With the Wisconsin get together a great memory now, it was also a great opportunity to pull some of my rifles out a give them a serious ringing out they hadn’t had for a while. The following are just some miscellaneous reflections on some of the equipment, and my likes and dislikes, and things I might change.
My two AR10’s both shot great except for two hiccups due to poorly sized, very old reloaded cases. And while I really like the Primary Arms 1x6 I have on my AR10 T carbine, I think I might be switching it off in the near future. The reason? The reticule, while really versatile, is so “busy” it makes it difficult to really precision shoot. The center dot is too big, and there is a lot to analyze through that eyepiece. And on a refined target model like the AR10T, it Doesn’t allow use of the rifle’s full capabilities. If this was being carried as a field rifle, the scope is excellent. By contrast, My Colt HBAR 5.56 with a cheapo Firefield 1x6 with a first focal plane Mil Plex reticle allowed way more precise groups. I think I might end up getting a nicer version of that from a good manufacturer for the AR10 T and put the PA on something else. It would be great on an ultra light 308 16” Carbine. This is in no way a criticism of the PA. My requirements have changed. Now I am more of a bench rest shooter, and not lugging an AR in the field very much. If I was, the Primary Arms scope would stay on there.
My AR10 standard rifle, I ain’t gonna mess with. That Nikon Monarch 4x16 scope in combination with 168 gr BTHPs makes that a tack driver.
The Colt HBAR mentioned above comes into its own with the 75 gr Hornady BTHP’s and it’s 1 in 7 twist. It is fully capable of 1/2 MOA groups. I think I even printed a few. That $135 Firefield scope is really impressive. Except being first focal plane, the crosshairs disappear at 1 power unless you turn the lighted reticle on. Other then that it is really good.
My M1A shot well, but having the high Bassett Machine Co. picitiny mount so I can still use the iron sights has one drawback. Even with low profile rings and a leather cheek pad, you cannot get a good cheek weld. I will either switch to a Bassett low profile mount or look at better cheek comb options. Might even make my own. I have an old Delta cheek rest for the M16 with a fixed carry handle For use with a high mount scope. I think I will see if I can adapt it. The Burriss E1 Fullfield 3x9 scope works well with it, but I might put that back on the AR10T.
lastly, I had some primer strike failures with my Radical Arms 300 Blackout near the end of shooting. I haven’t stripped it yet, but I am suspecting a damaged firing pin. Other then that it was quite accurate and really fun to shoot with the subsonic stuff. The bargain priced Bushnell 1x6 does the job, but would be better with a lighted reticle.