I have no military experience but a great deal of experience with the AR platform in my varmint hunting, deer hunting and guiding as well as deer culling. Overall a very great number of rounds on target. I am on my 5Th barrel on my main AR.
First I would say Rudy is absolutely correct in his evaluation of hit % and range. I do not shoot mine past 600M but to that range his experience is exactly what I observe.
All references below are to actual issue Mk 262 Ammo. Not BH equivalent etc. Nothing works like the real deal 262.
I have never in any instance seen evidence of a bullet tumbling once it strikes. Not once. I recently ask the worlds most experienced big game hunter if he had ever observed bullet tumbling. He has not. This man has hunted about everything that walks, been on over 125 safaris and thousands of hunts worldwide.
I am not saying it does not happen and am interested in actual results showing it. I also don't think tumbling bullets are the answer to lethality. Why go to the trouble to perfectly place a bullet only to have it go somewhere else? I am simply curious about the claims.
I also see a large difference in the kills with barrels from 11.5"-18" on game.
My observations differ with others and I cannot explain the reason.
Much as I like the 11.5" barrels I find them miserable killers. So much so that I simply do not use them in the field.
16" barrels are quite usable and effective.
18" barrels stand apart from all shorter barrels and the difference is obvious in the kills.
I also wonder about folks having issue with carrying an 18" AR with a suppressor. I guide ladies and smaller children who carry my rifle with no issue. (I carry bino, spot and a RRS tripod. )
Just my personal observations.
View attachment 7521450View attachment 7521449Photos added from one of this week's youth hunters. Holes are exit wounds. Both shots well placed at 130 and 250 meters. Mk 12 and Mk 262 get it done for us. That is my well used AR on it’s 5th barrel.