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Posted: 9/3/2006 8:52:41 AM EDT
| I'm going to be going to a range within the next few weeks (for the first time), and I have no idea how much ammo I should have with me. So, I figured I'd ask how much ammo do you bring with you when you go to the range? I'll only be bringing one firearm with me (AR-15), and I have enough mags for it, but I only have 60 rounds (Remington 55 grain). Is this enough/too much/not enough for a new rifle/shooter? |
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It depends on what you want to do and how much time you want to spend at the range. 60 rounds isn't going to take long to go through if you're plinking but if you are sighting in your rifle it could last a quite a while. If you are doing tactical type training, it depends on what kind of drills you're doing. When I take my AR to the range to plink or to train, I take at least 120 rounds. Of course, I usually bring a pistol or two as well.....and maybe another rifle/shotgun or two. 
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OK. If you are going to the range for the first time, than most likely you will want to sight-in your AR. Go here:groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/zeroingmethods.msnw. Print out the ones that pertain to your particular AR, and the range at which you will be zeroing, and read them completely as many times as it takes for them to seem clear to you. If you have any questions on sighting-in, come back after downloading, printing, and reading. We'll be glad to help. Now then, you will need a front sight adjustment tool, either 5-prong or 4 prong. Look at your front sight post and see how many holes around the base. You can use a bullet tip, but that's slow and doesn't do the bullet any good. If you have an older A1-style rear sight, there's a windage adjustment tool for that to adjust windage, too. Again, a bullet tip will do, see above. If you have the newer A2-style rear sight, you'll need an allen wrench of the correct size to calibrate it. Bring a waterproof tarp or poncho, or a GI sleeping pad to lie on, cause you're going to sight-in prone, the steadiest position. I'd suggest firing 5-shot groups, as that will help account for any fliers that you shoot. What, no bench rest shooting? Nope, because that's where your AR will be zeroed for, and benches are few and far between in the real world. Do it right and go prone. Unless your AR has a special free-float tube installed, don't bother with using a sling for now. Take the sling right off the rifle. Use the biggest targets you can put up, that will help you spot your shots. Any kind of plain paper will do, just make a bull's eye with a magic marker. You'll need a staple gun to tack up the targets. Placing the target as close as you can will save you a LOT of time and hassle. Bring along a good pair of binocs or some sort of scope to help you spot your shots. After each group, plot the shots in the group on a piece of paper beside you. That will help you keep your shots (and groups) from being confused with another shot or group. Of course, if you like to walk a lot, and have time to do it, just put your target way out there and walk down and back each time you fire a group to see where the shots hit. Cover the old holes with masking tape. Back to your main question: How much ammo to bring? Well, an experienced Rifleman who completely understood your AR's front and rear sights would be expected to zero it in two shots. One to determine initial Point Of Impact (POI), the second to confirm the sight adjustment. I'm assuming you're new to this, so relax, nobody expects you to do that. Obviously, you'll need a lot more than two rounds, and very likely more than what you have. Here's a Universal Truth: You can never have too much ammo. I suggest you buy as much as you can afford, but make sure you buy the same brand and type at the same time from the same vendor. Check the boxes to make sure it is all of the same lot number, because different ammo from different lots can zero to different points, even if it's from the same manufacturer. Bring all your mags, and fire groups from each in turn. If any malfunction, mark them for attention later on. Use your "oddball" ammo to fire a couple of shots to dirty-up the barrel first. Remember to remove all oil from the chamber, bore, and face of the bolt before firing anything. Your goal should be to adjust the POI (Point Of Impact) of the center of your groups so that it is the same as your POA (Point Of Aim). Don't worry too much about the size of your group right now. As you gain skill, that will shrink, and you will then fine-tune your sights. Good luck, and come back with any questions when you're ready. |
| it really depends, if I'm just doing longer range work I may go through as few as 100 rounds, if I'm doing a heavy day of 3 gun style close/medium range drills and reflexive fire drills I've burned up well in excess of 500 in one day. just bring 500 and see how much you burn through. |
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I'd say with an AR, you will want a few hundred rounds. I always use the rule of thumb, at least with semi autos or pistols: Take and SHOOT at least 200 rounds in a session. This is because it takes thousands of repetitions to develop muscle memory, and only a couple magazines won't help keep those skills sharp. However, I have occasionally gone to the range with as little as 30 rounds. Total. And I only shot 20 of them. ... that was for my Sharps replica, working up loads, had no reason to shoot more than ~20 rounds. |
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As a lot of folks have already said it really depends on what you want to do with your AR. First time trip I would just sight in my AR and then I would take it really slow practicing my marksmanship with the weapon. Kind of like a first date you need to take things slow to get a feel for her if you want a lasting relationship.  A lot of public ranges wont let you do all the fun stuff some of us do at our private ranges with IDPA and 3-Gun Set-ups so chances are you'll have to take things slower anyways if you're at a public range.I find that 200 rounds is a good number to have unless you plan on being there for more than three hours. A lot of public ranges just call you to a stop every 15 minutes or so giving you time to walk out and check your targets or post new ones. So, 200 rounds will last a long time at that rate. Besides even if you don't shoot through all 200 rounds you'll have more for the next time. Good Luck...Have fun. |
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Well, I'm now up to 100 rounds (I'm planning on getting more, as my roommate might be joining me at the range). I also picked up some targets (100 yd Score Keeper rifle targets). I still need to get some supplies before I go (hearing protection, shooting glasses that fit over my normal glasses, and a cleaning kit being the most important). I'm planning on going to the range on Sunday the 24th, and I'll hopefully have pictures up of my results then. If you can think of anything I'm overlooking that I'll need, feel free to mention it, and thanks for everyones suggestions. |
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