So, I built my first AR-15 chambered in 5.56 NATO, and so far it has performed well, but I haven't really stretched the legs on it cause I didn't really have any decent optics, and I don't have the budget for a Vortex or anything close to it. My experience with optics have been whatever you can get on Amazon or eBay, and believe it or not, I've ended up with some pretty decent scopes. Anyway, I went to Happy Hollow Gun Club yesterday and tried my luck at 200 yards. I wished I would have saved my 100 yard targets, but I didn't. I had some decent 5-shot groups, and estimated them to be about 2 - 2.5 MOA.
I also made the mistake of not using "shoot-n-see" targets at 200 yards, so I had no idea where my shots were hitting and therefore couldn't make any adjustments. I unloaded 2x 20-round mags on 2 separate targets. The first target (orange target from BakerTargets.com) I used Speer Gold Dot Duty Ammunition (64 grain) that I picked up from PSA on a weekend deal, and I pretty much got what I expected. 17 rounds found paper, and I think I lost the other 3 to the left due to wind drift.
The second target (an 8.5 x 11" sight-in target I printed at home) I used Hornaday .223 Black 75 grain. I didn't know what to expect with this ammo, but the guy at Academy told me that he had spoken with several people that swore by it. So I gave it a try, and the groups were much tighter than the Speer Gold Dot - all 20 rounds found the paper, and I can for sure say that the fliers were definitely me anticipating recoil.
My upper came from MAS Defense...stainless steel, 1:8 twist, 16", mid-length gas. Also, I was using a bipod when shooting on both targets.
I really don't know what to expect from a 16" AR setup at 200 yards, because I'm new to this, and I've never shot a rifle at that range before. For the scope, I was using a Center Pointe 4-14x40 that I picked up from Walmart. It's a pretty decent optic, believe it or not.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and suggestions on how I can improve. I really enjoyed shooting long-range, and want to continue to get better. Also, if any of you know the right ammo I should be using for 200 yard target shooting, I would appreciate it.
Thanks!
I also made the mistake of not using "shoot-n-see" targets at 200 yards, so I had no idea where my shots were hitting and therefore couldn't make any adjustments. I unloaded 2x 20-round mags on 2 separate targets. The first target (orange target from BakerTargets.com) I used Speer Gold Dot Duty Ammunition (64 grain) that I picked up from PSA on a weekend deal, and I pretty much got what I expected. 17 rounds found paper, and I think I lost the other 3 to the left due to wind drift.
The second target (an 8.5 x 11" sight-in target I printed at home) I used Hornaday .223 Black 75 grain. I didn't know what to expect with this ammo, but the guy at Academy told me that he had spoken with several people that swore by it. So I gave it a try, and the groups were much tighter than the Speer Gold Dot - all 20 rounds found the paper, and I can for sure say that the fliers were definitely me anticipating recoil.
My upper came from MAS Defense...stainless steel, 1:8 twist, 16", mid-length gas. Also, I was using a bipod when shooting on both targets.
I really don't know what to expect from a 16" AR setup at 200 yards, because I'm new to this, and I've never shot a rifle at that range before. For the scope, I was using a Center Pointe 4-14x40 that I picked up from Walmart. It's a pretty decent optic, believe it or not.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and suggestions on how I can improve. I really enjoyed shooting long-range, and want to continue to get better. Also, if any of you know the right ammo I should be using for 200 yard target shooting, I would appreciate it.
Thanks!