Posted: 4/5/2011 11:08:44 PM EDT
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In my lurking around this part of Arfcom for a fair bit of time, I have not seen much emphasis on the use of irons on the OBR rifles. Yep, most people put them on and use them as they are labeled, BUIS, but I can't get it out of my head that I should be able to shoot damn tight groups with irons as well as with a scope.
When I was younger, I was 4th in the Governors Twenty for the state of Oklahoma (using the issue M16 A1), and I could shoot groups sized between a dime and a quarter at 100 yards using my privately owned Colt HBAR. Time and too much staring at computer screens have taken their toll, and my eyes are not what they used to be. I find that frustrating, but I can't let go of my desire to be good with irons again. When I go to the range, it's all I think about any more. My kids have just joined the state junior high power team and will be shooting NM AR15s made by Armalite, Rock River, or Colt, at distances of 200, 300, and 600 yards with traditional iron sights. I am very happy for them and proud of them, but what I wouldn't give to have their eyesight and be able to do it all over again. They will be going to Camp Perry in August, and I will be traveling with them. While I am up there, I plan on buying a White Oak Precision upper (I wish Larue made a NM rifle) and trying my hand at competing again, but between now and then I have something in mind. I am going to shoot the bejeezus out of my OBR using nothing but my Troy irons. I am going to see if I can't get my groups at 100, 200, and 300 yards to progressively tighten. This may be futile like something out of the Dylan Thomas poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night", this may be a waste of ammo, but dang it, I will get my skill back one way or another. And if I fail, I'll just put the scope back on. |
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Last month my daughter and I went to the range with my OBR 5.56 and my RRA ATH, along with her Christmas present, a Marlin .22 bolt action rifle. The ATH did not get out of the case, as I spent my time with the OBR.
The OBR had a Nikon M-223 1-4x scope that I had put on in preparation for a hog hunt. It is a good scope for distances not exceeding 200 yards. The ammo used was Hornady TAP 75 gr, Privi Partizan 75 gr match, and Wal Mart 55 gr. I did not do too badly with the Nikon/Privi Partizan 
I took off the scope and did this. First time really shooting the irons, not bad. One flyer way up in Canada though. 
I handed it to my daughter and let her shoot it. She had never shot an AR15 with iron sights before this. 
Needless to say, my 14 year old daughter has a bright future ahead of her. So, it's back to the range tomorrow to try again. |
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Before I recount what went on today at the range, let me state that I understand, "no pics, or it didn't happen". I don't have any pics, but I give my word that it happened as I am saying. I didn't get a chance to take pics because of what we were actually doing at the time.
My son and daughter have joined a junior high power team here in NC, and because they joined late in the training, the coach is meeting with us on Thursday nights to help them get the basics down before this weekend's 300 yard prone state championship. My son (age 15) has been issued a Colt HBAR NM rifle with a two stage trigger, and my daughter (age 14) has been issued an Armalite NM with a single stage trigger. Both rifles have lead weights in them and weigh much more than your normal AR15 type rifle. The coach was having them shoot from the prone position at targets on the 200 yard line to help them get some sort of zero for this weekend. They both shot well, and they practiced about 2-3 hours. The sun was well into setting and they had finished, and I got down in the prone to shoot with my OBR 5.56 at my daughter's target with the coach spotting for me. In January I had zeroed the rifle/Troy sights using Privi Partizan 75 gr match ammo at 100 yards with point of impact a little high, hoping to get as close to a 200 yard zero as possible. Today I had Hornady 75 gr TAP ammo, and I wanted to see what the rifle and I could do (I have to say that I hate shooting Hornady ammo. They make a beautiful bullet. Seems a waste to use it on paper, but dang their ammo can make anyone look good). First round was called in the eight ring, six o'clock. I had been holding a touch below the bullseye when the trigger released, so I held center mass. Next round was an X. Next was a 10 three o'clock. Next was a 9, eleven o'clock. Next was another X. The last round was a ten at five o'clock. I was pretty happy. My son asks to shoot the last 7 rounds, so I handed the rifle to him, and he peppered the heck out of the 8, 9, and 10 rings, none in the white. He said the rifle was far easier to shoot than the Colt NM he had been given, and he was patting himself on the back for his performance. The coach was surprised with how well we both shot with the OBR. My OBR 5.56, which I call Bevo, after the UT Austin mascot, is a stellar weapon. I have complete confidence that as my skills get polished, Bevo will produce some great results. I have no regrets getting a 20 inch barrel and am very very pleased with its performance. What a great weapon. Why can I not have a NM version? I would sell my Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster to get one. Mr. Larue, you make a great rifle. Can't wait to get my OBR heavy, but in the meantime, please make a NM rifle. PUHLEEEEZE make a NM rifle. If only I could afford to shoot the Hornady ammo all the time. |