Why the AR-15 shouldn't be your only rifle (explanations for your wife)

I love the AR-15, and everyone who loves guns should have at least one, but this shouldn't be the only type of rifle you own.  I say this for a few reasons.


#1 Purpose

There are a lot of things we use our rifles for outside of shooting paper for fun, with  hunting, teaching, and self defense coming to mind. 

Shooting paper - Well, any one of my rifles are fun for that, so let's move on to hunting. 

Hunting - I've been squirrel hunting, and would like to go deer hunting next season, and the AR-15 is not the appropriate rifle for either of those cases.  Squirrel is far too small to be using the .223, and deer too large.  In these cases I would choose the 22LR, and the .308 respectively.  The 22LR has a more appropriate ballistic behaviour (I'll speak on this later), and carries good energy for squirrel hunting, and it's also quiet enough that your not going to make your ears ring every time you fire.  With deer, the .308 packs enough energy to drop a deer, but if used on a squirrel...well, you may not have much left...and the .308 is too loud...I wouldn't want to fire mine without earplugs.

There are also some legal considerations as to caliber, number of rounds in the clip, etc, but I'm no expert on this, so do your research before you take your AR out hunting.

Teaching - For someone new to firearms, I prefer the 22LR...it's cheap, it doesn't kick (so not intimidating to new shooters), it's not loud, it has a quick up and down ballistic curve (in relation to range), and wind has a noticeable effect on the bullet.  These are all good things to drill home the lessons of ballistics.

Self Defense - In this case, I'd take anything loaded, but...if I had a choice, my AR-15 would be the first thing I pick up.  Being semiautomatic is my #1 reason....it's going to give me the best chance of being alive at the end.


#2 Ballistics

From a ballistic standpoint, each caliber has it's own characteristics.  This chart compares the rounds which I like to fire.

As you can see, depending on your range to the target, and the size of the vitals for the target, each caliber starts to show it's particular advantages.  The 22LR is within the vital zone for squirrel from 10 yards to 60 yards, for this type of hunting this should make for an easy shot in the usual hunting range.  If I were picking off groundhog or some other varmint out to 100+ yards, the 17HMR would be a better choice...the bullet flies flatter, and carries more energy than the 22LR (out to 200 yards anyway).  For deer hunting, the .308 stays well within the vitals, even when zeroed for 220 yards.


#3 Cost to shoot

The cost of shooting is a definite consideration.  If you want to go out and shoot all day, the 22LR just can't be beat...a block of 525 rounds can be had for $20 around here, after 100~150 rounds, I've had my fun, and haven't spent all that much money.  The 17HMR isn't too terribly expensive at $13 for 50 rounds, moving up to the .223, I've been paying $40 for 100 rounds, and for the .308 prices are about $24 for 20 rounds!  Breaking this down to cost per shot....

Caliber      Price Each
22LR         $0.04
17HMR        $0.26
.223 Rem     $0.39
.308 Win     $1.20

You could fire 30 rounds of 22LR for the cost of a single round of .308!

I hope you've enjoyed my insight, and maybe this will help you make your point to the wife next time you are on the market for a new rifle.

Shooting with Iron Sights - thoughts on speed

I tried switching between scoped and iron sights my last time out, here are the results:

100 yards with iron sights, group marked in orange (I was doing a lot of different things with the same target)...

100 yards with the scope (at 100 yards, I should be 0.5" high with my current zero at 225 yards)...

50 yards, green and yellow groups (upper left and bottom right) are with the scope (at 50 yards, I should be 1.1" low with my current zero at 225 yards), orange groups (top right and lower left) are with irons...ignore the blue ones, some settings were off on my sights for that one.

I'm beginning to understand why our boys in the military use the irons.  I love scopes, but I have to say, if I were in a defensive situation, I'd rather have the irons.  I can definitely see a huge speed advantage with the iron's...target acquisition is substantially quicker, and tiny movements are far less distracting.  I'll have to give one of the non magnified sighting systems a try down the road.

Shooting on Mother's Day (With Mom)

This year Mom requested that we spend Mother's Day at the range.  Awesome!

Target V2c and V3c

I have refined the targets, and am happy with how they look down range.  I also have a link now so you may download and print these yourself.

