HOP Blog
Can You Hunt Deer with a 62-Grain Bullet Out of an AR-15?
Jul
The AR-15 platform has long been a favorite for tactical and competitive shooting, but over recent years, it has steadily gained popularity among hunters, particularly for medium-sized game such as whitetail deer.
As more hunters turn to the AR-15 for its accuracy, versatility, and light recoil, the question arises: Can you hunt deer with a 62-grain bullet out of an AR-15?
The simple answer is yes—but with the proper ammunition. In this article, we’ll dive deep into why the 62-grain Solid Copper REX (Rapid EXpanding) round from HOP Munitions is an excellent choice for deer hunting, drawing from its proven success in hog hunting and its specific design to deliver precise, ethical kills.
Why the AR-15 Is a Great Tool for Deer Hunting
The AR-15 has become increasingly popular for hunting due to its adaptability and ease of use. Known for its lightweight build and customizable features, the AR-15 can be fitted with various scopes, bipods, and other accessories to tailor it to your specific hunting needs. While it was once dismissed for big-game hunting, modern advancements in ammunition—like the 62-grain Solid Copper REX—have made it a viable choice for hunting deer.
When it comes to hunting, shot placement is paramount. The AR-15 allows for quick follow-up shots, which is crucial for ensuring a clean, humane kill. Its light recoil helps maintain sight picture between shots, increasing the likelihood of an accurate follow-up if needed. However, without the proper ammunition, even the best platform falls short. That’s where the 62-grain Solid Copper REX comes in.
Is 62-Grain Ammo Enough for Deer?
At first glance, a 62-grain bullet may seem light for hunting deer. After all, deer are large animals, and many hunters rely on heavier calibers, such as .308 or .30-06, to ensure they have the necessary energy and stopping power for the task at hand. So, is a 62-grain bullet from a 5.56 rifle up to the job?
The 62-grain Solid Copper REX round is more than just a standard 5.56 load. Designed as the next evolution in precision hunting rounds, this bullet offers incredible performance at deer-hunting ranges. This round is built for efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring deep penetration, maximum energy transfer, and reliable expansion, even when used against tough-skinned game like deer.
Proven Performance: From Hog Hunting to Deer Hunting
The 62-grain Solid Copper REX has already proven its worth in hog hunting, a sport where the target animal can be far more resilient than deer. Wild boars, particularly large ones, are demanding customers—often running through dense brush and withstanding a lot of punishment before succumbing to a bullet. The Solid Copper REX has been field-tested in aerial hunts, ground-level operations, and night hunts, where it performed flawlessly.
Take it from Tucker, a seasoned hunter and former USDA Wildlife Services operator, who used the 62-grain Solid Copper REX extensively in aerial hog control:
“We used it on pigs running full speed from 20 to nearly 300 yards. The expansion and accuracy were spot on, and we had no pass-throughs on piglets with complete devastation on the larger hogs.”
While hogs can be tougher to bring down than deer, the 62-grain Solid Copper REX consistently drops them with authority, even at extended ranges. This level of effectiveness on hogs—an animal often larger, tougher, and more rugged than deer—proves that the same ammo can confidently handle whitetail deer, especially when shot placement is on point.
Key Features of the 62-Grain Solid Copper REX Ammo
To fully understand why this round works so well, let’s break down its key specifications and features:
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,870 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 1,134 ft/lbs
- Ballistic Coefficient: .300
- Sectional Density: .177
These numbers translate into substantial knockdown power, especially when paired with the Rapid EXpanding (REX) bullet design. The 62-grain REX has been designed to perform effectively across a wide range of hunting conditions—from dense forests to expansive fields.
At 2,870 fps, this round delivers a blistering velocity that ensures quick and precise shots, while its 1,134 ft/lbs of muzzle energy means it packs the punch necessary for a clean kill on medium-sized game like deer.
The REX design ensures that the bullet expands rapidly upon impact, transferring maximum energy to the target while minimizing over-penetration, making it highly effective for humane kills.
