Finally shot my AR I built earlier this year

[Loudcherokee]

Hey guys,

Just got around to putting some lead down range in my new AR. I built this rifle early this year and have been waiting patiently to shoot it. Its a 20" AR with a heavy fluted barrel chambered for .223 Wylde. Originally intended to be a budget precision AR I built from left over parts, I ended up putting a little more into it than originally planned. Aside from the Giselle trigger and Luth-AR stock, the rest is still budget minded. I have a build thread on here somewhere.

Anyways, on to the shooting. I broke in the barrel and sighted in the scope with some cheap 55g fmj Frontier 5.56 that wouldn't group for nothing. I'm talking 12" groups.

After shooting, cleaning, shooting 3, cleaning, shooting 6, cleaning, then shooting 10 and cleaning, I shot 2 foulers and began shooting my reloads. Instant improvement.

I've attached some pictures, and would like some input. I've obviously got more load development to do, and there's only 52 rounds through the barrel so I'm hoping things will settle in some more. I've decided I won't shoot anymore test loads until I can take "me" out of the equation. These were all shot from a bench with a bipod. One thing I've learned after not shooting for 10-12 years, is that my heart beats a lot harder than it used to. A side effect of nicotine and caffeine, and an unhealthy diet i imagine. So, ive ordered a lead sled, so I can at least get my loads down pat before trying to learn to shoot bug holes again.

Also included a crude drawing of some measurements I took to try and get an understanding of my chamber, but not sure how accurate it is. The 55g fmj rounds would not even cycle fully. I had to manually pull the charging handle back to chamber each round.

LC

 

[Loudcherokee]

Also to note, the tests were only with 4 shot groups. I had limited components at the time and that is how I loaded them up for now.

LC

 

[Rustytigwire]

congratulations on getting first batch down range!
i have had delays assembling my second upper but expect to take her out Sunday.
Show us your build!

 

[Loudcherokee]

Here's a couple of pics and specs.

Anderson Lower with Giselle 2 stage trigger, magpul MOE grip
CBC upper with rifle length free float mlok handguard
CBC coated BCG
Bear Creek 20" fluted barrel with YHM Phantom Comp
Luth AR adjustable stock
Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2 6-24x40 mil FFP scope

LC

 

[Loudcherokee]

Pics

 

[jepp2]

I mess with AR's a good bit. Couple of questions:
- what twist is your barrel, maybe I just missed it?
- what size is your gas port?

If you gas port is the proper size, and they are usually oversize, undergassing can be due to not getting the hole in the gas block centered over the gas port. If you remove your gas block now, you will be able to see exactly where it was vs the gas port.

 

[coldboreshot]

Hey guys,

Just got around to putting some lead down range in my new AR. I built this rifle early this year and have been waiting patiently to shoot it. Its a 20" AR with a heavy fluted barrel chambered for .223 Wylde. Originally intended to be a budget precision AR I built from left over parts, I ended up putting a little more into it than originally planned. Aside from the Giselle trigger and Luth-AR stock, the rest is still budget minded. I have a build thread on here somewhere.

Anyways, on to the shooting. I broke in the barrel and sighted in the scope with some cheap 55g fmj Frontier 5.56 that wouldn't group for nothing. I'm talking 12" groups.

After shooting, cleaning, shooting 3, cleaning, shooting 6, cleaning, then shooting 10 and cleaning, I shot 2 foulers and began shooting my reloads. Instant improvement.

I've attached some pictures, and would like some input. I've obviously got more load development to do, and there's only 52 rounds through the barrel so I'm hoping things will settle in some more. I've decided I won't shoot anymore test loads until I can take "me" out of the equation. These were all shot from a bench with a bipod. One thing I've learned after not shooting for 10-12 years, is that my heart beats a lot harder than it used to. A side effect of nicotine and caffeine, and an unhealthy diet i imagine. So, ive ordered a lead sled, so I can at least get my loads down pat before trying to learn to shoot bug holes again.

Also included a crude drawing of some measurements I took to try and get an understanding of my chamber, but not sure how accurate it is. The 55g fmj rounds would not even cycle fully. I had to manually pull the charging handle back to chamber each round.

LC

I'm confused...what exactly is your developed load so far? You only mention incorporating factory Frontier 55g 5.56.

 

[mdram]

H
Bear Creek 20" fluted barrel with YHM Phantom Comp
LC

found your problem
bear creek is hit and miss. you can send it back, maybe get a better one, maybe get a worse one, send that one back. rinse and repeat until you get a good one
or bite the bullet and get a better brand
criterion has a good rep, run @ 300
or head to someplace like compass lake, or a custom builder and get a bartlein, krieger, ect

 

[Lone Hunter]

Agree with mdram, barrel,trigger, ammo are what makes the AR shoot. I have a Wilson Combat in 223 Wylde 20” barrel that shoots extremely well. Like said, budget Barrels are hit and miss, mostly miss.

