’t use it from a pistol on deer.

8

6.8 with a max legal length barrel allowed, just a suggestion but a Thompson Contender single shot is a fun gun to hunt with and you have a ton caliber choices.

9

My friend has had great luck harvesting deer with .223 75 grain TAP.

10

I have been hunting with a Kel-Tec PLR 16 for 3 years now. I have taken 2 of my the largest bucks with this gun. The 1st buck was shot at 30 yards with Black Hills 55gr SP round. It penatrated 20+ inches through the chest cavity and breaking the femer on the oposite shoulder/leg. 2nd buck was taken at 20-30 yards with Hornady TAP 55gr ammo. Several shots passed 30+ inches from the rear of the deer though the chest and exited front of the chest. Both rounds were extremely effective.

11

300BLK!

Just buy a barrel, and ammo, and you’re done.

JW

12

Well guys I appreciate all the info. 300blk pistol is not going to happen anymore. I moved back to Commifornia! Sucks out here! I’m better off practicing my Tactical sling shot skills since I can’t own anything out here without getting approved by the CA doj.