Help with Brownells Retro AR Scope 4x20

[Big D]

Hey yall. I recently purchased one of the Brownells Retro AR scopes for my A1 build rifle (Fulton Armory pencil upper with 1x8 Criterion barrel, chrome lined). I had a little bit of difficulty getting it zeroed, as the adjustment knobs seem to be half or 1/4 moa per movement, but the literature provided specifies each movement is 1" at 100 yards.

So I got the scope zeroed as well as I could, best group at 100 yards was about 1.5"-2" shooting IMI M193. Is that acceptable for what this scope was designed for or should my groups be tighter (again this may be me, as the rifle was not sandbagged in a rest, just a hasty rest on my range bag)? After zeroing at 100, I confirmed the BDC drum all the way to 500. I could see the hits on steel at 300 and 400 and they appeared to be POA/POI.

Another conundrum for me was setting the eye piece. The instruction advised to loosen the ring to the left until the image becomes blurry and then refocus to the right until the picture is clear again and tighten the lock ring. The scope was clear for me no matter what I did, so I left it screwed all the way in.

I am just seeking advise as what to expect with this scope and if I am using it properly and to it's potential. Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[mjsdwash]

1" moa adjustment per click? Seems huge, but I don't know. I can answer on the M193, 2" is good, that stuff is loaded for speed, accuracy is an afterthought, and your barrel is the wrong twist. Many say you can't "overtwist" a bullet, but I disagree. Either way, I would say your grouping is great.

 

[GooseGestapo]

1.5-2moa is about all the ammo and rifle can be expected. Frankly I’d be pleased.
My first AR with a similar repro scope was about 3” at 100yds with milspec ammo. (Was required to carry factory ammo, even in personally owned weapons).
Try some JHP or Soft Pt ammo for better accuracy.

The repro scope I have is a Chinese knockoff. Adjustments are 1/2moa (1/2” at 100yds).

 

[entropy]

So I got the scope zeroed as well as I could, best group at 100 yards was about 1.5"-2" shooting IMI M193.

I owned one of the Colt scopes when my issue rifle was an M16A1, and yes, 1.5-2" at 100 m is about as good as it gets. Not a whole lot better than the peep sights, but the the reason I got the scope wasn't precision shooting, it was what is now known as DM work. Being able to recognize high value targets, and the measly 3X I had did help with extending that range out farther than the eyeball, MKI. I fortunately never had to test it in combat, but it did use it in a couple FTX's, where I was accused of 'cheating' by using a scope and/ or NVG's, which I always took a set of with me. (PVS-5's)

 

[army_eod]

I have the same rifle. You need to shoot heavier and more accurate ammo for starters. Mine is sub moa.
No idea about the optic. I run an ACOG on mine.

 

[12Bravo20]

I would not complain about a 1 1/2"-2" group at 100 yards using surplus 55Gr M193 ammo, especially in a 1-8 twist barrel. If I remember correctly (getting old here) the US Military requirements is 3 MOA at 100 meters. The M16A1 has a 1-12 twist while the M16A2 has 1-7 twist. The M193 was originally developed for the A1 while the M855 and longer 62Gr tracers require the faster 1-7 twist. I have seen commercial barrels with 1-7 and 1-8 twisted that do shoot the 55 grain ammo great while others do not. Try different ammo to find what your rifle shoot the best with.

We did get a batch of M193 one time to burn up on the range after we got issued the M16A2. Some of the A2 rifles shot well with the M193 while others did not.