Though it is often associated with home defense, competitive and target shooting, the AR-15 is getting more and more traction in hunting circles. And it’s no wonder since this rifle is extremely modular and can be transformed to perform well in just about any hunting setting. 

This article will explain in detail why the AR-15 is a good choice for hunting, what animal to hunt, and how to customize your rifle to fit your hunting preferences. 

Let’s start!

Why Use the AR-15 for Hunting

We have already mentioned its modularity and how you can turn your AR-15 into a purpose-specific weapon. But that’s not all this rifle can offer in a hunt.

Here are three more reasons you should consider the AR-15 for your next hunting expedition:

1. The compact design is what makes this rifle comfortable to use and carry over long distances.
2. Low recoil allows you to fire the follow-up shots more quickly and accurately.
3. The semi-automatic M-15 feature is a huge advantage over bolt-, lever, or pump-action rifles, simply because you can pull the trigger repeatedly without taking your hands off the firearm.  

The AR-15 is simply lighter, shorter, and infinitely faster than most traditional hunting rifles. The only downside is its aesthetics: its assault rifle appeal makes it look like it doesn’t belong in hunting settings.

So, what exactly can you hunt with the AR-15 rifle? Let’s find out!

Can You Hunt Coyotes With an AR-15 Rifle?

Because it is easily maneuverable in difficult terrain, the AR-15 is a nearly perfect choice for coyote hunting. Most AR-15 rifles chamber .223 and 5.56 optimal coyote-hunting loads, so you won’t need to make any changes in that compartment.

However, you will need to scope your rifle. So here is what to look for in your scope when you are optimizing your AR-15 rifle for a coyote hunt:

Magnification

The type of magnification your scope will need largely depends on your hunting environment. For instance, if you are located somewhere in the Deep South, you probably won’t have many opportunities to shoot from distances greater than 300 yards. So, 3x-9x scope magnification can do the job.

On the other hand, hunting out West in Great Plains Country often includes shooting a coyote from 400 yards and possibly more. For this purpose, you should opt for 14x-20x scope magnification. 

If you plan to hunt in multiple locations, you can go with the in-between 4x-14x option.

Light-Gathering

Since coyotes are extremely cautious during the daytime and more active around dusk and dawn, you’ll need a scope that pulls in ample light. 

A scope with good light-gathering abilities has a large objective lens (at least 40mm in diameter, but preferably 50-66 mm) and high-quality glass.

Reticle

A reticle is a pattern of fine lines embedded into an optical device that provides measurement references during visual inspection.

You can find all kinds of scopes with a high-tech reticle built in, but for a coyote hunt, a simple duplex reticle will do the job with no problem. 

Ruggedness

Coyote hunting often involves long walks through treacherous terrain and in all kinds of weather. So it might be a good idea to opt for a scope that can withstand scratching, temperature, and climate changes.

I recommend purchasing a high-quality scope from renamed brands, ideally the ones that offer a good warranty policy.

Clarity And Contrast

Coyotes are known for their extraordinary ability to camouflage, so spotting them in their natural habitat can be difficult at times. This is why you need a scope that doesn’t wash colors out and is also multi-coated and fog-proof.

To put it simply, you need a quality scope for your AR-15 rifle if you want to go after a cunning animal like a coyote. High quality usually equals a high price. But there are optic makers like Burris or Vortex that offer exceptionally good scopes at affordable prices. 

Can You Hunt Deer With the AR-15 Rifle?

Yes, you can hunt deer and deer-sized animals with the AR-15 rifle. If you plan on hunting at a close range (300 yards or less), the .223 and 5.56 loads can do the job, provided that hunting deer with these rounds is permitted in your state.

But, with a simple swap of your upper receiver, you can make your AR-15 rifle suitable for other, more powerful rounds, such as .300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, or 7.62x39mm.

But that’s not all. For an optimal deer hunting experience, you can upgrade other components of your AR-15, such as the upper and lower receiver parts and fire control group.

Upper Receiver Parts

Upper receiver parts include a dust cover, an ejection port, a bolt carrier group (bolt, cam pin, firing pin, extractor, carrier key), a charging handle, gas block, gas tube, handguard, barrel, and a muzzle device. 

Of all the upper receiver parts, barrel improvement is the most important for adding accuracy, velocity, and effective shooting range to your rifle. Make sure you opt for at least a 16-inches barrel since anything less will require you to have a federal tax stamp.  

You can also consider getting a compensator and muzzle break for your AR rifle. A compensator is a muzzle device that vents gasses out of ports, thus reducing the muzzle rise. A muzzle break reduces recoil power by up to 50%.

Lower Receiver Parts

The lower receiver parts include the stripped lower, lower parts kit (bolt catch, plunger, spring, roll pin, hammer, pin and spring), and fire control group.

A quality lower-parts kit is crucial for making your AR-15 rifle run smoothly. So, you can either purchase a pre-assembled lower parts kit or make one from scratch. 

It is important to know that the lower receiver on the AR-15 rifle is registered with the ATF. This means that you will have to check with your local law enforcement agency to ensure you adhere to your state's laws before upgrading your AR-15 lower receiver.

Fire Control Group

A fire control group is a part of the lower receiver that consists of the trigger, magazine eject, safety, and bolt.

The most important component of the fire control group you should optimize for hunting is your trigger. Each shooter has their own preferences, but I recommend a pre-assembled two-stage AR-15 trigger for maximizing your precision on long-distance shots. 

When you pull a two-stage trigger, it goes up to a certain position, and when you pull the trigger from that position, the rifle fires immediately. Because it divides the breaking and firing into two stages, this type of trigger gives you the advantage of knowing exactly when the firing will take place.  

Key Takeaways

The AR-15’s lego-like modality features allow you to customize this weapon for just about any purpose you want, including hunting. 

Hunting a smaller game like coyotes doesn’t require extensive weapon adjusting, just a good scope. But if you plan on going after bigger game animals like deer, you need to consider customizing your upper and lower receiver parts to maximize the AR-15’s range, effectiveness, and accuracy.

The bottom line is that if you already own an AR-15 rifle, you don’t need another rifle to hunt. Just make sure your weapon and ammo comply with all the laws in your state before you step foot into the woods.