Why the 62-Grain REX Is the Best Choice for Deer Hunting
When hunting with a 5.56 AR-15, shot placement becomes critical. The 62-grain Solid Copper REX gives you the precision you need to hit vital organs consistently, and its superior terminal performance ensures that when you do hit, the deer goes down quickly.
Unlike FMJ (full metal jacket) or other military-style ammo, which can struggle with expansion and energy transfer on larger animals, the REX expands upon impact, creating a wide wound channel that ensures maximum stopping power.
Here’s why the 62-grain REX stands out as an ideal deer-hunting round:
- Controlled Expansion: The REX design is optimized to expand rapidly upon impact, ensuring deep penetration and maximum energy transfer—exactly what you need when hunting deer.
- Ethical Kills: With its explosive terminal performance, the 62-grain REX provides fast and ethical kills, ensuring that the deer doesn’t suffer.
- Versatility: The REX is designed to perform effectively in diverse hunting conditions, whether you’re hunting in dense woods or expansive fields.
- Legal & Eco-Friendly: Made from solid copper, this round is lead-free, making it not only safer for the environment but also compliant with hunting regulations in regions that ban lead-based ammunition.
Stock Up for the Season: Be Prepared
As deer season approaches, it’s a smart idea to stock up on the 62-grain Solid Copper REX ammo. A 50-count box will keep you well-prepared for the season ahead.
And just like many seasoned hunters who always grab an extra box or two to ensure they’re not caught off guard, stocking up on ammo now ensures you’re set for multiple hunting trips. Don’t let yourself run out mid-season—secure a few boxes and keep them on hand.
State-by-State Legality of Hunting with an AR-15
The AR-15 has become an increasingly popular platform for hunting, especially for deer and medium-sized game. However, hunting regulations vary from state to state, so it’s essential to be informed about where and how you can legally use your AR-15 for deer hunting.
Some states have specific laws about ammunition, rifle configurations, and even magazine capacity. Below, we break down the key regulations for hunting with an AR-15 in the U.S., helping you ensure you’re compliant with local hunting laws.
NOTE: State laws are subject to change at any time, so always verify with local authorities before heading out on a hunt.
States Where Hunting with an AR-15 Is Legal
In many states, hunting with an AR-15 is perfectly legal, and no special modifications to the rifle are required. That being said, some states may still restrict the use of certain types of ammunition or have other regulations you should be aware of. Here are some states where hunting with an AR-15 is allowed without specific restrictions:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
These states generally allow hunters to use AR-15 rifles configured in any standard way. However, keep in mind that specific hunting restrictions regarding ammunition or magazine capacity might still apply, so it’s always good practice to check with your local wildlife agency.
States with Partial AR-15 Hunting Restrictions
Some states permit the use of an AR-15 for hunting, but impose certain restrictions on its configuration, the type of ammunition used, or the magazine capacity. Here are some states with partial restrictions:
- California: While the AR-15 is legal for hunting, the rifle must be California-compliant, and hunters must use soft-nose or expanding ammunition. Additionally, the AR-15 must be limited to a 5-round magazine.
- Colorado: Colorado requires hunters to use calibers of at least .240 for hunting big game like deer. So, while the AR-15 is permitted, you’ll need to chamber it in a larger caliber, such as 6.5 Grendel or 6.5 Creedmoor. Additionally, Colorado mandates a 5-round magazine capacity.
- Florida: Florida restricts the use of semiautomatic rifles with a magazine capacity greater than 5 rounds for hunting. Be sure to use a 5-round magazine when hunting with your AR-15.
- Hawaii: Hawaii’s hunting laws require that the ammunition used must produce a minimum of 1,200 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. As such, 5.56 and .223 may not meet this requirement, depending on the load.
- Illinois: In Illinois, you can use an AR-15 for hunting, but it must be configured as a single-shot firearm (i.e., no detachable magazine). Additionally, the rifle must be chambered in a .30 caliber or larger, so 5.56 or .223 rounds are prohibited.
