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In many U.S. states you can hunt with an AR-15 or other modern sporting rifle, but rules on action type, magazine capacity, caliber and bullet type vary by state, species and season. A 5.56 AR suits varmints, predators and small game; for deer and hogs, hunters often choose 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC, .350 Legend or .308 on an AR-10, always with expanding hunting bullets.
Run these legal checks first
Whether you can hunt with an AR-15 is decided by your state's hunting regulations, not by the rifle. Before you plan a hunt, answer each of these for the state, species and season you have in mind:
- Are semi-automatic rifles allowed? Some states or seasons restrict action types for certain game.
- Is there a magazine capacity limit in the field? Some states cap how many rounds a semi-automatic rifle may hold while hunting. A five-round magazine meets many of these limits, but check whether your state counts the round in the chamber. Short magazines also lie flatter when you are prone.
- Is there a minimum caliber, cartridge or energy rule for big game? In some places a .223 or 5.56 does not qualify for deer.
- Is it a straight-wall-cartridge area? Several Midwestern states allow rifles for deer only in straight-walled cartridges. ARs in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster exist for exactly this; see our straight-wall rifle category.
- Must the bullet expand? Many states prohibit full metal jacket bullets for big game. Range ammunition is not hunting ammunition.
- Is suppressor hunting legal? Many states allow it, not all, and the suppressor must be federally registered.
- What about transport, blaze orange and land-specific rules? Public land, private land and vehicle transport often have their own requirements.
What game an AR-15 suits
| Game | Sensible AR chamberings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, groundhogs | .223 / 5.56, .204 Ruger | Light, fragmenting varmint bullets |
| Coyotes and foxes | .223 / 5.56, 6mm ARC | Bullets designed for predators |
| Feral hogs | .300 Blackout (close range), 6.5 Grendel, .350 Legend, .308 on an AR-10 | Hogs are tough; shot placement matters more than magazine size |
| Deer | 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC, .350 Legend, .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor on an AR-10; .223 only where legal | Expanding bullets built for deer |
| Elk and larger | .308-class or larger AR-10 at moderate range | Most elk hunters choose larger bolt-action cartridges |
The general rule: 5.56 is a superb varmint and predator cartridge, and deer and hogs are where most hunters step up in bullet weight and diameter. For how cartridges compare in general, see our rifle caliber guide.
.223 for deer: the honest version
It is legal for deer in some states and not in others. Where it is legal, the outcome depends on bullet construction and range discipline: hunters who use it successfully choose bullets engineered to hold together and penetrate on deer, keep shots moderate and wait for a broadside or quartering-away angle. Varmint bullets designed to fragment on small animals are the wrong choice. If you have the option, a larger cartridge gives you more margin for the shot you did not plan.
.300 Blackout for hunting
.300 Blackout was designed to put .30-caliber bullets through short AR barrels and to run quietly with suppressors. For hunting, supersonic loads with expanding bullets are a close-range deer and hog option. Subsonic loads are quiet but slow, so they need bullets specifically designed to expand at low velocity, and they suit only short distances. Treat it as a close-range cartridge and choose ammunition that is labeled for the game you are hunting.
Setting up an AR for the field
Barrel. Sixteen to twenty inches gets most of the velocity from AR-15 hunting cartridges while staying handy. Optic. A 1-6x or 1-8x LPVO handles close brush and open fields; a traditional 3-9x or 4-12x hunting scope is lighter and often clearer for the money. Our rifle optics guide explains the trade-offs. Sling. You will carry it far more than you shoot it. Magazines. Five-round magazines meet capacity rules in many places (check whether the chambered round counts) and make prone and sitting positions easier. Trigger. A clean, predictable trigger helps more than any accessory. Support. Shooting sticks or a light bipod turn a standing shot into a supported one. Weight. Add up everything you bolt on, then carry it for an afternoon before the season.
Ammunition: hunting bullets only
Zero the rifle with the exact hunting load you will carry, and confirm it again after any change. Full metal jacket ammunition is for the range and is prohibited for big game in many states. Buy loads labeled for the species you are hunting, and bring enough to verify zero at the start of every season.
Look for loads labeled for your species and cartridge, and zero with the load you hunt with.
Browse rifle ammunitionRifles and glass worth a look
Ruger AR-556 MPR
An 18-inch barrel and free-float handguard make it a practical varmint and predator rifle.
Firearm: ships to a licensed FFL. Buyer must meet federal, state and local law.
Check current availabilityCMMG Resolute .300 BLK 16"
A .300 Blackout rifle for close-range hog and deer hunting where legal.
Firearm: ships to a licensed FFL. Buyer must meet federal, state and local law.
Check current availabilityCMMG Dissent .308
A compact, side-charging .308 for hunters who want full-power cartridge performance.
Firearm: ships to a licensed FFL. Buyer must meet federal, state and local law.
Check current availabilitySig TANGO-MSR LPVO 1-10x28
A 1-10x variable that covers close cover and open-country shots on one rifle.
Check current availabilityStepping up to .308? Our semi-auto .308 rifles comparison covers three options. New to the platform? Start with what is a modern sporting rifle. Mostly shooting small pests? See what is a varmint rifle.
Field manners
Hunting with an AR is common now, but not everyone you meet in the field is used to it. The same habits that make any hunter welcome apply: unloaded in vehicles and camp, muzzle control at all times, magazines out when crossing fences or handing the rifle over, and a clean, ethical shot or no shot at all.
FAQ
Can you hunt with an AR-15?
In many states, yes. Check your state's rules on semi-automatic rifles, magazine capacity, minimum caliber and bullet type for the species and season before you hunt.
Can you hunt deer with a .223?
It depends on the state: some allow it and some do not. Where it is legal, use bullets designed for deer, keep shots moderate and choose your angles carefully.
Is .300 Blackout good for deer?
At close range with supersonic, expanding hunting loads, it can be. Subsonic loads need bullets designed to expand at low velocity and suit only short distances.
What is the best AR caliber for deer?
Common choices include 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC and .350 Legend on the AR-15, and .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor on the AR-10. Pick one your state allows and that suits your distances.
Do I need a smaller magazine to hunt with an AR?
In some states, yes, because they cap how many rounds a semi-automatic rifle may hold while hunting. A five-round magazine meets many of these limits, but check whether your state counts the round in the chamber.
Can you hunt with an AR in a straight-wall state?
Often, if it is chambered for a cartridge on that state's straight-wall list, such as .350 Legend or .450 Bushmaster, and it meets the state's other rifle rules. Check the current regulations.