How many rounds does it typically take to sight in a new rifle?
I've noticed a trend lately at the range. First, about 9 out of ten people at the rifle range are carrying an AR of some variety. Young, old, male, female; everyone has an AR.
Second, it seems to take some people hundreds of rounds to sight in. I sat next to a guy recently shooting an AR carbine with a big brake- huge fireball and concussion at each trigger pull. He'd empty a 30 round magazine over a couple minutes time, then fiddle with his sights. Another magazine then fiddle with the sights more. Finally he triumphantly proclaimed it was sighted in to his satisfaction. When he left I picked up 400 pieces of 5.56 brass off the ground.
Another time I went shooting with a friend. I was shooting my rifle and he was shooting his. He went through several boxes of ammo and I could see he was getting frustrated. I asked what was wrong and he said he just couldn't get it sighted in. I helped him and we had it done within a few rounds. It wasn't hard; he just didn't know how to do it. I would have helped the guy the other day too, but he seemed pretty self confident and enjoying himself, so I just minded my own business.
Nothing against ARs, really. I have a couple myself, even though they're not really my thing. It just seems funny that EVERYONE has one nowadays. When I started shooting 30+ years ago, a box of 30-06 ammo had to last me a while, now most people I see go through a 30 round magazine faster than I used to go through a single round.