Thomas Matthew Crooks shot and almost killed Donald Trump yesterday, and we can thank a simple lack of firearms knowledge for the fact the shooter only grazed his ear.
The Trump shooter’s decision to use an AR-15 from 130 yards was just a bad choice. An experienced shooter could still take that shot, but there were way better options out there and the AR-15 was just the wrong tool for the job.
The AR-15: A General Overview
The AR-15 is a brilliant, versatile firearm. It was originally designed for military use, but now is America’s best-selling type of rifle. People use it for sport shooting, hunting, and home defense.
You can customize an AR-15 extensively with different barrels, stocks, optics, and more. However, it just isn’t the right gun for precision shooting at extended distances, such as 130 yards, is often overstated by enthusiasts.
Typical Accuracy Claims of the AR-15
The AR-15 is generally pretty accurate in expert hands, as long as you get one of the good ones. A Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 Pro, or an LWRC IC Advanced would handle business. But this is Antifa, so we’re going to lay a bet this particular AR-15 was a much cheaper option.
Now we love a cheap AR-15 like a Palmetto State Armory for shorter range jobs, but not this one. Most AR-15s are chambered in .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO, which are effective within a range of about 300 yards under optimal conditions. However, accuracy claims vary based on the rifle’s quality, the ammunition used, and the shooter’s skill.
The cheaper rifles can have a MOA (minute of Angle) of up to 4, which is no sniper rifle. Typically, a standard AR-15 can achieve a grouping of about 1 to 2 MOA.
One MOA is equivalent to 1.047 inches at 100 yards, meaning a 1 MOA rifle should theoretically produce shot groups within a 1-inch circle at that distance. In practical terms, most off-the-shelf AR-15s might achieve closer to 2 MOA, resulting in a 2-inch grouping at 100 yards.
In this particular instance, 2 inches was the difference between a grazed ear and something much worse.
Minute of Angle (MOA) and Its Implications
MOA is a unit of angular measurement used to describe the accuracy potential of a firearm. At 100 yards, 1 MOA is about 1 inch. At 200 yards, it’s approximately 2 inches, and so on. This means any deviation in accuracy is magnified with increased distance.
For an AR-15 with 2 MOA accuracy, the grouping at 130 yards would be about 2.6 inches under ideal conditions. This might seem acceptable, and probably would be easy facing a paper target at the range. But this wasn’t like that and there are a lot of other factors here.
The conditions, the rifle in question, the shooter’s skill and just what the hell was going through his mind at the time would all be big, big deals. I mean he could and probably should have been shaking like a leaf in the moment, which would have thrown him aim right off.
The Flaws in the Trump Shooter’s Decision
Given the typical 2 MOA accuracy of the AR-15, a 2.6-inch grouping at 130 yards introduces a significant margin of error, especially when precise shot placement is crucial. We’re guessing, of course, but groups of about 5 inches would probably be pretty decent under the circumstances, and that was clearly too much.
Moreover, the AR-15’s standard barrel length and caliber are not optimized for long-range precision. The .223/5.56 rounds, while effective at shorter distances, lose velocity and energy quickly beyond 100 yards. That dropoff can affect their ballistic performance and penetration power.
Now you can buy a Designated Marksman Rifle AR-15 with a 2 inch longer barrel. But again, we’re guessing a group that doesn’t seem able to invest in a change of clothes would have one of those in hand.
Environmental and Human Factors
- Wind Drift: At 130 yards, even a slight breeze can drift a .223/5.56 bullet off course significantly. The light projectile is highly susceptible to wind, making precise shots challenging. You need experience in reading wind conditions.
- Shooter’s Stress Level: High-stress situations can cause even good shooters to lose fine motor skills, affecting their ability to maintain a steady aim and execute a clean shot. The AR-15, being a lightweight and relatively short rifle, can amplify the effects of shooter-induced movement.
- Scope and Sights: Standard iron sights or even basic scopes might not provide the level of precision required for a shot at 130 yards. High-quality optics are necessary to ensure accurate shot placement at such distances. Then you need to know how to fit them and calibrate them correctly.
Better Alternatives for the Task
Given the inadequacies of the AR-15 for a 130-yard shot, here are three firearms that would have been better suited for the task:
1. Remington 700
The Remington 700 is a bolt-action rifle known for its accuracy and reliability. Chambered in various calibers, including .308 Winchester, it offers superior ballistic performance and greater accuracy at longer ranges. With proper optics and a skilled marksman, the Remington 700 can achieve sub-MOA accuracy, making it ideal for precision shooting beyond 100 yards. The Remington M24, the sniper rifle version, is still on active duty around the world.
2. Almost any AR-10
The bigger brother of the AR-15, the AR-10 is another Eugene Stoner design. He dreamt up the AR-10 first, and then basically shrank the design to produce the AR-15 for a military contract. It shoots 308 Winchester and, now, you can buy 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 rifles too. Something like the Daniel Defense DDM5 semi-auto 308 rifle might have spelt the end for Donald.
Get a wider choice of 308 semi auto rifles here.
3. Tikka T3x TAC A1
The Tikka T3x TAC A1 is another excellent choice for precision shooting. This bolt-action rifle is chambered in calibers like .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. They would both have been better options for this distance, although the 308 Win would have been our choice.
The Tikka T3x TAC A1 is sub-MOA, so it’s seriously accurate, and is equipped with features designed for tactical applications. They include an adjustable stock so you can get the perfect shooting position, and a high-quality match grade barrel.
Find a bolt action 308 rifle here, and a bolt action 6.5 Creedmoor here.
4. Barrett M98B
For even greater distances and precision, the Barrett M98B is an outstanding option. Chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, it is a true sniper rifle that the US military uses for knocking off targets at long range. The Barrett M98B boasts incredible accuracy and stopping power, capable of engaging targets well beyond 1000 yards with the right optics and ammunition.
Find more sniper rifles here.
Conclusion
The decision to use an AR-15 for a 130-yard shot was a bad one. The rifle and ammo come with simple limitations that require an absolute top class shooter to overcome. While the AR-15 is a versatile and effective firearm for many applications, it falls short in scenarios demanding high precision at extended distances.
A bolt-action rifle, such as the Remington 700, Tikka T3x TAC A1, or Barrett M98B, would have been far more appropriate for this task. They offer the accuracy, reliability, and performance necessary to ensure a successful outcome. Choosing the right tool for the job is crucial, and in this case, the AR-15 was not the right choice.
But just to be clear, we’re happy that Thomas Matthew Crooks got it so badly wrong. And we think that iconic picture of the Donald holding his fist up in defiance, with blood pouring from his ear, could win him the election.
We’re rooting for him.
