Hey AR Guys Part 2.....

[INTJ]

In my original post, O Theophilus, I explained how my new BRO Spec 15 Mid-Length 16" AR didn't shoot so well.

Last week I was using a Burris 1-4 MTAC, I made the aiming part of my targets to small, and my front and rear rests though stable, were awkward. While I am not of the opinion that an experienced shooter shooting from a stable rest makes MOA aiming and/or trigger errors, I was considering that in this case.

I made it back to the range yesterday. I mounted a Burris 14X AO scope I wasn't using and fixed my front and rear rest issues. It looked something like this:



I was stable, repeatable and comfortable. The 14x scope allowed me to use my standard 100 yd hunting rifle targets, which I print myself and make precise alignment very easy.


The 5-shot groups at 100 yds from last week when I was fussing with everything (I am not listing the velocities and ES for ease of reading):

Remington 55 grain FMJ: 3" group
Black Hills 77 Tipped MK: 2.625"
Hornady 75 BTHP: 1.75"
Hornady 55 VMax: 1.625"

Yesterday with the improved setup and a couple new ammo types tried, 5-shot 100 yd groups were:

Remington 55 grain FMJ: 2.75"
Black Hills 77 Tipped MK: 3.375"
Hornady 75 BTHP: 2"
Hornady 55 VMax: 1.19"
PMC 77 grain OTM: 1.375"
Horn 73 ELD Match: 3.5"
Rem 55 grain MC: 3"

So it turns out it wasn't my rest, targets, and 4x scope that were the issue; it's that the barrel sucks. Now I realize I won't get BR level accuracy from a 16" AR Carbine, but it at least ought to make hunting rifle accuracy.

 

[Adam in WI]

Before you condemn the barrel, it may be worth pulling it off and doing a couple basic accuracy mods. Bedding barrel, lapping receiver face, maybe crown. Unless your set on seeking out bonafide sub-moa, it may be worth a shot to see what kind of improvement you can get without sinking too much money into it.

 

[Jet]

I’ve used a couple Shilen barrels that Brownells sells and they shoot very good

 

[jepp2]

it's that the barrel sucks. Now I realize I won't get BR level accuracy from a 16" AR Carbine, but it at least ought to make hunting rifle accuracy.

Just face a few facts:
- You have chosen not to try and develop a load that will shoot better since you don't want to reload for it
- Any factory ammo with FMJ bullets is going to disappoint you. Even Lapua factory ammo with FMJ is hit and miss
- Looks like your handguard is a free float, but I can't be sure. Is the gas tube making contact where it passes through the upper? Small things can open up your group size.

If I had your rifle and I wanted better accuracy, I would change barrels and make sure it was put together correctly. Don't have to spend a lot on a barrel. The cheapest barrel I will shoot is a Criterion HBAR. This is typical of how it shoots (at 100m, not 100 yards, so the groups would be about 10% less).

 

[Fast14riot]

Check for the gas block touching the hand guard inside. Also, when shooting some ARs holding down the hand guard, placing your hand on top or a heavy sand bag.

 

[Cecil S.]

Not trying to get in a pissing match here guys and I would love to own an AR in 308. But you know the AR is not a bench rest gun. Again not picking a fight. JMHO

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have seen barrel nuts that when tightened touched the receiver, as mentioned the gas tube needs to pass through without contact with barrel nut. While checking for contact make sure barrel nut is torqued correctly. I have one upper I assembled that required 70 foot lbs, nut required a crow's foot socket(gas tube didn't pass through nut on this brand). I usually shoot at least one 5 shot group hand single feed, for comparing performance against semi auto fire. Don't want to lose faith in a barrel, if mag or feed ramps are ruining groups.

 

[joshb]

Be happy with the PMC 77, the Hornady 55 and 75!!

 

[CT10ring]

it's a battle rifle. what do you mean when you say "you made the aiming part of your target to small". coffee may help. why is your weapon blue.
stand on your hind legs and forget that rest. sir.

 

[hoz53]

In my original post, O Theophilus, I explained how my new BRO Spec 15 Mid-Length 16" AR didn't shoot so well.

Last week I was using a Burris 1-4 MTAC, I made the aiming part of my targets to small, and my front and rear rests though stable, were awkward. While I am not of the opinion that an experienced shooter shooting from a stable rest makes MOA aiming and/or trigger errors, I was considering that in this case.

I made it back to the range yesterday. I mounted a Burris 14X AO scope I wasn't using and fixed my front and rear rest issues. It looked something like this:

View attachment 1184987

I was stable, repeatable and comfortable. The 14x scope allowed me to use my standard 100 yd hunting rifle targets, which I print myself and make precise alignment very easy.


