AR-15 is ready

[old #7]

I took the AR-15 out to the range today and tried shooting some groups.
I was suprised by the results.
I have been wanting to build a varmint rifle and was thinking about the new REM 700 VTR or a varmint upper for the Bushmaster but after these results I think I will stick with the 16" heavy barrel.
I did replace the factory trigger with a two stage competition trigger and I think that helped alot.
I don't know what happened on the fourth shot. It may have been excitement.

 

[bullet]

If you are shooting at 100yds that is very good for an AR-15. Nice looking rifle by the way.

 

[old #7]

The target was at 100yds and that group was the best of five.
The largest group was around 1.5"
I don't get the velocity that I would like primarily due to the 16" bbl.
That group averaged 2689 fps. I did load higher and shot a group at 2756 but it wasn't as accurate and was getting close to listed max for the 223.

 

[FOTIS]

Nice job...What is your load? What grain bullet?

 

[old #7]

The load is Hornady 55gr FMJ/BT w/c, cci 400, 24.0grs of Varget in a federal case.
I also loaded up some 55gr v-max but haven't shot them yet.
The local area doesn't have a decent selection of 22 cal Nosler bullets.
I want to try some BT's and some of the heavier bullets.
I am looking forward to "putting some hair on the stump" if you know what I mean.

 

[nomosendero]

I shoot a RRA Varmiter 24" & it will consistantly shoot sub 1/2" 5 shot groups with the 60V-Max, 69MK & 77MK. I just bought some 60GR BT's & I am anxious to try those. BTW, RRA guarantees this model to shoot 3/4".
I sold my 223 VS.

 

[old #7]

I bet that 24" tube does shoot sub .5"
Is that a free floating tube?


The Bushmaster upper I was looking at was this one but after I shot those groups why spend that much for .25"
Well I couldn't link directly to the model so here is the description.
MSRP is 795.00.


24" Varminter Upper Receiver/Barrel Assembly
This Assembly - from our very accurate Varminter - features a 24" Fluted Extra Heavy Barrel in 5.56mm/.223 Rem. caliber with 11 degree competition crown; heavyweight 1" diameter under the handguard; custom match hybrid chamber with a tighter SAAMI Spec headspace from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face, and longer chamber throat or "Leade". This accommodates 5.56mm ammunition without developing higher pressures encountered when firing 5.56mm ammo in a .223 chamber with shorter "Leade" (both calibers can be used safely). Rifling is 1 in 9" twist for optimum performance with most lighter bullet weight varmint cartridges, and the barrel is fluted to increase cooling and reduce weight. The Varminter Upper's shell ejection path has been modified to drop all your brass in the same place as a convenience for the reloader. A vented forend with bipod/sling stud installed, free-floats the barrel from the barrel nut forward and B.M.A.S. Mini-Risers add 1/2" to scope height for correct sight picture and comfortable cheek weld. This Upper is sold complete with Bolt, Bolt Carrier and Charging Handle to ensure positive lockup between bolt and barrel extension.



I have been thinking of buying the .450 upper assembly.

http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWVMS20-45.asp

 

[Larry in SD]

AR's will really surprise a guy. I had a DPMS Panther Bull 20 Fluted that shot good with the very first load I tried in it. Like an idiot I kept trying different combinations, but nothing shot as good as 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with H-4895, Remington 7 1/2 Primers in Military LC Brass. Average velocity was 3100 FPS from the 20" Barrel and 5 shot 100 yard groups from the bench ran from 1/2" to 3/4".

Well that 20" Bull Barrel was a little heavier than what I had in mind when I bought it so I sold it and bought a Bushmaster 16" M4 Optics Ready Carbine.

Since I had 800 rounds of this ammo loaded when I bought this Bushmaster naturally that is the ammo I tried in it first. Well I would have never thought that this lighweight 16" Chrome Lined Barrel would shoot nearly as good as the DPMS 20" Stainless Steel Heavy Barrel but I was WRONG. As long as I place the Delta Ring immediately in front of the receiver on my rest, my 100 yard groups from the bench are mirroring what the DPMS Heavy Barrel shot with this ammo.

I should also note that my SST Super 14 .223 Remington G2 Contender Handgun also loves this load, and actually shoots it slightly better from the bench than either of these two AR's. While at a LE Shoot one day a couple guys asked what ammo I was shooting through my AR to get those nice groups. Ultimately we shot this same ammo in 5 other AR's (both 16" & 20") and the results were very similar to what my .223's do with this load.

Yes AR's can be capable of fantastic accuracy rivaling just about anything out there.

Larry

 

[old #7]

Larry,
Nice rifle.

I used to have a 50mm dot sight mounted as far forward on the forearm as I could get. It was great for fast target aquisition, with both eyes open, and was moderately accurate out to 100yds. The original intent for purchasing the rifle was additional home defense and good fun at the range.
I was very suprised to see those groups after I mountet the scope on it.

 

[Larry in SD]

Thanks

I am a Police Officer and one of the main reasons I bought this Bushmaster was to carry in my Patrol Vehicle. I did not want a Red Dot Optical Sight as I also want to use this Bushmaster for Calling Coyotes.

In the end I decided on the Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5x4.5x32mm Firefly Rifle Scope. With the Firefly Reticle Illuminated and the Magnification set at 1.5x I feel this scope will do anything a Red Dot Optical Sight will do (it doesn't matter to me about being able to shoot a Red Dot optical Sight with both eyes open as I am blind in my left eye), and still do double duty as a Calling Rifle with this Scope.

So far I have not been disapointed at all. This Bushmaster and the Bushnell Elite 3200 have performed as I expected them to. Well actually that is not totally true as I feel this Bushmaster has performend better than I expected it to perform.

I have managed to take 4 Coyotes with this Bushmaster / Bushnell Elite 3200 Combo so far without any problems of any kind. The two farthest Coyotes were taken at slightly over 200 yards at 4.5x, again without problem.

I qualified in daylight with the Bushnell Elite 3200 set on 1.5x, again without any problems. I have been totally pleased with this scope and like the huge field of view at 1.5x.

Larry

 

[old #7]

Larry,
I don't live in SD but, thanks for your service.
I hope you will never have to use your bushmaster outside of hunting.

 

[Larry in SD]

Thanks

ME TOO.

Larry