Range Trip 3-29-2025 Ruger American Predator 223 100Y

 

Nice day, little wind . . . what to do, what to do. 

I decided to repeat my last range trip with my Ruger Predator shooting STRYKER 5.56 62gr rounds.  One thing I did different was to allow a full 5 minutes between 5-round groups.  This allowed for a bit of barrel cooling.  In the end it made absolutely no difference from the last trip.

It should probably be a whole separate post but let me throw out a few words about the “why” of my shooting parameters.  At 100 yards my target is a 3-inch circle.  That comes from the size of the ocular cavity being right at 3.5inches.  I use this rifle in a Designated Marksman course for small police departments.  Most LEO engagements are less than 75 yards.  So worst case, a 100-yard shot to the ocular cavity should cover things well.  My expectation is that in the course they have a 80% success rate which is typical for scored courses.  For myself, I expect a 90% success rate just because that is typical for instructor course work.  Any round within the 3-inch circle will enough to end the threat.

That said, I do want the group size to be 2MOA or less – regardless of the distance.  So, on the 50 yard range and the 2-inch targets, I want 1-inch group average while at the 100 yard range and 3-inch targets, I want a 2-inch group average.  The word “average” accounts for larger groups that are still within the target’s boundaries. 

The ammunition manufacturer is new to me, but the quality and cost are excellent.  I purchased it from “The American Marksman” and it is 5.56 M855 factory “seconds” – meaning there are small blemishes on the brass – 62gr.  Here’s a link . . . Factory 2nds: Stryker 5.56 M855 Steel Core 62 gr FMJ - 400 ct. . . . The price is exceptional and as you will see, the performance is well within my expectations.

So, these are my expectations of myself and the ammunition.  The reason for the trip is to maintain “proficiency”.  I have a very strong belief that to maintain minimum proficiency a shooter needs to send 1,000 rounds downrange for each platform they want to remain proficient on.  My only “give” on this is that it need not be “duty” ammunition because that could run the shooter many thousands of dollars each year.  And “training platforms” can be used to bring the range time with your duty rifle down to a 20 round box per month while maintaining the fundamentals of shooting.  Still pricey, but much more economical.    And really, the biggest hurdle is typically just the “TIME” required to hit the range.  I have no answer for that, simply the expectation that a disciplined and focused shooter will get the job done.

The day went well, I’ll post the targets and the scored targets.  I dropped one round out of 50 meaning that it was not within its designated target leaving me with a score of 98%.  And my average group size was 1.69MOA.  For my last trip with this ammo and weapon my average group size was 1.68MOA.  I’m good with that as well.  It is the type of consistency I expect myself to have.

Bottom line to all this, if you’ve taken over the responsibility for a particular position whether a DM or an Instructor . . . do the work.  There are no short cuts and no excuses.  Just do the work until you’ve reached the level of performance you have demanded of yourself.  And then do the work to stay there. 

Easy – Peasy . . .

 

 

Range Trip 3-13-2025 Remington 700 100-Yards Amer Marksman Ammo

I gotta say that this was the most satisfying range trip I’ve ever had, bar none.  ALL my shooting goals were met.  I shot 10 5-round groups.  All were less than 2MOA.  4 were sub-MOA.  My average group size, for 10 5-round groups was 1.145MOA.  49 of the 50 rounds were within their respective 3-inch targets.  And to add the cherry on top, my very first group – target 1 on sheet 1 was my best coming in at 0.73MOA.  Yep . . . a pretty good day on the range for me.  It was the most accurate and precise target set for me personally ever with a .308 rifle.  And I believe that is to in large part to the ammunition I used – American Marksman F-BF-308-168SMK-SECONDS-C-20.  Let’s chat about that specific round and how I found it a bit.

I picked up a new-to-me Remington 700 5S with a 6x18 Burris scope in January of this year.  I’ve done one range trip with it then shooting PMC X-TAC 147gr bullets.  The results were uninspiring averaging 2.325 MOA for 10 5-round groups.  I made that range trip on January 16^th.  On January 29^th I went in for a full hip replacement of my right hip.  That took me off line until the beginning of this month when I spent a bit of time with my Ruger Precision in 22LR.  I’m back to pretty much 100% not so I went work looking for a new round to use.   I knew the rifle liked heavier bullets and would perform best with Match Grade ammunition . . . but . . . I’m a cheap bastard (just sayin’) . . . so I went in search of a “good” practice round.  Factory Match ammunition ran between around $1.80 and $2.50 per round.  For someone like me – that’s more than a little “stiff”. 

