Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Kola16 on August 16, 2011, 09:25:38 PM

Title: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 16, 2011, 09:25:38 PM: I have really been looking forward to getting an ar :IBCOOL: I am also looking at building my own to save :twocents:, but I was wondering a couple things; how tight of a group could it shoot at 600 yards, 800, or is that flat out to far? And how big of a difference would the groups be between a 16, 20, or 22 inch barrel. This will all be in .308.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: vmkeith on August 17, 2011, 03:18:53 AM: Doing a quick google search, I happened across this post from thehighroad.org. Take it for what it's worth...BTW, I did edit out some of the useless junk to avoid confusion.

Quote
The rule of thumb is to reduce muzzle velocity by ~100fps/1" bbl length that you cut off (if I recall correctly). Assuming a 150gr. bullet with a BC of .314, fired from a 24"bbl...MV = ~ 2820fps for an average factory loading. Reducing that with the rule of thumb gives you roughly 2420fps and 2020fps for 20" and 16" respectively. I would estimate around 800 yds for the 20" and 500yds for the 16".
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: h20hunter on August 17, 2011, 06:26:44 AM: I have a stock Bushmaster and have a basic 3x9. I have taken it out to the 500 yard range once shooting 55 gr varmit tip rounds. Took a few rounds to get where I wanted to go and had no problem hitting the 10 ring which was about 12 inches. About half my shots in the 10 ring were in the inner "x" ring. They flat out shoot. People that are much better shooters than I, which is many, can do better. I watched one guy with stock sights do the same from 200, 300, and 500 from prone, sitting, and standing. Now that boy could shoot.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 17, 2011, 10:40:46 AM: Thanks vmkeith that is exactly what I was looking for
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: demontang on August 17, 2011, 03:56:25 PM: Do you mean ar10 or an ar15 in a new .308cal round? As for accuracy and barrel lenght you will only notice a difference when the bullet loose speed and destabilizes
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 17, 2011, 05:58:57 PM: Quote from: demontang on August 17, 2011, 03:56:25 PM
Do you mean ar10 or an ar15 in a new .308cal round? As for accuracy and barrel lenght you will only notice a difference when the bullet loose speed and destabilizes

I mean ar-15. I know it is not common, but they are around. The reason I want .308 is because I want to take it deer, bear, and elk hunting if I get tired of shooting at long targets (I don't have intentions of shooting an animal at to far of a distance). If there i a better round that you know about that I should be using feel free to tell me. :tup:
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: vmkeith on August 17, 2011, 06:51:07 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on August 17, 2011, 05:58:57 PM
Quote from: demontang on August 17, 2011, 03:56:25 PM
Do you mean ar10 or an ar15 in a new .308cal round? As for accuracy and barrel lenght you will only notice a difference when the bullet loose speed and destabilizes

I mean ar-15. I know it is not common, but they are around. The reason I want .308 is because I want to take it deer, bear, and elk hunting if I get tired of shooting at long targets (I don't have intentions of shooting an animal at to far of a distance). If there i a better round that you know about that I should be using feel free to tell me. :tup:

.308 is an AR10 platform, and haven't heard of the .308 adapted to the AR15...unless you are talking about the .30 Remington AR. If you wanna stay with the AR15 platform, looking at the 6.8mm SPC, 7.62x39, .450 Bushmaster, .458 SOCOM.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: addicted on August 18, 2011, 03:08:40 AM: they look the same kola ar15, and ar10. just the ones set up for 308, 7mm08, 338federal, .243 are designated AR10.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: addicted on August 18, 2011, 03:23:42 AM: whats your name kola?
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 01:36:23 PM: Kola is my black labs name. I not gonna tell you my name, yet. When I said ar-15 in .308, I was thinking about remington's r-15 and r-25 :dunno: Thanks for clearing that up. Would a .450 be a good long range round and also a big game round :dunno: AR-10 is fine with me to.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: h20hunter on August 18, 2011, 01:38:41 PM: I don't think you are going to get much range out of the .450 or the .50 beawolf. However, in close, maybe hunting hogs, up north baiting bears under 100 yards, sure, I could see that.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: h20hunter on August 18, 2011, 01:44:52 PM: here is a bit of info:
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 01:55:52 PM: I guess I am going with the AR-10. I kinda wanna shoot targets a long ways away. Can you find uppers and lowers and stuff for an ar-10 like a 15, or should I try something like a AR-25? Apperantly I need to reaserch it more cause I didn't even know that the ar-15 did not shoot .308 rounds.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: h20hunter on August 18, 2011, 01:59:15 PM: You should be able to swap out upper on one platform. You could have an upper in .22, .223, .308, and .450 to cover just about every application.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 02:05:03 PM: Well I think I will do a little more reaserch on the subject, but that is good to know. I am actually watching a show right know on the sportsmans channel that is using an ar to hunt antelope.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: h20hunter on August 18, 2011, 02:08:14 PM: I've thought about looking at the AR platform when I'm ready for a new rifle. The remington in .308 (or other brands) would make a great big game rifle. I have a bushmaster in .223 and have played with one with the .50 beowulf, both are fun.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 02:11:08 PM: This guy on tv used a remington r 25 in 308. he dropped his antelope
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: vmkeith on August 18, 2011, 07:30:14 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on August 18, 2011, 01:59:15 PM
You should be able to swap out upper on one platform. You could have an upper in .22, .223, .308, and .450 to cover just about every application.

