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16th Award Expert

By: Robby J. Hookham

As a retired Marine who served from 1981 thru 2001, the only ‘service rifle’ I ever knew was the M-16. I started out with the A1 in boot camp, shot high Sharpshooter (1 point out of Expert), but at the 500 yard line I was 10 for 10!
About the time I reenlisted we received the A2, I decided that if I was going to be a part of this ‘gun club’, I needed to get my act together and qual Expert. Thereafter, I qualified Expert 16 consecutive times. In my 20 years I only missed the 500 yard bulls eye twice!
While on Okinawa in 1999, I was able to score 9 out of 10 hits in the black with 6 in the ‘X’ ring with a 3 – 5 mph left to right breeze …at 800 yards! Don’t tell me that the M-16 is not capable of accuracy.

But I was able to shoot (recreationally) the ’03 Springfield, man, what a FUN rifle to shoot!!

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Comments

Paul - March 27, 2020

Probably bounced off! Paul

K.A. Markovitch - March 27, 2020

To bad you never shot the M-14 7.62 rounds from hell! The best ever made accurate as the day is long! To this day I want one just to stay current,heavy,but oh what a rifle!

J H Whittington - March 27, 2020

It’s not that it’s not accurate, but at 6 to 8 hundred yards, it’s nowhere as lethal as 7.62 mm round. Nor as accurate in windy conditios, or vegetation thick areas ( jungle )

Johnny Reyes Jr (‘58-‘64) - March 27, 2020

No.1 choice – M1 in .30 cal (.30-06). No.2 choice – M14 in 7.62 (.308). Enough said.

Tony - March 27, 2020

Marine,

My “Beef” about the M-16 in Vietnam is about functioning not accuracy. I believe the other comments Posted are accurate too, i.e; knock down power.

Semper Fidelis,

Tony

Charlie Staggs - March 27, 2020

I have never believed that a ’16, an AR platform, wasn’t accurate. My issue has always been the impact.
When I was active, we were taught to injure the enemy. The need for medical treatment meant that at least one, sometimes several, additional troops were removed from the fight to care for an injured comrade.
Now, there is no respect for life. The enemy leaves his wounded behind, usually as a suicide troop.
Give me a .30, an ’03A3, a Car and, an M1A, something that will stop the clock!

Semper Fi

Nick 0311/8531 - March 27, 2020

What size BULL at 800 yd. line? Nick 0311/8531

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