“Reloading!!!  That’s the way to go!!!”  Well . . . honestly, it’s not a lot cheaper.  Bullets’ - say SMK - run .50-1.00 . . . Brass runs .50-1.25 per cartridge . . . Primers are .1 . . . and Powder runs close to $60 per pound . . . provided you can find it.  So, we’re right back at $1.25 to $2.50 per round – provided you can actually find the components.  I find I’m too impatient for that.  My enjoyment comes from making the “bang” and seeing the result . . . not building the stuff that goes “bang”. 

Just a refresher on my goals at 100-yards.  I want 2MOA groups within 3-inch targets.  I shoot 5-round groups.  And based on an outing count of “1”, it seemed unlikely that PMC X-TAC was going to get the job done.  So, the search was on.

I ran across a video that evaluated “The American Marksman’s” “308 Seconds Bullets First” round.  This is a round with a 168gr Serria Match King bullet, slightly blemished Lake City brass, Military grade primers and I have no idea what powder.  Yet, during his evaluation of 5 rounds the velocity of the round was consistent within a couple handfuls of feet per second and the precision was 1MOA-ish.  The kicker was that the round – including free shipping to your door – was $1.00 per round.  Yep . . . a buck a round.  Really???

I had to try it so that very night I placed an order for 400 rounds of American Marksman F-BF-308-168SMK-SECONDS-C-20.  $400.  That showed up on my doorstep 4 days later (I ordered them on Saturday night.)  Yesterday, 3/13/2025 was my first range trip with the ammunition.  And, as I said earlier, I was more than pleased!

As I said, I’m shooting a Remington 700 5S with a 6x18 Burris scope.  I shoot off a front bag with a rear squeeze bag.  I find a bag gives me just a tad more “quiet” on the rifle than a bipod does.  I do have a MAGPUL bipod mounted on the rifle, but the front bag produced better results.  I set aside 10 rounds for initial zero . . . I didn’t need them.  My first group was within Target 1, on Target Sheet 1 and was 0.73MOA.  Two rounds were hole in hole – the bottom two.  I changed nothing and continued with the remaining 4 groups.  1.12MOA, 0.93MOA, 1.96MOA (all on me, honestly I was getting a bit excited) and finally 1.37MOA for an average group size of 1.22MOA for Target Sheet 1.

After looking at the bullet placement of the 25 rounds I adjust Right .3MIL and Down .2MIL before moving to Target Sheet 2.

The adjustments were spot on with my group sizes being (in order 1-5) 0.9MOA, 0.81MOA, 0.91MOA, 1.03MOA and finally 1.71MOA – again the last group was all on me.  The placement was great but the opening up with the round at 3 o’clock was all on me.

I hand loaded each round and probably walked down and check the target a couple times per sheet.  While I didn’t actually measure barrel temp, I could grab it and hold on to it with out a problem.  I did not chrono the rounds so I have no idea as to their consistency, but I suspect the final results speak for themselves.

Once fired virtually all brass was reloadable should I ever decide to go that route.  Right now, provided this ammunition remains available, I suspect I will continue to shoot it for a good long time.

I’ll add raw and scored target sheets to this post as well as photos of my setup.

Bottom line, I’m pretty darn happy with the ammo and the result.  As I said, it was one of the most enjoyable range trips that I’ve had over the years.  I would fully encourage you to give the American Marksman ammunition a look-see and see if it fits into your shooting goals, I think it’s a genuine bargain!

Range Trip 3-3-2035

 

When you have an early Spring day approaching 60*F,  you’re retired with nothing on your plate to do and you have plenty of ammunition . . . there is only one thing to do . . . Range Trip!!!  I already had my Ruger Precision in 22LR on top of the vault in my Jeep Wrangler so there was only one other thing to do – head for the range.  Let’s talk about the “why” of a range trip for a bit.

