Having never owned one before, I'd like to know what the accuracy potential is of your 'typical' AR.

Looking at getting a Spike's, could it hit an 8" steel target at 350 yards if I do my part?  My Garand has trouble with it, more 'minute of man' at that distance.  It's old, not complaining.  

I get more satisfaction shooting with iron peep sights than cheating with a scope.  

The AR-15/M-16 platform was never designed, intended, or optimized as a long range precision shooting instrument.

Like any true assault rifle, it was designed for short to medium range engagements (>200 yards), because as the infantry experts of the world had realized by the middle of World War II, those ranges are where MOST combat was taking place.

There are other tools in the toolbox for long range precision shooting.

Not saying you can't do it with an AR, just saying that you are entering a racehorse into the roping event.



ETA: This reply is based upon your mention of a "typical" AR, and not a highly specialized or custom build.

Get the Spikes and hit the gong as much as you want.

All you need is good ammo.

I'll be reloading for it.

If you have the $$$ get the 18" SPR upper spike's sells, with that and a scope you can easily hit 3" gongs every time at 300 yards


Assuming you get the CHF DD barrel ($100 upgrade i think) and use good ammo it will shoot 1.5-2moa so it will shoot 5.25-7" groups at 350 yards assuming you do your part.

3" gongs wouldn't make much sound would they?

I'm just trying to show how accurrate it is.

BANG! *ding*  BANG! *ding*  BANG! *ding*

Free Float Handguards, good trigger with the right load and you will do it all day long with a decent optic.  If your using irons it will depend on your experience level.

The biggest difficulty I can see with this situation is in aiming at something 8 inches in diameter at 300+ yards. NRA competition targets typically have an aiming black that is 6 MOA in diameter. A target half that size will encourage "bull-gazing" (focusing on the target instead of the front sight).

You don't need any exotic modifications to achieve excellent accuracy with the AR-15 platform, but a decent optic will make what you want to do a lot easier.  As the above poster said, a free-floated barrel and good trigger are about all you need. One easy way to do that is with a RRA NMA2 or A4. I shot the group in my avatar at 300 yards prone with cheap Federal bulk pack .223 from Wal-Mart. Iron sights, rapid fire. (Ten shots in less than 70 seconds with a magazine change).

If I were in your boat, I'd get the RRA NMA4 with 1/2x1/2 minute sights. You can shoot it with the carry handle attached for iron sight practice, or mount an optic to the rail when you want to. You'll have a heavy match barrel, free-floated handguards and a great trigger.