- Indiana: In Indiana, your AR-15 must be chambered in a caliber of at least .243, and your rifle can carry no more than 10 rounds total (including one in the chamber).
- Michigan: Michigan allows the use of an AR-15 for hunting, but only if the rifle is chambered in a .35 caliber or larger, such as .350 Legend or .450 Bushmaster. Magazine capacity is limited to 5 rounds, plus one in the chamber.
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire allows hunting with an AR-15, but the magazine must be limited to 6 rounds. Additionally, some towns have their own restrictions on which types of rifles may be used for deer hunting.
- New York: In New York, an AR-15 can be used for hunting, but the rifle must be “SAFE Act compliant” and equipped with a fixed magazine or a detachable magazine with no banned features. Magazine capacity is also limited to 6 rounds.
- Ohio: Ohio prohibits hunting deer with 5.56 or .223 rounds but allows hunters to use an AR-15 chambered in straight-walled cartridges like .350 Legend or .450 Bushmaster for deer hunting.
- Vermont: In Vermont, hunting with an AR-15 is allowed, but the rifle is limited to a 6-round magazine, and some hunting areas may have additional restrictions.
States Where Hunting with an AR-15 Is Illegal
A handful of states have banned the AR-15 for hunting due to local laws targeting the rifle or its classification as an “assault weapon.” If you live in or plan to hunt in one of these states, you’ll need to look into alternative hunting rifles. These states include:
- Connecticut: Due to Connecticut’s assault weapon ban, hunting with an AR-15 is prohibited.
- Delaware: Delaware has passed laws that restrict the sale and ownership of AR-15 rifles, making hunting with one illegal in the state.
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts bans the ownership and use of AR-15 rifles for hunting under its assault weapons laws.
- Washington: Washington’s assault weapon ban prohibits the ownership of AR-15s, which makes hunting with them illegal.
Know the Laws and Stay Prepared
The AR-15 is a versatile and effective rifle for hunting medium-sized game, but its legality varies by state. While many states allow it with few restrictions, others have specific regulations on rifle configuration, ammunition, and magazine capacity. Always check local and state hunting regulations before heading out to ensure you’re hunting legally and ethically.
If you’re in a state that allows the AR-15 for deer hunting, the 62-grain Solid Copper REX from HOP Munitions is a top-tier choice. Its proven effectiveness in hog hunting makes it an excellent option for deer as well, providing a lethal combination of speed, expansion, and energy transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the Best Ammo for Deer Hunting with Your AR-15?
While there are several options for AR-15 deer hunting ammo, the 62-grain Solid Copper REX leads the pack when it comes to balancing speed, energy, accuracy, and terminal performance. This advanced round is specially designed to deliver devastating energy transfer and reliable expansion for an ethical and clean kill. Let’s tackle a few common questions you may have about hunting with your AR-15.
Is 62-Grain Ammo Enough for Deer?
While the 62-grain bullet may seem light compared to other hunting rounds, the 62-grain REX has proven itself on larger game, including hogs, making it more than capable for deer hunting. Its superior expansion and energy transfer ensure deep penetration and maximum stopping power, making it an excellent choice for whitetail deer and other similarly sized animals.
Can I Use My AR-15 for Deer Hunting?
Yes, in most states, you can use your AR-15 for deer hunting, provided you are using the right type of ammunition. Many states allow the use of 5.56 or .223 rifles for deer hunting. However, it’s crucial to check your local hunting regulations to ensure you are using the correct ammunition and adhering to any state-specific restrictions.
What Grain Ammo is Best for Deer?
While heavier grains like 77-grain or 55-grain are commonly used for deer hunting, the 62-grain round offers the ideal balance between velocity, accuracy, and stopping power. The 62-grain REX provides excellent penetration, flat trajectory, and reliable expansion, making it a top choice for deer-sized game.
