I'm not advocating any solution, merely sharing ones that work for me.rob_s wrote:I've never had that plan pan out well. It's like buying one hammer handle and thinking you're going to change out heads depending on what needs whacking. It just doesn't work out.
Specific tools for specific jobs IMHO. But I also find that people can do a lot more with a lot less if they actually get out there and try it. The first time I shot a 5.56 AR at 200 yards was on 6" steel with a .625" diameter, 11.5" long barrel and a 4 MOA aimpoint shooting XM193 with a stock GI trigger. The internet had clearly told me I needed a heavier, longer barrel with a magnified optic and hand loads not to mention a two-stage trigger for this kind of shooting. Maybe even a bipod. Imagine my surprise when I consistently rang the plate over and over again from prone with nothing but my arms and the magazine (another internet no-no) to hold the gun up. My old competition and training gun was also a .625" barrel, this time 16", wearing a 3x Compact ACOG and I never encountered any close range issues once I learned how to use it properly.
I don't see what a 10x optic is providing with the round in question. 10x optics to me are for 1/8-mile guns and I don't see the 300 BLK as an 1/8-mile round. I'd look to one of the 6.x rounds for that if I was limited to the short mag AR platform and the .308 if I was not. I understand the point about seeing the gun as CQB first and distance secod vs. the reverse, I just don't see the value in the reverse given this round.
Proficiency with a bare setup is assumed and IMO a prerequisite.
I do a lot of Long Range Precision competition with my bolt gun and run what most consider more magnification than necessary. (8.5-25x)
My philosophy towards magnification is that it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
With the bolt gun, I run the baseline magnification @ 10x and adjust as the course of fire dictates.
As far as my carbine goes, two separate load out profiles work well for me.
Neither one may be optimal for all situations, but either of them will allow for reasonable engagements.
Choose the load out ahead of time and go with it.
(Reconfiguration on the fly is not realistic.)
I'll use my 5.56 setup as an example.
It is a 14.5" 1-9 twist heavy barrel using the A.R.M.S. 50M SIR rail system and LMT Enhanced BCG.
The lower wears an LMT 6 position SOPMOD stock and has an H2 Buffer .
The barrel is short enough to accommodate CQT and Vehicle Movement, but because it is a free floated heavy barrel it is able to shoot 69 grain SMks within 1 MOA out to ~ 600 yards.
Additionally, the heavy barrel is also more tolerant of heat generated by high round counts and the use of a sound suppressor.
The LMT Enhanced BCG adds both a boost in reliability as well as in accuracy due to its design and that the bolt unlocks much later.
The 6 position LMT SOPMOD stock allows for adjustable length of pull and excellent cheek weld.
With that base rifle in mind, RECCE type performance as well as CQT carbine performance can be had.
All one has to do is select the appropriate accessories.
(Or, you can always run it naked and use the irons.)
Sorry for the long and slightly off topic post, I just felt the need to clarify my position after reflecting on Rob_S post.