 

[Loudcherokee]

I'm confused...what exactly is your developed load so far? You only mention incorporating factory Frontier 55g 5.56.

I have it written in the upper left hand corner of each picture. I'm working with Varget, 69g Sierra Match King BTHP, CCI Small Rifle Primers, and Lake City Brass.

As for the gas system, its rifle length, and the twist is 1:9

I don't feel anything is wrong with the barrel, or the rifle. The only issues I was having was the failure to feed on the cheaper Frontier ammo. It wasn't jamming, but the bolt wasn't coming back far enough to feed another round off the magazine.

When I switched to my reloads, it functioned flawlessly, with the 69g and two 62g that I used for foulers.

LC

 

[Loudcherokee]

Here's an example of why I really think it was the cheap ammo, or the rifle just doesn't like the stuff.

The round target is a 10 shot group fired at 100 yards with the Frontier 55g stuff. The square target is 5 4 shot groups with my reloads, point of aim being each center diamond on the grids. So, there's 5 targets within that one square sheet, and each target has a different charge fired at it.

LC

 

[Loudcherokee]

Agree with mdram, barrel,trigger, ammo are what makes the AR shoot. I have a Wilson Combat in 223 Wylde 20” barrel that shoots extremely well. Like said, budget Barrels are hit and miss, mostly miss.

This is the picture that was with the barrel before I purchased it. I think its a decent barrel, just gotta find what works.

LC

 

[mdram]

This is the picture that was with the barrel before I purchased it. I think its a decent barrel, just gotta find what works.

LC

goodluck, ihave seen issues with bca on more than one forum

 

[RegionRat]

If you decide to build another precision AR rig again, or if you give up on this bbl, the most important choices are the bbl parameters AND who makes it. Even saying the length, profile, and chamber style isn’t enough.

If you have decided on a bbl twist and you are thinking of going 20” or more with a varmint or NM profile, the advice above to stick with Compass Lake or White Oak Arms is important.

It takes some experience to learn which selections and parts make the biggest differences in performance or durability, but I only use WOA bbls for match or varmint use any more, and they have never let me down.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Is it odd to just me?? The drawing of the fired round still has the bullet in it.
This could be the start of a BIG money saving sensation.

 

[Loudcherokee]

Is it odd to just me?? The drawing of the fired round still has the bullet in it.
This could be the start of a BIG money saving sensation.

Lol I didn't even realize that.

LC

 

[Lone Hunter]

Here's an example of why I really think it was the cheap ammo, or the rifle just doesn't like the stuff.

The round target is a 10 shot group fired at 100 yards with the Frontier 55g stuff. The square target is 5 4 shot groups with my reloads, point of aim being each center diamond on the grids. So, there's 5 targets within that one square sheet, and each target has a different charge fired at it.

LC

A buddy gave me some Tula ammo once. It was like yours, would fire, but not cycle the bolt. It seemed underpowered and still have some from several years ago. First AR I assembled I thought I lined the gas block up perfect but it would fire but not cycle. Took it down and saw where I thought gas block was lined up but was a half a hole off. Little things make big differences in AR’s. Keep on messing with it and you will get it figured out plus learn a lot in the process.

 

[Ggmac]

A buddy gave me some Tula ammo once. It was like yours, would fire, but not cycle the bolt. It seemed underpowered and still have some from several years ago. First AR I assembled I thought I lined the gas block up perfect but it would fire but not cycle. Took it down and saw where I thought gas block was lined up but was a half a hole off. Little things make big differences in AR’s. Keep on messing with it and you will get it figured out plus learn a lot in the process.

This is another application for the Teslong bore scope . No guess work in finding the gas port .

 

[Rsadams]

Did you over torque the barrel....?

 

[coldboreshot]

I have it written in the upper left hand corner of each picture. I'm working with Varget, 69g Sierra Match King BTHP, CCI Small Rifle Primers, and Lake City Brass.

As for the gas system, its rifle length, and the twist is 1:9

I don't feel anything is wrong with the barrel, or the rifle. The only issues I was having was the failure to feed on the cheaper Frontier ammo. It wasn't jamming, but the bolt wasn't coming back far enough to feed another round off the magazine.

When I switched to my reloads, it functioned flawlessly, with the 69g and two 62g that I used for foulers.

LC

Clearer understanding now. I see your 24.2gn load looks very promising but I would get away from the LC brass and try Winchester or Lapua .223 brass. Your waterline with this load looks good but the horizontal might just be inconsistent body placement behind the gun. if your applying intermittent cheek pressures, and I assume you are a "righty", you could be driving the shots to the left.