ForeverArmed
member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2007
- Messages
- 191
I have two basic Bushmaster ARs: one 16" and one 20". Each has a 1/9 twist, is chrome-lined, and has standard (non-freefloating) handguards. Each rifle has maybe 3000 rounds through it due to general plinking -- however, I'm quite nearsighted and only recently started buying optics so I could get into slightly more "serious" target shooting.
With a good 10X scope on each rifle, the best I can manage is a 2" 10-shot group at 100 yards with Federal American Eagle 55gr. A more typical 10-shot group with Spanish 5.56 NATO surplus is 2.5-3" (especially from the carbine). Most of the shots will go into 2", but there will generally be a couple that go out a bit further. This is from a semi-rested position on a bench -- front handguard rested on solid wooden plank, rear buttstock rested on a somewhat-flimsy bag but held as steadily as possible. The greatest source of motion of the sight picture prior to each shot seems to be from my heartbeat!
For comparison, when I shot a friend's .223 bolt rifle with a scope of similar power, I got about a 1" 5-shot group at 100 yards. I know that a 10-shot group will tend to be larger than a 5-shot group, but even allowing for that, it still seems better than what I'm getting with my ARs.
I know that a bolt gun is generally more accurate than a semi-auto, but I'm wondering...do my ARs have unacceptable accuracy? Or is this about standard? Or do I just suck at shooting and need more practice and/or new glasses? Your thoughts are appreciated.
With a good 10X scope on each rifle, the best I can manage is a 2" 10-shot group at 100 yards with Federal American Eagle 55gr. A more typical 10-shot group with Spanish 5.56 NATO surplus is 2.5-3" (especially from the carbine). Most of the shots will go into 2", but there will generally be a couple that go out a bit further. This is from a semi-rested position on a bench -- front handguard rested on solid wooden plank, rear buttstock rested on a somewhat-flimsy bag but held as steadily as possible. The greatest source of motion of the sight picture prior to each shot seems to be from my heartbeat!
For comparison, when I shot a friend's .223 bolt rifle with a scope of similar power, I got about a 1" 5-shot group at 100 yards. I know that a 10-shot group will tend to be larger than a 5-shot group, but even allowing for that, it still seems better than what I'm getting with my ARs.
I know that a bolt gun is generally more accurate than a semi-auto, but I'm wondering...do my ARs have unacceptable accuracy? Or is this about standard? Or do I just suck at shooting and need more practice and/or new glasses? Your thoughts are appreciated.