M16a4 ACOG and Ammo Test. Some M1a/M14 time as well.

[jmoore]

Another trip to the plate range, with the same idea as the previous thread- Do the sight markings in the scope or built into the iron sights make usable references for quickly engaging targets at various distances?


(The 200yd plate was not up in the previous thread)

Link to first test using a TA31RCO-M150 atop a Knight's SR15 E3 IWS and PRVI 75gr match ammo:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=24883


Quite frankly, it's a real challenge to see the white plates w/ iron sights at times, but the previous week's excursion by myself and WBS2111 showed that it's do-able. In that instance we were using my "Insta-sniper" 1903 Springfield that was, ummm, strangely w/o it's Warner and Swayze scope, and a mismatched byf 42 K98k w/ a super bore. At 300 and 400 yards the plates were quite invisible to me, but that didn't impede hitting them- as long as other visual cues were used when aiming to put the sights where I thought they were "supposed to go". Hence my new signature (stolen from a fellow on brianenos.com ) "Targets are illusions".

More on those rifles in a future thread!

This week, the primary test concerns the compatability of the Ta31RCO-A4 ACOG on a 20" barreled 1-7" twist Colt upper when using M855 (Prvi Partisan again) ammo. The lower varies from A4 specs in the lack of a fixed stock, and in this case, it lacks select fire parts. USMC approved Geissele FCG installed as I prefer a two stage trigger. Knight's RAS (non-free float) up front. Carry handle/ BUIS underneath as was commonly stowed in the field.












First, before real testing started, it was determined that the ammo used did NOT unduly harm the plates. In fact, the impacts showed far less damage than many of the existing "uber-magnum" strikes. (Some fellow seem to enjoy blasting away rather regularly w/ a .300 RUM!)


Two M855 hits- no damage


Another plate


Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one using the range today, so the only real photo I got of the plates was the one at 520yds.



Long story condensed:
As the range increased, the strikes got higher when using the cross marks in the scope. (actual photo to be added later- it's a "compressed" version of the TA31RCO-M150)
200 was easy
300- no dramas
400 had to hold the line at the bottom of the plate
500- Never got on target, apparently going over w/ no visible splashes on the backstop due to the recent rain- later a run out showed the high its in the dirt baackstop. Couldn't have been by much and may explain the dull thwacks heard as some bullets passed through the reinforced rubber hanger- oops!
520- as the target is larger, resting the 500 crosshair at the bottom of the plate worked, but still a bit high.

I'm thinking that the error is due to this being a range based on "yards", whilst the scope is graduated in meters, but hard proof, yet. Going to try again w/ some different ammo and see if there's any difference.

Accuracy definitely wasn't quite as good as the 75gr match in close, but, oddly, seemed perfectly acceptable at 520yds as further unphotographed shooting supported. Again, I'm not trying to go "sniper" here, just seeing how easy it is to get good field results.

More to follow on the M1a/M14 test, w/ South African R1M1 ball. (Mostly good results, actually!)

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