How good are your AR groups?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Magichelmt

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
119
Location
North Alabama
I am new to the AR world. What I am wondering is what kind of accuracy people get while standing and shooting? My groups are right at 2 inches when I lean against a post hold and fire. I have a cheap BSA scope on it. I have an M&P15T. I am shooting at a target at 50 yards. I do not have a rifle rest to sit at a bench without holding it. I am just curious what kind of groups others get when they hold the rifle. It is a 5.56/.223 AR. Thanks for your input.
 
I've got a Stag lower with a DPMS 20" bull barreled upper and RRA match trigger. I can shoot .625" to 1" groups at 100 yards with handloads. This is off a bench with a front rest and rear bag.

If you want to check the accuracy of a rifle, it really helps to shoot using a bench/rest. It takes a bunch of variables out of the equation.
 
I can hit a 32oz gatorade bottle at 50 9 out of 10 times... carbine with irons.
 
I've never really measured my group size while offhand shooting but in looking through my data book, one of my better offhand groups came in at roughly 7"-8" for a 10 shot group at 200yds [no sling support]

Bear in mind that I'm a NRA/CMP highpower shooter and I'm shooting a 16lb AR15 using iron sights and wearing a heavy shooting jacket for support. Ammo is handloaded Sierra 77gr MK fired out of a Krieger 1x7 barrel.

Shooting sitting/prone (with a sling for support) the group sizes shrink considerably.
 
Last edited:
So far I've managed several 0.4"@50yd groups with el cheapo Remington 50gr JHP's out of my S&W M&P15OR with iron sights. Need to mount up the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x and test it at 100yds now that it's cooled off some. So far I'm extremely happy with it.
 
i dont think hes asking how acurate our rifles are.

i think the question is how can we shoot standing freehand, no prop or rest.
 
Yeah I was looking to compare myself to others while standing or holding the rifle at a bench. Not set up in a rifle rest and bags. I know that the more human factors I take out the better my groups will be. I am just curious about real world groups. God forbid I ever need to use this against another I will probably not be set up off bags.
I do not have a sling yet.
I am shooting hand loads I made. My best loads so far have been with 50 grn SP & 60 grn Sierra HP bullets with 25 grns of TAC. They are right at 2" for 10 shots. I shoot the first one into the dirt backstop so they are all loaded the same. Not sure if that really matters, but it could seat lighter by releasing the bolt by hand.
Factory federal bulk from Wally world gives about a 5" group.
Like I said I am just looking for real world comparisons. Thanks guys.
 
I'm getting about 2-3" standing, no sling at 50 yds most of the time (xm193)
With the .22 conversion kit in it's closer to 5-6" at 50 yds (1:7 twist)

Prone or bench, those groups shrink considerably (though not as much with the .22LR as with the 5.56)
 
Best shot I ever made with my AR was freestanding on a running coyote out at 400ish yards, i hit him right where I thought I would, he was DRT when I pulled the trigger. I have made longer shots from a prone position off my bipod. Bullet was a tracer round, can't remember what brand it is off the top of my head, but it is 68 grains

5.56, 16 inch barrel with 1/9 twist throwing 55 grain Remington UMC with NCStar Scope, freestanding I normally get about a 2 inch group at 100 yards, thats useing my sling to tighten the shot. Thats the cheapest ammo I shoot for plinking, I can get 1' groups out of Hornaday TAP ammo but I reserve it for hunting/SD. From a rest or prone off my bipod, can tighten that up to 1.4 and .5 inchs respectivlly with those rounds.
 
Funny. It just now occurred to me, reading this thread. I've been shooting for somewhere close to seventy years. I've done a serious bunch of load testing and sight-in off a benchrest. But I've never in my life tried to shoot a group either offhand or from a field-rest position.

Tin cans, rocks, deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, javelina...Never even thought about groups, just hits. I've always done pretty good on hits, though. :D
 
Do you know what a sling is for?
Click to expand...

gee, is that the thingofajig that hangs off the rifle, never knew what that was for...
Click to expand...

If you loop the sling around your offhand elbow, and raise it up, you will pull the rifle tight and hold it VERY steady.

If you're right handed, wrap it around your left elbow and sort of cock it out a little bit. Not uncomfortable at all, and outstanding results.
 
Tin cans, rocks, deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, javelina...Never even thought about groups, just hits. I've always done pretty good on hits, though.
Click to expand...
That's how I typically shoot. I only shoot at paper for testing and load development. It wasn't until I started shooting at Appleseeds that I started worrying about groups on paper from positions. I'd still rather be shooting at cans. ;)
 
2" off hand at 50 yards? Sounds to me like you're a hell of a shooter, even if you are resting on a post. My "off hand" carbine has a 1.5X ACOG on it and I have to really take my time, REALLY TAKE MY TIME to be able to hit a 12" gong at 100 yards. I've never tried shooting any sort of group at 50. I can hit can, milk jugs, etc though.
 
I have DPMS 6.8 spc that can produce 3/4" groups but with the optics I have on it I usually hover between 1 to 1.5"
 
My BCM Middy 16'' with MBUS can do around 1.5 MOA with walmart federal bulk pack (from a lead sled). My shooting ability right now (prone w/ sling) can get me 2-3 MOA.

I can't wait to get an optic on it, free float and shoot some match ammo from it. I would expect sub-MOA.
 
I need to get a table and some bags to try and get my best groups. Out at the farm right now we only have trees and fence posts where we like to shoot. I was taking my time and had the help of the scope. I am glad to hear I am doing well. The only other rifles I have shot were an iron sight AK and some .22's with little scopes on them.
 
My best groups, using my very first Colt AR15A2 Gov't Model, with a Harris bipod/sand bags, Tasco target scope, ARMS mount and match-prepped handloads...3/16ths" ctc from 100 yards.
 
Breaking clay pigeons on a dirt bank at 50 yards with irons is fairly easy...but I ain't very steady with these arthritic knees anymore. :(
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Chance to buy MP15 AR... Good Deal?
Replies
12
Views
474
Auburn1992
A
J
  • Locked
Another AR first time builder/buyer
Replies
11
Views
716
strat81
S
A
  • Locked
RAA/Izhmash Saiga
Replies
21
Views
2K
JWarren
J
0
  • Locked
Shooting
2
Replies
47
Views
1K
Vern Humphrey
V
valleyforge.1777
  • Locked
??? Point of impact changes when shooting AR prone instead of seated ???
Replies
14
Views
3K
Ramone
Ramone
Back
Top