Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Rifles and Shotguns > Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles Dedicated to the Smith & Wesson M&P-15 Rifles


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-20-2017, 11:06 PM
SCAR333 SCAR333 is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
Liked 44 Times in 29 Posts
Default A few questions about my hunting setup.

My heart surgery went well, and my doctor told me that I could go back to 100% hunting after my six weeks recovery. However, I don't want to take any chances, but I also do not want to miss the entire deer season. So, I am going to setup my Sport 2 for hunting.

I purchased a couple of boxes of Winchester Super X Power Point in .223 Rem. 64 gr., an inexpensive Pursuit rimfire scope in 3-9x32, some high ring mounts so I can, hopefully, avoid having to take off the front sight and put on a low profile gas block.

Am I missing anything?

From what I understand, sighting in an AR at 25 yards will enable me to hold dead on anywhere from point blank out to 200 yards, and still be in the vitals of a whitetail. Is this true for any amount of grains bullet, or just for a certain one?

I am not planning to take a shot over 150 yards, as I do not even do that with my .270 hunting rifle.

If I am missing anything, please let me know. Thank you!
__________________
S&W M&P 15 Sport II
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-20-2017, 11:15 PM
jagular's Avatar
jagular jagular is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 448
Likes: 59
Liked 252 Times in 155 Posts
Default

You'll want to run your hunting ammo through at the various ranges to see how it performs. I wouldn't assume anything. Bullet weight and speed are all different. Even the way your rifle shoots it will be different. Does your scope have a bullet drop compensator? If it does, they are usually set up for a certain type of ammo. If you don't, you'll want to figure out your holdover/under at various distances.

6 weeks after heart surgery? I understand wanting to get back to normal but maybe sit this season out and work on rehabilitation. Good luck to you.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 08-20-2017, 11:44 PM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
US Veteran
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wylie, TX
Posts: 4,670
Likes: 1,075
Liked 3,823 Times in 2,040 Posts
Default

I would use different ammo, like Barnes TSX... and I would also test that optic before I went out in the field with it. Not sure it will hold up on the AR, but maybe it will. Also, don't worry about the front sight post. At 4x power or higher, you won't even see it. The focal point for the scope is further out than the front sight, so it will just ghost out.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 08-21-2017, 12:11 AM
jimbo728's Avatar
jimbo728 jimbo728 is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 8,671
Liked 3,497 Times in 1,342 Posts
Default

If you sight in at 25yds you may be on at 200yds but 4 inches or more high at 100 yds..
Good luck on your recovery and happy hunting.
Jim
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 08-21-2017, 01:04 AM
WaywardSon WaywardSon is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 66
Likes: 105
Liked 88 Times in 30 Posts
Default

Your sighting in "plan" is not a plan. Until you sit at the bench and fire for group at known distances...you have no real idea where your gun will shoot at what distance. A 25 yd. group tells you next to nothing...it may get you on the paper at 100 yds......or not.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 08-21-2017, 07:05 AM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: God's Country
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,235
Liked 3,535 Times in 1,770 Posts
Default

First of all buy a good scope and a quality cantilever mount. The advice about a scope at 4x or over was correct. Just don't over scope your gun.

Sight your rifle in like you would your .270, unless you have the regular deer rifle sighted in for extreme long range. The advice about trying some Barnes bullets is good, but the W-W 64gr is a classic deer bullet in a .223.

When I had my first back surgery I was in the same shape you are. I bought a 6.8 SPC for the additional bullet diameter and weight. It has become my favorite 200 yard or less deer rifle. I have a 1.5-5x scope mounted and it is all the magnification I need.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 08-21-2017, 07:26 AM
SCAR333 SCAR333 is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
Liked 44 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
First of all buy a good scope and a quality cantilever mount. The advice about a scope at 4x or over was correct. Just don't over scope your gun.

Sight your rifle in like you would your .270, unless you have the regular deer rifle sighted in for extreme long range. The advice about trying some Barnes bullets is good, but the W-W 64gr is a classic deer bullet in a .223.

When I had my first back surgery I was in the same shape you are. I bought a 6.8 SPC for the additional bullet diameter and weight. It has become my favorite 200 yard or less deer rifle. I have a 1.5-5x scope mounted and it is all the magnification I need.
I am only going to be using the AR to hunt with this season, so I did not want to put much money into the optics. I went with the Winchester Super X because it has been a tried and true round for me for many years.

According to the ballistics calculator on the Winchester ammo sight, zeroing that round at 25 yards will have my bullet 3 inches high at 150, which is the max range I ever shoot a deer anyways.

