The weather fairies looking upon today favorably, I was able to make it the
range and try out the Armalite AR-180b with it's new StormWerkz scope mount base.
I'd like to start by making something clear. I'm not proud of my shooting today.
With this rifle, using metallic sights and generic Federal ammunition I have regularly shot 100 yard groups under two inches.
(Excuse mode on)
That said, I was shooting plinker ammo today thrown together with
mixed components, and doing so in weather cold enough that I was forced to wear
gloves or lose feeling in my fingers altogether. The twenty mile an hour
variable breeze did not help much either.
(Excuse mode off)
One major goal for the day was getting it sighted in properly on the paper an inch or so high at 100 yards giving me a reliable 200 yard dead on shooter. The other project was to explore the function of the mount itself. Since it's an easy on / easy off mount, I was curious what removing and reinstalling the optics would do to the rifles zero.
Towards that end I did a fairly simple test. Once sighted in and on the paper, I fired a ten round group from the bench taking care to follow the best procedure I know. Doing the same with my varmint rifle yields steady half inch groups at 100 yards.
After firing the control group, I fired another ten round group using exactly the same procedure with one large difference. In between each round (and before the first one) I dismounted the scope and reinstalled it by using the scope base. The base is spring loaded and dovetailed to the rifle, as described in a previous writing.
It should be noted that after firing even one round the scope and base is wedged quite tightly on the rifle's bracket. It requires a rather hard smack with the palm of the hand to dislodge it. I was concerned that this constituted mistreatment of the optics and fired another group when I was finished to make sure I wasn't damaging the scope. There is clearly no danger of the scope coming off during normal use.
The results are pretty clear. The control group measures right around two inches and is centered one inch to the right of the bull. The group fired while removing the scope after every round is about four inches and slightly over two inches to the right of the bull.
As mentioned, another group was fired after the testing to check the scope once again. It was shot with a more accurate load using a different bullet, but not the rifles favorite. As shown, it centered nicely just above the bullseye and measures just under two inches.
My conclusion: I need to test more, especially when I am not shivering. I suspect the mount settles in after a few shots and remains rock steady after that. I still intend to mount a holographic sight on this base, and of course I'll have to play some more once that's done.
Right now I see that removing and installing the optics with the base mount clearly changes the zero a recognizable amount. I will explore techniques for minimizing that tendency. Perhaps a settling smack with the hand after mounting the base will help.
I still like this mount set up, a lot, and I still intend to get at least one more.
4 comments:
I don't think I have any scopes, except one on a hunting rifle my Uncle gave me. I've been thinking about buying one of the "manufactured" Russian M1891 snipers they are putting together now. That would fit into my collection.
Scopes have their place.
I have optics on rifles I wish to be very precise with. My long range varmint rifle, one big game rifle, etc.
On this weapon, I didn't buy the mount to put a scope on it, but a holographic sight (when $ permits).
My goal is very rapid target aquisition with both eyes open, as fast as precision will allow.
It's not a long range rifle in any case.
The new holo sights are remarkable, if expensive.
I've got an SP-1 9 (the civilian version of the Colt Commando) that it might be nice to have a holographic scope on, especially since my eyes aren't what they were. I think Cheaper than Dirt has some that aren't too outrageous.
Any day you have the freedom to own guns and go to a range and shoot and hit the cardboard is a day to be proud of. Never be ashamed of your shooting my friend. You had fun doing something the US Constitution and Bill of Rights gives you the freedom to do. Be proud. And throw that scope away. Iron sights are best for 100 yards or less. :-)
Molon Labe
Joe
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