im currently running a vortex sparc on my Ar. dont really shoot it all that much as ammo is so expensive. mostly just keep it stashed as a home defense/SHTF gun. took it to the range the other day and shot it for the first time in a while. mostly just shooting paper standing at 100 and 50 yards. not that fun for me. wish i had steel or something to plink but its not that possible and i wont be running 3 gun comps any time soon. i think if i was shooting groups or a took it hunting once in a while itd be more fun. think .223 would be fine on goats pigs and deer. i dont really think id be comfortable though taking an animal past 150 with the red dot which has me looking at the  p223 3x9 bdc by nikon or maybe even the 4x12. (sparc does have a magnifier but i dont like it that much. i have a 4x14 nikon buckmaster bdc on my 30-06 and i love it. any of you guys running either of these setups or can debate the pros or cons?for me pros for the red dot are its better for close range with to easy to acquire target picture but i dont like relying on a battery for a red dot (it is cowitnessed though) and i dont like its long range capabilities for hunting. Pros for the p223 3x9 would be better long distance shooting for hunting and better for groups on paper at the range. cons i guess close range and lowlight but at 3x i think acquiring target wouldnt be too much of an issue. not interested in another red dot or holographic sight, just have it narrowed to these 2. thanks for the feedback

im currently running a vortex sparc on my Ar. dont really shoot it all that much as ammo is so expensive. mostly just keep it stashed as a home defense/SHTF gun. took it to the range the other day and shot it for the first time in a while. mostly just shooting paper standing at 100 and 50 yards. not that fun for me. wish i had steel or something to plink but its not that possible and i wont be running 3 gun comps any time soon. i think if i was shooting groups or a took it hunting once in a while itd be more fun. think .223 would be fine on goats pigs and deer. i dont really think id be comfortable though taking an animal past 150 with the red dot which has me looking at the  p223 3x9 bdc by nikon or maybe even the 4x12. (sparc does have a magnifier but i dont like it that much. i have a 4x14 nikon buckmaster bdc on my 30-06 and i love it. any of you guys running either of these setups or can debate the pros or cons?for me pros for the red dot are its better for close range with to easy to acquire target picture but i dont like relying on a battery for a red dot (it is cowitnessed though) and i dont like its long range capabilities for hunting. Pros for the p223 3x9 would be better long distance shooting for hunting and better for groups on paper at the range. cons i guess close range and lowlight but at 3x i think acquiring target wouldnt be too much of an issue. not interested in another red dot or holographic sight, just have it narrowed to these 2. thanks for the feedback

Have you considered a magnifier for the red dot?  Removable mount would give you quick change between 1X close quarters and 3X or 5X longer range.

I have that on my AR.  Aimpoint PRO and 3X magnifier with the Aimpoint twist-on/off mount.

Nevermind!  I found the magnifier comment embedded in the middle of that block of text

You mentioned battery.  My Aimpoint PRO has a minimum battery life of 3 years when LEFT TURNED ON at middle brightness setting.  Just need to leave a reminder when to change the battery in 3 years, and this should never be an issue.  I've kept mine on all the time for 1 1/2 years.  So far, so good!   

I have the Nikon 223 on one of my AR's and an EOTech w/3x magnifier on another. Like um both for different reasons.  I think the Nikon is better at longer distances and can serve pretty well at CQB distances. I also have angled iron back up sights.  The EOTech I'll used for 150 and in but can reach farther if needed.  This probably didn't help with your question so you should just by another AR and have both set ups   

I have a Nikon Prostaff 4-12 BDC that I sometimes use on my AR. I'll use it to test reloads and groups between 100 and 200 yards, then it comes off when I'm done. It's great in those ranges, but the rifle doesn't balance well for me because of its length. It's a long scope, so my 3X red dot spends more time on the rifle and it's pretty good out to 200 yards. Just not as good as the Nikon.

I've thought about building a .556 upper for hunting as well but been getting mixed answers/reviews on it.

One guy Here hunts with a bolt action .556. He said the deer doesn't usually drop when shot and he has to look for blood and track it down. Sometimes close and sometimes he has to track them far.

On another note, when the guys do aerial shoots they use .556 and 12g for deers pigs and goats. Not sure what range they shooting at though.

Advice I got from a gunsmith was range would be limited, be a good shot and get good shot placement.

Good luck in whatever you choose.  As for me, if I don't find a rifle when I get back I'm gonna get a 7.62 upper and use that.