If the scope does not hold up while sighting it in, I will get a bit better scope, but I don't see why the one that I got will not work...
__________________
S&W M&P 15 Sport II
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 08-21-2017, 08:31 AM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCAR333 View Post
I am only going to be using the AR to hunt with this season, so I did not want to put much money into the optics. I went with the Winchester Super X because it has been a tried and true round for me for many years.

According to the ballistics calculator on the Winchester ammo sight, zeroing that round at 25 yards will have my bullet 3 inches high at 150, which is the max range I ever shoot a deer anyways.

If the scope does not hold up while sighting it in, I will get a bit better scope, but I don't see why the one that I got will not work...

If I am missing anything, please let me know. Thank you!
I can tell by looking at your numbers you're using the default setting for sight over bore at 1.5 inches. That's generally where most hunting rifle scopes are mounted. On an AR platform the iron sights are about 2.5 inches above the bore, and that's generally where most optics are mounted (centerline of the scope) with one inch tall rings or a one-piece mount designed for an AR platform which will also be one inch tall.

So when you plug in 2.5 inches into your ballistics calculator with a 25yd zero you'll be eight inches high at 150 yards, not three inches.

For your hunting purposes, suggest 100yd zero and go get em.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 08-21-2017, 09:59 AM
SCAR333 SCAR333 is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
Liked 44 Times in 29 Posts
Default

After messing around with things, I have decided to mount the scope that is on my .270 onto my AR. I will have to use the 1" height rings (will be here tomorrow) because with the rings it was already in, the scope rests on the foregrip, causing the front ring base not to seat on the rail. This way, I know I will have a scope that will hold up. Plus, I figure since I will not be using my .270, why not move the scope over to the AR?

I will have to wait until I get it mounted to measure the sight over bore so I can get a better starting point for zeroing the scope. I only have a 25 yard indoor range and a 75 yard outdoor range that I can shoot at, so I will have to make that work somehow.
__________________
S&W M&P 15 Sport II
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-21-2017, 10:19 AM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
US Veteran
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wylie, TX
Posts: 4,670
Likes: 1,075
Liked 3,823 Times in 2,040 Posts
Default

The 1" height rings should put the center of the scope to about 2.5" over bore. If you use a 100 yard zero, you should be about 1.5" low at 25 yards... and just a hair low if you move over to the 75 yard range. Puts you about .75" low again at 150 yds.

Phil, keep me honest on this....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-21-2017, 10:29 AM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCAR333 View Post

I will have to wait until I get it mounted to measure the sight over bore so I can get a better starting point for zeroing the scope. I only have a 25 yard indoor range and a 75 yard outdoor range that I can shoot at, so I will have to make that work somehow.
If you're using 1 inch tall rings with either a 1 inch or 30mm tube, sight over bore will be close enough to 2.5in that your bullet won't know the difference.

75yd zero will be fine for your hunting purposes.

75yd zero with your ammo and 2.5in sight over bore.

Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #12  
Old 08-21-2017, 10:37 AM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cyphertext View Post

Phil, keep me honest on this....

Looks good.

Since SCAR333 says he got 1 inch tall rings and a place to zero at 75yrds... slam dunk done... for what he wants to do.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-23-2017, 12:28 PM
SCAR333 SCAR333 is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
Liked 44 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
If you're using 1 inch tall rings with either a 1 inch or 30mm tube, sight over bore will be close enough to 2.5in that your bullet won't know the difference.

75yd zero will be fine for your hunting purposes.

75yd zero with your ammo and 2.5in sight over bore.

After mounting the scope, the best measurement that I can get for sight over bore is close enough to 2.75" that I call it 2.7" on the ballistics calculator. For the calculator I used 2.7" for bore over sight, 50 yard zero, 200 yard max range, and 89 degrees for the temp since I won't be able to shoot until sometime in September. According to the ballistics calculator, the highest that the bullet will rise in the 200 yards is 2", and that is a little shy of 150 yards.

It looks like this is going to be my best setup. I was really hoping to be able to use a 25 yard zero, which would mean that I could do it indoors, but that just isn't the best scenario for my setup.

I understand why, but it still blows my mind that the front sight is not even visible in the scope... Simmons 44 Mag 6-21x44.

Here is the finished product:

__________________
S&W M&P 15 Sport II
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-23-2017, 02:12 PM
nachogrande nachogrande is offline
Banned
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Gods waiting room, W/C FL
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 3,334
Liked 4,548 Times in 2,010 Posts
Default SCOPE HEIGHT...

