Gunfighter

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

I wanted to compare 50 yard, 100 yard and 200 yard 5.56 zeros so I put a 12x scope on a 16" 1:8 barrel AR-15 and zeroed the scope on the target x at 50 yards using 5 rounds of Black Hills 60 grain V-Max ammunition.

Moved to the 100 yard line, placed the cross hairs on the x and fired five slow rounds. All target holes were within a 1-1/2" diameter and the epicenter of the holes was about 1.0" above the x.

Kept scope settings the same and fired 5 rounds at 200 yards and found that my weapon's 50 yard zero and 200 yard zero are the same and the 100 yard group is about 1" above center mass.

With that information I know that my 16" AR-15 is ready for any urban application without having to mentally compensate and adjust the sight picture for target distances between 50 and 200 yards.

The fast, flat trajectory of the 5.56 round makes the AR-15 an outstanding urban weapon and many thanks to Hoff and Rico for their AR-15 expertise...

M.W. · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 134 Location: inside the loop

Semper,you ROCK! Thank you for your insights on this topic.

I really need to tune up my competition AR-15 to know better what I am doing with it. I am setting up at some local guns shows for the next few weekends,but soon as I can I will get out to the range with you.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

M.W.,
Ready to put metal down range when you are. I'll be in the U.S. until October 9th so let me know how your schedule looks.
You have to check out the LaRue/Aimpoint/EOTech set up which gives incredible speed and surgical accuracy.

oilman · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

I just purchased a SW M&P 15 A3.

Do you recommend the 50 yd zero?

Is this the technique referred to the Improved Battlesight zero?

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/improvedbattlesightzero.msnw

Improved Battlesight Zero by LTC Chuck Santose. A great all purpose zero for all rifles/carbines (no matter the iron sight type); and you zero in yards (50) instead of meters. It keeps the bullet within 2" of the point of aim from 8M to 220M (very flat trajectory). Also perfect for carbines with A1 sights; and ARs having a 'Red Dot' type sight inline with their iron sighs [on a flattop or in front of the carry handle].

Thanks Oilman

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 399 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

The optimum combat zero distance depends on your anticipated (average) distance of engagement. The urban SWAT operator will likely zero his weapon at a shorter distance than would the troops in Afghanistan where the standard USMC M4 combat zero has become 300 yards as compared to the current 200 yard combat zero in Iraq.

Through extensive testing at various distances between 25 to 200 yards with a 16" barrel 9/1 twist Bushmaster M4 and a 16" barrel 7/1 twist SIG 556, I settled on a 50 yard combat zero as the hits remain within 1-1/2" of the x regardless of the (25 to 200 yard) target distance.

These type of tests demonstrate how accurate today's AR-15s are and how fast, flat and consistent today's 5.56 ammuntion is. Couple these performance factors with the M4's light weight and high magazine capacity and it's easy to see why, despite many challengers, the M4 arguably remains the preferred urban combat rifle around the planet.

The highly dependable AK-47 is found in every corner of the world but the AK's accuracy beyond 75 yards is no match for the M4.

My M4 carry ammunition is Black Hills 60 grain V-Max which zeros about 1/4" higher than Black Hills 55 grain FMJ practice ammunition.

Practicing various scenarios at various distances and shooting angles with your weapon, ammunition and optics of choice is the key to getting consistent hits.

oilman · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 10

Thanks!!