Range Report First time shooting irons

[NY700]

SO I finally got out to the range with my "new to me" RRA national Match upper. This was the first time shooting with irons since my RWS pellet rifle when I was 12. I cant believe how bad my eyes have gotten but all and all i was pleased with everything. Groups were good and consistent, my first load attempt with the .223 seemed good and the rifle shot great. Any help from you more experienced shooters in this area would be appreciated. Unfortunately I forgot my chrony i was really hoping to get some complete data on this trip.

77gr SMK
New Rem Brass
CCI 400 primers
23gr RL15
COL 2.258

Two 5 shot groups at 100yds making sight adjustments walking it in 1st group not pictured about 8in low and left Second group hight third a little low

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: First time shooting irons

Nope, I think you've got it pretty well covered right there...

 

[NY700]

Re: First time shooting irons

quick question, when sighting for a six oclock hold, i can understand the concept with using the same target over and over like in a CMP event. but is there a standard setting to know that at 100 yards POI will be say 2" above POA? sorry if that is worded oddly but again having no experience with iron sights, the idea of not holding right on target or with mil hold overs is a little odd. the above target i picked up from the gunshop it is measured for sighting at 75 meters and im assuming the idea was that the "x" is where you were supposed to be aming with bullet impact being dead center.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: First time shooting irons

First off, I'm not one that believes OLD EYES can't be used to use iron sights. The front sight is thicker then crosshairs and thats what you're suppose to look at anyway. I'm 63 and my eyes have gonE south. I buy drug store reading glasses, Pick a pair that allows you to focus on your front sight. You can still see the blurry bull at 1000 yards, its suppose to be blurry anyway, even with young eyes.

As far a hold over, bleeding into the black at one distance and 6 O'Clock hold at another, or line of white, etc. I believe in consitancy. If I'm gonna use a 6 O'Clock hold, I'm gonna use it across the course. That's why they put those little knobs on rear sights. You know how much you have to "hold over" when moving to another range, it only takes a second to twist those knobby things so you can use the same point of aim across the course.

As NOBODY (use to be member of the SH) use to say, I LIKE SHOOTING FOR HAIR, NOT AIR.

 

[daxromana]

Re: First time shooting irons

I have the same upper and use it in service rifle competition. Most guys use that same load only with 24.0 gr RL-15.

Nice groups though. My RR upper shoots most anything well. Best out ofthe box service rifle upper out there.

What is with the PRS Stock though?

 

[NY700]

Re: First time shooting irons

Prs stock is left over. Started out as a stock stag model 6. Upgraded the trigger, the stock through on a riser and big scope and decided I wasn't really using it for what it was for and it was heavy as hell so I sold the upper and picked up the RRA upper for $500. Figured I would give the cmp shoots at my club a go. Of course I sold my A2 stock so I will need to reinvest.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: First time shooting irons

I cheat. My Garand is my iron sighted toy, and it's modified so it could never qualify as a service rifle for competition usage.

The rears are OK enough, simply the narrower .052 N/M peep. The front has been replaced with a hooded match sight using interchangeable centers. The one I currently favor has a ring insert. I find it more instinctive and quicker to align with true precision. Old eyes or not, it shoots as well as my scoped M70 .30-'06 lightweight hunter. Good iron sights truly do make that much difference in accuracy. ...For me, at least...

Further mods include an extended (1") rubber butt block/pad and glass bedded stock. For appearance sake it wears a very nice oil finish and a tan cotton Garand Sling.

Sweet rifle; makes me look good, too.

My other iron sight rifle is an old USGI Mossberg Mod 44 .22LR.

Greg

 

[NY700]

Re: First time shooting irons

Had a question regarding head position with irons. How close do you get to your rear sight. Obviously the closer you get the more you open up you sight picture but I've been shooting a little further back than most so that the front sight fills the aperature of the rear sight. This makes it easier for me to square everyting up becaue the left and right wings on the front sight touch the edge of the rear aperature as I'm looking through it. Is this completely wrong, or just a personal preference piece and with what draw backs

 

[BigBrother]

Re: First time shooting irons

When shooting irons and judging how you're doing, it is imperative you also decide upon factors like position (even down to supporting hand, etc.), target shape, and every other factor. I say this because it can have a huge impact on your groups. For example, if I'm testing out a new trigger weight, I'll do so in a known position (like offhand). But if I'm testing a rifle simply for its accuracy potential, I am sure to use front rests, rear rests, and practice impeccable NPA on the rifle (taking an otherwise inordinate amount of time to get it perfect).

So decide which you're trying to test, and then repeat it consistently. If you're trying to test your ability, shooting from a bench is probably not a very good indicator. Conversely, if you're trying to nail iron sight groups you can boast with (and nothing wrong with that!) put the rifle in a virtual vice out there - two rests, fundamentals in place till they're almost exaggerated, etc. and USE A ROUND BLACK BULL. Shooting into a silhouette is great for man-sized and man-shaped targets, but not for groups. You want that lollipop picture if it's groups you're after.

I was able to shoot a 1.1" 5 shot group at 100y with a Loaded M1A using irons with these methods. That's not a world-setting record, but it was well beyond what you might think possible from that rifle. I did notice during the process that enforcing each fundamental to the nth degree really tightened up the groups (as did ammo selection, which might not be as big an issue on that AR).

Good luck!