S&W M&P15 Sport II - Third Range Day:

[Zen_Seeker]

S&W M&P15 Sport II - Third Range Day:

Firearm: M&P 15 Sport 2
Modifications: Replaced butt stock, pistol grip, and handguard
Range: 100m+
Ammo: 120RND Barnaul .223 55gr FMJ & 20RND 1995 5.56 55gr brass China Surplus
Optic: Bushnell 4.5-18x40mm AR/.223 BDC
Conditions: Ground was damp. Mostly calm with minor gusts of wind. Thunderstorms expected after mid-day.


My son and daughter joined me this time to try out the M&P 15 while I setup the new scope. We only had 140 rounds and two hours before we needed to leave for an appointment. Accounting for setup and clean up we didn't have much shooting time before we needed to rush off.

I had already removed and polished the trigger to smooth it out a bit. Bore sight has the first two shots just off paper, about 3" low. From there I walked it up after a few more shots until it seemed to be hitting centre mass. Then I let the kids go for the bottom target and sign.

The new scope was working well and even though I couldn't get the 18x to be 100% clear on the target, due to my glasses, my kids could see things perfectly fine. (Old eyes suck.)

We all had okay groups here and there but I couldn't get consistent. My best group was on the sign, POA was the letter "U". So either my trigger control was all over the place, I hate orange, or I do better with white and blue targets. My son shot the two top corners which cut the metal supports and broke the target.

The kids had fun, as did I, but I need to come back and do a serious effort when we have time to relax.

 

[BillyBats]

I had very good results with the Barnaul 55 gr as well. This pic shows my results primarily focusing on 5.56 AE XM193 (the usual bulk most suppliers sell), not a bad group for 48.5 meters. The tighter group to the lower right is the Barnaul 223.

Little known fact about the American Eagle 5.56 commonly sold in bulk branded "XM..." Its milspec and will give poor results generally from sporting rifles or match grade AR's (like the M&P 15 for example). If you want to see how well XM performs, send it down the 20" barrel of a mil-spec M16A2 All of the "XM" American Eagle stuff sold for civilian use has been rejected by QC for military use.

The M&P 15 is still my fav AR though.

 

[Zen_Seeker]

The brass/copper rounds I have are the ones floating around in 2014 Chinese 5.56x45mm. I believe they had 1200RND per-case from 1995. Got them from Al Flaherty's and Bullseye London. The 4th photo from the top shows the 10RNDs tested on the top right of the target.

I only have a 100m range at my club for rifles, but you can setup at 50m if you bring your own stuff and close off the 100m gazebo. I didn't have time for that. I shoot 30m - 80m on a spot I have on crown land, but obviously nonrestricteds. I also shoot up to 300m whenever my father feels inclined to let me shoot at the farm, but that's few and far between as his wife is an anti. Unless they are having vermin issues it only occurs when she's away for business or holidays.

Based on the above and personal experience I think the M&P15 does as well as the MR1. Neither come close to the MVP 5.56 but it's my favourite vermin rifle.

 

[johnmbrowning]

nice rifle for a great price! Too bad theyre restricted, i would love to own a cheaper ar over my more expensive 'NR' black rifles...

 

[Zen_Seeker]

nice rifle for a great price! Too bad theyre restricted, i would love to own a cheaper ar over my more expensive 'NR' black rifles...

I swore I'd never by a restricted rifle, but the price was to good and desire was already high. Since I go to the range for my pistols about once a month or more I'd thought I'd buy this one and only restricted rifle. Now I've already shot about 700 rounds in a month and haven't used my pistols since I bought the M&P 15.

Next time I take it out I'm going to bring my portable table and stool so I can setup for 50m first.

 

[Deathrawt]

Ya you can't beat the m&p 15 as far as value goes
I was going to buy a 223 conversion for my xcr but discovered the m&p 15 was about the same cost so it was a no brainer as to which way to go
It does suck that the ar is restricted though as I can go shoot the xcr anywhere but not the ar which is stupid as there is no difference between the two rifles really