Looking for general hunting gun for Florida hogs and deer.

GeneKay · Mar 10, 2024

Recently moved to central Florida and I'm looking for a lightweight AR for hogs and deer. I have an old Colt Hbar sportster
that weighs a ton. It was fine for the last hog hunt, but it is definitely too heavy to be my go to hunting gun. I also want something with a little more knockdown
power. Currently most shots will be within 150yds, but I hopefully will be gaining access to a nearby ranch and would like to use for coyotes up to 500.
I was originally set on a .308, but that may even be overkill and was looking for a lighter gun with less recoil if my wife or daughter somes along.
Leaning towards 6.5 grendel as having more knockdown power than my .223 and being able to reach out a little further if needed.
Nothing is set in stone and I've been down internet rabbit holes for days while researching. Not looking to start any arguments as I see many are
very defensive of their favorite caliber/gun.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Jsp556 · Mar 10, 2024

If you’re worried about recoil go 6.5G over 308.

Marine52 · Mar 10, 2024

GeneKay said:
Recently moved to central Florida and I'm looking for a lightweight AR for hogs and deer. I have an old Colt Hbar sportster
that weighs a ton. It was fine for the last hog hunt, but it is definitely too heavy to be my go to hunting gun. I also want something with a little more knockdown
power. Currently most shots will be within 150yds, but I hopefully will be gaining access to a nearby ranch and would like to use for coyotes up to 500.
I was originally set on a .308, but that may even be overkill and was looking for a lighter gun with less recoil if my wife or daughter somes along.
Leaning towards 6.5 grendel as having more knockdown power than my .223 and being able to reach out a little further if needed.
Nothing is set in stone and I've been down internet rabbit holes for days while researching. Not looking to start any arguments as I see many are
very defensive of their favorite caliber/gun.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Yes 6.5 Grendel is light recoiling, accurate out to 500 with long barrel life. It falls short of the 6.5 creedmoor ballistics, as I’m sure you’ll hear, but the barrel life is better and it sounds right for your needs. I have one in an AR and it is my fun gun.

The 308 will have good accuracy, more recoil, similar barrel life but factory ammo is more abundant and has more options than the 6.5 G

wvfarrier · Mar 11, 2024

Why not 6mm ARC? Then you have a lighter rifle that still has some legs to reach out

Cfshooter · Mar 11, 2024

I think the 6.5G is probably the right choice, but the 6ARC is another option. I’m in CF and 223 has been fine for my hog needs if in a gas gun.

Bakwa · Mar 11, 2024

This is a pic from when I was experimenting with a 12.5" 6.5G upper vs my tried and true 16" 5.56 match rifle.

The 12.5" 6.5 option works well as a do all option. Low recoil. Handy. Decent terminal effects. Confidence on targets out to 800yds.
There's not a lot to complain about.

fdkay · Mar 11, 2024

6.8 spc works very well as a hog slayer.

GeneKay · Mar 11, 2024

wvfarrier said:
Why not 6mm ARC? Then you have a lighter rifle that still has some legs to reach out

That's why I'm posting here. Not entirely sure what caliber would work best. Seems there are many that would suffice. A few articles picked the 6.5G over the ARC when compared. What would the overall difference in weight be between the same parts in a 6.5G vs 6mm ARC? Seems to be slightly more factory loads for the 6.5G as well. Again I'm still up in the air which would be the best. Being my kids shot their boars with my Rem 700 in 30-06, The recoil thing might not be as much an issue as that thing leaves bruises on my old shoulder.

GeneKay · Mar 11, 2024

Bakwa said:
The 12.5" 6.5 option works well as a do all option. Low recoil. Handy. Decent terminal effects. Confidence on targets out to 800yds.
There's not a lot to complain about.

Looks great. was thinking 16" barrell, but will go shorter if accuracy won't be affected too much. Around how much does it weigh?
Guessing you build it yourself?

