Bushmaster at the Range (help) (pics)

[Covey Leader]

I just bought my first Black Rifle a few weeks ago. I have shot a few but never owned one. Its a Bushmaster XM 15 E2S. I took it too the range last week just to get familiar with it. I shot a few boxes of ammo at 50 yards. I was told not to shoot too much my first time out.

Today i went back to the range. I set up at 50 yards first. This was really my first attempt to shoot for accuracy. I only have 3 ten round magazines right now. I would shoot ten rounds, take out the binos and check the target. I made a small adjustment to the right after my first ten shots. I was pretty happy with my 50 yards groups. Next, i moved out to 100 yards. My question to you guys who are more familiar with AR's is, how are these groups for a first timer? What can i do besides practice to tighten up my groups at long ranges?

I was shooting off a feed bag filled with dirt. Open sights, Remington 223 55 grain FMJ

Any advise is appreciated.

Here is the gun



First 30 rounds at 50 yards.


2nd 30 rounds at 50 yards


1st 30 rounds at 100 yards


2nd 30 rounds at 100 yards

 

[lionking]

There have been two moments in my hobbies/passions where I learned the deciding info that took me to a better level.One was front sight focus on iron sights,the other was the blues pentatonic scale on guitar.I always struggle with both to keep up and at my best.


There will be better advice posted than mine,I'll just say get used to your rifle and try to focus on the front sight while squeezing the trigger.Oh did you use the large or smaller peep aperature?I shoot best with the small one.


congrats btw.

with the same rifle as yours,I came up with this at 100yds using a rest and shouldered.It is shooting high which is a issue I still need to fix.

 

[taliv]

that's pretty good for a first time...

some tips for better groups:
1. use a "bullseye" style target instead of that thing if you're shooting iron sights. it's much easier to get a consistent sight picture putting the round blob over the front post, because you can still see it at 100 yrds. there's no way i could see that orange/white at 100 yrds. seriously, i'm betting your groups would shrink 50% with a better target.

2. for internet bragging just shoot 3 rounds on each piece of paper and show the best one it takes more paper but makes you look like a high master elite sniper.

3. get better ammo. most factory ammo like that (esp remington) won't do better than 2-3 MOA over several shots. i.e. a typical 30 rnd group at 100 yrds would look like your 2nd target.

 

[Covey Leader]

Oh did you use the large or smaller peep aperature?

Small one

 

[Covey Leader]

use a "bullseye" style target

taliv, can you post one that you reccomend

 

[taliv]

anything like what lionking just posted. anything that gives you a lot of contrast so you can see well enough to put the front post in exactly the same spot every time.

get creative if you like. cut a 6" or 8" hole in a paper plate and then use that as a template. hold it over a sheet of poster paper or butcher paper or newspaper or whatever and spray paint a bunch of black circles on it using the paper plate.

 

[Covey Leader]

Thanks for your help guys. This is getting addicting.

 

[soldier147]

Taliv has the right idea...when my unit goes to the range we shoot at targetsthat are 25m away and they are about that 6''-8'' range. Ive never shot a civilian form of an m-16, but buddies of mine that have shot both say they are pretty much the same. I don't knowthe conversion from meters to yards....but i would start at 25 yards first then work your way to 50.

 

[lionking]

I get those SR1 targets from National target company using their website I order on line thanks to another member for turning me on to them.The replacement targets are real nice to not use full size targets when you know your rifle is shooting in the black.

Use a six o clock sight picture on them with front sight focus,squeeze so the round goes off as a surprise with breathing control and you should do better.All though things I constantly have to remind myself and I can tell the difference in my sizes when I know I did it right and when I was feeling off.

Last time I shot the 20inch H Bar I had large groupings,and I know for a fact that that rifle can get nice and tight like my posted pic above so I know it was me that day just having a off day.

 

[janobles14]

also make sure you have your rifle zeroed properly.

 

[Domino]

Shooting from a rest your rifle should be capable of at least 4 inch groups at 100 yards even with mil spec ammo and iron sights. Keep practicing and most of all take your time at first, perhaps try shooting in groups of 3 or 5.

 

[shepsan]

Covey Leader, I read your comments with interest because I too have just purchased the Bushmaster XM15-E2S Type 223 M4A3 Carbine.

For the first time out and with iron sights, I think you did quite well. I would suggest that you use bulls eye targets. I know that they have them at Wal-Mart and at most gun shops.

I think your Bushmaster is a excellent carbine. If I have any suggestions to give regarding how to improve your accuracy it is to practice breath control and trigger squeezing. I also recommend putting a scope on your Bushmaster. It makes a great difference for targets at a distance of 100+ yards.


Good luck with your fine Bushmaster.

 

[johnmcl]

Covey,

I think you're in fine shape for your first time out.

Before you do a lot more shooting, I'd recommend you get into research mode. Please get familiar with the first principles of trigger control, breath control, basic good shooting form guidance, and very importantly target alignment. For example, the Civilian Marksmanship Program website has great articles written by various members of the Army Marksmanship Unit, arguably the top shooters in the world. The CMP is a great place to start your research.

I'm suggesting you research before you get bad habits permanently wired into your shooting style. Undoing those (and this is the voice of experience) is difficult and long.

That said, you have a great rifle that you will enjoy for many years to come.

Best of luck,

 

[jester_s1]

Professional instruction is also a good investment. An hour with a successful competitive shooter will pay for itself many times over in savings of wasted ammo and range time doing ineffective practice. Reading on the internet can help a little, but there is nothing like having someone show you what to do and correct your mistakes.