AR 15 barrels

[atfdlocal4020]

What's a 50 yard group look like? It's usually not the barrel when it comes to AR's and accuracy.

 

[jelenko]

What's a 50 yard group look like? It's usually not the barrel when it comes to AR's and accuracy.

What's special about 50 yards?

 

[atfdlocal4020]

What's special about 50 yards?

The group he's shooting at 100 yards can very well be the shooter. I don't know him or questioning his capabilities, but seeing a closer group like 50 yards can tend to eliminate shooter error. My guess is his issue is an assembly problem or his gun just doesn't like that ammo. I've been there myself, we all have. I've had Bear Creek barrels in my earlier AR days that I got to shoot very well.

 

[jelenko]

The group he's shooting at 100 yards can very well be the shooter. I don't know him or questioning his capabilities, but seeing a closer group like 50 yards can tend to eliminate shooter error. My guess is his issue is an assembly problem or his gun just doesn't like that ammo. I've been there myself, we all have. I've had Bear Creek barrels in my earlier AR days that I got to shoot very well.

Shooting at closer range does not change anything other than the actual size of the group. A 1/2" group at 50 yards is the same MOA as a 1" group at 100 yards. The amount of 'error' is the same.

 

[atfdlocal4020]

Shooting at closer range does not change anything other than the actual size of the group. A 1/2" group at 50 yards is the same MOA as a 1" group at 100 yards. The amount of 'error' is the same.

He's using an 1-8x scope. Big difference between 50 and 100 yards with an 8x.

 

[atfdlocal4020]

Shooting at closer range does not change anything other than the actual size of the group. A 1/2" group at 50 yards is the same MOA as a 1" group at 100 yards. The amount of 'error' is the same.

Also, if he shoots a 1/2' group at 50 yards, his 1.5" at 100 shows part shooter to blame.

 

[Knotwild]

Isn't that essentially the same as an accuwedge?

As far as I know, the fit between the upper and lower doesn't affect accuracy in the 1 MOA range.
I have several uppers that are reasonably loose that all shoot sub MOA.

No. I tried an Accuwedge once and it didn't take long for it to smash down and loosen up. This product comes as a little kit with a horseshoe shaped piece of metal that fits in the under side of your upper just ahead of the rear lug. See the picture on the link I posted. It comes with a piece of emery cloth and you put it on a flat surface and fit the thickness to your gun by sanding a little and testing until the rear pin fits really tight. You're done then, it lasts forever. When I need one, I order two -they are only $12.95. One one AR I have a really neat rear pin with a lever that causes the pin to pull a split shim apart from inside and it locks it down. I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow. I wish someone would make them - the original company didn't last long. I think they were outsourcing from an unreliable vendor.

Accushim

 

[Leadfarmer]

Another vote for White oak using a wilson arms barrel. I Have 2 AR barrels from them, both 1/8 twist varmints and they are extremely accurate. I feel like you could get sub MOA without a ton of effort. I've also had good luck with criterions, and one rosco, but my WOA barrels will outshoot any of them.

Another thing that helped tremendously for me to shoot smaller with my ARs was a trigger Tech Diamond trigger. Even the CMC trigger I have is a huge upgrade compared to a milspec. One of my ARs has a 3x9 scope on it, but I think you might do a little better at 100 yards with a little higher magnification.

 

[tobnpr]

He's using an 1-8x scope. Big difference between 50 and 100 yards with an 8x.

AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL.
Why I use SFP scopes for known-distance targets. It's impossible to get a precise aim point when the reticle obscures the target.

 

[Jeff Porter]

I have used White Oak turned and chambered barrels for years. Wilson, Kreiger and most recently a Shilen ratchet 1:7.5. The Shilen is $430 and a WOA (Wilson blank) is $275 on their website now. All of these were in the 0.5-0.75 moa for 5-10 shot groups rested.

