AR-15 Match Rifle

keys85 · December 8, 2008, 03:55 PM

I have one of those lead wedge weights in the stock of my match rifle, I trimmed it to balance at the delta ring. I am curious to where most shooters balance their rifle. Do many shooters make their rifles slightly muzzle heavy or generally keep it balanced right at the delta ring? I prefer a slightly heavy muzzle for stability and control, therefore was thinking of trimming my weight just a hair more.

Balance @ delta ring where it meets up w/ receiver versus center of delta ring versus foward of delta ring at the start of handgaurds? Where exactly is your balance point?

shooterer · December 8, 2008, 04:52 PM

I balance my rifles at the delta ring

I shoot HP with a "thumb out delta hold" (thumb near ejector port, glove jammed in the gap and fingers facing my shoulder) this hold locks my wrist the best and keeps the muzzle from moving (too much).

My service rifle is at about 15 1/2 lbs. I have a full weight in the hand guard and 7/8 of a wedge in the butt.

Jim

kraigwy · December 8, 2008, 07:06 PM

Cpt Crossman, in his book recommends that any serivce rifle be held at the mag well (or just ahead of the mag on mag. rifles) When held there the rifle should just start to time at the muzzle end. I believe the all guard teaches this or did when I went to their coaches clinic. I also preached the same thing when I was coaching the AK NG Rifle Team.

My AR Service Rifle (White Oak Upper) is a bit muzzle heavy so I put lead shot into the buttstock until it just starts to tip at the muzzle. Sure helped me.

Of course my AR now weighs 13.5 lbs. But wht the heck, it helps my shooting.

darkgael · December 8, 2008, 10:05 PM

"weighs 13.5 lbs"
That's about what mine weighs. Balance point is ahead of the mag well so that it's a tad heavy toward the muzzle. Just a tad.
Pete

4EVERM-14 · December 10, 2008, 03:35 PM

I added stick-on wheel weights under the handguards. The rifle balances at the middle of the mag well. Not sure of the total weight. Wife threw the bathroom scale away. Said it was malfunctioning.

P-990 · December 10, 2008, 10:16 PM

Mine balances right at the delta ring, or close to. I have a WOA Wilson barrel on it right now, and no longer need a forend weight to balance it! And for some reason my buttstock wedge is wedged in place. Luckily there's only about 1/2 of one in there. All up it weighs about 14 pounds on our bow scale at work.

That said, I'm not sure a couple of wheel weights at the forward tip of the float tube wouldn't hurt. Just get it to tip so the muzzle doesn't bounce as hard when I get aggressive on the trigger offhand.

wgb_ks · December 12, 2008, 11:30 PM

My balance point is slightly behind the delta ring closer to the stock. It seems to work for me. As for the weight of the rifle, currently it is about 17 lbs, and if I could I would make it heavier. I was thinking of putting lead weights in the magazine to help stabilize the rifle more. I heard of AR-15 type service rifles pushing 23 lbs!!!

Ken O · December 13, 2008, 08:21 PM

When you say AR15 "match" rifle, I assume your talking about a space gun upper. I shoot AR15 "service" rifle competitions with a couple WOP uppers, so not sure if my post pertains. My balance point is about an inch behind the delta ring. I had weight in the handguard, but took it out. I think the float tube adds enough weight.

Tim R · December 14, 2008, 04:38 PM

Like Ken 0, I have a couple of WOP service rifle uppers. I have the wedge weight in the butt and weight under the hand guards. I really like the Kreiger in upper #2.

T. O'Heir · December 20, 2008, 02:37 AM

"...I prefer..." That's it. What works for you. However, Ken O has a very good point too. Not all matches are the same.

December 8, 2008, 03:55 PM	#1
keys85 Junior member Join Date: September 20, 2008 Posts: 199	AR-15 Match Rifle I have one of those lead wedge weights in the stock of my match rifle, I trimmed it to balance at the delta ring. I am curious to where most shooters balance their rifle. Do many shooters make their rifles slightly muzzle heavy or generally keep it balanced right at the delta ring? I prefer a slightly heavy muzzle for stability and control, therefore was thinking of trimming my weight just a hair more. Balance @ delta ring where it meets up w/ receiver versus center of delta ring versus foward of delta ring at the start of handgaurds? Where exactly is your balance point?

December 8, 2008, 07:06 PM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Cpt Crossman, in his book recommends that any serivce rifle be held at the mag well (or just ahead of the mag on mag. rifles) When held there the rifle should just start to time at the muzzle end. I believe the all guard teaches this or did when I went to their coaches clinic. I also preached the same thing when I was coaching the AK NG Rifle Team. My AR Service Rifle (White Oak Upper) is a bit muzzle heavy so I put lead shot into the buttstock until it just starts to tip at the muzzle. Sure helped me. Of course my AR now weighs 13.5 lbs. But wht the heck, it helps my shooting. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 8, 2008, 10:05 PM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	AR "weighs 13.5 lbs" That's about what mine weighs. Balance point is ahead of the mag well so that it's a tad heavy toward the muzzle. Just a tad. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

December 10, 2008, 03:35 PM	#5
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	I added stick-on wheel weights under the handguards. The rifle balances at the middle of the mag well. Not sure of the total weight. Wife threw the bathroom scale away. Said it was malfunctioning. __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

December 10, 2008, 10:16 PM	#6
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Mine balances right at the delta ring, or close to. I have a WOA Wilson barrel on it right now, and no longer need a forend weight to balance it! And for some reason my buttstock wedge is wedged in place. Luckily there's only about 1/2 of one in there. All up it weighs about 14 pounds on our bow scale at work. That said, I'm not sure a couple of wheel weights at the forward tip of the float tube wouldn't hurt. Just get it to tip so the muzzle doesn't bounce as hard when I get aggressive on the trigger offhand. __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

December 8, 2008, 04:52 PM	#2
shooterer Member Join Date: August 22, 2006 Location: WI. Posts: 64	I balance my rifles at the delta ring I shoot HP with a "thumb out delta hold" (thumb near ejector port, glove jammed in the gap and fingers facing my shoulder) this hold locks my wrist the best and keeps the muzzle from moving (too much). My service rifle is at about 15 1/2 lbs. I have a full weight in the hand guard and 7/8 of a wedge in the butt. Jim __________________ Stand up for whats right....Even if you stand alone. Last edited by shooterer; December 9, 2008 at 09:21 AM. Reason: correct weight

December 12, 2008, 11:30 PM	#7
wgb_ks Member Join Date: October 16, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 26	My balance point is slightly behind the delta ring closer to the stock. It seems to work for me. As for the weight of the rifle, currently it is about 17 lbs, and if I could I would make it heavier. I was thinking of putting lead weights in the magazine to help stabilize the rifle more. I heard of AR-15 type service rifles pushing 23 lbs!!!

December 13, 2008, 08:21 PM	#8
Ken O Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Half way between Grayling and Cadillac, Michigan Posts: 353	When you say AR15 "match" rifle, I assume your talking about a space gun upper. I shoot AR15 "service" rifle competitions with a couple WOP uppers, so not sure if my post pertains. My balance point is about an inch behind the delta ring. I had weight in the handguard, but took it out. I think the float tube adds enough weight.

December 14, 2008, 04:38 PM	#9
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Like Ken 0, I have a couple of WOP service rifle uppers. I have the wedge weight in the butt and weight under the hand guards. I really like the Kreiger in upper #2. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

December 20, 2008, 02:37 AM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...I prefer..." That's it. What works for you. However, Ken O has a very good point too. Not all matches are the same. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!