Until about 18 months ago, I never owned an AR of any caliber. One day I discovered the platform can support a huge variety of calibers other than 5.56x45 NATO (aka .223). But the fact that .223 is so widespread, I decided to build one.
Mine looks like a hunting rifle and is heavy. That is because that is what I built it for. It has a heavy 18” 1:8 rifling 5.56x45mm NATO barrel without a bunch of machining on the barrel taper. It does not have a carrying handle. I built a maple stock for it, it is a natural blond color. smile. It does not have a bird cage on the barrel.
Now the important thing about it, is how I load for it. I shoot semi Spitzer 70 gr SP bullets (not the normal 55gr FMJ). And the charge I use is a bit more than normal.
So, it is certainly a hunting rifle. It will easily kill a white tail deer, or wild hog. (it is legal to hunt deer in Texas with .223)
It is one of a kind, that suits me.
Most people don’t know that there are 2 30 caliber cartridges that can operate on the AR15 platform. 7.62x39 (as in AK) and 300 Blackout. All that is needed to change is a new upper assembly, 2 pins hold it in place.
Am I in love with the AR15, no. I really prefer 30 caliber or larger. For many reason.
The introduction of the .350 Legend cartridge expands the hunting potential of the AR platform into areas where lefties had made inroads into restrictions on hunting weapons due to safety concerns.