Took a precision rifle class over the weekend, a repeat of one I took last year. The second day is done in the desert where students shoot mostly at unknown distances, though the farthest target is about 1000 yards (according to the intructor's laser rangefinder).
After borrowing the instructor's .308 AICS last year (I don't own a .308 but thought it'd be a kick to take the class), I decided this year to shoot my AR just to see how far I could get it to stretch its legs. It's an all-Colt upper with 20-inch 1/8 bull barrel, Badger 22 MOA base in conjunction with an Armalite 30mm one-piece mount and 2.5-10X 42mm IOR FFP. Used 77-grain Federal Gold Medal Match exclusively for the class.
Started out the first day on the range averaging right about 1 MOA, which is kind of what I expected. After that, we moved to 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards with steel targets and the rifle did fine.
Next day, out to the desert. Reconfirmed zero then began with unknown distance steel targets to practice mil-dot ranging. Had no problems until I got to the 18 x 24 at an estimated 444 yards and using holdover instead of dialing in. Could not get hits, could not see bullet strikes.
Though kind of disappointed, I chalked it up to the slight winds (probably 10- to 15-mph, quartering from behind both left then right). The others using .308s had no problems, of course.
When we moved on to the 1000-yard 24 x 24 steel, the instructor asked if I wanted to give it a go so I said sure. I dialed in an estimated number of mils (since the instructor wasn't familiar with the 0.1-cm turrets on the IOR, only MOAs) and took a shot when my turn came. It was low so I dialed in more elevation, fired again and got a hit!
Over the rest of that evolution, I got a few more chances to fire and hit a couple times. The misses were when I held off for wind (which was much lighter than expected).
To sum up, I was pumped and somewhat surprised to actually get out to 1000 yards with my little .223. I learned a lot more about my rifle (wind really kills accuracy) and am a lot more confident now about taking it hunting. Watch out prarie dogs!
After borrowing the instructor's .308 AICS last year (I don't own a .308 but thought it'd be a kick to take the class), I decided this year to shoot my AR just to see how far I could get it to stretch its legs. It's an all-Colt upper with 20-inch 1/8 bull barrel, Badger 22 MOA base in conjunction with an Armalite 30mm one-piece mount and 2.5-10X 42mm IOR FFP. Used 77-grain Federal Gold Medal Match exclusively for the class.
Started out the first day on the range averaging right about 1 MOA, which is kind of what I expected. After that, we moved to 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards with steel targets and the rifle did fine.
Next day, out to the desert. Reconfirmed zero then began with unknown distance steel targets to practice mil-dot ranging. Had no problems until I got to the 18 x 24 at an estimated 444 yards and using holdover instead of dialing in. Could not get hits, could not see bullet strikes.
Though kind of disappointed, I chalked it up to the slight winds (probably 10- to 15-mph, quartering from behind both left then right). The others using .308s had no problems, of course.
When we moved on to the 1000-yard 24 x 24 steel, the instructor asked if I wanted to give it a go so I said sure. I dialed in an estimated number of mils (since the instructor wasn't familiar with the 0.1-cm turrets on the IOR, only MOAs) and took a shot when my turn came. It was low so I dialed in more elevation, fired again and got a hit!
Over the rest of that evolution, I got a few more chances to fire and hit a couple times. The misses were when I held off for wind (which was much lighter than expected).
To sum up, I was pumped and somewhat surprised to actually get out to 1000 yards with my little .223. I learned a lot more about my rifle (wind really kills accuracy) and am a lot more confident now about taking it hunting. Watch out prarie dogs!