RTH1800 · Mar 11, 2024

No reason a fast twist 5.56 will not do fine for hogs. Use a 77 grain conventional bullet or a solid copper like a Barnes in 63-70 grains and it will do fine. Build a rifle the weight you like.

LRRPF52 · Mar 11, 2024

GeneKay said:
That's why I'm posting here. Not entirely sure what caliber would work best. Seems there are many that would suffice. A few articles picked the 6.5G over the ARC when compared. What would the overall difference in weight be between the same parts in a 6.5G vs 6mm ARC? Seems to be slightly more factory loads for the 6.5G as well. Again I'm still up in the air which would be the best. Being my kids shot their boars with my Rem 700 in 30-06, The recoil thing might not be as much an issue as that thing leaves bruises on my old shoulder.

I counted all the factory loads for 6.5 Grendel in December, and documented 124 different options (now 131), ranging from 85gr to 130gr.

For 6mm ARC, it looks like 29 loads that I could find:

Copper Creek
55gr NBT
58gr V-MAX
75gr V-MAX
80gr Barnes TTSX
80gr Hornady CX
87gr Berger VLD Hunting
87gr V-MAX
90gr CX
90gr Accubond
95gr Berger Classic Hunter
95gr Ballistic Tip
95gr Barnes LRX
95gr Berger VLD Hunting
95gr SST
100gr Horndy Interlock
103gr ELD-X
105gr Berger Hybrid
105gr VLD Hunting
105gr Lapua Scenar
108gr Berger Elite Hunter
108gr ELD-M
109gr Berger LR Hybrid TGT
110gr Hornady A-TIP

Hornady
Hornady 80gr ELD-VT
Hornady 103gr ELD-X
Hornady 105gr BTHP
Hornady 108gr ELD-M

HSM
HSM 75gr V-MAX
HSM 95gr SST
HSM 95gr Berger VLD

Bakwa · Mar 11, 2024

GeneKay said:
Looks great. was thinking 16" barrell, but will go shorter if accuracy won't be affected too much. Around how much does it weigh?
Guessing you build it yourself?

Accuracy is not affected. The thing shoots excellent.

It's a FCD upper and HG with Noveske barrel.
I'll weight it this week if I get a chance.

GhostFace · Mar 11, 2024

I always use a 150 grain soft point, my very own handloads of course. It drops em pretty good...

346ci · Mar 12, 2024

A 12.5" 6.8 or 6.5g would work well, a can on the end would be even better.

BCP · Mar 12, 2024

A 16" 223 AR with 64gr power point factory ammo

It'll have to be a 13-16" lightweight barrel setup to keep the weight down

If you want to go down the rabbit hole of different calibers and handloading I'd go 6.8SPC or 308, but then with 308 you get the recoil/weight problem again

Kangbeef · Nov 20, 2024

I have a 6.8spc ARP barrel that loves 120gr SST with AA200 cant remember grains being out of town. It does well with barnes 95gr ttsx. Each drops deer in there tracks DTR. I have never killed a hog but many say the barnes 95gr ttsx is the way to go on hogs.

joe777 · Nov 20, 2024

243 Ar-10 if you want to hunt coyotes at 500.

45-90 · Nov 21, 2024

My first choice would be an ultra light AR 10 in 308. Mine weighs 6 lbs without optic, has a 16" fluted barrel, capable of 1/2" 5 shot groups with 168 ELDM at 2756 Ave fps, or 150 /155 gr at 2815 to 2880 fps.
Light, short, easy to maneuver, and lighter than most AR 15s with 16" barrels.
Good muzzle brake it has light recoil. Capable of taking any big game in the lower 48.
2nd choice would be 6 mm ARC for deer and coyotes.
But my AR 15, 6 mm ARC is 2 lbs 12 oz heaver than the AR 10, with its 18" barrel.
Even my 16" 300 blk AR 15 is 13 oz heavier than my ultra light AR 10.
Plus the 308 has better trajectory, lots more energy, and much better potential in killing power, and a huge variety of components, ammo, and really cheap brass, so you don't care if ya lose it in the field, and very long barrel life...308.