The 5-shot groups at 100 yds from last week when I was fussing with everything (I am not listing the velocities and ES for ease of reading):

Remington 55 grain FMJ: 3" group
Black Hills 77 Tipped MK: 2.625"
Hornady 75 BTHP: 1.75"
Hornady 55 VMax: 1.625"

Yesterday with the improved setup and a couple new ammo types tried, 5-shot 100 yd groups were:

Remington 55 grain FMJ: 2.75"
Black Hills 77 Tipped MK: 3.375"
Hornady 75 BTHP: 2"
Hornady 55 VMax: 1.19"
PMC 77 grain OTM: 1.375"
Horn 73 ELD Match: 3.5"
Rem 55 grain MC: 3"

So it turns out it wasn't my rest, targets, and 4x scope that were the issue; it's that the barrel sucks. Now I realize I won't get BR level accuracy from a 16" AR Carbine, but it at least ought to make hunting rifle accuracy.

those black rains that i have seen are relatively expensive for an AR. So if it was why did you buy it? If you can barrel a bolt action rifle you could surely build an AR and use the components you want to make it as accurate as possible. You could machine an AR barrel from a blank and use any barrel you want. heres a barrel machined from a piece of an old remington factory varmint barrel. It wasnt hard to build. I guess Im saying you seem to like to build guns and so why would you pay a premium for this one knowing youd get subpar performance compared to something to could make yourself.

 

[Kurz]

Not trying to get in a pissing match here guys and I would love to own an AR in 308. But you know the AR is not a bench rest gun. Again not picking a fight. JMHO

See your PM.

 

[INTJ]

To quickly catch up. The BRO Spec 15 is an average priced AR, not one of their high end ones. I have explained my plan to rebarrel with a 16" 1x8 stainless Wylde chamber, polish the trigger and replace the springs, and use an adjustable gas block. The barrel I am trying gets mostly good reviews.

After I get it assembled and tuned we'll see how it shoots. My requirements are sub moa with its preferred ammo and 2 MOA with cheap ammo. If this barrel won't do that then my only option will be to suck it up, get a good quality barrel blank, get a Wylde reamer, and chamber it myself.

This is a self-defense AR Carbine and I need to have confidence in it with the ammo that is available.

 

[Cecil S.]

To quickly catch up. The BRO Spec 15 is an average priced AR, not one of their high end ones. I have explained my plan to rebarrel with a 16" 1x8 stainless Wylde chamber, polish the trigger and replace the springs, and use an adjustable gas block. The barrel I am trying gets mostly good reviews.

After I get it assembled and tuned we'll see how it shoots. My requirements are sub moa with its preferred ammo and 2 MOA with cheap ammo. If this barrel won't do that then my only option will be to suck it up, get a good quality barrel blank, get a Wylde reamer, and chamber it myself.

This is a self-defense AR Carbine and I need to have confidence in it with the ammo that is available.

Try making your own ammo you would find much better results.

 

[INTJ]

Try making your own ammo you would find much better results.

Not interested in loading for this rifle. Like I mentioned, LR BR takes almost all my loading time. Loading for and tuning LR BR rifles kind of sucks all of the reloading zeal out of you.

I load for BR and my hunting rifles. Pistols and ARs get factory ammo.

 

[Cecil S.]

Not interested in loading for this rifle. Like I mentioned, LR BR takes almost all my loading time. Loading for and tuning LR BR rifles kind of sucks all of the reloading zeal out of you.

I load for BR and my hunting rifles. Pistols and ARs get factory ammo.

Ok......Yes , I know what you mean. I am new to the reloading game myself. I try to focus on certian calibers to keep focus. I tend to slip off into pistol reloading for long range shooting and that screws up everything. LOL

 

[SG4247]

I would install a Criterion HBAR of the same length and shoot 77s in it.

Mine is unbelievable. Purchased from Fulton Armory.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

It's that blue color causing bad juju vibes on the bullets. AR's have to be black and evil looking.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Can always try a tuner/brake.

 

[dexter]

Not interested in loading for this rifle. Like I mentioned, LR BR takes almost all my loading time. Loading for and tuning LR BR rifles kind of sucks all of the reloading zeal out of you.

I load for BR and my hunting rifles. Pistols and ARs get factory ammo.

I thought this way as well...until I put together a few rounds with some extra .223 cases and some older non-used powder and decent production 52/53gr bullets. Cut groups in half. Still nothing close to the bench guns I have, but still respectable (.75-1in). Once fired brass is cheap. Don't need to fine tune to the degree we do for competition, but it's a lot more fun to shoot smaller groups for a minimum time investment. Well worth it in my opinion. Have fun--That's what this is all about!

 

[dexter]

Addendum: It looks like you use good quality equipment and being an experienced shooter, perhaps just a barrel change as others have suggested? I hope you find satisfaction. Best of luck.