Discuss the when's and where's of the next range trip.
 #77666  by Tate
 
Been to the range about once a week for the last two months, about 1.5-2 hrs at a time,

Last week took the brother and my new AR and put 100+ rounds of 5.56 down range, 100 rounds through my XD .45, and 50 rounds through my Ruger Lcp. He did great it was his first time ever shooting as he is now 13. Want him to learn firearm safety and take out any mystery from guns, as my father did with me from a much younger age, kids are a lot different now then even when I was younger. I figured it would need to be me as his father passed away a couple years ago.

Today I took my GF with me to the range, she has shot before as her dad was a Marine sniper, and a Washington DC police officer. Yet she hasn't shot a gun in many years. She did excellent with the AR15, she shot about 4 rounds out of the 45, 2 flyers on the edge of the white, and 2 in the 7 ring upper left, before she decided she was uncomfortable shooting the 45 and decided to give it a go the next time.

I managed to put about 180 rounds through my AR yet at 25 yards (longest at shooters choice) my front sight post would be equal to the neck/shoulders of a sillouhete target I am hitting center mass, if I am center mass I am hitting 7-9 inches low, I haven't had a chance to shoot at 100 yards to see if its dead on at that distance. Any opinions?

Shot around 120 rounds out of my XD .45, and man I've come a long way with pistol shooting, I really feel like I have finally got it down, all my shots are going exactly where I want them at slow fire and within 1.5 inches at faster fire. A few months ago I would have never even tried a headshot at 25 yards, today I set my target at 25 yards set my sights a little higher than I would at 7-10 yards controlled my breathing and managed to pull off a nearly perfect shot, 1 inch right of dead center on the head of a silhouette.

Worked on some 7-15 yard, double taps then one to the head, no issues. Shot around 100 rounds when my slide locked backed after the last round, dropped the mag, reloaded put the mag back in and went to release the slide when I noticed I had a stove pipe. The shell Casing was straight between the barrel and slide, a quick rack of the slide took care of the problem and shot another 2 mags full with no issues. This is the first time out of nearly 1000 rounds I have had a single issue whatsoever.

After spending a fortune on ammo recently, and putting in around 2 hours a week at the range, I'm starting to feel a lot better about my quality of shooting.

Hopefully I'll be heading back to the range in the next week or so.
Figured I would just try to keep a running thread on my progress.
 #77672  by cslade454
 
An Improved Battlesight Zero
for the M4 Carbine and M16A2 Rifle
1. Current Army/Marine Corps battlesight zero and it's procedures are well described in TM9-1005-319-10, the M16/M4 operator's manual. A recent copy of this manual is available for download at the Manual Depot. Procedures in the manual will not be repeated here.
2. The current 300 meter battlesight zero is a function of the sights on the rifle and I personally find it shoots too high for the vast majority of combat targets, including the Army's qualification ranges. The procedure listed here takes better advantage of the flat trajectory of these rifles as well as the use of civilian ranges, which are seldom surveyed in meters.
3. When zeroed at 200 meters, a distance twice that of normal combat engagements, these rifles have a very flat trajectory that is less then 2" from line of sight at all intermediate distances; a distance that's smaller than the normal dispersion of arsenal or factory loaded ammunition. This tiny trajectory arc allows very precise shooting out to 250 meters where the bullet is only 2" below line of sight.
4. A 200 meter zero has the happy coincidence of an initial trajectory cross-over at 50 yards, a distance available on almost all civilian ranges including many indoor ranges. This makes it easy to achieve a 200 meter battlesight zero without recourse to surveying your own range. If 200 meters is available you can fine-tune the zero at the real distance. And should when you get the chance.
5. The lowest sight setting, however, on these sights is 300 meters so the sight needs to be modified to preserve the markings on the sight (despite the fact that no one ever sets a range on these in the real world other than a USMC range). The sight needs to be set to bottom out at 8/3 -2 clicks. This will be the new 200-meter setting.
1. Flip the rear sight back to the unmarked aperture. This will reveal a hole in the top of the handle.
2. Rotate the sight wheel all the way down. Will probably be exactly at 8/3 (6/3). Don't force it down.
 
3. Using a 1/16" Allen wrench loosen the screw (under the revealed hole) in the sight wheel 3 full turns. Leave the wrench in the screw.
 
4. Rotate the bottom half of the sight wheel two clicks clockwise. This will raise the sight body if you look at it while you're turning it.
5. Tighten the Allen screw, remove the wrench, and confirm the sight bottoms out at 2 clicks BELOW 8/3. If not repeat the procedure until it's right.
 