It's a common mistake, but you need to take that .308 out of your list. In an AR platform, the .308 is an AR10. The .22, .223, .450 along with 6.8mm, 7.62x39mm, .458 SOCOM, and the new 7.62x40 WT (Wilson Combat) are an AR15.

The AR10 receivers are actually bigger than that of an AR15, and are not physically capable of fitting on an AR15 platform.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: hillbilli on August 18, 2011, 09:48:00 PM: First the cartridge, yes a .308 will work for deer, antelope, elk, pretty much anything in north america-though for big bears up close you might want something bigger. As to your accuracy question, every AR-10 type I have seen would shoot MOA (1"@100yd), so accuracy with these is not a problem if you can shoot. In a perfect world (target range) where you know the range and wind, a solid rest, and an take your time a paper plate size group (deer killin' group) at 500 yds is doable. In the deer woods you should probably try to limit your shots to 300yds and less. To shoot further requires a lot of practice, a good knowledge of your bullet drop and wind deflection and hopefully a rangefinder. (as your bullet drop at 500 yds will be on the order of 50".) Several companies such as remington, DPMS, and Armalite make ar-10 type rifles. If you plan to try to do any kind of longer range shooting avoid the 16" barrel, as you'll lose quite a bit of velocity by going that short. Anything 20" and over would be fine. Only colt makes an AR type rifle in .308 that will take different caliber Uppers, and it is brand new, good luck finding one.. but the way i figure it- if you have a versatile caliber like .308, why would you need to change uppers?
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: addicted on August 18, 2011, 09:54:45 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 01:36:23 PM
Kola is my black labs name. I not gonna tell you my name, yet. When I said ar-15 in .308, I was thinking about remington's r-15 and r-25 :dunno: Thanks for clearing that up. Would a .450 be a good long range round and also a big game round :dunno: AR-10 is fine with me to.

I'm just wondering if I knew you. My last few years i spent in the states were out in arlington.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 10:02:09 PM: Quote from: addicted on August 18, 2011, 09:54:45 PM
I'm just wondering if I knew you. My last few years i spent in the states were out in arlington.

I doubt it. I am only 15. I am addicted to everything outdoors: hunting, fishing, shooting, everything. You may know my dad. Rob Bailey? Ring a bell?
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 10:07:01 PM: Quote from: hillbilli on August 18, 2011, 09:48:00 PM
First the cartridge, yes a .308 will work for deer, antelope, elk, pretty much anything in north america-though for big bears up close you might want something bigger. As to your accuracy question, every AR-10 type I have seen would shoot MOA (1"@100yd), so accuracy with these is not a problem if you can shoot. In a perfect world (target range) where you know the range and wind, a solid rest, and an take your time a paper plate size group (deer killin' group) at 500 yds is doable. In the deer woods you should probably try to limit your shots to 300yds and less. To shoot further requires a lot of practice, a good knowledge of your bullet drop and wind deflection and hopefully a rangefinder. (as your bullet drop at 500 yds will be on the order of 50".) Several companies such as remington, DPMS, and Armalite make ar-10 type rifles. If you plan to try to do any kind of longer range shooting avoid the 16" barrel, as you'll lose quite a bit of velocity by going that short. Anything 20" and over would be fine. Only colt makes an AR type rifle in .308 that will take different caliber Uppers, and it is brand new, good luck finding one.. but the way i figure it- if you have a versatile caliber like .308, why would you need to change uppers?

I am not planning on shooting an animal more than 300. Just targets, and havin fun. The reason for the .308 is becUse it is such a popular round and easy to get amo for.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: addicted on August 18, 2011, 10:19:26 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 10:02:09 PM
Quote from: addicted on August 18, 2011, 09:54:45 PM
I'm just wondering if I knew you. My last few years i spent in the states were out in arlington.

I doubt it. I am only 15. I am addicted to everything outdoors: hunting, fishing, shooting, everything. You may know my dad. Rob Bailey? Ring a bell?

I graduated out of there in 07 so i'm probably a generation inbetween you and your dad sort of speak. They were selling AR's at the shooting range down the street from the new highschool last time i checked last year. almost picked up an AK for myself. Tell Mr. Smoots josh nicholson says hi when you start school.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 10:37:15 PM: I actually don't go to school in Arlington, I go to a dumb private school in marysville :bash: But my older sister is actually the nurse there. I will tell her to tell him.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: addicted on August 18, 2011, 10:56:09 PM: don't be down man. private school is the way to go.

There was a gun shop downtown marysville that had a lot of second hand and new guns, i don't remember the name of the place. kind of by the bowling ally.
Title: Re: AR-15 long range?
Post by: Kola16 on August 18, 2011, 11:03:17 PM: i will definately check it out