Gone are the days of bolt-actions and levers being the favored rifles for deer season. AR-15 and AR-10 platform rifles have been the favorites for a lot of hunters for some time now, and for very good reasons. Familiar controls, greater capacity in case a sounder of feral hogs or a pack of coyotes show, and more customization options all make the AR platform awesome. So what are some of the best models for deer hunting? Here’s some suggestions that span a broad range of calibers and price points.
Wilson Combat Tactical Hunter
This is a higher-end rifle, but that doesn’t mean it should live its life as a safe queen. In fact, we’d go as far as saying there should be no such thing as safe queens. Guns are tools, not decorations. The Wilson Combat Tactical Hunter is the ideal blend of tactical features with a hunting twist. It’s chambered in 6mm ARC, a not-quite-new but still newer cartridge that offers flatter trajectory, further reach, and overall superior performance (it really is good, and it isn’t often I truly like newcomers to the cartridge world). The rifle has an 18-inch barrel for solid ballistics without sacrificing maneuverability. This is a direct impingement rifle that has a fixed gas block.
A 15-inch handguard with M-LOK compatibility is great for adding whatever lights or accessories you want, and a full-length Picatinny rail makes mounting optics easy. The gun’s made with an adjustable stock so it can be adjusted for length as the hunter requires. Its overall length is 33.5-inches—length really depends on how you have the stock adjusted—and an overall empty weight of six pounds, fourteen ounces. That makes it a decently lightweight rifle in an excellent deer hunting caliber that’s compact enough to be easy to use in the limited space of a deer blind. It’s versatile, too, so you can use it for home defense or as a truck gun—whatever you want, the Tactical Hunter can do it (and looks good doing it, too).
Acme Machine AR-10 Complete Performance Rifle Package
Haven’t heard of Acme? Then you’re missing out. Acme Machine manufactures parts in-house, meaning these guns are truly Made in America, and they have an eye for quality (some guns include parts manufactured by companies like Aero Precision, which is also an American Made company). This is a company that’s grown and improved exponentially in recent years. The Acme AR-10 Complete Performance Package is available in more than one caliber, but I’m a fan of the 308 Win (hey, you can fight me later, but 308 is legit). This is the rifle that lets you keep the classic caliber, only in a modern AR platform.
The Acme Machine AR-10 Complete Performance Rifle Package has an 18-inch barrel and a 17-inch handguard (there’s an option for a 15-inch handguard, but personally I like the longer models). The handguard is free-float, MLOK compatible, and has Picatinny rail at the receiver and muzzle ends. There’s plenty of room for optics and lights. This is a great, durable rifle that can stand up to all kinds of abuse (it’s possible I’m occasionally hard on my guns). Want a 308? Get the Acme Machine AR-10. It’s fantastic on deer and there’s an incredible variety of ammo available for it. As for the gun, it’s well-made, accurate, and has a cheekpiece that’s adjustable for height for a better cheek weld. It’s a win-win.
Aero Precision M5E1
Aero’s been a recognized name in the industry for quite some time, and a trusted one at that thanks to its dedication to quality and keeping things at mostly doable costs. The Aero M5E1 in 6.5 Creedmoor is the AR-10 to get if you’re into either longer shots while hunting or just prefer a newer, popular chambering. Because this is a bigger rifle, odds are good you’re not going to want to drag it through the woods and mountains at any significant distance. Aero designed the M5E1 on its enhanced system for a lighter-than-normal rifle that’s more rigid for improved performance. So it’s about as streamlined as you’re going to get for this specific type of rifle.
The M5E1 has a 22-inch barrel so you’re getting all the ballistics possible from the 6.5 Creedmoor (of course, that’s another reason you don’t want to carry it around, it’s big). It has a fully adjustable stock, which is great because it means you can adjust length of pull and comb height as needed. Aero’s complete rifles and components are good quality, and this is a great option if you want a 6.5 Creedmoor. After all, not all shots while deer hunting are within 100 yards.
Springfield Armory Saint Victor
In a caliber-restricted state and need a good straight-wall cartridge for deer season—plus you want an AR? Then the Springfield Armory Saint Victor in 350 Legend is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. The 350 Legend might be only a few years old, but it’s already proven itself on everything from feral hogs to whitetail deer. As for the Saint Victor, it’s ruggedly designed, accurate, and fun to shoot. This is a carbine length AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel, making it easy to maneuver which is nice whether you’re in a blind, tree stand, or just dodging trees. That plus the fact that its overall empty weight is just over six pounds makes it a nice, compact AR option.
The Springfield Armory Saint Victor has a stock that’s adjustable for length and a proprietary muzzle brake for reduced felt recoil. Picatinny rail atop the receiver makes adding your favorite scope easier and the 15-inch handguard is M-LOK compatible for whatever hunting gadgets you want to add. A single-stage, flat face trigger comes standard and delivers a clean break along with a solid finger contact surface. The gun does ship with flip up iron sights and a 5-round magazine. The Saint Victor and 350 Legend are a fantastic combo that can give you an excellent deer season.
Bushmaster Bravo Zulu 450
One other straight-wall that’s awesome and versatile is 450 Bushmaster, and that means getting it in a Bushmaster Bravo Zulu. Not everyone wants a dedicated deer rifle, and the Bushmaster Bravo Zulu in 450 Bushmaster is a stellar choice. You can drop anything—hogs, coyotes, deer, bear—plus it’s fun to shoot (if you want the brand but not the caliber, it’s available in other calibers as well). Yes, you need to be familiar with the drop rate, because 450 Bushmaster does drop quicker than other rounds. The Bravo Zulu has a 16-inch barrel with a 1 in 24 twist rate that’s good for stabilizing the 450 Bushmaster bullets and a carbine-length gas system. It’s a reliable rifle that can hunt just about whatever you want.
A 15-inch, M-LOK compatible handguard is perfect for accessories and a full-length Picatinny rail allows whatever size of optics—or combination of optic and magnifier—that you need. The stock is adjustable—because not many of us prefer fixed stocks on our ARs—and the angle provides a solid cheek weld. This rifle is made to handle the size of the caliber, so felt recoil is mitigated more than you might expect. Yes, the 450 Bushmaster deserves its Thumper nickname, but it’s an enjoyable one (especially if you like big bores). The rifle weighs 6.5 pounds empty, so as 450 Bushmasters go, it isn’t that heavy at all. It ships with a Snake Charmer muzzle brake and DM2S 2 Stage trigger for a clean, crisp break. Want a bigger bore for deer season? This is the one.
Its always ‘dear’ season around here. I say ‘dear, I’m going to buy a gun.’
I’ve been using a Ruger AR-556 450 Bushmaster since 2017 for deer hunting. It will definitely do the job.