I've always been more of a skeptic of AR-15s, largely because of the used and abused M4s I had in the Army. I never had issues of reliability, despite the common misperception, but no rifle I was ever issued was much of a tackdriver. Still, I've always been comfortable and pleased with the AR-15 system while quick to admit its limitations in terms of accuracy and power.
In 2007 I bought my first AR-15 while a specialist at Ft Bragg. It was a Rock River LAR-15 that was a decent rifle for what I paid for it. However, a couple years ago I decided to start upgrading the parts. I added a WOA 1:7" fluted barrel at 16 inches, a Noveske switchblock, a Geissele trigger, and Larue rail system. I did all this while I was really starting to get into LR rifles, meaning the AR15 got put aside while I started shooting my 308s and 7 WSM more.
My range has closed down its 600 yard line for the winter and now only has 100 yard paper targets, with steel plates at 250 and 300 yards. Shooting even the 1 MOA plate at 300 is pretty easy with my GAP-10, so I figured I'm stop burning lots of cash with my 308 and take my reconfigured AR-15 today. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise.
Not only did my AR-15 shoot around .75 MOA off a bipod and rear bags with a 4x ACOG, it shot dead nuts with the TA01 BDC reticle at 250 and 300 yards. Banging that steel was so satisfying with the ACOG and my AR-15 that I don't think I'll be able to use the GAP-10 under 300 yards again. While the GAP-10 will get tons of dry firing over the winter in prep for spring and summer LR season, it will be the AR-15 that makes the trips to the range during the winter. No need to shoot more expensive ammo when the ol' AR-15 will ring that steel just as easily. Today my preconceived notions of the AR-15 platform were dashed, and I'm even more of a fan than I have been in the past.
In 2007 I bought my first AR-15 while a specialist at Ft Bragg. It was a Rock River LAR-15 that was a decent rifle for what I paid for it. However, a couple years ago I decided to start upgrading the parts. I added a WOA 1:7" fluted barrel at 16 inches, a Noveske switchblock, a Geissele trigger, and Larue rail system. I did all this while I was really starting to get into LR rifles, meaning the AR15 got put aside while I started shooting my 308s and 7 WSM more.
My range has closed down its 600 yard line for the winter and now only has 100 yard paper targets, with steel plates at 250 and 300 yards. Shooting even the 1 MOA plate at 300 is pretty easy with my GAP-10, so I figured I'm stop burning lots of cash with my 308 and take my reconfigured AR-15 today. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise.
Not only did my AR-15 shoot around .75 MOA off a bipod and rear bags with a 4x ACOG, it shot dead nuts with the TA01 BDC reticle at 250 and 300 yards. Banging that steel was so satisfying with the ACOG and my AR-15 that I don't think I'll be able to use the GAP-10 under 300 yards again. While the GAP-10 will get tons of dry firing over the winter in prep for spring and summer LR season, it will be the AR-15 that makes the trips to the range during the winter. No need to shoot more expensive ammo when the ol' AR-15 will ring that steel just as easily. Today my preconceived notions of the AR-15 platform were dashed, and I'm even more of a fan than I have been in the past.
