Mega AR Range Report

[Rock Head]

So I finally got to take my AR to the range and put it through her paces. I "finished" building it a few months ago and by finished I mean I had a functioning rifle. Since December I have taken it to the range several times to see what I want and to get comfortable with the rifle. I finally think I have a configuration that I am happy with.

The hardware:
Forged Mega Upper and Lower receiver
Geissele SSA-E trigger
Daniel Defense 16" 1:7 barrel mid-length gas system
Yankee Hill low profile gas block
Young's National Match BCG
Daniel Defense muzzle break
Midwest Industries T-series quadrail
Magpul CTR stock with a Spikes carbine buffer tube and JP buffer system
Millett Gold 4-16X56

Ammunition:
Black Hills .223 69 grain match king


The weather was around 85-90 and had a diagonal head wind of about 10 mph.

I started the day by zeroing my scope using 55-grain ammo. It took about 20 rounds to zero the scope. Then moved to 69 grain ammo and shot these groups. After shooting paper I moved over to shoot steel plates at 200 yards and 300 yards. Surprisingly the ammo shoots very flat and needed minimal elevation correction between 100 yards and 300 yards.

Couple things I noticed will shooting:

It seems my rifle was exponentially louder than other AR's at the range. The range officers told me it would send a shock wave through the shooting stalls, but they said they didn't see any muzzle flash. When I shoot the gun, it is rock solid and seems the muzzle break is doing it's job. Has any one else experienced this issue?

I shot 55-grain 5-shot groups, but couldn't tighten the group more than about 3 inches. Is this the nature of the ammo or is it a combination of ammo, barrel, and shooter?
and
Also, my rifle ejects brass about 6-8 ft. Is this about normal?

 

[-Nick-]

It sounds like you should consider an adjustable gas block and/or a heavier buffer. As for the noise it could just have to do with the specific brake you're using and how it's redirecting. Also if you're used to shooting a longer barrel which sticks out beyond the stall farther than a shorter barrel it could have an affect on the felt noise.

 

[c_morse]

My PWS muzzle brake does the exact same thing to people in other stalls.

 

[fn_form]

It seems my rifle was exponentially louder than other AR's at the range. The range officers told me it would send a shock wave through the shooting stalls, but they said they didn't see any muzzle flash. When I shoot the gun, it is rock solid and seems the muzzle break is doing it's job. Has any one else experienced this issue?

I shot 55-grain 5-shot groups, but couldn't tighten the group more than about 3 inches. Is this the nature of the ammo or is it a combination of ammo, barrel, and shooter?
and
Also, my rifle ejects brass about 6-8 ft. Is this about normal?

What 55gr ammo were you shooting?

As another poster touched on--which buffer are you using?

The 6-8' ejection--did your ammo simply rest in a pile on the ground that far away, or was it sailing 6'-8' of air before hitting a wall or?

Muzzle brakes are fine for competitors who shoot a course with only an RO following them (RO may disagree lol). IMO brakes are very inconsiderate when shooting on a line be it bench, prone, training or otherwise. Some trainers don't allow them or put the brake shooters together at the end of line if they can. At one class, "I hope you have a suppressor for that Surefire brake. You're going to need it or another rifle."

 

[Rock Head]

What 55gr ammo were you shooting?

As another poster touched on--which buffer are you using?

The 6-8' ejection--did your ammo simply rest in a pile on the ground that far away, or was it sailing 6'-8' of air before hitting a wall or?

Muzzle brakes are fine for competitors who shoot a course with only an RO following them (RO may disagree lol). IMO brakes are very inconsiderate when shooting on a line be it bench, prone, training or otherwise. Some trainers don't allow them or put the brake shooters together at the end of line if they can. At one class, "I hope you have a suppressor for that Surefire brake. You're going to need it or another rifle."

I was shooting run of the mill 55-grain PMC ammo. I run a JP tuned extra power carbine buffer spring and carbine buffer. As for the brass it was piling up about 6-8 feet away.
Luckily I was shooting outside so the sound was as punishing as it would be if I were shooting inside. I'm gearing up for a second build in the coming month or so (before Maryland ban goes into effect). What muzzle brake/flash suppressor would you recommend?

 

[c_morse]

For a flash hider, I love the Smith Vortex.

 

[-Nick-]

Muzzle brakes are fine for competitors who shoot a course with only an RO following them (RO may disagree lol). IMO brakes are very inconsiderate when shooting on a line be it bench, prone, training or otherwise. Some trainers don't allow them or put the brake shooters together at the end of line if they can. At one class, "I hope you have a suppressor for that Surefire brake. You're going to need it or another rifle."

They're only inconsiderate if someone is not wearing appropriate safety protection or if you walk up to a busy line and plop down in the middle. Fact is brakes are a part of shooting and people bitching about noise at a gun range is retarded. If you don't like noise then maybe you should consider another hobby.

 

[sentry1]

For a flash hider, I love the Smith Vortex.

Is it just me or are flash hiders useless for the typical weekend at the range shooter?

