ACCShooter
7 April 2011, 18:54
Spike’s Tactical Rifle Accuracy Test (Photos & Video)
On the video part – Ben Powell (02NBMFormula) and I figured that we should throw some content up on our Youtube page before LaRue. You’ll have to wait until after the LaRue Tactical multigun match in Texas to see video of the Spike’s Tactical rifle in action. Until then, please take a look at this footage which should prove entertaining:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkLTih3i69k
The DPMS/Bushmaster hybrid in the video can’t compare to the Spike’s rifle. The entire Spike’s rifle feels as if it equals the weight of the DPMS/BM upper receiver assembly alone. The Spike’s rifle is also a lot more accurate. I anticipate on being able to point this new blaster even faster and more accurately than the old franken-AR.
I took the Spike’s Tactical Shooting Team rifle out today to dial it in and see what it could do at a distance. I started by loading up a batch of precision match ammo (75gr Hornady OTM @ 2.250, new Lake City Brass, CCI SR Primers, and 23.5gr of Hogdon Varget) and heading out to the range to give this recommended load a shot.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/62d9e06c.jpg
Before I headed out, I made a few changes to the rifle.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/d445e8a2.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/71e88463.jpg
Since I’m shooting in the limited division which does not allow magnified optics, I’m running a Leupold Prismatic 1X scope. I swapped the TROY rear BUIS for a MATECH BUIS that is elevation adjustable. If I find myself going to a match that does not allow 1X optics, I’ll require the use of an elevation adjustable rear iron sight to dial for dope at longer distances. I also swapped the charging handle latch out for one that does not have an easily accessible pinch point – I charge my rifle with my entire hand. Other than those few changes to meet my personal preferences, the rifle was ready to go!
With a 10MPH crosswind, I threw a target up at the 50 yard line to get the BUIS on paper with cheap 55 grain bullets. From there, I should be close to zero with 75 grain bullets at 200 yards:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/4df31a23.jpg
After two 5-round groups (top right and middle right), I was ready to zero my MATECH BUIS/TROY front BUIS with a 10 shot group at 200 Yards.
Here are two targets set at 200 yards (The two tiny white dots above the muzzle):
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/9ead5d44.jpg
The first and bottom group measures (Purple):
.778 MOA Average to Center
2.147 MOA Max Spread
The second and middle left group measures (Blue):
1.51 MOA Average to Center
3.221 MOA Max Spread
The third and top group measures (Yellow):
.713 MOA Average to Center
2.524 MOA Max Spread
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/8a36934a.png
I didn’t shoot a fourth group since it would be represented by the orange dot (Or some point with respect to elevation between the orange and blue dots) in the lower center of the target. The backup iron sights lack the precision to get any closer to the center of the target – they would simply jump to either point higher or lower (Yellow & Purple).
Next, I folded up the BUISs and installed the Prismatic.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/4df31a23.jpg
At 50 yards, the two 55 grain groups are left and low center. The third one didn’t need to be fired since the adjustments proved to be reliable.
Since the Prismatic was more precise than the BUISs, I was able to fine tune the point of impact:
First group (Green)
.575 MOA Average to Center
1.970 MOA Max Spread
Second group (Blue)
.620 MOA Average to Center
2.032 MOA Max Spread
Third group (Yellow)
.717MOA Average to Center
2.117 MOA Max Spread
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/e1947d62.jpg
Due to the precision of the optic, the yellow dot can get no closer to the center of the target. If adjusted, it will simply move to the opposite side.
Now that everything is dialed in at 200, it’s time to check things at 300 yards – at this distance, the lone “dot” in the reticule nearly covers the entire target (See the targets? I can’t see them either!):
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/328cf468.jpg
At this point, it is getting dark and the wind is still picking up – 10 rounds later, I run 300 yards to find this:
300 Yard Group w/ same POA – 10.833” low:
.834 MOA Average to Center
2.570 MOA Max Spread
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/e017741c.jpg
I’d say that this rifle is plenty accurate for the limitations I’m shooting it with. I expect Ben’s targets to be tighter. Having everything seem four times closer makes things a bit easier http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/smiley_abused.gif.
Since everything is dialed and doped in, I headed back home to crank out the rest of my match ammo:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/bf2fff33.jpg
Shooting to 480 yards should prove to be interesting in Texas – subscribe to our Youtube channel at the top of the page to be one of the first to see how things go!