An obvious reason is simply enjoyment.  The range is typically quiet, not very crowded, and set away from what little Hussle and Bussel a small town of 5,500 can generate.  Second are the 3 “Ms” made popular by Gunsite – Mindset, Manipulation and Marksmanship.

Mindset – is your head clear as to the purpose of the practice.  In my case simply maintaining a skillset I use in teaching my Designated Marksman course.  It’s imperative that I be able to demonstrate and meet the expectations I have of the students who come and take the course.  Is my “head in the game”.  Second is Manipulation – can I run the gun without conscious thought from mounting it, finger and hand placement on the trigger and grip, acquisition of the target, understanding the POA with this rifle and the ammunition I have in it and trigger press.  Can I run the bolt and re-acquire the target easily. And can I clear any malfunctions pretty much without thought.  And the final is Marksmanship.  The precision of the shot is defined by the precision of the rifle and the precision of the ammunition.  The shooter has little to do with the precision of the shot.  They do, however, have everything to do with the accuracy of the shot.  If I am consistent in my POA, and if I am consistent in the manipulation of the gun – then my accuracy will be consistent as well.  My personal goal for a 22LR at a distance of 50 yards is – FIRST – all the rounds (typically 5-round engagements) are within a 2-inch target.  And SECOND, I want a 2MOA group size.  Group size is, indeed, a function of ammunition.  So, there is a balance between the grade of ammunition and the price I am willing to pay.  Frankly, it is more important to shoot more and work on Accuracy than it is to demand a very high level of precision.  I expect to have 90% of my rounds impact within their 2-inch target.  I can accomplish this with a $10 box of ammunition.  So that is what I do.  I’m fond of Eley Club.  On this particular day I shot 96% - 96% of all my rounds went where they were supposed to.  Most qualification courses look for an 80% for students and a 90% for instructors.   I shot an average group size of 2.32 MOA for one box of 50 on target #1 and an average group size of 2.82MOA for the second box of 50 on target #2.  I dropped 2 rounds per sheet.  These results are well within my goals.

A 22LR is an important tool that I recommend for my Designated Marksman course because it allows you to maintain your 3-Ms – Mindset, Manipulation and Marksmanship – without breaking the bank.  I recommend a minimum 100 rounds per month with a 22LR as I believe it’s the minimum number of engagements to maintain a skillset – 1200 rounds per year. 

Next would be range trips with your Designated Rifle.  I recommend a .308 bolt action with either a forward mounted Scout Scope or a Low Power Variable Optic – 1-8.  Rifles I have outfitted to demonstrate a DM rifle is a Savage 110 Scout Rifle in .308, a Ruger American in .223 with a Vortex Crossfire II and finally a LWRC IC A5 in .223 with a Bushnell LPVO.

My expectations do not change at 50 yards – all rounds within a 2-inch target with a group size of 2MOA.  And that is maintained simply because the average engagement distance for a law enforcement officer with his/her patrol rifle is just over 50 yards.  That said, pushing out to 100 yards the target increases to 3-inches but the 2MOA average group size holds.  And I am still looking for a minimum of 90% of my rounds to be within the 3-inch target.  To date, the longest shot for a law enforcement officer that I’ve been able to see documented was 173 yards.  The average “long distance” engagement is around 71 yards.  So that is where I expect officers to spend their time – at the 50- and 100-yard lines.  You can also push your 22LR out to 100 yards, but you’ll need to be pickier with your ammunition selection – I like SK Extreme Long-distance 22LR – if you can find it.

I do recommend 25 rounds per month on a target sheet with 5ea 3-inch targets.  The ammunition needs to be good quality – I’m fond of PMC X-TAC 62gr.  That meets my requirement.  For duty ammunition I recommend Hornady Critical Defense in .223 73gr.  This is the ammunition I recommend you set your zero with on your duty rifle and that you carry in your rifle and its magazines.  You may need to adjust it a bit for your target ammunition but make sure you return the rifle to zero when you finish your practice session.  I’d recommend a box of your duty ammunition every other month to check your zero.

So there ya go.  I had a nice range trip, got some good work done and hopefully explained by thoughts on my practice sessions.  Remember, the 3 “M”s are all on you – Mindset, Manipulation and Marksmanship.  They will determine if your engagement is successful and may well determine if you make it home at the end of the day.