I have a Varmint upper 20” 1:7 that shoots 0.5-0.75 moa with most “ standard” AR loads. I shoot Black Hills 55Vmax in that one. Those are selling for about $650 and are ready to drop on your lower and kill some coyote.

If we were closer I’d let you take it for a test drive.

 

[SKWERLZ]

When you start spending money on it, you'll start liking it a lot more. I hated the first AR15 I had, and didn't touch it for years, until I realized I could make what I wanted.

Yep
They are versatile.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I have used White Oak turned and chambered barrels for years. Wilson, Kreiger and most recently a Shilen ratchet 1:7.5. The Shilen is $430 and a WOA (Wilson blank) is $275 on their website now. All of these were in the 0.5-0.75 moa for 5-10 shot groups rested.

I have a Varmint upper 20” 1:7 that shoots 0.5-0.75 moa with most “ standard” AR loads. I shoot Black Hills 55Vmax in that one. Those are selling for about $650 and are ready to drop on your lower and kill some coyote.

If we were closer I’d let you take it for a test drive.

The original Rainier UM barrels were on Shilen ratchet blanks.
It wasn’t cheap but if you throw decent components or ammunition at it it’ll hold moa.
With a developed load it’s a good bit better.

 

[jelenko]

No. I tried an Accuwedge once and it didn't take long for it to smash down and loosen up. This product comes as a little kit with a horseshoe shaped piece of metal that fits in the under side of your upper just ahead of the rear lug. See the picture on the link I posted. It comes with a piece of emery cloth and you put it on a flat surface and fit the thickness to your gun by sanding a little and testing until the rear pin fits really tight. You're done then, it lasts forever. When I need one, I order two -they are only $12.95. One one AR I have a really neat rear pin with a lever that causes the pin to pull a split shim apart from inside and it locks it down. I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow. I wish someone would make them - the original company didn't last long. I think they were outsourcing from an unreliable vendor.

Accushim

I get that the accuwedge is rubber and the one you posted is aluminum.
Either one won't make the upper any more accurate.

 

[jelenko]

Also, if he shoots a 1/2' group at 50 yards, his 1.5" at 100 shows part shooter to blame.

No.
If he shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yards, it would have been a 1" group at one hundred.

After it leaves the barrel the bullet is unaffected by any thing the shooter did.

 

[jelenko]

He's using an 1-8x scope. Big difference between 50 and 100 yards with an 8x.

Service Rifle shooters use 4.5X scopes and haven't seen a difference in group size in MOA.

 

[Knotwild]

I get that the accuwedge is rubber and the one you posted is aluminum.
Either one won't make the upper any more accurate.

I use it because I do not like an upper that is not tight on my lower. I have read that it does not help with accuracy but, I can't say that I believe that. I see a lot of people buying quality to get the best fit and have read of other's who bed the rear lug. But it makes me think, if the fit of the upper to the lower is not important, then why bother to bed a rifle action into a stock? A little slop won't hurt right?

 

[Sniperhandle]

I would have to think taking any and all play out of the upper/lower interface would most certainly improve accuracy. As the Harmonics/Vibrations start after ignition things begin to move after the bullet starts down the barrel, Any movement between the upper and lower would be transmitted to the target.

 

[LVLAaron]

What kind of gun are we talking about here? Post a picture. Like someone else said.... you've gotta handle them a little differently if you're shooting groups.

 

[jelenko]

Right. I need to change my statement that the fit between the upper and lower doesn't affect accuracy.
What I do want to say is that it won't make the difference between 1 1/2" groups at 100 and 1/2" groups at 100.
@LVLAaron knows more about this.

 

[Pyscodog]

My upper and lower actually fit better than a lot of rifles I have handled or owned. Not to "toot" my own horn but at my club I'm considered one of the better shots. I'm the rifle range chairman and spend a lot of time there. When members are having issues they ask me to shoot their rifles. LOL, I never give it much thought, I just like to shoot. Just trying to say I know my way around rifles pretty well. These are 4 groups shot at 100yds with 69 grain SMK's.