Re: How does your precision AR shoot?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deersniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes the 8 and 7 twists don't stabilize the heavier bullets well at 100. I have a few loads that shoot 1.5 MOA at 100, but also at 200 and 300. Shoot the same loads at 200. If groups don't open up much there might be no problem. </div></div>
I will have to see how it does at 200, and 300, maybe 400. </div></div>
That may be, but I have shot an awful lot of heavy bullets in 1:8 and 1:7.7 barrels and I have never seen that. I also do not remember anyone ever reporting that either. My match loads are all 80gr bullets, very long ones and they all group very nicely at 100 yards. They had better, because they would be useless at 300, 600, or 1000 yards. So do not waste your time at longer distances if you can group well at 100 yards.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deersniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But 1 MOA or better should be doable, easily. Try 68gr BH load and the 77gr BH load. See which one it likes better. Your zero shouldn't move 2" at 100. That much left deviation, barring a mechanical problem, is likely your trigger pull. </div></div>
May very well be my trigger pull, I am a little rusty. I shoot in the field at live targets alot more than paper, I need to get back to that. </div></div>
It may well be that something is broken or loose, but it might be the case where you are just not exploiting the accuracy of the rifle properly. If you are an experienced shooter who can shoot his bolt guns well, you may be figthing the AR instead of interfacing with it. It is a different animal than a bolt gun for precision shooting. I know this, I use one in F-class, but I am here to tell you the regular AR can shoot very well, IF you let it.
I adapted my AR to me and to my style of shooting. I am 6' 4'' and I shoot prone most of the time, with some bech time for load development. The average AR is too small for me and the pistol grip is miniature. I replaced some parts and learned to shoot the AR well. I find it has a somewhat different follow through than a bolt gun, but it's hard to explain.
Also, for pure raw accuracy, I shoot my AR loading one round at a time and for that I use a Bob Sled and of course the ammo was loaded up for it using the finest components. With this setup, I am now able to shoot F-class Master scores at 300 and 600 with a recent match in High Master territory. I really don't keep track of group sizes, they become irrelevant after a while, it's the scores that tell the story. Just as in your case it's the metal and the deer.
What I do find critically important is to be able to totally depend on the rifle, load and scope, day after day after month. If you say your zero wanders, that is not good and once you have eliminated your hold on the rifle as a factor, you need to verify that it does not move. My first guess would be the cheekweld. The AR is a little difficult to hold the exact same way every time with a scope and a regular stock.
Just some things to consider.