On the video part – Ben Powell (02NBMFormula) and I figured that we should throw some content up on our Youtube page before LaRue. You’ll have to wait until after the LaRue Tactical multigun match in Texas to see video of the Spike’s Tactical rifle in action. Until then, please take a look at this footage which should prove entertaining:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkLTih3i69k
The DPMS/Bushmaster hybrid in the video can’t compare to the Spike’s rifle. The entire Spike’s rifle feels as if it equals the weight of the DPMS/BM upper receiver assembly alone. The Spike’s rifle is also a lot more accurate. I anticipate on being able to point this new blaster even faster and more accurately than the old franken-AR.
I took the Spike’s Tactical Shooting Team rifle out today to dial it in and see what it could do at a distance. I started by loading up a batch of precision match ammo (75gr Hornady OTM @ 2.250, new Lake City Brass, CCI SR Primers, and 23.5gr of Hogdon Varget) and heading out to the range to give this recommended load a shot.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/62d9e06c.jpg
Before I headed out, I made a few changes to the rifle.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/d445e8a2.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/71e88463.jpg
Since I’m shooting in the limited division which does not allow magnified optics, I’m running a Leupold Prismatic 1X scope. I swapped the TROY rear BUIS for a MATECH BUIS that is elevation adjustable. If I find myself going to a match that does not allow 1X optics, I’ll require the use of an elevation adjustable rear iron sight to dial for dope at longer distances. I also swapped the charging handle latch out for one that does not have an easily accessible pinch point – I charge my rifle with my entire hand. Other than those few changes to meet my personal preferences, the rifle was ready to go!
With a 10MPH crosswind, I threw a target up at the 50 yard line to get the BUIS on paper with cheap 55 grain bullets. From there, I should be close to zero with 75 grain bullets at 200 yards:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/4df31a23.jpg
After two 5-round groups (top right and middle right), I was ready to zero my MATECH BUIS/TROY front BUIS with a 10 shot group at 200 Yards.
Here are two targets set at 200 yards (The two tiny white dots above the muzzle):
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/9ead5d44.jpg
The first and bottom group measures (Purple):
.778 MOA Average to Center
2.147 MOA Max Spread
The second and middle left group measures (Blue):
1.51 MOA Average to Center
3.221 MOA Max Spread
The third and top group measures (Yellow):
.713 MOA Average to Center
2.524 MOA Max Spread
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/8a36934a.png
I didn’t shoot a fourth group since it would be represented by the orange dot (Or some point with respect to elevation between the orange and blue dots) in the lower center of the target. The backup iron sights lack the precision to get any closer to the center of the target – they would simply jump to either point higher or lower (Yellow & Purple).
Next, I folded up the BUISs and installed the Prismatic.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/4df31a23.jpg
At 50 yards, the two 55 grain groups are left and low center. The third one didn’t need to be fired since the adjustments proved to be reliable.
Since the Prismatic was more precise than the BUISs, I was able to fine tune the point of impact:
First group (Green)
.575 MOA Average to Center
1.970 MOA Max Spread
Second group (Blue)
.620 MOA Average to Center
2.032 MOA Max Spread
Third group (Yellow)
.717MOA Average to Center
2.117 MOA Max Spread
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/e1947d62.jpg
Due to the precision of the optic, the yellow dot can get no closer to the center of the target. If adjusted, it will simply move to the opposite side.
Now that everything is dialed in at 200, it’s time to check things at 300 yards – at this distance, the lone “dot” in the reticule nearly covers the entire target (See the targets? I can’t see them either!):
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/328cf468.jpg
At this point, it is getting dark and the wind is still picking up – 10 rounds later, I run 300 yards to find this:
300 Yard Group w/ same POA – 10.833” low:
.834 MOA Average to Center
2.570 MOA Max Spread
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/e017741c.jpg
I’d say that this rifle is plenty accurate for the limitations I’m shooting it with. I expect Ben’s targets to be tighter. Having everything seem four times closer makes things a bit easier http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/smiley_abused.gif.
Since everything is dialed and doped in, I headed back home to crank out the rest of my match ammo:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/DyNo541/bf2fff33.jpg
Shooting to 480 yards should prove to be interesting in Texas – subscribe to our Youtube channel at the top of the page to be one of the first to see how things go!