Posted: 7/24/2015 12:26:17 AM EDT
|
I am based on the Eastern Shore of Virginia for the foreseeable future which restricts my longest ranges to 100 and 200yds respectively. I currently own an accurized Mosin with a Nikon Monarch Scope, a Winchester bolt action 22 from the 50's with a stock scope, and a AR build that I can't pick a caliber for.
My goal is to be drilling holes in paper at 200yds the size of a dime. My problem is that I want to really challenge myself so large calibers are off the table. I need something that will build my skills at reading wind, bullet drift, drop, etc etc... I thought about tricking out my old Winchester bolt action, but the problem with rim fire for me is that I can't reload it so I won't be able to play with my loads/projectiles/casings to get the full OCD precision shooting fix. Then I looked at finishing my AR in a caliber that would challenge me, but most if not all are to powerful to be affected greatly at such short ranges. Suggestions? Caliber? Bolt vs Semi-Auto? Optics for such a short range? PS Whatever I end up getting is highly likely to get tinkered with to squeeze out the most accuracy I can. |
|
Quoted:
I am based on the Eastern Shore of Virginia for the foreseeable future which restricts my longest ranges to 100 and 200yds respectively. I currently own an accurized Mosin with a Nikon Monarch Scope, a Winchester bolt action 22 from the 50's with a stock scope, and a AR build that I can't pick a caliber for. My goal is to be drilling holes in paper at 200yds the size of a dime. My problem is that I want to really challenge myself so large calibers are off the table. I need something that will build my skills at reading wind, bullet drift, drop, etc etc... I thought about tricking out my old Winchester bolt action, but the problem with rim fire for me is that I can't reload it so I won't be able to play with my loads/projectiles/casings to get the full OCD precision shooting fix. Then I looked at finishing my AR in a caliber that would challenge me, but most if not all are to powerful to be affected greatly at such short ranges. Suggestions? Caliber? Bolt vs Semi-Auto? Optics for such a short range? PS Whatever I end up getting is highly likely to get tinkered with to squeeze out the most accuracy I can. I would build an accurized 223 upper or maybe a floated rem 700 in 223 . I got into that game a couple years ago and was successful, even with nicer factory ammo. Consistent 200 yards at sub moa is tough to do though, but it has little to do with caliber unless its insanely windy. I would just build a 18-24" upper with a good match barrel, throw on some optics and call it good. Dont even need a bipod, use bags, theyre more stable imo. I liked the hornady 55gr soft points (50 round red box) and 55gr vmax (20 round boxes), and AE 55gr "varmint tipped". Super accurate, consistently, regardless of the lot. I went through probably 800 rounds of that stuff and it was always dead nuts accurate, 1/2 and 1/4 was basically a given at 100yds mechanically with a slight breeze. Hardest part was weapon control. Youll realize this as soon as you get setup, trust me. As for glass, since this seems to be a bench/learning gun, ignore all those threads about how 4x12 is "too much". Who cares about weight and bulk when its not gonna be used to treck across the forest in search of animals to drop. I had a 4-16x50 and even at 100yds, i still wanted more crisp magnification for chasing dimes. Remember, youre not shooting 200-500lb animals. You want as much magnification as you can afford. Just dont go full retard and buy an x25 scope lol Edit: definitely buy an FFP (first focal plane) scope. They save alot of frustration. Here's a pic of what i had before i parted it all out (lost interest) 
|
|
You're an odd one. Given your parameters, dimes are gonna be a long term goal, if even possible. Perhaps experiment with reduced loads. I don't have a means for pressure testing, but I scaled down "The Load" of 13gr of Red Dot over ~160gr cast lead in .30-06 to 4gr over ~50gr jacketed in .223, and fired a few dozen shots without kabooming. Muzzle velocity is about 1500fps, sounds and recoils like a Mini Mag, and seemed to barely move my carrier back. Initial test group was about 3MOA at 100 yards from my NM, but I'm not a good bench shooter. I would've fired prone, but it's a PITA to manually load a standard handled AR in a tightly slung position. I recently got more Red Dot and will resume experimenting. Here's 22boomer's thread: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/441747_.html |
|
That's an awful early recommendation for an unproven platform that's barely, if at all, even available yet.
Reality check: 200 yard dime size groups is benchrest territory. Groups twice that big are rough for even the top end of precision rifles and very uncommon for an AR platform. The occasional precision rifle will turn in those kinds of groups with amazing reloading practices being followed. If you honestly want to make .3" groups at 200 yards then it's not all that hard but it's super not cheap. First you need a real benchrest rifle. You could burn up 10 AR-15 barrels and never find a load that shoots like you're wanting. A real BR rifle will at least take care of the hardware. I'd suggest calling up Dave Bruno Precision. Tell him you want a turnkey 6mm BR for short range benchrest on a Stolle action. Grab a March 40x benchrest scope and have Dave mount it. Then you'll want to find a benchrest shooter to teach you how to reload and you'll be there as soon as your skills allow. There's a reason benchrest is a money game. Records in the game are stuff like .680" groups at 600yards, that's about .1MOA. So a .3" group at 200 is really close as far as angular precision at around .15MOA. You gotta understand how expensive record class kit is. I don't want to pee in your cheerios but that goal is attainable so it's best you know how to get there if you really want to. You won't get there with a rifle that consistently shoots good groups. It's gotta be a perfect example of precision machining that turns in amazing groups every time. And for the guys that think 25x is enough magnification to call it "full retard", I use a fixed 36x in competition at ranges from 25yrds to 100yrds, standing up. Other guys in my discipline are using 16x and 20x scopes with doublers. High magnification has downsides but not many of them apply to this. |
|
Consistent dime sized groups at 200 will difficult. As long as you understand that, you'll be fine. I would suggest setting your sights on quarter sized groups at that range.
As far as scopes, you won't necessarily gain any benefit from a FFP scope. The reticles tend to be thicker which can obscure the target. Your hold offs will remain constant once you've established your magnification with a SFP scope and the reticle may obscure less of your POA. When going for small groups, magnification helps! I'd take my 8-32x56 SIII over my Razor Gen II 4.5-27 in a benchrest challenge every day of the week. |
