First Bushmaster AR-15 Outing Questions

[archigos]

I bought a Bushmaster XM-15 E2S a couple months ago and didn't get a chance to shoot it until yesterday (If anybody recalls my previous post about it, I'm now engaged, my fiancee knows about it, and couldn't be happier).

A few questions, as this is my first AR-15:
a) I noticed that while shooting it there was a very distinctive "springy" noise after each shot. I probably only was hearing it because my head was pressed against the stock. Is this normal in AR-15s, or is it some lesser quality part in the Bushmaster that I should consider replacing?
b) There was a very foul smell after each shot - not the normal smokeless powder & lead smell, but something different. I was using PMC Bronze ammo. I suspect the problem might have had to do with the fact that I didn't clean the rifle before shooting it the first time. Thoughts?
c) I shot some fairly consistent groups (for my current, atrophied, level of skill) at 50 yards, but they were all very high and slightly to the right. Out of sheer curiosity, any idea what the Bushmaster XM-15 E2S comes factory sighted for?

 

[adobewalls]

a) I noticed that while shooting it there was a very distinctive "springy" noise after each shot.

The "Sprong" is common.

b) There was a very foul smell after each shot. I suspect the problem might have had to do with the fact that I didn't clean the rifle before shooting it the first time. Thoughts?

Shoulda cleaned it before shooting.

c) I shot some fairly consistent groups (for my current, atrophied, level of skill) at 50 yards, but they were all very high and slightly to the right. Out of sheer curiosity, any idea what the Bushmaster XM-15 E2S comes factory sighted for?

Usually the rifles are functionally sighted from the factory, but much depends on the ammo you use and your shooting techniques.

 

[W L Johnson]

a) Learn to embrace the Sprong. It's normal for AR-10s & AR-15 for the very reason you gave.
check out this thread http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=448586

b) That could be the Ammo, some ammo smells like that, remember all burned power has some sort of smell, just some more than others. PMC bronze is cheap plinking ammo. You also could have been burning off some of the factory oils as you said you didn't clean it. All guns really need to be cleaned and oiled out of the box.

c) Your grouping isn't bad for a first time but need to know more about what sights you are using but I assume the standard carry handle. But their are people here who can go into much more detail on sight adjustment than I. But Ammo can have some weird effects on point of impact and PMC bronze is again plinking Ammo.

 

[punkndisorderly]

The springy noise is normal. It's just the recoil spring bouncing around a bit after compression is released. If you didn't have your face pressed against the stock, you wouldn't hear it.

Different powder smells different. That shouldn't be an issue. For example, the high end eley .22's have a really sweet smell. I'll never forget the great smell 155 howitzer powder has when it burns. I wish I could find some cologne or incense that smells like that!

Google for the army or marine field manual for the M-16. It'll give you good info on sighting it in. Most AR's will have to be zero'ed. The correct process is detailed in the field manual. Generally, you zero at 25M then go one click up on the rear sight and you're good out to 300M or so. The only time it's a pain is if the front sight is actually installed off center to a large degree and you can't get the rear adjusted far enough to the left or right to compensate.

Consider picking up a front sight tool. It'll make adjusting the front sight much easier. You can use a nail (what we used in the Army) or even the nose of an unfired bullet. I find the sight tool to be easier and won't marr the area around the sight.

 

[W L Johnson]

Forgot to ask, if using the standard sights what aperture is it set to? The large aperture is not used for tight target shooting but to get on a close target quickly, switch to the small one for target shooting.

 

[sarduy]

this is the kind of sight that you're using?