Another Postal Match Idea - AR Platform Only

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Last Post 27 May 2019

CBA Member

David Reiss posted this 17 December 2016

I started a phone conversation with John Alexander by asking if any AR platform only, matches had been held in the past or if he had seen many members competing with them, the answer was no and I can't think of any. Which leads me to this idea and some thoughts. First, what is the most popular rifle platform today, the AR of course. As many members already know, we are a aging organization. In order to continue and become a bigger & stronger CBA, then we need to overcome the stagnant membership level. Younger shooters are drawn to ARs for several reasons, but the main two are cost & coolness. As some of you are aware of from some of my other posts & the CBA blog, we are moving toward becoming more of a presence in social media, ie. Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Twitter. As we do, offering matches that cater more to their interests, we are likely to garner them as new members.

So my proposal is to offer AR-15 platform only postal matches. I am willing to help manage this match and am looking for input as to what to offer. Initial thoughts are to allow all calibers, but break them up into maybe two sub-categories for scoring. Feed me some ideas and I will put it together.

But make sure to vote on the poll I will set up in the General Poll Category, comments are not enough, we need actual votes to make it a reality.

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
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ar-platform ar-15

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CBA Member

JimmyDee posted this 27 May 2019

Are these replicas of the M4 platform?

Commonly know as "M-forgeries," these commercial ARs have 1-1/2" longer barrels to avoid being short barrel rifles.

Jeff is right: even "as-issued" M4s come in a variety of configurations - usually uppers with A2-style front gas blocks and flat top or A2 carry handle lowers - and a wild collection of rails, etc for accessories.

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CBA Member

bdrake71 posted this 26 May 2019

I'm an AR shooter of multiple calibers. I'd be interested in shooting the next AR postal match.

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CBA Member

David Reiss posted this 09 April 2017

Like some other responders here, I too don't own an AR. There are two gun projects underway right now. But following those, I'm going to hunt down an AR chambered in 7.62x39. They were made for a while but interest waned and they were mostly discontinued. If that happens I'll for sure give the Postal a try.

Someday......

Tom

Tom,

There are many ARs still being made in .762X39mm, along with numerous uppers which of course you know are 2 minute swap-outs. They do still sell for more than .223s, but I am already seeing the prices coming down, no doubt due to the inventory levels and current demands, with the current threat of a ban lessened with Trump in office & a republican congress. When the manufactures see less demand from the “slam & bang” crowd & hoarders, they will put more effort in making other calibers in greater quantities. Just my 2 cents.

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CBA Regional Director

Tom Acheson posted this 09 April 2017

Like some other responders here, I too don't own an AR. There are two gun projects underway right now. But following those, I'm going to hunt down an AR chambered in 7.62x39. They were made for a while but interest waned and they were mostly discontinued. If that happens I'll for sure give the Postal a try.

Someday......

Tom

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CBA Member

RicinYakima posted this 09 April 2017

Mike, The military side is not an issue! Not very many guys own issue M-16's or M-16-1A's. Since we don't allow clone M-1's or M'14's in military, it is not a problem. I think the AR platform matches are a great idea!!! I have this 300 Blackout that....... Ric

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CBA Member

Larry Gibson posted this 08 April 2017

I think the whole idea is great.

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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CBA Member

Pepe Ray posted this 08 April 2017

Late to the party, as usual. Interested? You betcha!! Got a Windham Weaponry on the way, as I peck. Have been a CB shooter since the -60's. Had NO interest in ANY semi-auto until others showed me there potential. At my age/health status it may never get done but we're gonna try. Carry ON !!

Pepe Ray

Only in His name.

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Admin Admin

MKastning posted this 17 March 2017

Hi everyone. I am so sorry I don't get on here as often as I should. Its been crazy in other sections of my CBA life, largely sending out postal targets for the upcoming season. Keep the orders coming in! I thought I should jump on and follow up that there is a discussion going on at the board level for ideas on how to put together something AR specific. I am confident that there are ways to do just about anything, but it all hinges on participation from people actually willing to shoot.

A VERY good way to get the attention of everyone and to show a demand for AR platform specific categories is to jump into the existing match in the postals that is currently shot by very few people, AR's are already allowed. The Pump, Lever, Auto, Break Action match #16. It is shot at 100 yards, Four 5 Shot Groups, or one 10 shot score target. Iron sighted guns are separate from the scoped with targets appropriate for each.

I would welcome any and all (even non CBA members they shoot for a buck more per match) to give it a try.

A couple things that may be in the postal rules as written that may be stopping people from entry we can deal with easily here.

6x scope is the limit for the traditional scoped match. It is written for basically hunting rifles. If you shoot a higher powered scope, just let me know. We can put it in an Experimental Scoped Class. You will compete against anyone that enters with a 6.5x or higher scope. The winner of each class will be eligible for awards and certificates. Winning CBA members will have their technical data posted in the Fouling Shot as normal.

