Preliminary FNAR-HB range report

[Bill_Rights]

OK, OK, some folks on THR are so desperate to see some paper from the FNAR, here's my first try @ 100 yds. Large inner black region is 6" dia.

Very preliminary. Here're my excuses why not 1 MoA.
- First time I (and my wife - half the shots are hers) ever shot a high-power rifle (though mid-load ammo) in an organized fashion
- First time at the rifle lanes of this outdoor range, though we practice with pistols at this range and another one
- First shooting of a new FNAR
- These are the last 17 of a total of 35 rounds ever put through the gun; had to quit after that as the range was closing
- Casual seated bench position: barrel laying on carpet-covered 6x6 wood block, no support for butt stock except shoulder
- 4x max scope, first use of new scope, newly mounted on new rifle
- Cheapo ball ammo - Rem UMC 150 gr MC ball, L308W4

Overall impressions: Nice gun! Smooth operation, no fear of "kick". Semi-auto reload action is so fast I sometimes looked to see if the mag was empty (i.e., handle locked back). I was pretty excited. Only walking away to the car did I realize that I forgot to turn on the lighted reticle of the scope - could sight fine in daylight without it. Did note that lip of ejected casings was usually slightly "D" dented, either due to landing on concrete or the action itself - the UMC ammo has a thinner than normal case thickness, I hear. I was distracted by unloading and dragging a snake through the bore every few shots, as part of break-in cleaning. The brass weight on the end of the feed string for the snake (Hoppe) needs to be heavier and rounded - hung up on the step-lip of the chamber (no visible feed ramp). Also, it looks like the scope needs to be adjusted a few clicks down and to the right. The range closed before I could change target, gun is not yet broken in, would not usually hunt with this ammo, etc. Anyway, I am pretty happy with this as a newbie's first try.

Here's a pic of the hardware.

10-rnd factory double-stack mag installed, a spare 20 and 10-rnd to the side. That was the ammo we used. After-market accessories so far: Millett DMS-1 1-4 x 24 scope, Burris Extreme Tactical rings, Butler Creek V-Grip shoulder sling and soft plastic muzzle protector cap. Versa-Pod bipod still on order.

BTW, some people think this rifle is ugly. Not only do I like its looks, but everybody that's seen/handled mine up close thinks its cool, awesome, etc. I guess it's just not very photogenic (hence the odd perspective I chose for the photo).

More to come, hopefully.

 

[gga357]

Very nice!!

 

[Jaws]

Cool report. thx.

to post the pics just add

at the end of your url, or click on the tab with the "insert image" above the composing message window and paste your URL in the space provided.

Thx for the report. I bet you'll have a lot of fun with that rifle.

 

[Bill_Rights]

Thanks, Jaws

With your pointers on posting pics, I was able to edit my OP post and put the pics in the body of the post. That and some playing around on the Site Maintenance area.

Thanks again, Bill

 

[Gewehr98]

That's about right.

Since it is a Browning BAR w/pistol grip and new magwell.

My own Belgian BAR in .30-06 does about the same, until the barrel gets hot.

Yours should do better with the heavier barrel contour.

 

[Bill_Rights]

Also about getting better...

All,

Thanks for the nice comments.

I probably need to get some training on precision rifle marksmanship locally or join a competition club or something. But just a couple of casual questions to point me in the right direction:

Gravity rest of barrel on carpet-covered wooden block:
- Can the muzzle hop up while the bullet is still in the barrel? If so, I guess this would be inconsistent, depending upon how much downward force the shooter happened to be applying. Could this cause some scatter? I seem to remember a photo somewhere of people using a bipod and hanging a weight from the hinge of the bipod, between the legs. Would that weight be to reduce vertical muzzle hop or for some other reason? Is that permitted in most/all competition shooting? (Not that I am interested in competion)

- I KNOW that we saw variable rearward sliding of the barrel on the barrel support block due to recoil. I guess the shooter's tendency was, in an effort to be relaxed, not apply any forward pushing force on the butt stock with the shoulder. For one thing, there was nothing to push forward against. In any case, the rifle was basically just laying there when the powder charge went off. Probably not the best, most stable technique, huh? How is this supposed to be done?

Butt stock support by human shoulder, in free sitting positon:
- Duhhh. If I'd slid the rifle over a bit, I coulda sat the butt down on the tail extension of the shooting bench. I didn't have one of those bean-bag things (sand bags?) to nestle the butt into, however. They have some at the range for anyone to use - didn't think to scrounge for one. I can ask the range officer for some tips on how to use that part of the set-up. For ex., I still have questions about how to brace against movement in recoil, but at least aiming stably would be easier.

Anyway, thanks for any pointers you might feel inclined to impart!

 

[jasonv992]

proper shooting technique

In a precision shooting position the rifle buttstock will typically be supported on a "sand sock". This is a sock "literally" or another small cloth bag, filled with sand, beads or another similar type media. The shooter will then hold the sandsock and adjust the height of the buttstock by either applying more or less pressure that is tightening or loosening his grip on the sock. The sandsock provides a buffer between the buttstock and the inevitable movement of the shooters hand. Google "FM 23-10" and download the Army sniper training manual for additional information regarding long range precision marksmanship such as natrual point of aim, follow through and the integrated act of firing.

 

[Bill_Rights]

jasonv992,

Thanks for the info. That's why I come to THR. I did find the Field Manual you pointed me to at this collection of links. It was free, but it is the 1994 version. But for what you're trying to show me, that should do it. Thanks!

 

[jlagermann]

Updated FM 23-10

The Army has replaced the FM 23-10 with FM 3-22.10. It was last updated on 10/19/2009

 

[EdLaver]

Very nice looking rifle, I think people say they are ugly until optics are mounted, they look much better then. How do you like the DMS-1? I have two of them and love 'em. They are the hottest short dot scope out there for $199.