Armalite M15 A4 Target .223 Wylde 20" Stainless

[Broker]

Waiting for delivery on this rifle along with Armalite rings and a Leupold 3-9X scope.

Have read nothing but good things about this rifle. Unfortunately I can't find affordable target ammo, so I'll be testing it with PMC 55 grain when it gets here.

Anyone have any experience with Armalite rifles and this one in particular?

Model: A4(T) Rifle with Free Float Handguard in Black or Green
Caliber: .223/5.56 X 45 mm NATO National Match
Barrel: 20" AISI 416R Stainless Steel T Heavy
Rifling Twist: RH 1:8"69-80 Grain Ammo
Muzzle Device: None
Front Sight Base: Gas Block Top of gas block is .293 (+/-) lower than top of upper receiver
Upper Receiver: Forged Flattop with Picatinny Rail, 7075-T6 Aluminum
Lower Receiver: 7075-T6 Aluminum (forged)
Trigger: National Match two stage - 1st stage 2.5 lbs - 2nd stage 4.5-5 lbs
Overall Length: 38.38"
Weight: 8.78 lbs
Finish: Hard Anodized Aluminum, Manganese Phosphated Steel
Accuracy: 1 MOA
Included with Rifle: 10 Round Magazine, Black Case, Owners Manual, Limited Lifetime Warranty

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Do yourself a favor and buy a box of match grade ammo to determine the accuracy potential. After that, you might want to get into reloading.

 

[luke s]

I have handled one of these. it was very nice. but regular old 55gr will not show you its capabilities

 

[Ar180shooter]

High quality .223 ammo is available for under $30/box. Hardly unaffordable, considering you likely just spent $2k+ on a rifle and scope. Trying some Hornady Superformance or TAP would be a good starting point IMO.

 

[Epoxy7]

...
Have read nothing but good things about this rifle. Unfortunately I can't find affordable target ammo, so I'll be testing it with PMC 55 grain when it gets here.

Anyone have any experience with Armalite rifles and this one in particular?

That is affordable target ammo. One thing though the 556 version of this ammo shoots differently than the 223 Bronze. My VSSF II 26" shoots the 223 stuff one small hole at 100 metres. I was very surprised. The 556 version of the PMC is the same ammo but in 556 and shoots about 1 moa. This rifle is 223 chambered though. Yours is the accurized 5.56. Also the twist rate on that Remington was 1:12 so you may need to go 62 grain or higher for best performance since yours is 1:8. Use the 55 PMC to get on paper and get used to shooting the rifle. Then look for the 62 grain PMC along with Federal gold 69SMK. Reloading after that. I know some have luck with Hornady ammo. Personally none of my firearms shoot Hornady ammo. So I avoid it like the plague. I suspect if your rifle can stabilize it that the 70+ grain stuff might be decent. If you have the right twist rate and can find that ammo.



Armalite makes a decent product. I personally think they are very under rated for what you get. The upper and lowers of the new ones are the same as the Aero precision forgings which many rave about on here. The older ones didn't have the same fit/finish.

The most direct competition for the rifle you bought would be the Stag 6. It's a tough call which one to get. The main difference would be barrel length. I would highly recommend either rifle.

Do yourself a favour though and order the Magpul MIAD for that rifle to replace the pistol grip. It's the cheapest and best upgrade you can make. I like the ergo grips as well, but for a target rifle the bigger grip for the MIAD makes bringing the trigger straight back a bit easier.

The A2 stock will work fine. If going to upgrade then look for a Magpul PRS. But in reality the A2 works very well. I haven't bothered changing the ones on my AR10 rifles since they do the job nicely.

The 3-9x will work for 100 yards. You can do ok at 200 yards. After that you'll be wishing you had more magnification if target shooting. That being said since you have a 20" barrel you can still use it off hand and for general S&Gs. For a dedicated target rifle I prefer 20x or more.

Congratulatons. That's a nice rifle. Consider getting the matching one in 308. The AR10 takes it up yet another notch.

 

[Broker]

I've ordered the last 5 boxes of Hornady Steel Match 75 Grain from Wolverine.
$22/box but $46 shipping, almost $10/box just for shipping.
At least there are 50 cartridges/box.

 

[Broker]

That is affordable target ammo. One thing though the 556 version of this ammo shoots differently than the 223 Bronze. My VSSF II 26" shoots the 223 stuff one small hole at 100 metres. I was very surprised. The 556 version of the PMC is the same ammo but in 556 and shoots about 1 moa. This rifle is 223 chambered though. Yours is the accurized 5.56. Also the twist rate on that Remington was 1:12 so you may need to go 62 grain or higher for best performance since yours is 1:8. Use the 55 PMC to get on paper and get used to shooting the rifle. Then look for the 62 grain PMC along with Federal gold 69SMK. Reloading after that. I know some have luck with Hornady ammo. Personally none of my firearms shoot Hornady ammo. So I avoid it like the plague. I suspect if your rifle can stabilize it that the 70+ grain stuff might be decent. If you have the right twist rate and can find that ammo.



Armalite makes a decent product. I personally think they are very under rated for what you get. The upper and lowers of the new ones are the same as the Aero precision forgings which many rave about on here. The older ones didn't have the same fit/finish.

The most direct competition for the rifle you bought would be the Stag 6. It's a tough call which one to get. The main difference would be barrel length. I would highly recommend either rifle.

Do yourself a favour though and order the Magpul MIAD for that rifle to replace the pistol grip. It's the cheapest and best upgrade you can make. I like the ergo grips as well, but for a target rifle the bigger grip for the MIAD makes bringing the trigger straight back a bit easier.

The A2 stock will work fine. If going to upgrade then look for a Magpul PRS. But in reality the A2 works very well. I haven't bothered changing the ones on my AR10 rifles since they do the job nicely.

The 3-9x will work for 100 yards. You can do ok at 200 yards. After that you'll be wishing you had more magnification if target shooting. That being said since you have a 20" barrel you can still use it off hand and for general S&Gs. For a dedicated target rifle I prefer 20x or more.

Congratulatons. That's a nice rifle. Consider getting the matching one in 308. The AR10 takes it up yet another notch.

Thanks for your input, it is much appreciated.
The .223 Wylde barrel has a 1:8 twist so hopefully the 75 grain steel match will work well.

I have both the .55 grain Bronze .223 and .55 grain .556 X-Tac as well as some 62 grain Fusion ammo, so it will be interesting to see how each works, once the rifle and scope get settled in.

 

[Broker]

My Little Armalite song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsokPP-yQcg

First time I've seen a rifle with a theme song!