Bushmaster Varminter/target ARs

2942 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Flak 2, Jun 15, 2003

docglock

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2003

Have owned a Bushmaster Varminter for about six months. It has a 24" fluted, match barrel with 1 in 9 twist, 2 stage competition trigger, crowned muzzle, etc. I reviewed four published magazine articles on the gun. Each article reports that the gun is capable of consistently delivering sub MOA performance (five shot groups of 0.5 to 1.0 MOA) with premium commercial (not hand loads) ammunition. One article even claimed it could produce "three shot groups of 0.25 MOA with regularity" with handloads. Well, I have been trying and trying at both 50 yards and 100 yards. Using a Leupold Vari-XIII scope up to 20X I have registered some groups of 0.6 to 0.8 MOA, but the majority of groups are in the 1.0 - 1.5 MOA range. I know this is not bad for an AR, but I would have expected better. I've used just about every premium ammo, including Black Hills and Federal, in the 40-60 gr bullet weights. Using Federal LC military M193 I get usually 1.5-1.75 MOA (with an occasional flyer). Have not tried reloads. I think my technique on a benchrest is about average or better. Can you believe published reports? Does anyone else have anything to report on the Bushmaster Varminter or the performance any scoped, out of the box AR-15 style match rifles?

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Coyote

· #5 · Jun 11, 2003

If I have one word of advice, make sure that you're getting your eye close to the iron sites. The .223's are designed to be close, and if you're not, your groups are going to suck. I figured this out the hard way.

I agree with the above. I was really surprised that with the AR you almost have to make eye contact with the rear sight. But as stated, it sure improves the groups. We have to remember that when the AR was developed, a good group would of been 6 to 8 inches at 100 yards. That is the kill zone in a humans chest area. The weapon will do much better than that if worked with. I have a 3 x 9 scope on mine and am looking to put a 1.5 x 5 leo on it. You can not believe how fast you can track a target at 3 power and how accurate you are when shooting fast.

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