OP: take 1.5-2 turns off your ejector spring in the bolt. My brass lands about 4 feet away now that I've cut the spring.
Also, 55gr bullets shoot like shit in my 1:7 twist, but 77gr SMKs shoot tight half inch groups.

 

[Raivkka]

Why would you have a break for a 5.56/2.23? I have actually seen people shoot these with the stock up against their balls with NO muzzle break, with no problem. You only need a break for something that kicks and not a pea shooter like a 5.56. jmo

 

[sentry1]

Why would you have a break for a 5.56/2.23? I have actually seen people shoot these with the stock up against their balls with NO muzzle break, with no problem. You only need a break for something that kicks and not a pea shooter like a 5.56. jmo

If I saw some idiot at the range shooting with the gun up against their balls, I'd move real quick. I doubt he's got positive control of that weapon, and Mr. Murphy likes those odds.

A BRAKE makes a 5.56 barely move at all, and is much better for follow up shots if you're not in a fully supported prone position.

A flash hider, on the other hand... What are you trying to hide your flash from when you're at the range on a Sunday morning?

 

[Sterling Shooter]

OP,

The only thing you know for sure about your groups is that the bullet holes indicate where the barrel was pointed; so, unless your rifle is broken, or the ammunition is defective, your errors were likely made by an inconsistent shot to shot relationship between the gun and ground, which produced unpredictable recoil resistance, creating an inconsistent angle/arc between line of bore at rest and line of bore at bullet exit. Building the position with proper application of support, muscular relaxation, and adjustment of NPA will help you sense inconsistency and thus shoot smaller groups when consistency is realized. My personal experience is that grouping under a half inch using irons and sling/bone support is possible with match grade gun/ammo.

 

[fn_form]

They're only inconsiderate if someone is not wearing appropriate safety protection or if you walk up to a busy line and plop down in the middle. Fact is brakes are a part of shooting and people bitching about noise at a gun range is retarded. If you don't like noise then maybe you should consider another hobby.

Thanks for re-stating my point.

 

[fn_form]

I was shooting run of the mill 55-grain PMC ammo. I run a JP tuned extra power carbine buffer spring and carbine buffer. As for the brass it was piling up about 6-8 feet away.
Luckily I was shooting outside so the sound was as punishing as it would be if I were shooting inside. I'm gearing up for a second build in the coming month or so (before Maryland ban goes into effect). What muzzle brake/flash suppressor would you recommend?

My 1/7 ARs have shot AE223 55 .33" at 100, 5 shots from the bench. Same ammo shoots 3" at 200 with minimal wind. Switching to 62-69 @ 200 tightens it back up again. Opening up at 200 is pretty consistent with all 55 I've shot through those two 14.5". LaRues at 200 + 20mph wind under time pressure is amusing with 55s. 5.56 55 doesn't group as well as AE223 in my 14.5s.

If the brass doesn't tattle tale pressure or extraction issues, it sounds like you're doing well. Everything helps when you're shooting .223 ammo in the cold with a filthy mid-length. 5.56 ammo is more reliable in those conditions.

I have BCEs on my 14.5s, about the best compromise in a brake/hider/neighbor function. The BCE is a noticeable pressure increase to shooters at side, but nothing like a PWS. DynaComp is a much cheaper alternative. KAC Triple Tap will cost you more than both combined if that's your thing. ;-)

The AAC Blackout and Smith Vortex are some of the best bare flash hiders if that's what you're after.

The A2 is hard to beat for performance at its price. IME, it does better than all above when prone in sand or loose dirt. Damn BCE can kick up a haze. If I had to choose a pinned hider again, I'd probably go with an A2.

Suppressors are the best brake/flash hiders. It sounds like Maryland wouldn't be suppressor-friendly...

 

[Rock Head]

Yeah getting a suppressor in Maryland would be like trying to get water from a rock, it's a long and very painful process, which I heard is at least a year wait. As for the brake, i'm not looking to put myself in the poor house for a muzzle brake. I'll shop something out and have to try out a few at the range.

 

[Black max]

They're only inconsiderate if someone is not wearing appropriate safety protection or if you walk up to a busy line and plop down in the middle. Fact is brakes are a part of shooting and people bitching about noise at a gun range is retarded. If you don't like noise then maybe you should consider another hobby.

+1 on this. I got bitched at by some douche bag last weekend that was shooting next to me about my surefire brake/adapter being obnoxious. I had my can in my bag but left it off just for him...

 

[Raivkka]

Actually, It was my drill sergeant illustrating to non-shooters that the M16/M4 recoil is nothing to be worried about.

If I saw some idiot at the range shooting with the gun up against their balls, I'd move real quick. I doubt he's got positive control of that weapon, and Mr. Murphy likes those odds.

A BRAKE makes a 5.56 barely move at all, and is much better for follow up shots if you're not in a fully supported prone position.

A flash hider, on the other hand... What are you trying to hide your flash from when you're at the range on a Sunday morning?

 

[sentry1]

Actually, It was my drill sergeant illustrating to non-shooters that the M16/M4 recoil is nothing to be worried about.

What's funny is that if he saw anyone else doing the same thing, that Sgt would have gone on an ass-kicking rampage.