Guns A Basic 5.56 Carbine at 1,000 Yards Dave Merrill May 11, 2017 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. For many, long range shooting can be a mythical beast. We've spent the last couple days down in Texas at an NRA Outdoors Range with Vista Outdoors shooting all sorts of rifles, from the general-purpose 5.56 AR to the Savage Stealth bolt action chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Zapping targets at range with a 6.5 Creedmoor is not unexpected, but how about stretching the legs of a 5.56? We gave it a whirl. The Setup The rifle was a Savage MSR-15 with some basic factory upgrades–you'll find many like them on the shelf at your local Gander Mountain Cabelas for ~$800. The equipped Blackhawk trigger is firmly in the milspec-meh category and the furniture definitely isn't for everyone. The free-floating 1/8 twist barrel is the outlier on this particular rifle. Similarly, the optic used was something you'd pick up at a local sporting goods store. The Bushnell Engage 4-16×24 is certainly budget minded with a street price of ~$350. We're not talking about a variable that you show off to the envy of all around you. Further annoying to the author since he's under 60, it features MOA turrets. Of course, pushing it to 1,000 we don't want to use cheap Russian ammunition or surplus. Federal Premium Gold Medal loads were used, topped off with 69gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP (Boat Tailed Hollow Point) projectiles. While we had access to Kestrels and other ballistic calculators, we used the free Federal Ammunition smart phone ballistics app. Hey, if we're going cheap, nothing beats free. The Shoot First things first: The MSR-15 was zeroed at 100 yards and then we tried out the accuracy of the ballistic app by pinging steel at 300 yards. Everything was on point. There was a problem when the app spit out the data for 1,000 yards though–48.3 minutes of elevation was beyond our adjustment range. Even adding in the stadia lines in the reticle we were coming up short. Holdover became the rule of the day. Having a good spotter is essential at these ranges, double-so when running something that can be easily swayed by wind like a 5.56 at low velocities. And if you do manage to hit the steel, the impact is so slight and the formerly-satisfying ping so quiet that you need someone with a lot of magnification for confirmation. Have a look to see how we did: [Photos courtesy of Jacki Billings] Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