Target V2c has circles for what I consider 'vitals' in squirrel, coyote, and deer.  Boxes are for defensive practice with good (solid), fair (dashed), and the entire page as acceptable.
Get it here ===> Target V2c

Target V3c is a quad version of the center of the target.

Get it here ===>  Target V3c

I have been printing these with a color laser printer (Fedex Office), and they look great!

Feel free to download and use these, I just ask that you keep my website address on them.  (I'd love feedback as to how these work for you too!)

Zeroing a Scope - 2 Methods

I have used two methods for zeroing scopes on rifles.  The MOA Method is great for a single person, while the Full Benchrest Method is a two person procedure that requires a solid benchrest.

Both methods benefit from boresighting the rifle...but you can always use a large piece of cardboard (so you can see where your bullets hit, if it's way off) to get a quick rough in.

Remember this point: The direction of adjustment on the scope is labeled for adjusting the point of impact, so when you turn the adjustment to the right, your bullet's point of impact will move to the right (the crosshairs will actually move to the left).


MOA Method:

With this method, we calculate the number of clicks to bring the point of impact into alignment with the point of aim.  After firing a group measure the distance from the point of aim, to the center of the group.  Knowing that at 100 yards 1 MOA is equal to 1.047 inches (which we round to 1 inch for simplicity), we can calculate the number of clicks to adjust the scope.  Should we be zeroing at 50 yards, then 1 MOA is only 0.5 inch, and at 200 yards, 1 MOA is equal to 2 inches.  Most scopes adjust in 1/4 MOA increments, or 4 clicks per 1 MOA.  The following list will help when calculating clicks:

   1/4 MOA @ 25 yards = 0.0625 inches
   1/4 MOA @ 50 yards = 0.125 inches
   1/4 MOA @ 100 yards = 0.25 inch
   1/4 MOA @ 200 yards = 0.5 inches

For example, we have a group that hits 1 1/4 inches right and 2 3/4 inches low at 50 yards.  The following would be the number of clicks to adjust:

   left clicks = 1.25 / .125 = 10 clicks
   up clicks = 2.75 / .125 = 22 clicks


Full Benchrest Method:

With this method, no math is required, but you need a helper and a good solid bench rest that will hold the rifle very steady while adjusting the scope.  Fire a group at your target, once you have that, place your crosshairs on the center of the target and hold the rifle in the rest VERY steady and solid.  This places the barrel in the same orientation as it was when firing the previous group.  Now have your helper adjust the scope, remembering to move the adjustment in the OPPOSITE direction than what is labeled (see 'Remember this point' above).  Without moving the rifle keep turning the adjustments until the crosshairs are in the center of your group...your point of aim will then match your point of impact.

Zeroing Iron Sights using the RIBZ Method

RIBZ = Revised Improved Battlesight Zero

For zeroing my rifle with the iron sights, I use the RIBZ method found on the AR15.com website.  This method allows for setting the rear sight for 50 and 100 yard ranges, as well as the typical 300-800 meter ranges.  (Remember to adjust the front sight post for zeroing the elevation, and the rear sight dial for adjusting for range only.)

When using the detachable carry handle as I am, you must double the number of clicks in this procedure (the elevation ring is adjustable from 300-600 meters).

Here is the procedure on the AR15.com website:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=328143

For my setup (detachable carry handle with 3/6 elevation wheel) the following settings apply:
3/6 -4 clicks for 50 yards
3/6 -6 clicks for 100 yards
3/6 for 300 meters
4 for 400 meters
5 for 500 meters
3/6 for 600 meters

When it comes to what settings to use for self defense...I always leave the sight set to the 50 yard setting, this will keep me within -3 to +1.5 inches from muzzle to 280 yards.  This way, there will be no thinking about sight settings in a stressful situation.

Osama Bin Laden is DEAD!

I hope the fires are brutally hot in hell, Bin Laden!

We must remember after this victory, that just because the #1 asshole is dead, doesn't mean the job is finished. I'll gladly help arrange your departure from this world if you want to tread on the United States!

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of 9/11, and my thanks are to the brave soldiers who fight for our freedom every day!

God Bless the United States of America!