It took me long enough, but by gosh, it got done.
A while back a friend of mine started a company. Maybe you've heard of it?
Ground Zero Precision. Very early in this business venture, I placed an order.
A day later TxARguy gave me a call. "What are you wanting to do with this rifle?" He asked.
My reply, "Shoot long range. 3, 4 hundred yards."
He informed me that I'd chosen some "good" components. "Can I build you what I'd want for the same price?" Uh, yeah! So, I got a complete upper. Stainless bbl, 16" 1/8 twist. GZP Deadbolt BCG.
And a mil spec LPK. I went local for an Anderson lower and tube/buffer and spring. I topped it off with a PA 4-14 FFP mil/mil , mil dot.
I spent countless rounds poking bug holes at 100 yards. Did some trigger buffing. (Of course).
Later, at a TGT meet, I got a drop in trigger from GZP and understood the hoopla.
View attachment 42322
So, later, my neighbor put a bug in my ear. "We need a 1000 yard range".
Well hell, why not? I went to work, with some prodding, and target material donations from some guys y'all know here.
It's still a work in progress, but it's getting there. Mesquite is tough.
I found 200 yds to be quite easy, given the equipment. (Firearm)
Such being the case, I skipped a 300 yd target and berm. Straight to 400!
Well, the wind in west TX will humble a feller pronto. 400 didn't come so easy as I'd imagined.
Not with a 22 caliber. But it got easier as the powder burned.
700 was the next step due to terrain. Golly! That target looks small.
So, I hosted a group of guys Sunday. Some serious long range hardware was at hand.
We battled a 15+ mph crosswind all day. Still, proper equipment won out.
I tried my hand with the AR at 700 but couldn't get any type of consistency across that demon wind.
I relented and took position behind the Grendel and Creedmoor offerings made available.
Today. Perfect weather. 5 mph or less wind. Mostly from my six.
A fresh batch of handloads that didn't look so good on paper at 100 yards, but stayed stable out past 700.
The first 5 rounds were at 100 yards through a chronograph. Ugly group. Just ugly. But the velocity told me they'd be stable beyond 700.
I sent 3 rounds at the 200 yd steel. They're a bit high compared to previous outings. Ok.
I set my turrets to 400 based on prior success. Just over the top of the plate. Not unhappy.
A few clicks down, we're good. I trusted the ballistic app for 700 and twisted the turrets again.
As I settled in, the breeze came from my left. Slight, but I definitely felt it.
The mesquite leaves were gently swaying on the last tree before the target. I shifted point of aim to the left edge of the steel plate. Exhale, squeeze....
Hell if I know. Mirage and sheer distance prevented any visual indication. The plate sure didn't move.
I didn't hear crap with my earplugs.
I fired 4 more rounds. Mostly out of hope and curiosity.
So, I drove down to the target.
View attachment 42323
5 Hits! Gotta look close at the hangar bolt on the right. Bullet hit right on the top edge of the plate.
I went back to the bench. Dialed everything back to 200. Re-zeroed for the new loads. Ok.
Dialed up to 400. Got that reset.
Dialed back up to 700.
First shot hit top of the berm, dead center.
I lowered 3 clicks and finished off what I'd started. Overall, 12 hits out of 14 shots fired at 700 yards.
From a 16" carbine AR15.
Thanks Phillip!
A while back a friend of mine started a company. Maybe you've heard of it?
Ground Zero Precision. Very early in this business venture, I placed an order.
A day later TxARguy gave me a call. "What are you wanting to do with this rifle?" He asked.
My reply, "Shoot long range. 3, 4 hundred yards."
He informed me that I'd chosen some "good" components. "Can I build you what I'd want for the same price?" Uh, yeah! So, I got a complete upper. Stainless bbl, 16" 1/8 twist. GZP Deadbolt BCG.
And a mil spec LPK. I went local for an Anderson lower and tube/buffer and spring. I topped it off with a PA 4-14 FFP mil/mil , mil dot.
I spent countless rounds poking bug holes at 100 yards. Did some trigger buffing. (Of course).
Later, at a TGT meet, I got a drop in trigger from GZP and understood the hoopla.
View attachment 42322
So, later, my neighbor put a bug in my ear. "We need a 1000 yard range".
Well hell, why not? I went to work, with some prodding, and target material donations from some guys y'all know here.
It's still a work in progress, but it's getting there. Mesquite is tough.
I found 200 yds to be quite easy, given the equipment. (Firearm)
Such being the case, I skipped a 300 yd target and berm. Straight to 400!
Well, the wind in west TX will humble a feller pronto. 400 didn't come so easy as I'd imagined.
Not with a 22 caliber. But it got easier as the powder burned.
700 was the next step due to terrain. Golly! That target looks small.
So, I hosted a group of guys Sunday. Some serious long range hardware was at hand.
We battled a 15+ mph crosswind all day. Still, proper equipment won out.
I tried my hand with the AR at 700 but couldn't get any type of consistency across that demon wind.
I relented and took position behind the Grendel and Creedmoor offerings made available.
Today. Perfect weather. 5 mph or less wind. Mostly from my six.
A fresh batch of handloads that didn't look so good on paper at 100 yards, but stayed stable out past 700.
The first 5 rounds were at 100 yards through a chronograph. Ugly group. Just ugly. But the velocity told me they'd be stable beyond 700.
I sent 3 rounds at the 200 yd steel. They're a bit high compared to previous outings. Ok.
I set my turrets to 400 based on prior success. Just over the top of the plate. Not unhappy.
A few clicks down, we're good. I trusted the ballistic app for 700 and twisted the turrets again.
As I settled in, the breeze came from my left. Slight, but I definitely felt it.
The mesquite leaves were gently swaying on the last tree before the target. I shifted point of aim to the left edge of the steel plate. Exhale, squeeze....
Hell if I know. Mirage and sheer distance prevented any visual indication. The plate sure didn't move.
I didn't hear crap with my earplugs.
I fired 4 more rounds. Mostly out of hope and curiosity.
So, I drove down to the target.
View attachment 42323
5 Hits! Gotta look close at the hangar bolt on the right. Bullet hit right on the top edge of the plate.
I went back to the bench. Dialed everything back to 200. Re-zeroed for the new loads. Ok.
Dialed up to 400. Got that reset.
Dialed back up to 700.
First shot hit top of the berm, dead center.
I lowered 3 clicks and finished off what I'd started. Overall, 12 hits out of 14 shots fired at 700 yards.
From a 16" carbine AR15.
Thanks Phillip!
