Many people think the AR-15 rifle (AR means "ARmalite Rifle," not "Assault Rifle") is one of the most powerful weapons in existence, and suitable only for the battlefield. It actually isn't used on the battlefield, and it's much smaller and much less powerful than the cartridges used in World War I. In fact, it's one of the smallest caliber arms currently being made that's suitable for hunting.
The truth is that the cartridge used most often in the AR-15 and it's imitations is very suited to certain kinds of hunting because they are NOT very powerful. If you named 50 different cartridges people hunt deer with, the .223 (or 5.56mm) would be one of the least powerful.
Check out my July 9 column—read Are AR-15 Rifles Too Powerful for Hunting? online in the Jamestown (NY) Gazette. But be careful. You might end up wanting one.
To read other blog posts from MISSION: HUNTER, CLICK HERE to go to www.EverydayHunter.com.