Day at the range...Agony and Ecstasy

[hillbilly]

I've got a little time off before the next semester starts up again.

I spent some time at the range today.

First, the Agony.

My M-1A woes continue. The Norinco I bought for a good price continues to aggravate me. First, I tried switching out the rear sight for a Garand rear sight.

No dice. Still no groups even at 25 yards.

Then, I put a synthetic stock on it. Still has major problems even at 25 yards.

As of this afternoon, it's at a local smith who does good work for some accurizing.

Even if I have to spend some more cash, I would have to drop approximately $630 more for it to equal what I would have paid for a new Springfield M-1A. So I figure I got some leeway here.

That M1A WILL be a shooter before I'm done with it.

Now, the Ecstasy.

Attached is a photo of the target I shot with my AR-15. I built this AR from a parts kit and a Bushmaster stripped lower.

It is bone stock, with absolutely no target modifications or customizations of any kind.

The target is the official NRA 300 yard slow fire target for High Power.

I fired 20 rounds, off a bench, at 300 yards.

I threw one into the 7 ring (look hard at about 2:00) , with one 8, a scratch 9, a bunch of solid 9s, and one scratch 10.

The blue x's on the upper right corner of the target are holes that the previous shooter who left the target tacked up at 300 yards left behind.


For a Franken-AR that's as standard as it comes, using South African military surplus ammo, I'm very happy.

bang.

hillbilly

 

[P95Carry]

Here's that target ... must say for the weapon as you describe - that is exceptional IMO ... and I too would be more than well pleased with it. Heck, even allowing for the scale of the target - some guns would not make that group at 200.

Sorry to hear of the M1A problems ... that must drive you nuts!

 

[hillbilly]

Thanks, P95Carry.

The M1A is very frustrating right now.

I hope to have a much better report on it in the future.

hillbilly

 

[Cortland]

I remember you posted something when you first acquired this Norinco. I said it then and I'll say it now:

As if our trade defecit weren't big enough, now you're expanding it AND funding communists. Tell me -- do you make the check out to the People's Republic of China or directly to the People's Liberation Army? Because when the big one comes, I doubt very much that your Chicom rifle will keep you safe from the missle it paid for.

Your original post seemed to exude a bit of ... smugness ... toward Springfield M1A owners. So while I wish you all the luck in the world with your Chicom rifle, I believe the smugness now belongs to me.

All in good fun, mind you.

 

[Trebor]

Get a web sling, flop down on your belly, tighten the sling up, get your elbows under the rifle, find your natural point of aim and fire a group. I'll bet you'll be surprised that it will be better then the group you fired of the bench. If you don't have a mat, use a sleeping bag (like me) or a scrap piece of carpet. Try it and report the results.

 

[hillbilly]

Thanks for the suggestions, Trebor, but the problem with the Norinco is with the rifle, not the operator.

The rifle has been fired from supporter prone, from the bench, you name it, it's been tried with this rifle to the tune of more than 150 rounds.

The rifle has been fired by more than one operator to satisfy the idea that any particular operator wasn't operating the rifle properly. All firings by all operators produced the same set of results......failure to group at even 25 yards.

And sorry if you choose to infer more smugness, Cortland.

But just to let you know, Cortland, the M1A is not the first nor the last of various Norinco products I have purchased or will continue to purchase.

hillbilly

 

[MAURICE]

Hillbilly,
Where do you shoot? The only outdoor range I know of up here is 100 yards.

maurice