shots on a steel plate were allowed at each distance, followed by five shots for record on a paper groundhog target. The rifle produced solid scores at 600 and 500 yards, and at 400 yards, four shots printed a 2.93-inch group within the 3.8-inch diameter chest scoring ring. The reliability of the Bullet Drop
Compensation adjustments of the Leu- pold Mark AR scope was also evaluated. The rifle/scope combination was zeroed at 100 yards using Hornady 55-grain TAP FPD cartridges. Allen screws in the BDC dial were loosened to allow rotation of the dial to 1, corresponding to the 100-yard setting. With the BDC dial set in succession at 2, 3, 4, and 5, three shots were fired at each of four steel plates placed at 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards. Bullet strikes were mostly within 2 to 3 inches of the aim point, confirming the reliability of the BDC dial. The ¼ MOA click adjustments of the Mark AR 6-18x40mm scope proved reliable and repeatable. In the FIeld
The Stag Model 6 Super Varminter
arrived approximately one week prior to leaving on a 14-day trip to the Dakotas in search of prairie dogs. This left only enough time to mount the scope and become familiar with the rifle. Con- sequently, the above range tests were conducted after the trip, and the major- ity of shots at prairie dogs involved the use of factory ammunition. The Winchester 45-grain Jacketed Hollow Point varmint loads proved ef- fective out to approximately 250 yards, Hornady TAP FPD 55-grain loads out to about 275 to 300 yards, and 68-grain Black Hills Match HP factory loads and handloads with 75-grain bullets provided by a local dealer out to ap- proximately 300 to 325 yards. Wind deflection was a limiting factor with the lighter weight bullets. The approximate maximum dis-
tance for high percentage hits on prairie dogs with the majority of the factory ammunition proved to be in the 250- to 300-yard range. At this and shorter distances, the Super Varminter/Mark AR/factory ammunition was a deadly combination. With 75- and 77-grain bul- let handloads developed after the trip producing 100-yard groups of approxi- mately two-thirds MOA, the expected yardage for high percentage hits is extended to approximately 350 yards.
An advantage of the AR-15 with
the Leupold Mark AR scope mounted approximately three inches above the rifle-bore centerline was the apparent flat bullet trajectory between 50 and 275 yards. For example, with the Hornady 55-grain TAP FPD cartridges producing a muzzle velocity of 3,240 fps and zeroed for 225 yards, points of impact relative to the aim point at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 275 yards were -0.7, 1.0, 1.5, 0.9, -1.2, and -2.9 inches, respectively. The small deviation in trajectory from the line of sight minimized the need for elevation adjustments or to hold off fur on prairie dogs within 275 yards. Of course, with the high scope mount, it was important to avoid canting the rifle/scope com- bination when attempting long-range shots. For shots at distances greater than 275 to 300 yards, the Leupold Mil Dot reticle in the Leupold Mark AR scope was employed to compensate for bullet trajectory. The ability for rapid follow-up
shots on coyotes and wounded prairie dogs is perhaps the most significant advantage of an AR-15 platform. By re- placing the factory 10-round magazine of the Super Varminter with a ProMag 20-round magazine, it was possible to stay engaged without having to reload on a frequent basis. The target-grade trigger facilitated a smooth let-off, and the heavy barrel helped to stabilize the rifle on shooting sticks, making it pos- sible to see bullet strikes and implement rapid sight corrections. Compared to a bolt-action varmint
rifle, the Stag Model 6 Super Varminter has more “controls” to operate, e.g., safety, magazine release, and bolt re- lease. It takes a bit of practice to push the right buttons at the right time. Also, you need to have plenty of ammunition and extra magazines as ammunition expen- ditures likely will be two to three times greater than with a bolt rifle. Handloads can reduce costs and enhance accuracy, but require that all cases be full-length resized and bullets seated within a maxi- mum cartridge overall length (C.O.L.) of 2.26 inches. Bullets of 75-grains and heavier may need to be seated such that the C.O.L. is greater than the 2.26 inch width of the AR-15 magazine, requir- ing cartridges with these bullets to be loaded one round at a time. The ejection of empty cases cre- ated two problems: a) having to search
New Exact Small Arms Ballistics
“The Source Book For Ri emen”
New Book by Prof Art Pejsa World Renowned Authority In ne hard-cover
at the low Price of $24.95+$3 P&H
Also still available, the world’s most accurate program for PCs or PDAs at $39.95 postpaid. Phone 715-344-7749 or:
Pejsa@sprintmail.com
through grass, brush, or leaves to re- trieve them; and b) requiring the spotter to sit on the left side (rather than the more convenient right side) of a right- handed shooter in order to avoid be- coming a deflector for the ejected brass. These problems can be solved by fitting the Super Varminter with a shell catcher. A shooter desiring an autoloading
varmint rig for use off a bench, bipod, or shooting sticks should consider the Stag Model 6 Super Varminter and the excellent Leupold Mark AR 6-18x40mm scope. This rifle/scope combination provides, at reasonable cost, a highly ac- curate shooting system compatible with a range of bullet weights. In closing, I greatly appreciate the assistance of Mark Malkowski, president of Stag Arms, and Pat Mundy, marketing communications supervisor for Leupold & Stevens, In- corporated. The products mentioned in this article are trademarked by the parent companies. Load data were obtained from reference publications, but should be checked and approached with caution.
CONTACTS Stag Arms
515 John Downey Dr. New Britain, CT 06051 1-860-229-9994
www.stagarms.com
Leupold & Stevens, Inc. P.O. Box 688
Beaverton, OR 97075-0688 1-800-Leupold
www.leupold.com
www.varminthunter.org Page 111
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212