AR Questions

[Ray HP]

Several weeks ago I posted some questions about AR-15's, because I am planning on purchasing one for my son to compete in High Power competition. Since then we have been looking at various manufactures and models and have some more questions.

I was origionaly thinking of buying the standard model, because I had read about feeding problems with reloads, and installing a match trigger and sights.

I am reconsidering this approach after talking to several dealers at the gun show.

This leads me to several questions:

1.) Is it worth it to get the match grade rifle and forget about reloads? There must be a secret to reloading because the Masters do it.

2.) Will a Marksman class shooter be able to tell the difference between a standard and match grade rifle? If so, how much will the score increase?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Banzai]

I just started shooting High Power Service Rifle myself two years ago, so, after my second year, I'll answer your questions from a "having been there recently" point of view.
Depends on which way you wanna go. Most people start off with the Bushmaster DCM rifle, including me. I liked it good enough, but after 1000 rounds or so, the trigger gives out (due to not having hardened inserts on the bearing surfaces). Shoots well, made well, and can be weighted/balanced to suit the individual. As a plus, it has 1/8 barrel, which means it will shoot the popular 77 and 80 grain bullets with only the normal concerns.
That was my first year rifle, and when the trigger gave out, it got a Jewel trigger, and a CLE upper.
With stock ammo (Federal Gold Medal Match 69gn) both rifles shot about 1 MOA. With properly set up reloads, I get consistent SUB MOA from the Kreiger barreled CLE upper. BUT, that decrease in group size cost major $$$$$! The BM never got under MOA, no matter what I did, which is the real reason that I got the new upper.
After my second full season, yes, I can shoot the difference in a "standard" rifle and a "sub moa" rifle, but until about the middle of the first season, I didn't believe that there was a difference, as I couldn't shoot that well.
Properly set up reloads are the key to making the AR (any AR) perform in competition, otherwise all you have is a relatively expensive blasting rifle.
In short, I would've saved money by starting out with a super rifle, as my skill level jumped quickly. Had it not, I would never have known, as my rifle that I started with would've held me back some. With a sub MOA rifle, it's all between me and the wind, no alibis!!!!!!
To be sure, AR match shooting is not a poor man's game. Either way you go, it's $$$$$$$. Basic equipment is almost as expensive and important as the rifle, and the rifle itself can be the key to success or failure and a loss of confidence.
Masters and High Masters will often replace a barrel LONG before anyone else can see a problem, due to groups opening up and that "loss of confidence" in their equipment.
Whichever you get, shoot it. When you're ready to move up, you'll know! There's lots to learn in SR shooting, and developing effective positions is only part of it!
As far as reloads go, I've never seen a rifle from a reputable shop, either custom or big name, have a problem chambering reloads. If it were a real problem, it would show up on the firing line, and we're all using "reloads".
I hope this helps, and feel free to email me if you have any questions that I can help you with.

Tom

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A "Miss" is the ultimate overpenetration!
You can never be too rich, too skinny, or too well armed!
Wake up and realize that you have the moral imperative of action..!!!

 

[KilgorII]

The only problem with reloads that I have seen in a stock Bushmaster was when they were loaded too light. They didn't have enough snap in them to properly cycle the action most of the time. Proper reloads should be more reliable than factory because you can control the QC on them and fit them to your rifle's needs.

 

[johnwill]

I'll have to second the comment about reloads. If you can put factory ammo into the rifle, you can make reloads for the rifle! It's pure bunk that some guns "can't" shoot reloads.