Suggested Ammo for an AR-15

J

JimFromFL

New member
I went out shooting last weekend with my Bushmaster AR-15 (XM15-E2S) (plus a DCM trigger) using regular PMC .223 (223A) and was all over the target. I used Federal Gold Medal (69 Gr. Sierra MatchKing BTHP GM223M) and was sporadically hitting an inch high, low, left right. Tighter than the regular PMC but still unacceptable.

Finally I tried PMC Sierra MatchKing (52 Gr. HPBT Match 223SMA) and I was getting 1 inch groups at 100 yards.

Is it typical to get this much inconsistency with different ammo. I am wondering if something is wrong with the gun.

Is there any suggested ammo I should be using or a suggested bullet grain?

Please let me know what ammo you have had success with. I am thinking of getting more of the PMC 223SMA ammo.

Thanks for any info?
Jim
 
Its been a while...

I've had good results with the generic UMC 55 gr stuff out of my FN barreled PWA. It used to shoot under 1" at 100 yards with a 4x scope. I haven't used it in a while sinc all of my ammo is custom reloads.
 
Well, the twist is one turn in nine inches. There have been several discussions about twist rate and bullet weight in the .223. I'm too lazy: You're gonna have to do an archive search for (I guess) .223 + twist. Lemme know what you find out. :)

I have the same rifle as yours, but with the (ugh) stock trigger. With some kind of Remington full-patch ammo that came with the gun, I was getting pretty nice groups. The first 3-shot group was 3/4". I'm guessing it's 50- to 55-grain stuff. Anyway, the fact that you did better with the shorter-length bullets might mean that 1:9 doesn't make long bullets happy.

FWIW, Art
 
I have pretty good luck with PMP(South African),Winchester Q3131,and Winchester Q3131A. They are all 55 grain. You should be able to find Winchester just about anywhere.

What kind of Bushmaster do you have? XM15-E2S is not specific enough to tell exactly what it is. I've got a Dissipator. Like it very much.

At least you can take it out shooting. I haven't been that lucky for the last month and a half. Too much snow! Good luck and have fun.
 
Warning anecdotal evidence follows :)
Almost everyone that I've talked to that is involved in highpower says that they use some form of 52 grain match hollowpoint for shooting reduced course of fire matches at 100yds. At those ranges, short, flat base bullets stabilize a little quicker than the long match BT's do. I didn't know this for quite a while and determinedly used 75gr bullets to no avail, even in my 1x7 twist! I've since started using lighter bullets under 100yds, and leave the 68-80gr. match bullets for 150 yds or more. I'm betting you have a 1x9, so I'd go ahead and stick to lighter weight loads and see if accuracy doesn't pick up.
 
AR-10, if you have a Bushmaster catalog, it's very specific! :) Anyhow, The XM15 E2S is what the call their "National Match Target Model". 20" or 24" barrel, free-floated. 1X9 twist. It has the GI type carrtying handle. They make an "A3" model known as a "flat top", w/o the carrying handle--and they'll sell you a removable carrying handle for a mere $89.95 extra.

With the stock trigger, it is easily made to fire by attaching one end of an anchor chain to any medium-sized bulldozer, and the other end to the trigger.

Accurate, though.

:), Art
 
Art

Maybe I'm missing something. If you go to Bushmaster's website and look at their online catalogue,all of their AR-15 models are designated as XM15 E2S,including my Dissipator. My Dissipator lower is also stamped that way.

If Jim is shooting match ammo out of a rifle that does not have a match barrel,I think he could save money on ammo.

P.S. I don't think the trigger on mine is too bad,but I only have 2 years shooting experience.

P.P.S. Bushmaster's model designation for my rifle is PCWA2-16D. haven't got a clue what P or C or W designate.A2 is the handle-sight configuration,16 is barrel length,D is Dissipator,which is the full length handguard and front sight position,as opposed to the normal configuration for a 16 inch barrel.
 
For plinking or casual target shooting, I've had good results with Federal American Eagle 55 gr. FMJ in both a Bushie 20" National Match/DCM upper and the Shorty AK. When I manage to drag myself away from the office and shoot in my club high power matches (200 yds.), I use Black Hills Remanufactured (blue box) 68 gr. MHP. For 100 yd. high power, I use Black Hills 52 gr. MHP. 50 rounds of the blue box costs about the same as 20 rounds of the Federal Gold Medal. The Army Marksmanship Unit used to use the Black Hills Reman, don't know if they still do.
 
Q3131 v. Q3131A

Correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC the Winchester Q3131 is made in USA, and the Q3131A is (was?) made in Israel by IMI.
 
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