Accuracy question

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Posted: 10/6/2004 4:54:32 PM EDT

Took my newly assembled "DCM" ar-15 to the range for my first attempt to actually zero it today.

This is an M&A parts A2 model 20" with "NM" sights (rear aperture drilled out to 1/16" or 0.0625"), on a Fulton armory lower with RRA - single stage trigger - internals.

Had previously function tested it with plain-jane .55gr load and it runs fine.

Started (and finished) at 50 yards, as it was getting dark. When I finally got the windage dialed in, I was ending up with about 3/4" groups. Didn't have time or ammo to bother with elevation yet.

Is this typical accuracy for a basic service rifle? Keep in mind that I am a newbie as far as AR's go and only have a total of 100 rounds through it so far.

Thanks,
Tim

Posted: 10/6/2004 5:52:49 PM EDT

[#1]

I'm no expert, but I have 2 Armalites, an M15A2 with a 20" bbl. that I can get 1" groups @ 100yds. and 9'' groups @ 300yds. My other is an LEM15A2 and has a 14.5'' bbl.and with the battle sights I can't seem to get much better than 4''@ 100yds. but practice makes perfect.

Posted: 10/6/2004 6:18:36 PM EDT

[#2]

Never Mind

Posted: 10/7/2004 4:03:24 AM EDT

[#3]

I suppose I should have mentioned thar this time I was using Black Hills 68gr match loads.

Thanks,
Tim

Posted: 10/7/2004 4:24:10 AM EDT

[#4]

As High Power Service Rifle competitions (main reason for having a CMP/DCM AR15 rifle) generally involve 200, 300 and 600 yards distances, why would you be attempting to zero it at 50 yards?

My service rifle was zeroed at 200 yards as that's where most X-Course matches start, had come-ups for load used figured for the 300 and 600 yard stages.

FWIW a decent HP service rifle should be making one hole at 50 yards (from a benched rested position) and either Black Hills or Fed GM 69 grn SMKs would be a much better choice IMO for your rifle.

Mike

Posted: 10/7/2004 5:19:14 AM EDT

[#5]

Whose barrel?

Posted: 10/7/2004 5:24:53 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
why would you be attempting to zero it at 50 yards?

Time constraints AND the fact that I had no idea where the sights were set. Just wanted to get it on paper to start with.

Originall Posted by Tweak:

Whose barrel?

Wilson.

Tim

Posted: 10/7/2004 5:54:08 AM EDT

[#7]

be content with the 3/4".

Posted: 10/7/2004 6:12:14 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
As High Power Service Rifle competitions (main reason for having a CMP/DCM AR15 rifle) generally involve 200, 300 and 600 yards distances, why would you be attempting to zero it at 50 yards?

My service rifle was zeroed at 200 yards as that's where most X-Course matches start, had come-ups for load used figured for the 300 and 600 yard stages.

FWIW a decent HP service rifle should be making one hole at 50 yards (from a benched rested position) and either Black Hills or Fed GM 69 grn SMKs would be a much better choice IMO for your rifle.

Mike

Someone here school me as to the main difference between NM sights and A2 sights. I used the Improved BZO for my new AR, zero'ed at 50 and was dead nutz @ 200 and 300. I plan to start shooting HP service rifle soon.

Posted: 10/7/2004 11:15:02 AM EDT

[#9]

Most loads don,t stabilize that close to the muzzel so its actually possible to have a tighter group at say 200yds than at 100yds /btw [tweak] whats wrong with wilson barrels.

Posted: 10/7/2004 11:44:17 AM EDT

[#10]

3/4" @ 50yds with iron sights is pretty damn respectable in my book, even for a "seasoned" shooter.

Posted: 10/7/2004 11:39:35 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Someone here school me as to the main difference between NM sights and A2 sights.

The size of the elevation clicks.

Alpha whatever the fcuk your handle is,

Someone put a quarter in you?

Posted: 10/8/2004 12:27:13 AM EDT

[#12]

Having only tried two types of ammo and only having put only 100 rounds or so down range with a rifle that is unfamiliar to you by all means you should be happy with those results.

Posted: 10/8/2004 3:47:37 AM EDT

[#13]

Having only tried two types of ammo and only having put only 100 rounds or so down range with a rifle that is unfamiliar to you by all means you should be happy with those results.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

The above pretty much sums up what I was assuming.

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:51:03 AM EDT

[#14]

So you're telling me that I could have 3/4" groups at 100, but 1/2" or 1/4" groups at 200?
That's........that's........huh?

Quoted:
Most loads don,t stabilize that close to the muzzel so its actually possible to have a tighter group at say 200yds than at 100yds /btw [tweak] whats wrong with wilson barrels.

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:59:04 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
So you're telling me that I could have 3/4" groups at 100, but 1/2" or 1/4" groups at 200?
That's........that's........huh?

No that's not what he intended......., he was attempting to indicate that 3/4 MOA groups at a 100 yards MIGHT be 3/4-1/2 MOA at 200 yards (that would equate to 1.5"-1" groups at 200 yards).

Any reloader using VLD heavyweight rounds should be familar with this concept, which is more what he suggested. (especially those using 80s or 90s)

Mike

Posted: 10/8/2004 6:10:57 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
So you're telling me that I could have 3/4" groups at 100, but 1/2" or 1/4" groups at 200?
That's........that's........huh? hr

No that's not what he intended......., he was attempting to indicate that 3/4 MOA groups at a 100 yards MIGHT be 3/4-1/2 MOA at 200 yards (that would equate to 1.5"-1" groups at 200 yards).

Any reloader using VLD heavyweight rounds should be familar with this concept, which is more what he suggested. (especially those using 80s or 90s)

Mike

Yep. When using 80gr Noslers (not a VLD-profile bullet, but a long range .223 bullet anyway) I find they hold the 10-ring of a 200-yard NRA Highpower target rather well (figure about 7" or so, 2.5-3.5 MOA about). Now move back to 600 yards and that same load will hold about 1-1.5 MOA (6-9").

That Wilson barrel should shoot fine. My Armalite NM rifle has one and it will shoot High Master scores all day long with a good nut behind the trigger. Get yourself some Federal 69gr Gold Medal, or reload 69gr Sierra or Nosler bullets with some Varget (even better), and go shoot.

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