I have a psa with an 18” 1:7 ba barrel. I would like to make it shoot tighter with off the shelf ammo. If I got a 20” 1:8 would it be more forgiving with different types of ammo. It does ok with heavier stuff but is not consistently as accurate as some of my other rifles. It has a decent trigger and fits the lower tight. It’s pictured with my 20” 22-250 that shoots great
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5.56 accuracy
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
A good quality barrel with a head spaced bolt will make a world of difference
I don’t have lots of money since I am retired. It spoils me to shoot my 17 hmr Ruger precision and my 22-250. It would be nice if the 5.56/223 could be sub moa. The guy at LGS has tried to help it with better trigger, 18” BA rifle length barrel but it still somewhat sucks
If you want it too shoot tiny groups your going to have spend more than the BA cost. Maybe twice as much.
I don’t know how to pick a barrel, they all say they are great in their sales ads. And sub moa really isn’t tiny groups is it?
Get a different barrel if it is consistently less accurate than what you seek despite trying multiple types of ammo.
Some people get so wrapped up trying to get a turd to shoot, they spend as much money on ammo/components as the cost difference for a better barrel.
A decent barrel doesn't necessarily need to cost $500+... There are decent buys out there for much less than that. Examples would be Criterion, Craddock RTR, etc.
One of my best shooting barrels was a Nordic 18" rifle-gas 1/8 twist. It shot everything great from 40 to 75 grain. Unfortunately it was shot out after ~10k rounds, and they aren't produced anymore. Would have been a great budget option for you.
Some people get so wrapped up trying to get a turd to shoot, they spend as much money on ammo/components as the cost difference for a better barrel.
A decent barrel doesn't necessarily need to cost $500+... There are decent buys out there for much less than that. Examples would be Criterion, Craddock RTR, etc.
One of my best shooting barrels was a Nordic 18" rifle-gas 1/8 twist. It shot everything great from 40 to 75 grain. Unfortunately it was shot out after ~10k rounds, and they aren't produced anymore. Would have been a great budget option for you.
You can get lucky with cheaper barrels, green mountain have been pretty consistent for me, I would consider White Oak as the gold standard for a 223 AR barrel that doesn't cost "a lot" of money. For example this barrel will be heavy but odds are it will shoot better:
www.whiteoakarmament.com
White Oak Pre-ban Service Rifle Barrels
5SRB-WOA This is the same AR15 service rifle barrel we use in our championship-winning White Oak Armament CMP Uppers. In .223/5.56 Wylde chamber, it is 20 inches in length with a 1-7 or 1-8 twist, 11 degree target crown and fitted extension. The muzzle is
www.whiteoakarmament.com
Agreed this one will do good, proven track record.You can get lucky with cheaper barrels, green mountain have been pretty consistent for me, I would consider White Oak as the gold standard for a 223 AR barrel that doesn't cost "a lot" of money. For example this barrel will be heavy but odds are it will shoot better:
White Oak Pre-ban Service Rifle Barrels
5SRB-WOA This is the same AR15 service rifle barrel we use in our championship-winning White Oak Armament CMP Uppers. In .223/5.56 Wylde chamber, it is 20 inches in length with a 1-7 or 1-8 twist, 11 degree target crown and fitted extension. The muzzle is
Adco has some of the 16" white oaks if you wanted to go that route, no matter the vendor I would request a headspaced bolt to go with it (you'd need a mid gas tube for this one vs what you have now):
I've got a couple of these green mountains both shot around 3/4 for 5 with handloads on the first day out using a lead sled and target scope they are a lighter profile as well:
At one time I had several rifles with ballistic advantage barrels and they shot pretty good but the last few I bought were 2", 3", or shotgun groups...
I've got a couple of these green mountains both shot around 3/4 for 5 with handloads on the first day out using a lead sled and target scope they are a lighter profile as well:
At one time I had several rifles with ballistic advantage barrels and they shot pretty good but the last few I bought were 2", 3", or shotgun groups...
Right now, Proof stainless are getting consistent results. White Oak and Craddock are also solid options for the barrel component.
That just leaves the other 87 things that could be keeping you from achieving optimum results in shooting a small-frame gasser.
