More Chicago gangs arming themselves with rifles as alliances spread conflict

Chicago Tribune ^ | 27 dec 2017 | Peter Nickeas

[circlecity]

I think the M1 30-06 round has a flatter trajectory and is more accurate at those kinds of distances. At least I personally can shoot more accurately at distance using iron sights or with a scope with a 30 caliber rifle than I can with an an AR-15. You qualified at 1000 yards with iron sights? My compliments, my man. I’ve never seen that done. At 500 I have, but not at 1000.

[itsahoot]

I’ve never seen that done. At 500 I have, but not at 1000.

I can't even see a thousand yards anymore, I have warped retinas. Well I can see a lot farther than that just not correctly.

I really think the article wasn't talking about someone firing at a target 600 yards away but that stray rounds could be fatal at that distance.

I love my carbine even today but ammo is too expensive for fun. Mini 14s are practically the same experience and a lot cheaper to fire.

I was last in Chicago in 1959, best Pizza anywhere unless you are a New Yorker.

[sean327]

The Marine Corps doctrine says max effective range of the M16 is 600 meters. We qualified from 200, 300, and 500 meters. For me the 500 was like playing with house money. 10 rounds fired from the prone position in 10 minutes.

[sean327]

During Unit matches we fired from 600 meters with iron sights. 10 rounds in the black is not an issue. And that is with the crappy ball ammo, not match grade ammunition.
Every Marine qualifies from 500 meters with iron sights. It’s not that hard.

[libstripper]

Good for you. What size was the black and what type of weapon were you firing?

[jpsb]

I can easily believe 650 yds with an M-14. M-16 not so much.

[sean327]

M16A1, M16A2, and M16A4. From the 200 and 300 the target is a silhouette of the head and shoulders. At 500 the target is a silhouette of the head and torso. I’m not trying to be an ass, but the Marine Corps Marksmanship Program is damn good, and we take great pride in ability to put rounds on target. The M16 platform is accurate out to 650 meters if you apply the fundamentals of marksmanship and understand how to adjust your sights for the range your shooting at and wind conditions. People don’t give the M16 it’s just due.

[Svartalfiar]

What’s military doctrine on the effective range of 556 in a 16 inch or 20 inch barrel, respectively?

There isn't a specific thing for different barrel lengths, aside from different platforms like M4, M16 (longer barrel), and the M249 (SAW). Then, you have different types of ranges for each weapon. Then the SAW usually has two subranges - whether it's mounted on a tripod or shoulder fired. For barrel lengths, the 249 is 18in, M4 is 14.5in, and the M16 20 inches.

Maximum range (how far the rounds will go) on all of them is about 3600 meters.
Max effective range for an area target (group of people, building) is up to 1000 meters for the SAW, and only 6 or 800 meters on the M4/16.
Max effective range on a point target (person) is around 6-800m on the SAW, and 550-600 meters for the M4/16.

Of course, these are absolute max ranges. For qualification, the farthest targets are only 300m away, and they look pretty small. You wouldn't even see them if you didn't know where they popped up. (Targets are raised before firing so you can identify them.) And, a lot of soldiers don't even bother engaging those targets, since you don't need to hit any of them to pass. That way you save a couple extra rounds for easier targets when you miss.

[Svartalfiar]

I really think the article wasn't talking about someone firing at a target 600 yards away but that stray rounds could be fatal at that distance.
For military-grade .223, the fatal range is around 1000m. Max range is 3600m.