Having issues zeroing new 6.5 Grendel

[Fly]

the gun is a brand new build, all quality stuff, 20 inch heavy barrel 6.5 grendel. Now I ran about 60 rounds through it just shooting it because I was told that it will take about 100 rounds through it before you will be able to zero it. so I have now spent 2 days at the range trying to dial it in. It has a 4x12 vortex scope on it with a aero precision mount so the gear is good, I am shooting 123 grain hornady sst match ammo and the thing is all over the paper. If anyone has any ideas or a protocal I should follow or anything like that I am all ears. First thing I am going to do is try some different ammo to start................. then what ????
help please

Thanks Fly

 

[Redmanss]

First, @Tucker301 will hopefully help your thread find its way over to the Semi Auto Forum. Every thread has its place here on the Hide.

Second, did you build this rifle? If so, are you experienced in building ARs? What does "all over the paper" mean to you? Things like barrel torque, headspace, etc can all come into play when having difficulty zeroing. Same goes for scope mounting, double and triple check everything going from muzzle to butt plate, and you'll find what is the trouble. A different type of ammo can't hurt either, as well as a refresher on marksmanship fundamentals. We all need that from time to time.

Finally, welcome to the Hide and hope your rifle gets sorted out.

 

[2ndamendfan]

If you are truely all over the place (8moa or greater at 100 yards). Something is loose or it is you.

 

[P-Squared]

Oh thank god. If it's under 8moa, then it's not me. Time to buy more expensive stuff.

 

[2ndamendfan]

Oh thank god. If it's under 8moa, then it's not me. Time to buy more expensive stuff.

Funny, your a good sport. what was is 2-3Moa? Could still be something loose. I would try either another optic, or that optic on another gun.

 

[1500varmint]

I agree that it sounds like something is loose.

Scope rings, mount, etc, etc.

 

[P-Squared]

Funny, your a good sport. what was is 2-3Moa? Could still be something loose. I would try either another optic, or that optic on another gun.

Trying to be funny, ALL my guns can out shoot me. I was just looking for an excuse to buy better hardware. I'm sure at some point my wife will either say it, or at least think it, 'You Suck'

 

[kswaterfowl]

Who the hell told you it would take 100 rounds before you can zero it. They are a moron.

 

[plt228]

Sounds like something is loose. My brother in law chased his zero because the muzzle break was loose. Didn’t find it until he got home from he range.
What brand is the barrel? BCA? Gotta ask because aero scope mount and a Vortex 4-12 doesn’t sound like quality to me. Not total garbage but more middle of the road. I’ve got a 16” Faxon that took 6 shots to get a zero with a PST2 scope. Also get some other ammo. I’ve heard some barrels just don’t like SSTs. 123 American Gunner has been good for me.

 

[hlee]

Several years ago I bought a DPMS lr308 and took it to the range. On the way I bought 5-6 different brands/loads to try in it. Starting with the federal fusion msr, a 5 round group at 100 yards could not be covered by a basketball. Switching to the federal gold medal match load I could cover the 5 round 100 yard groups with a quarter, with substantial room to spare.

Check the torque on all of the nuts and screws. Buy half a dozen different loads at your local big box store. Try them all.

They guy that said you can’t zero a rifle with less than 100 rounds down it is a moron. I’ve got a ruger precision rifle and the first 10 rounds down the barrel were zeroing and a 5 round (sub moa) group.

 

[Shadow knows]

So I have a couple questions. You stated you have a 20” barrel so I am guessing you have a rifle length gas system. How is the brass coming out? 1-5 o’clock? Just curious.
1: is your gas block rubbing your hand guard in any manner including when the bipod is on and loaded?
2: is your tip being damaged heavily while being feeded into the barrel?
3: any burr or alignment issue with your suppressor or flash hider/break?

 

[Olen_4504]

^^^^ what he said. definitely check the gas block and handguard.

both myself and a buddy built ARs recently (.224v and 6.5g) and we both noticed our gas blocks were contacting the inside of the handguard during firing when the barrel "whipped".

we had to dremel off some material and our groups tightened right up

 

[redneckbmxer24]

If it's all over the paper, as in all over a normal size paper target, and shooter error is not a factor, it isn't a gassing or free floating issue.

My bet is on a loose barrel nut, loose optic, or bad optic.

That's assuming that the barrel is of atleast typical quality.

 

[davsco]

also, have someone else shoot it just to make sure it is not you being the problem.

 

[Fly]

A gunsmith put it together, I don't trust myself with making sure all the tolerances are correct and such. to me all over the place is an inch or two left , then a inch or two high an so on........ I am thinking it may be the scope because I noticed the adjustment for left and right seems really lose when you turn it so I am going to try another scope first, got a good ol leupold vari X 3 I am going to put on it and see what happens. the barrel is a ELD I believe, I don't know much about all the shit to buy, I use to just buy name brand guns already built but I want to get into the building part of it so this was where I started and it looks like I have alot to learn but thats what makes it fun for me.........
Thanks Fly

 

[Fly]

Thanks for all the help so far, I will get this thing figured out ......

 

[oldfatguy]

After 100+ rounds thru a new barrel would be a good idea to clean it to remove copper fouling.

OFG