I'd say to mount the scope where it fits you correctly & as close to the barrel as able. If the sights are in the way, remove them. What's the big deal? It beats having a scope that don't fit IMO. Check your local laws on minimum hunting calibers. Good luck & don't over do it.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-23-2017, 02:14 PM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCAR333 View Post
It looks like this is going to be my best setup. I was really hoping to be able to use a 25 yard zero, which would mean that I could do it indoors, but that just isn't the best scenario for my setup.

If you want you can use your 25yd indoor range. Look at your ballistics calculator. It will tell you where the bullet will strike at 25yds in relation to point of aim.

See the above chart? It's telling you that with a 75yd zero the bullet will strike 1.4inches below point of aim at 25 yards. So.... you'd aim at the bullseye at 25 yards and adjust your scope until the bullet strikes around an inch and half below the bullseye (point of aim). Done. Do the same with a 50yd zero at 25yds... or whatever zero you'd like. It's a bit more precise zeroing at the further distance but it'll be close enough for your hunting purposes or at least to initially zero and then confirm when you get to your outdoor range.

Cheers.

Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 08-23-2017 at 05:31 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 08-23-2017, 02:33 PM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
US Veteran
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wylie, TX
Posts: 4,670
Likes: 1,075
Liked 3,823 Times in 2,040 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nachogrande View Post
I'd say to mount the scope where it fits you correctly & as close to the barrel as able. If the sights are in the way, remove them. What's the big deal? It beats having a scope that don't fit IMO. Check your local laws on minimum hunting calibers. Good luck & don't over do it.
1. An AR-15 does not have a drop in the stock like a traditional rifle does, so mounting a scope close to the barrel is not really an option... it would be too low to get a good cheek weld.

2. The front sight on his rifle isn't just a front sight. It is also the gas block. The rifle doesn't work without one, so it is kind of a big deal...
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #17  
Old 08-23-2017, 02:35 PM
SCAR333 SCAR333 is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
Liked 44 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
If you want you can use a 25yd range to zero at 50yds. Look at your ballistics calculator. It will tell you where the bullet will strike at 25yds in relation to point of aim.

See the above chart? It's telling you that with a 75yd zero the bullet will strike 1.4inches below point of aim at 25 yards. So.... you'd aim at the bullseye at 25 yards and adjust your scope until the bullet strikes around and inch and half below the bullseye (point of aim). Done. Do the same with a 50yd zero at 25yds... or whatever zero you'd like. It's a bit more precise zeroing at the further distance, but it'll be close enough for your hunting purposes. Or at least to initially zero and then confirm when you get to your outdoor range.

Cheers.
I was actually thinking about doing that. With the 50 yard zero, the POI at 25 yards is 1.2". That should not be too hard to duplicate.
__________________
S&W M&P 15 Sport II
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 08-23-2017, 02:47 PM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cyphertext View Post
2. The front sight on his rifle isn't just a front sight. It is also the gas block. The rifle doesn't work without one, so it is kind of a big deal...
Single shot... and just duct tape the handguard to the barrel.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #19  
Old 08-24-2017, 09:22 AM
hdrolling's Avatar
hdrolling hdrolling is offline
US Veteran
A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup. A few questions about my hunting setup.  
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Grays Creek, NC
Posts: 253
Likes: 18
Liked 138 Times in 91 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCAR333 View Post
My heart surgery went well, and my doctor told me that I could go back to 100% hunting after my six weeks recovery. However, I don't want to take any chances, but I also do not want to miss the entire deer season. So, I am going to setup my Sport 2 for hunting.

I purchased a couple of boxes of Winchester Super X Power Point in .223 Rem. 64 gr., an inexpensive Pursuit rimfire scope in 3-9x32, some high ring mounts so I can, hopefully, avoid having to take off the front sight and put on a low profile gas block.

Am I missing anything?

From what I understand, sighting in an AR at 25 yards will enable me to hold dead on anywhere from point blank out to 200 yards, and still be in the vitals of a whitetail. Is this true for any amount of grains bullet, or just for a certain one?

I am not planning to take a shot over 150 yards, as I do not even do that with my .270 hunting rifle.

If I am missing anything, please let me know. Thank you!
Where in SC are you located?
__________________
M&P15 sport II, Retired Army
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Any use for large calibre hunting rounds besides hunting? LSUDVM Ammo 25 04-02-2015 05:10 PM
Hot Salt Bluing Setup Questions/Input usnrigger S&W-Smithing 19 02-12-2015 03:19 PM
More questions for handguard setup Dmacpro91 Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 48 11-26-2013 11:56 PM
Random questions and observations about the upcoming hunting season-really CAJUNLAWYER The Lounge 13 11-08-2013 03:28 PM
New setup for 9mmand 40 - powder questions smokindog Reloading 26 05-11-2013 02:22 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:38 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)