For a parts list and pics of the rifle click the link below.
viewtopic.php?f=87&t=56811" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I used two scopes....
BSA 4-12x40 in this mount http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BL ... 00_s00_i00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Vortex Diamondback BDC 4-12x40 in this mount http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BL ... 00_s00_i00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Call them cheap or knock offs if you want, that's what they are, but they are sturdy and hold well in my opinion.
The plan was to use each scope for 10 rounds and see what my best combo was after getting a rough zero with the target OTM ammo.
Ammo used will be discussed with each picture.
All targets were at 50 yards.
SSA OTM 115gr
This is the first 20 rounds I've ever fired in the weapon.
BSA scope.
I didn't even have to make any adjustments. I was so happy that I was lucky enough to already be hitting where I was aiming and that I wouldn't have to waste a lot of ammo getting on point.
Needless to say I was thrilled that my first build was working out SO well!
Next I loaded up 10 of the following.
SSA Barnes TSX 85 gr
I was hoping for better and thought I started to notice something....I thought the scope was rotating in the rings. So I tightened them down a little more and moved on to the next target.
SSA Barnes TSX 110gr
With each shot my sight picture sucked more and more. By the end of these 10 rounds the scope was still in place but the dang reticle had rotated inside the scope. The verticle line went from being 12 & 6 to about 2 & 8.
Ok, I've got this same scope on a Sig522 and its fantastic. But it WILL NOT tolerate a 6.8 SPC.....obviously!
On to the Vortex from here on out.
SSA OTM 115gr
So now that the Vortex is mounted I shot some more of the target ammo just to see where I'm at.
Again? Really? I couldn't believe that I was already pretty close to point of aim, let alone on paper.
Not too disappointed with the grouping but was having a hard time focusing on the crosshairs and the target. Power backed down from x12 to x7.
In this picture there are 20 rounds in the center target...
Adjust dope and move to the bottom right and put 10 in it.
I don't recall if I made any adjustments before moving to the bottom left or not but there are 10 more rounds in that part of the target as well.
SSA OTM 115gr
Again with the target ammo but this time at x12 power just to see if there was any difference.
At this point I quite pleased with the results and move on to the hunting ammo.
Yes, I'm well aware that I pulled a couple but all things considered who wouldn't be happy with the progress I was making?
The flyer belonged to the bottom left.
10 in each.
SSA Barnes TSX 85gr and 110gr
85gr on the left and 110gr on the right.
10 of each, very pleased with the performance of this ammo.
x10 power scope setting seemed to be the sweet spot at 50 yards with the Vortex.
SSA Nosler Accu-Bond 110gr
10 rounds in each.
Not disappointed with this ammo either.
SSA Sierra Pro Hunter 110gr
10 rounds in each.
x10 power still the sweet spot.
This stuff was just as good as the rest!
Hornady V-MAX 110gr
Not what I was expecting from Hornady but it is what it is.
By this time I have been at the range a while and spent a lot of time looking down the scope.
When I do this my eyes tend to get fatigued and I have a hard time focusing.
I'm not sure if the poor groups were due to the ammo/gun combo or my tired eyes.
10 rounds in each.
Hornady V-MAX 110gr
My last target and some more V-MAX that I had. I wanted to confirm that it was either me or the ammo.
The results, as you can see, were not drastically different but did improve a bit so who knows.
All I know is that the marriage of an AR-15 Performance (ARP) barrel, Geissele trigger and SSA ammo make quite the team!
I was very happy with the results of my first build and to be honest I feel comfortable using any of the ammo from SSA as a dedicated hunting round.
