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5.56 accuracy

SteveC

Private
Minuteman
Jan 6, 2023
31
29
Oklahoma
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

IMG_9907.jpeg
 
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
 
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.
 
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:

 
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:

Agreed this one will do good, proven track record.
 
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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 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?

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.
 
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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:
 
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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:
IMG_1919.png
IMG_1918.jpeg

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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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:

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.