Shot An AR15 For The First Time Today... Loved It!

[David Hoback]

No, not at all. Barrels heat up and consistently become LESS accurate. But at that distance we are only talking about millimeters. Your seeming accuracy increase after the 20+ rounds was likely a result of your becoming more familiarized with the platform.

 

[DMW1116]

Yea you probably settled in more so than the rifle changing. Another issue is speed. How fast were you shooting? I could probably do that at 100 yards but 100 shots would take me half an hour or more. If I were shooting as fast as I can and still aim I’d be lucky to do that on the 25 yard pistol range.

 

[Scrod314]

Yea you probably settled in more so than the rifle changing. Another issue is speed. How fast were you shooting? I could probably do that at 100 yards but 100 shots would take me half an hour or more. If I were shooting as fast as I can and still aim I’d be lucky to do that on the 25 yard pistol range.

I was at the range for an hour. There is no rapid fire. I shot 5 rounds at a time. 2 seconds between each shot. I have a Holosun 510c on it. I did adjust it a bit as I was shooting. I'm guessing that also had something to do with my accuracy improving. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.

 

[DMW1116]

That’s pretty fast. The range I go to has the same rule. I’m talking about 30 seconds or so between shots. Honestly I doubt I’d have the patience or endurance to shoot that many rounds just standing. I shoot bullseye pistol and rapid fire is 10 seconds for 5 shots. Timed fire is 20 seconds for 5 shots. I can do pretty well at timed fire but I owe the target points for rapid fire. Slow fire is 10 shots in 10 minutes, but the target is smaller. I owe the target change for that too.

 

[David Hoback]

Yes, that maaaay have something to do indeed.

 

[Scrod314]

That’s pretty fast. The range I go to has the same rule. I’m talking about 30 seconds or so between shots. Honestly I doubt I’d have the patience or endurance to shoot that many rounds just standing. I shoot bullseye pistol and rapid fire is 10 seconds for 5 shots. Timed fire is 20 seconds for 5 shots. I can do pretty well at timed fire but I owe the target points for rapid fire. Slow fire is 10 shots in 10 minutes, but the target is smaller. I owe the target change for that too.

So, I need to slow down, right? That's not a problem with ammo being so expensive.

 

[DMW1116]

Maybe. It depends on your goals. Are you experienced with other types of rifles? Instead of 100 rounds, go slower and try to get 10 rounds off hand into a 8” target, then a 6”, then a 3” target. I love those 12” shoot n see targets. I shoot iron sights a lot and that orange center is easier to see. I’m not too familiar with red dot sights though I just ordered my first for a pistol.

For reference, 10 shots off hand at 50 yards on a 3” target is quite a feat at least for me. I doubt I could do it at all if I’m honest with myself.

 

[DustyGmt]

Just got home from the range. This is my target. 100 rounds Herter's 55 grain FMJ 5.56. 50 yards. I was standing. I know, I need practice. View attachment 1078556

Irons, RDS or magnified optic? What'd you shoot,about 90rds? Off hand with irons @ 50 that's not so bad, especially if you were shooting quickly.

 

[Scrod314]

Irons, RDS or magnified optic? What'd you shoot,about 90rds? Off hand with irons @ 50 that's not so bad, especially if you were shooting quickly.

I was using a Holosun 510c. 100 rounds. I was shooting at the conservation department range, so one shot every 2-3 seconds. I was loading my magazine with 3-5 shots at a time. The rifle is an M&P15 Sport II. My goal is for tighter grouping.

 

[DMW1116]

Those are reportedly good rifles. I’ve never used one though. It’s usually a good idea to zero your sights from a rest if you can, but if you’ve adjusted it as best you can I’d slow down and try to keep all the shots in the center orange.

 

[d2wing]

Out of about a half a dozen AR's, and BCG's from different makes, I had one PSA BCG that had a very stubborn cotter pin. Even though I hardly shoot the AR that BCG belongs to it still irked me and I didn't know if the pin was out of spec or not so I popped one from a different bolt in there and it went in fine. A new cotter pin is about $.99 so maybe next time you place an order for something gun related just pick up a new pin and it's possible it will slide right in with no effort. If not your only out $1

I have had a few problems with out of spec PSA parts. My go to BCG is BCM.

 

[d2wing]

I was trained on the M-14 and used one in my first deployment. I thought it was a great rifle. Very accurate and powerful. Sometime before we had a demonstration of the M-16 including how devastating the wounds are. Before I went to Nam I had a training course and qualification on the M-16. i was very impressed with how light and handy it was and the accuracy was awesome. The range was shorter, only out to 400 meters but Expert was easy with it. I had no problems in Nam with it. Years later I thought it would be great for deer but not legal. I tried using SKS's and AK , 30-30's and other guns for my kids to hunt with. Not ideal. Years later after I broke my shoulder I ran across an AR at a gun show at a decent price. They were then legal for deer and I needed something soft shooting for deer. I had my doubts but I shot a huge 14 pt buck. He went about 30-40 yards and collapsed dead. His lungs heart and everything in his chest was a bloody soup. I was very impressed. Eventually I settled on a Tikka bolt action in 7-08 as my favorite rifle. But an AR is plenty capable and fun to shoot. They do multiply. My grandson's first deer rifle was an AR.

 

[wbm]

My goal is for tighter grouping

Think you will probably find ammunition that the M&P likes better than other.

I was trained on the M-14 and used one in my first deployment.

Me too. Corps 64-70...Nam 66-67.

 

[Scrod314]

I was trained on the M-14 and used one in my first deployment. I thought it was a great rifle. Very accurate and powerful. Sometime before we had a demonstration of the M-16 including how devastating the wounds are. Before I went to Nam I had a training course and qualification on the M-16. i was very impressed with how light and handy it was and the accuracy was awesome. The range was shorter, only out to 400 meters but Expert was easy with it. I had no problems in Nam with it. Years later I thought it would be great for deer but not legal. I tried using SKS's and AK , 30-30's and other guns for my kids to hunt with. Not ideal. Years later after I broke my shoulder I ran across an AR at a gun show at a decent price. They were then legal for deer and I needed something soft shooting for deer. I had my doubts but I shot a huge 14 pt buck. He went about 30-40 yards and collapsed dead. His lungs heart and everything in his chest was a bloody soup. I was very impressed. Eventually I settled on a Tikka bolt action in 7-08 as my favorite rifle. But an AR is plenty capable and fun to shoot. They do multiply. My grandson's first deer rifle was an AR.

My family and I want to thank you, all veterans, and members of our military for your service and sacrifice.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Just got home from the range. This is my target. 100 rounds Herter's 55 grain FMJ 5.56. 50 yards. I was standing. I know, I need practice. View attachment 1078556

That's a starting point. If you're trying to get better at 50 yards offhand. Buy the cheapest you can find. The ammo quality will get most in the noise of shooter error.
Find the technique that works for you when holding the gun. There are several out there.
After double checking your chamber. Dry fire practice every day if feasible. After a week or two. You won't believe the difference on target.
With a holosun and an M&P, you are set up better than a lot of people.

 

[DMW1116]

If red dots work on rifles as well as they do on pistols you are well equipped. I can’t believe I haven’t tried one before. Now I need one for my rifle.