What groups to expect out my AR15?

[amedeo1227]

I have a Colt 6720, pencil barrel, free float, 1:7 twist, AR15.

What kind of groups can I expect out my rifle?

Also, I usually shoot Federal 55grain wal mart special. What kind of ammo do you suggest I sight my rifle in and what would be better for getting good groups?

 

[ksthomas]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

Three minutes of angle is what's called for in most of these rifles, and the FMJ ammo isn't really called upon for anything much better than that. If you're getting 3 MOA or less with this combo, I'd call it quits and consider that the limit of this rifle and type.

Will the gun do better? Probably, and maybe even quite a bit better. The chrome lined barrel doesn't help, and the twist is a too fast for light weight bullets, especially FMJ types. Feed it something like a 77 grain Match bullet with decent handloads, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the groups. I have several ARs that will consistently stay under 1/2 MOA, but that will take some work to the rifle as well. Better trigger, a better barrel and (very importantly) free floating that barrel.

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?


Unless your shooting bench rest competition groups do not matter. Whether you can hit what you shoot at is all that matters.

What are you intending to shoot at?

Your fast twist will shoot heavy bullets best, i.e.; 70-90 grain bullets.

 

[tarzan]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

groups always matter better group means better hits

 

[Beef82]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

Fed decent ammo and keeping the barrel cool you may be pleasantly surprised by the groups you can shoot, I would think 5 shots around 1.5MOA attainable, probably better. With bulk 55gr 3-5MOA would be acceptable, rare is the rifle that shoots it very well.

For accuracy try something loaded with the 77gr SMK or Nosler or Hornady 75gr BTHP, even 68-69gr match loadings will probably perform well. Might also try something like the 60gr TAP I found it very accurate.

If you regularly shoot 55gr FMJs then I would suggest sighting the rifle for them.

 

[ksthomas]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

Cheeseburger guy,

With the DD, you've already got a floated barrel, and that's a big step forward within an AR platform. Probably similar potential from the barrel, but the floating gives you a leg up. If you want an accuracy barrel, step one is to get away from any form of chrome lining. They just don't do anything at all for accuracy.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

I have a 14.5" DD lightweight barrel. It's floated. I have seen it shoot MOA, give or take a 1/4 with good handloaded 75s and Hornady loads. With bulk 55 gr bullets in handloads, it's more like 1.5-2 MOA. That is more than adequate for its purpose.

 

[ksthomas]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

Anytime!

 

[BravoSector1]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

I've been very happy with the Hornady 75gr steel match. At $21.99 for 50 rounds it's not a bad alternative to loading. And agree with the others. There is combat/training accurate and bench rest accurate. You can't compare the equipment or the environment to each other. A 3 MOA AR-15 is going to keep you alive on center mass targets out to 300m...that you'll never shoot to.

 

[c4xplsv]

Re: What groups to expect out my AR15?

My 6920 is a 1.5-2 moa rifle with match 75gr black hills. That said, it's well suited for combat as bravosector1 indicated.