An AR-15 with plain iron sights can reach farther than many shooters expect. Gun Websites took a 16-inch BCM carbine with irons out to a steel gong at about 500, then worked back to 400, 300 and 200 on small steel animal targets.
The rifle
- A 16-inch BCM carbine with iron sights only, no optic.
Working the distances
- 500: a steel gong, filmed at maximum zoom. Heat shimmer makes distant targets fuzzy on video and in the sights.
- 400: a small steel turkey, a much smaller target that punishes any error.
- 300 and 200: smaller steel animals, where hits came easier and the rifle was hitting close to point of aim.
- The range was laid out in meters, so the distances ran a little longer than the yardage called out.
Lessons
- Know your zero and where it puts your shots at each distance. Hits on steel tell you right away whether your holds are right.
- Small targets at long range show every flaw in trigger press and position.
- Accessories can get in the way: one handguard add-on blocked the charging handle and slid out of place during the session. Test new parts on the range before you rely on them.
More
- See AR15 Shooting, the Rear Sights page and AR15 Barrel Length.
Based on a video from the Gun Websites YouTube channel. New to the AR-15? Start with Where To Start.