Re: My new 3Gun AR15
Took it to the range today and ran it through its paces. And to satisfy the Rifle Gods, I even tried doing a proper barrel break in... Happy to report it runs like a dream, and is damn accurate and MOA with factory ammo.
<span style="font-weight: bold">GROUP RESULTS </span>(done on sandbags):
#1: 5 Shots at 100Y w/ Hornady Factory 55gr Vmax; 1.119 MOA
#2: 5 shots at 100Y w/ American Eagle 55 gr; 1.395 MOA
#3: 5 shots at 100Y w/ Silver Bear 62gr; 1.208 MOA
#4: 5 shots at 100Y w/ pulled 62gr SS109 bullets + 25 gr WC844; 1.432 MOA
#5: 10 shots at 100Y w/ pulled 62gr SS109 + 25gr WC844; 1.385 MOA
Did both a 5 & 10 shot group with my reloaded 62gr SS109 rounds because I've got a sizeable stash to burn through that I developed for another gun. I bet if I work up my loads correctly, I can get sub-MOA with a $0.15 reloaded SS109 rounds.
62 GR SS109 w/ 25 GR WC844 Clocked in at:
2682 FPS
2687 FPS
2691 FPS
w/ a Beta Chrony placed 10 ft in front of barrel.
Previously, my 16" Carbine build w/ otherwise identical parts would shoot the same bullets at about 2600-2630 FPS; the midlength barrel gives a modest boost in velocity.
<span style="font-weight: bold">NOTE:</span> I also tried to use <span style="color: #FF0000">Hornady's SuperVarmint </span>factory ammo with this gun and it <span style="color: #FF0000">FAILED</span> so hard. On the 2nd round, it caused a double fire which was interesting... And on examination of the fired brass, 3 of 5 of them had punctured primer cups. As per Hornady's recommendations, DON"T USE SUPERVARMINT ON A GAS GUN w/ a <20" BARREL + RIFLE GAS SYSTEM.
<span style="font-weight: bold">TEST 2:</span> 3x30RD MAG DUMPS
Results: passed; no malfunctions, no FTF/FTE. I realize this isn't a true torture test by any means; it's just what I could do with the bullets I brought to the range
<span style="font-weight: bold">TEST 3:</span> 1/2 & 1/2 DRILL:
The VTAC 1/2 & 1/2 drill consists of firing at a 8" target from different distances and w/ different time limits from a standing position. 1st is from 20 yards, 10 seconds, 10 rounds; 2nd is 10 yards, 5 seconds, 10 rounds; 3rd is 5 yards, 2.5 seconds, 10 rounds. Goal is to get all rounds off within time period and try to get all rounds inside the 8" circle.
Results: 30/30 rounds in the 8" targets; this rifle has the most moderate recoil and muzzle flip of any rifle I've built to date. Previously, I've only been able to get 24-27/30 rounds into the 8" circle. The combination of the Battle-Comp, a midlength gas system, extra power spring and heavier ST-T2 buffer all contribute to a very manageable rifle. Shooting 10 rounds in 2.5 seconds @ 5Y was no problem; rifle cycled just fine and my POA never came out of the circle at any point.
Rifle balance is great; not something I want to hold in a shooting position all day long, but definitely something I can hold up to engage and do some shoot & scoot with with. Scope's generous eye relief allows for very fast target acquisition coming out of a low slinged ready to a shoot position. Also have to point out that the Mount-n-Slot CSAP hook is great for off-hand transitions using the MS2; I had previously attached my MS2 to the UBR via a QD swivel on the left side, and it made transitions awkward and things would snag sometimes; the CSAP eliminates the problem entirely.