Handloading and 1pc cantilevered mounts that move your scopes a little further forward for better cheekweld would help
When I'm really frustrated with a rifle I'll put it in a lead sled and use 1 box of factory ammo (55gr vmax, 69gr sierra) lots of times it suddenly shoots a whole lot better
When I'm really frustrated with a rifle I'll put it in a lead sled and use 1 box of factory ammo (55gr vmax, 69gr sierra) lots of times it suddenly shoots a whole lot better
Firm believer in the barrel being the heart of the system here but before condemning the BA barrel because it's a BA barrel, what ammunition are you shooting OP? I've read you've tried heavier stuff and light stuff but specifically what does that mean? 55 FMJ, 62 FMJ, 77 OTM, 69 SMK, what brand and bullet weight is giving you these 1.5"+ groups? My point is, if you're shooting mediocre ammunition to start with switching to a different barrel isn't going to magically make it shoot better.
What trigger did the gunshop drop in the lower?
Also, from my perspective the set up could use a little tuning like turning your bipod around the right way so that you can load the bipod a bit and actually take advantage of it. You could also try a cantilever mount to raise the optic a bit and push forward and adding a bag rider to the CTR stock can help it be more stable off a bag.
This one is less than $20:
subrevtech.com
What trigger did the gunshop drop in the lower?
Also, from my perspective the set up could use a little tuning like turning your bipod around the right way so that you can load the bipod a bit and actually take advantage of it. You could also try a cantilever mount to raise the optic a bit and push forward and adding a bag rider to the CTR stock can help it be more stable off a bag.
This one is less than $20:
Bag Rider V2 for Magpul CTR - Subrevtech
Improve shooting stability with the Bag Rider V2 for CTR by Subrevtech. Designed for precision shooting, this accessory provides enhanced support and control.
subrevtech.com
Firm believer in the barrel being the heart of the system here but before condemning the BA barrel because it's a BA barrel, what ammunition are you shooting OP? I've read you've tried heavier stuff and light stuff but specifically what does that mean? 55 FMJ, 62 FMJ, 77 OTM, 69 SMK, what brand and bullet weight is giving you these 1.5"+ groups? My point is, if you're shooting mediocre ammunition to start with switching to a different barrel isn't going to magically make it shoot better.
What trigger did the gunshop drop in the lower?
Also, from my perspective the set up could use a little tuning like turning your bipod around the right way so that you can load the bipod a bit and actually take advantage of it. You could also try a cantilever mount to raise the optic a bit and push forward and adding a bag rider to the CTR stock can help it be more stable off a bag.
This one is less than $20:
Bag Rider V2 for Magpul CTR - Subrevtech
Improve shooting stability with the Bag Rider V2 for CTR by Subrevtech. Designed for precision shooting, this accessory provides enhanced support and control.
I have pretty good luck shooting off the vise pictured and the other pic of ammo order the Hornady black was the best.
I have tried several other over time. Winchester 64 grain extreme point, and federal 55 fmj, Winchester green tips. All the lighter stuff is shot gun group
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Same thing I was going to post, 1 in 7 post ban would be my choice, pre ban if you want a threaded barrel. Buy the head spaced bolt with it. It's like another $20.You can get lucky with cheaper barrels, green mountain have been pretty consistent for me, I would consider White Oak as the gold standard for a 223 AR barrel that doesn't cost "a lot" of money. For example this barrel will be heavy but odds are it will shoot better:
White Oak Pre-ban Service Rifle Barrels
5SRB-WOA This is the same AR15 service rifle barrel we use in our championship-winning White Oak Armament CMP Uppers. In .223/5.56 Wylde chamber, it is 20 inches in length with a 1-7 or 1-8 twist, 11 degree target crown and fitted extension. The muzzle is
Yeah barrel from non- top tier makers regardless of price tend to be lotteries. Some you win some you don’t. You increase your odds by going with proven reputation sellers with proven customer service. You can still get a dud, but they will stand behind their product. You will still need to find ammo that the barrel likes, they can be finicky.
It's not surprising that the Winchester and Fed ammo shot larger groups, 64gr XP is a hunting round and the other two are ball ammo varieties with an acceptable group size in the 3-4 MOA range. I have experience with 68 gr BTHP Frontier, it's never shot well in three guns, damn near ball ammo levels of accuracy and from past experience the 75gr Hornady Black is pretty good but still in that 1-1.5 MOA arena. I don't have any experience with the PMC 77 OTM but at the end of the day it is PMC, who are mostly known for making plinking ammo so...there's that. Personally, I think you have an ammo problem and before swapping barrels out, I'd give some Fed Gold Medal Match a try or some Black Hills to see what they do.
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