Rick H. · Nov 21, 2024

fdkay said:
6.8 spc works very well as a hog slayer.

I'm going to second this suggestion. You get a rifle that will shoot .277" bullets into sub MOA groups fairly easily, and was designed for the ranges that you have included. Mine is not all that light, but it wasn't built to be. The case is bigger than the .223 case, but not as big as the 6.5 Grendel or 6mmARC, which have some issues with damaging bolt lugs in AR rifles. Recoil is much less than a .308, but more than the .223.
If you think that you'll be doing more of the 500 yard shooting, then there are 6mm offerings based on this same case, and I'd lean that way for more dedicated longer distance, but if the 500 yard shots are the exception, then the 6.8SPC is right in your wheelhouse.

strikeeagle1 · Nov 21, 2024

I set this one up specifically for hogs that want to destroy a grass runway in NE Florida.
I use it inside 200 yards suppressed.
The 14.5" KAC SR-25 is about the same weight with a longer legs to touch the beasts.

IMG_6731WILSON COMBAT 6.8 SPC CRACKER SWAMP 500 METERS 03.24.23 copy.jpg

IMG_5785Wilson Combat 6.8 SPC Cracker Swamp 300 Meters 01.27.23Browning A500 Disassembly 01.31...jpg

IMG_2325 copyCracker Swamp 06.02.19aWILSON COMBAT 6.8 SPC 2 copy.jpg

IMG_1028Wilson Combat 6.8 SPC II Cracker Swamp Law Tactical JP SCSC Installed 05.06.24 copy.jpg

IMG_3690REALLY RIGHT STUFF CT-34 WITH ANVIL 30 POOLSIDE RIFLES 07.17.22WILSON COMBAT 6.8 SPC 2...jpg

IMG_2685Cracker Swamp KAC SR-25 6th Session 04.10.22 600 METERS CAMERA SHOT copy.jpg

IMG_0182KAC SR-25 WITH SUPPRESSOR BLACK SCOPE & SLING RMR MOUNTED POOLSIDE 07.30.21 ANNOTATED ...jpg

Rick H. · Nov 22, 2024

What bolt release is that I see? It doesn't look like the BAD Lever.
How do you like it? Was it hard to install and did you have any issues after installing it?

strikeeagle1 · Nov 22, 2024

Rick H. said:
What bolt release is that I see? It doesn't look like the BAD Lever.

Phase 5 Tactical bolt release. I have a number of them installed.

Don't recall any difficulties with installation. I do change any bolt retaining roll pin with screw-in style axles to retain the bolt release.
And apply marine grade shrink tubing about the lever to prevent marring the finish of the gun art.

Jsp556 · Nov 22, 2024

You can get AAC ammo @$14.99 a box for the Grendel. It’s shot 1.5moa and under in most of our guns. We’ve killed 3 deer and 4 pigs this year with it. Critters don’t know that it’s cheap.

B Man · Nov 22, 2024

Grendel and I don’t even own one. If I built a lightweight, compact, dedicated hunting AR it would be a 6.5 Grendel

benchmstr · Nov 22, 2024

RTH1800 said:
No reason a fast twist 5.56 will not do fine for hogs. Use a 77 grain conventional bullet or a solid copper like a Barnes in 63-70 grains and it will do fine. Build a rifle the weight you like.

Agreed..nothing in Texas Florida you can’t kill with a 72g ELD-m

Rick H. · Nov 24, 2024

strikeeagle1 said:
Phase 5 Tactical bolt release. I have a number of them installed.

Don't recall any difficulties with installation. I do change any bolt retaining roll pin with screw-in style axles to retain the bolt release.
And apply marine grade shrink tubing about the lever to prevent marring the finish of the gun art.

Thanks for that detailed response. Looks like a rock-solid installation.
I like your use of the shrink tubing too, great thinking!

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