The AR-15 is a well-known firearm used by civilians, the military, and law enforcement. But when it comes to long-range shooting with an AR-15, there are some things you need to know.
Reach Out and Touch Something
An AR-15 is an excellent rifle for long-distance shooting. It can be customized to fit the shooter’s needs and is relatively easy to use. With some practice, you can become a long-range shooting expert with your AR-15. Let’s discuss the basics of long-range shooting and how to set up your AR-15 for optimal accuracy. We will also provide tips and advice on improving accuracy and shooting like a pro!
Ammunition
Ammunition is the first limiting factor in shooting accurately at long range with your AR-15. Early on, what stopped progress at extended ranges were bullets. Key numbers one and two are bullets and barrels. Of course, there has to be capable ammunition involved. In general, you will want heavy-grain bullets. Be careful; if you go too large, you must manually hand-feed your rounds directly into the chamber.
Several match-grade projectiles are commercially available for this application, such as Federal Premium 69-grain Sierra Match King, Hornady 73-grain ELD, Fiocchi 77-grain Sierra Match Kings, and Barnes 85-grain Premier Match. Still, hand loads professionally made for your intended application will work best.
Rifle-Specific Mods for Long-Distance Shooting
AR-15s are one of the most popular rifles on the market for various reasons, but one of the biggest is because they are so customizable. Whether you’re looking to modify your AR-15 for long-distance shooting or want to change up the look of your rifle, there are plenty of options available to you.
And thanks to the growing popularity of the AR-15 platform, more and more companies are offering products and services to help you customize your rifle. So if you’re looking to mod your AR-15, don’t worry – there’s no need to be an expert. With a bit of research and some help from the experts, you can quickly turn your AR-15 into a long-distance plinker with ease.
Twist Rate
The stability of a bullet is determined by its length in relation to its diameter, and the barrel’s twist rate refers to how far the bullet travels along the lands or rifling to make one complete revolution. A 1-in-8 twist rate means one turn in eight inches and is the minimum necessary to stabilize anything longer than a 68 or 69-grain bullet.
However, going a little faster in a twist is recommended, as there is nothing wrong with a 1-7 twist rate. 90-grain bullets require a 1-6.5 twist rate, which is quicker. For 77-grain bullets or longer, a 1-8 twist rate is necessary. It should be noted that bullet length, not weight, constitutes the rate of twist required to launch a stable bullet. Consequently, understanding a bullet’s length and diameter is essential for understanding its stability.
Barrel
While many different factors can affect the accuracy of an AR-15, floating the barrel is generally considered to be the most important. A tubular forend helps to ensure that the barrel is not in contact with any other parts of the gun, which can potentially throw off its alignment. The gas block and tube must be installed appropriately, so they do not contact the barrel. Taking these precautions makes it possible to achieve greater accuracy with an AR-15. Although a longer barrel will provide slightly more velocity, there is typically no significant difference between a 24-inch and 26-inch barrel in terms of accuracy.
Large-diameter barrels are also of value to accuracy. While they may be heavier and seem to offer the benefit of added stability and reduced recoil, the recoil associated with an AR-15 is so minuscule that a heavier barrel will be more of a hindrance than a help. Even still, large-diameter barrels help to reduce muzzle rise and improve shot placement. So while it is not required, it is something you can keep in mind if you are willing to carry the extra weight for a benefit you may not notice.
Build Your Own Long-Distance AR-15
A side-charge AR-15 from Critical Objective is a great choice for anyone interested in building a long-distance shooter. Critical Objectives has eight years of experience crafting mission-specific barrel attachment systems, and our team understands the importance of having a dependable weapon in any situation. We create weapons that perform superbly in extreme conditions because we understand that you can’t always predict what you’ll encounter in real-world scenarios. When choosing a Critical Objectives rifle, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting a top-quality product. Check Us Out!