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Armalite AR-10T with 24" SS barrel

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Tactical Scopes
Forum Description: Police and military tools of the trade
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Topic: Armalite AR-10T with 24" SS barrel
Posted By: ncbruce
Subject: Armalite AR-10T with 24" SS barrel
Date Posted: December/20/2015 at 21:04
I was recently asked to start long range shooting (up to 1,000 yards) by a good friend. I am fairly knowledgeable with shotguns and 1911's, but clueless as far as this goes. I have read a lot of your forum talk and figure this might be a good place to get some good input. Here's the short story. I am in my late fifties, so I told him - Why not. Traded one of my 1911's for an Armalite AR-10T  with 24" SS barrel, exc. cond. Is there a scope that would allow me to deer and pig hunt (300 yds. or so) and also be able to shoot out to longer ranges? Does this 24" barrel affect and of the usual guidelines for selecting a scope? Read a little about the IOR Valdala Tactical and SWFA Super Sniper. Fixed vs. adjustable magnification? Please give your input, and thanks.



Replies:
Posted By: Sgt. D
Date Posted: December/20/2015 at 22:17

I have been learning the competition world lately myself and will share what I feel may help. I started by building a couple bolt action rifles and was fortunate to already own some top glass to try on them. I was a bit surprised to learn that with todays available ammo, reloading components and rifle build options. Shooting 1K is not that difficult. But being competitive and "consistently so" requires a good amount of trigger time, progressive research and some quality guidance from those who have helped make it what it is today. When and where I started was pretty forgiving for a beginner and I have learned tons from those seasoned shooters. My two bolt builds proved to be very competitive and made me look pretty good at first. Then murphy decided to pay me a visit. I really don't like that guy!! But it caused me to make a decision, drop it or get serious with it. Mostly because even with me being able to do my own builds, ballistics research and reloading, shooting competitively is expensive.

Now to your questions.

Is there a scope that would allow me to deer and pig hunt (300 yds. or so) and also be able to shoot out to longer ranges?

The short answer, yes. But as you know there are countless variables to consider. I will share my reasoning and trust my OT brothers will share theirs. I too am in the 50's zone. No matter how heavy or impractical my rifle build may be it must multi-task as a hunting rifle also. I carried a M-249 (SAW) in Iraq and refuse to let weapon weight "overly" dictate its effectiveness. I prefer Ziess or IOR for competition and hunting. I prefer 18X to24X with 30mm+ tubes and 56mm objectives with side focus. These scopes typically come with target turrets. I have learned to hunt and shoot competition with them typically set to 12X to 14X. This is a good mid point set that works well on the fly and is a quick adjust either way when needed. Some argue "why not just work in that range only?" If you are comfortable with that then certainly you should. I like to be able to get as good a picture of my target as time, light and opportunity will allow. With my current eye sight 12X and 14x won't do that for targets beyond 500yds. Shoot! even at 100yds sometimes I like to bring up a good full picture of a doe or young buck just to learn more about them. Some say the low end of high X scopes is too high for close shots. I just haven't found that to be true. Last week I made a neck shot on a doe at 45yds with my 6-24X56 and it was on 10X. I just adjusted the side focus and made the shot. NO problem!! Enough on that, you consider what your goals and ambitions are and buy to fit that. If your budget is really strong for glass look at Ziess DL,  IOR, US Optics, Meopta, SWFA, Vortex what ever you can find that fits your goals. Be sure to check the Sample List before you buy anything.

Does this 24" barrel affect?

 Yes!! My current build is a AR-10 chambered in 7mm-08. This has been a LARGE learning experience. This rifle is built for 1K competitions and to hunt. I started with a 24" barrel to see what velocity I could get before I cut it to my goal length of 20". Glad I did because to achieve the velocity I want I will have to keep it at 24". You will learn for yourself how much bullet weight and velocity have to do with consistency in windy adverse conditions (if you don't know already). Note that you will loose 150 to 200 fps from the gas operation over bolt gun performance. I am also finding that the 24" barrel is less forgiving than the longer 28" bolt guns. So why bother with an AR?? Speed.................... Most competitions of late are requiring up to ten targets in 90 seconds in a stage. I have never practiced being fast with a bolt gun, my goals have always been be steady focused and accurate. The speed thing almost made me drop competitions. But a good friend has "provoked" me to continue. So I will and plan to soundly whip his butt on the range!! The AR-10, is a great platform but you will have to learn your rifle and the loads you choose as to how to adjust for wind. Learning your elevation adjustments is a breeze compared to learning hold for wind and especially learning to read the wind correctly. trigger time is your best teacher on both adjustments. ballistic data and ballistic apps are good to get you familiar with its potential but actual on paper shots is your most reliable data. I write my shot card based on what the rifle does not on what a chart shows.

Fixed vs. adjustable magnification? Adjustable is not required to shoot distance or hunt. There are many shooter/hunters out there that do very well with fixed power. It is kinda like bow hunting. It is as much about the method as it is the game or target. I prefer adjustable because I like having as much advantage as I can get. I don't cheat but that don't mean I have to play fair.

Sorry for the book but maybe there is something here that will help.

Good Luck!

And Welcome to the OT!!



 



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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!


Posted By: ncbruce
Date Posted: December/20/2015 at 22:32
Wow. Thank you for the informative and timely response. I really appreciate it. I is VERY helpful. 
Merry Christmas and thanks again.


Posted By: madcratebuilder
Date Posted: January/05/2016 at 14:09
I have a 22" N6 Noveske, same as a ArmaLite AR10B.  I have settled on a Vortex Viper 6-24X50 for long range, I have also used a 10X SS.  My 66 year old eyes need all the help they can get.  You may find these are heavy rifles and may not be good for hunting, unless you just park your butt and wait for game.  That's what I do.


Posted By: ncbruce
Date Posted: January/05/2016 at 14:35
Thanks for the input. That model scope looks to have very positive reviews.



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