The postal rules also state the term factory produced rifle. One thing about the AR's is the modularity and are built to be customized. My unofficial stance on this, and frankly the as guy that has to deal with a bunch of variations anyway and sort out the match report, is SHOOT THE MATCH and let me sort out the particulars of reporting. Look at is as a way to Vote with your triggers to get the AR's involved.

Let me know by either PM here, or email [email protected] or [email protected] how I can help get a massive amount of black rifles shooting in Match #16. Get your orders in to me through the regular mail method, or email me with the scoped or iron class target requests, group and or score, and mail me your check. We will get it going.

Thanks,

Michael Kastning *Postal Director side*

PS: Mentioning the above to keep it out of the military classes for CBA. Thanks for the separation! I certainly don't want to deal with that can of worms. That is from Michael the Military director side of my keyboard.

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CBA Member

Scearcy posted this 16 March 2017

DPMS Oracle for under $500

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CBA Member

Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 16 March 2017

if you are thinking you might need an ar-15 .... i see that ruger 556 are available for under $500 if you look around . ....

ken

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CBA President

John Alexander posted this 15 March 2017

OK a CBA postal match for ARs is going to happen one way or another. The CBA board is discussing the rules for the first match or matches to find out how much interest for this. If you want to get your two cents worth in now is the time.

John

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CBA Member

David Reiss posted this 07 March 2017

I had been casting for almost 33 years before I built my first AR. Shooting cast bullets in them was a natural progression. Cheap ammo was never an incentive to own one though.

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CBA Member

Millelacs posted this 07 March 2017

I wonder how many cast bullet shooters started out casting because they were interested in shooting cheap ammo?

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CBA Member

Brodie posted this 07 March 2017

John

I think that most AR shooters are only interested in cheap ammo.

B.E.Brickey

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CBA President

John Alexander posted this 06 March 2017

We have had only a few express an interest in a AR postal match. There is a lot of talk about the CBA missing out because we don't have a place for the ARs. But talk of making an AR class doesn't make much sense if we can't even get interest in a postal match. Half the rifles I see when I go to the range are ARs but maybe those interested in ARs are just not interested in CBs much less competition with CBs

Last call. Who would shoot an AR with cast bullets if we offer a postal class?

John

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Standard Member

Toot-Sweet posted this 27 February 2017

Some of us have been experimenting with cast in the AR platform, with PC coatings, to prevent the gas system becoming fouled, for some time now. I shot a 357 Mag and Super in competition for years so thought it might be interesting to see what you can get out of a 358 hard cast (Carlton Shy Formula 70% WW, 20% Lino, 10% Chilled shot cold water dropped) with a Powder Coated 200gr RCBS plain base bullets at 100 yards. RCBS stopped making the mould but NOE makes the mould now. The gun I built for this has a McGowen 16 inch, 358 barrel, 1-20 twist, with a .350 land diameter, with a Rock River upper and lower, plus an adjustable gas block to slow down the bolt opening. The 34 gr of 1680 drives the 200 to right at 2,400 fps in Federal 6.8 SPC brass, making the recoil pad on the little carbine a good idea if you go out to fireform 50 rounds of brass with the 34gr load. It takes a stout load to fireform the brass properly.

I have since built a sub sonic, piggy planter, 1-12 twist version for 250gr bullets and with a Photon IR night sight plus an IR illuminator. By the way, if you have a sub sonic category, should it be shot with the can? Plus most sub guns are shot at 50 rather than 100 if intended for night hunting.

Below is the 200gr I use in the 358, a group shot while fire forming brass and the little 358 carbine in 16 inches.

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CBA Member

Scearcy posted this 12 February 2017

John

I am not much of a postal match guy. However as you and I briefly discussed IF and that is a big IF I trade for one this spring, I will definitely put something together for this forum or for TFS. The Boolits guys have their guns functioning fine but I haven't seen any solid claims of less than 2 MOA. We might well be able to improve on the accuracy w/o worrying about the need to have the AR cycle.

Jim

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CBA President

John Alexander posted this 12 February 2017

I have written Mike Kastning, our postal match director, to see if he was willing to try this, No answer yet.

This is turning out to be such a hot topic that it is in danger of falling off the bottom of the “Latest Discussions” page.

I just checked out the replies to the poll that David started when he started this thread (in General Poll category) and a grand total of eight members said they “were interested” (not promising to enter but interested). Not encouraging.

If Mike is willing, I still think we should give it a try and make sure the folks on Booolets and other forums know about it. If it fails to attract entries we can stop wasting our time on it.

Is anybody else still interested in this effort?

John

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Standard Member

JeffinNZ posted this 10 February 2017

Well I don't have an AR and not about to buy one but I am with you in spirit. I'm just not sure that 99% of people who buy AR's and such are interesting in handloading let alone cast bullets. The time they have finished fitting 20 tacticool accessories to their rifle...................

Cheers from New Zealand

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