I ought to have fired a three-round group or perhaps a five-round group. It might have made me really feel higher, and my half a dozen teams would all be sub-MOA if I had restrained them to a few rounds. Or, effectively, not less than a few of them can be. I just lately shot by means of 250 rounds of AAC’s 5.56 NATO 77-grain OTM cartridges by means of a PSA Sabre rifle. PSA bought AAC after Remington went bankrupt, and their varied manufacturers hit the public sale block. PSA additionally supplied this ammo for transparency.
AAC now occupies the ammo wing of the steadily rising PSA empire. Loads of ‘new’ ammo corporations come and go, however this isn’t a small batch of overpriced relabeled Winchester ammo. This can be a main gun producer that produces ammo at aggressive worth factors. The AAC 77 grain OTM (OTM stands for Open Tip Match) is barely .55 cents per spherical.
Dwell Stock Value Checker
I searched worldwide, and the subsequent least expensive comparable cartridge prices 10 cents extra per spherical, with 20 cents extra per spherical being the typical. PSA is bringing their direct-to-seller experience to the market and decreasing the worth of match-grade AR meals. It’s going to work completely with their varied navy clones, just like the Mk 12 they’re now producing.
How’s It Shoot?
I’m all the time suspicious when somebody screams off the rooftops that their rifle is 1 MOA all day after they shoot a single three-shot 1 MOA group. There’s a distinction between a rifle and ammo kind that sometimes shoots 1 MOA and one that may constantly shoot 1 MOA. For that purpose, I went with six five-shot teams.
Why six? Effectively, as a result of thirty rounds slot in {a magazine}. The time between pictures is nevertheless lengthy it took to stroll 100 yards downrange, doc the group, and return to the gun. I fired from a supported place with the gun resting on a desk. Not in a vise however with a sandbag to help the barrel and stabilize the gun.
I fired six teams, one among which was actually sub-MOA. One other is sort of 1 MOA, relying on the way you measure teams. The opposite 4 had been fairly shut, hovering round 1.3 to 1.4 inches. I used a 4X prism optic from an organization known as Cosmic Tactical. It’s a enjoyable little ACOG-wannabe that brings me again to the times of the M16A4. As talked about, the rifle is a PSA Sabre with a twist charge of 1:7, which appears effectively suited to 77-grain ammo.
The Sabre collection is designed to be the higher-end PSA rifles, however they aren’t DMRs, so general, I feel the AAC 5.56 NATO 77 Grain OTM rounds carried out fairly effectively for 100 yards. I’m not a precision shooter, however I used to be stoked to see these tiny teams from my very own taking pictures expertise. It’s clear PSA appears to be taking the ammo enterprise severely and producing some correct ammo for rather less than everybody else.
Past the Rested Place
After taking pictures my tiny teams and making myself really feel good, I loaded one other journal and arrange an A Zone-sized goal at 100 yards. The 11×6-inch rectangle is a pretty big goal; I really feel I would like a big goal for my expertise. I broke down my fantastic rested place and simply tried a standing off-hand place.
Me and the Sabre fired ten rounds within the standing and walked again downrange as soon as extra. I used to be getting my steps on this vary journey. At 100 yards, I stored all ten within the rectangle, with three breaking the road, however dang it, it counts! I felt good about hitting that rectangle constantly and precisely.
The AAC 77 grain OTM stuff is made for accuracy and copies the unique navy hundreds designed for DMR-type rifles. It’s additionally discovered its manner into SBRs. In accordance with guys who know greater than me, this heavier-duty stuff is meant to work effectively in weapons like the ten.3-inch barreled MK-18. It is sensible. It’s heavier and hits exhausting, even from a brief barrel.
I attempted the AAC 77 grain in the identical Sabre at 50, 25, and 10 yards. The recoil impulse was good and what you’d count on from a 5.56 rifle. It doesn’t appear to be the heavier projectile imparts extra recoil on the person. The reticle doesn’t bounce between pictures, and I can do fast doubles, triples, and quick reloads. Up shut, making little teams rapidly was simple.
The AAC Answer
The AAC 5.56 NATO 77 grain OTM cartridges are strong performers up shut and much away. I went by means of all 250 rounds with out a drawback. It’s not a ton, however accuracy and reliability proved constant over the 250 rounds. I’m not a precision shooter by any means, however even I used to be a little bit suspect at 55 cents 77 grain OTM ammo.
But, right here we’re, with constant, dependable, and seemingly very correct 5.56 77 grain hundreds that don’t price an entire lot greater than normal AR meals. I’m shocked, happy, and impressed.
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms fanatic, and now an everyday man who likes to shoot, write, and discover methods to mix the 2. He holds an NRA certification as a Primary Pistol Teacher and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s teacher.
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