6. Battlesight the rifle per the -10 with the following exceptions:
1. Sight should be at 8/3 -2 clicks, that is, all the way down, not up a click.  Please note removable handle sights are marked 6/3 (rather than 8/3); also some are in ‘half-clicks’ as well. There should be 3 clicks between 3 and 4 on the knob. If there are 6 clicks then the sight needs to be set at –4 clicks (instead of –2).
2. Small aperture, nose to firing handle weld.
3. Distance is 50 yards.
4. Point of aim should be point of impact of bullet.
7. Remember you're adjusting the FRONT SIGHT for elevation, not the rear, and that each click is about 1/2" (actually a little more) at 50 yards. You won't get it closer than that. Don't frustrate yourself trying.
8. You're done. Leave the sight in this position for 99% of your shooting.
9. If you have to shoot targets you KNOW are 300 meters away or more, just click to the right number on the sight.
10. If you're patrolling, set the sight to 8/3 and snap the aperture forward to 0-2. This will provide the same trajectory as above but with a larger, easier to see thru rear sight. Use this setting if you also have the M68 mounted as it's quicker to transition to if the sight fails. [Editor's Note - there is some variance with the offset of the A2 aperture - they SHOULD be a 2 click difference - however some manucatures produce them with larger offsets.  Setting the sight to 3 then flipping to 0-2 might now work for your AR.  Check it at the range, you want the group to be centered  at 50y, you might need to set the sight at 3 +2 or even 4 to get the large aperture to be correct]
11. If you have an M68 CCO (Aimpoint CompM-XD) optical sight battlesight it to 50/200 as well. You can shoot to 300 meters by merely holding "over a dot."
12. This battlesight zero is valid to 300 meters for both the M16A2 and M4 Carbines and their AR15 sisters. It's valid with any ammunition that approaches the specs for M193 (55gr) or M855 (62g) Ball ammunition. It works for both rifles and carbines due to the offsetting influence of higher muzzle velocity in the rifle being offset by the longer sight radius that moves bullet strike less per click. This is battlesight, not X-ring shooting!
13. This battlesight zero does not reflect the doctrine of the US Armed Forces, however, it reflects the personal use of these weapons in combat and in training for over 34 years.
14. Comments to: Lt. Colonel Chuck Santose (santose@compuserve.com).
Original document: 990104
Copyright 1999, 2000. All rights reserved.
Click here for some feedback on the IBSZ from US Soldiers.
Note To Users of Carbines with the A1 style rear sight or users of Flip-Up Sights: This 50 yard zero works really well. If you have the original sight aperture use the unmarked (short range) hole to zero the rifle. If you have upgraded, and use the A2 style aperture (or the A.O. Same Plane sight), then use the small (long range) hole for zeroing.
 #77676  by David
 
JD's on Rt. 9 in Georgetown has rifle ranges at 30, 50, 75 and 130 yards. Might be worth a ride over if 25 is the best you can get where you are going now.
 #77727  by Tate
 
Thanks guys, I've driven past JD's a million times but have never been there, guess now is the time.
 #77728  by Tate
 
Any idea on the range cost at JD Defense, one reason I had never been there is I heard that it is outrageously expensive.
 #77733  by scampbell3
 
Last time I was there it was $15/hr with a $60/year membership or no hourly charge with a $250/year membership. I have not been there for quite a while so I do not know if the fees have increased.

Chip
 #77735  by Tate
 
Thanks Chip! How's life been treating you? And sheesh, I wish I could open a range and charge a fair price, $5-$7 an hour sounds reasonable, $15 or shooters choice's $17 an hr is outrageous. And when you break down say twice a month there's no difference in paying for a Membership or just pay everytime you go.
 #77736  by Lfod/Dtom
 
Those prices are correct.And fyi it is an outdoor only range.I have a membership and if you want to check it out I could take you as a Guest.It is kind of a unique place and not everyone likes it,especially if you don't like cats. :lol:
 #77761  by bluedog46
 
David wrote:JD's on Rt. 9 in Georgetown has rifle ranges at 30, 50, 75 and 130 yards. Might be worth a ride over if 25 is the best you can get where you are going now.
How far is that from New Castle and is part of it outdoor or all of it?
 #77766  by Tate
 
About an Hr and a Half from Newcastle, it's all outdoors, I believe he also sells firearms, ammo, accessories from his home as well. It's located on RT. 9.