AR-45 accuracy problems

[SSE]

I got an ar45 in and am unable to get better than 1 1/2 to 2" groups at 25 yards scoped. I have tried 6 or 7 loads, factory and handloads. I have tried 3 scopes, 2 different handguards and barrel nuts. I even had the barrel recrowned even though it looked good. Reading about other blowback carbines online, most of them get much better accuracy. My next step is to replace the barrel but I don't want to spend that $ if I don't need to, any ideas?

 

[joshb]

A little more description would help. Pistol? Rifle? Cheapo? Expensive? Scope makes? Lighter bullets? Heavy bullets? Etc.

 

[SSE]

Wolfpack Armory AR45 pistol 11" barrel with brace, not cheap, nice rig. Redfield and Bushnell scopes.
185 to 230 jacketed and cast. Shooting off bags on bench, with and without muzzle brake, with and without handguard just to see. This is the first blowback carbine I have had and thought it should shoot better than this.

 

[troupe]

1 1/2 to 2" groups are not that bad. It is a 45 ACP. The barrels they use are not match grade barrels. I would not spend a lot of money on it, just unless you feel you need better accuracy. If you feel it should be better, I would contact them to see if they would be willing to install another barrel, or swap out a barrel if you can install it yourself. I don't think they will do it, just guessing since you are in the range that they should consider acceptable. I can't speak for Wolfpack Armory, but I would not switch out a barrel . It sounds like it is working. Good luck.

 

[Mark M.]

Wolfpack Armory AR45 pistol 11" barrel with brace, not cheap, nice rig. Redfield and Bushnell scopes.
185 to 230 jacketed and cast. Shooting off bags on bench, with and without muzzle brake, with and without handguard just to see. This is the first blowback carbine I have had and thought it should shoot better than this.

There are 3 main factors that make a ar accurate, trigger barrel and optics and then a lot of little things and tricks that help, if your trigger is a standard mil spec I would start with that, take a look at a Geissele ssa or ssa-e

 

[SSE]

Thanks guys. The BEST I can get are 1 1/2 to 2" some are worse. always at least 1 or more flyers.
I can get better groups with my match 1911 with irons than this thing with a scope. Trigger and scopes are good. Reading reviews of 45 carbines getting 2" groups at 50 or 100 yds. had me expecting better. Oh well, maybe this is why the guy sold it.
Thanks again.

 

[243Lapua]

That's not even bad for that length of barrel.

 

[ebb]

Ive got a PSA AR9 that shoots almost as good as yours. I tried some 148 grain ammo and it may?? have helped. If you find the answer let me know. I think part of the problem is many that shoot pistol caliber ARs shoot at steel and have no real idea what their guns group size is. And when you have to guess its always a tackdriver.

 

[SSE]

Thanks ebb, I think you might be right.

 

[dantiff2]

Try a slightly heavier buffer to keep the bolt closed for just a fraction of a second longer- unless you are already having cycling issues. This may just give you that little bit extra you are looking for. Also make sure your buffer isn't traveling too far into the buffer tube upon firing. I use quarters in the bottom of the buffer tube to take up the extra space so that I only have 1/8" extra travel behind the bolt catch to bolt face. Makes for a smooth running gun.

 

[SSE]

Interesting dantiff2, I will try that.

 

[dc.fireman]

Thanks guys. The BEST I can get are 1 1/2 to 2" some are worse. always at least 1 or more flyers.
I can get better groups with my match 1911 with irons than this thing with a scope. Trigger and scopes are good. Reading reviews of 45 carbines getting 2" groups at 50 or 100 yds. had me expecting better. Oh well, maybe this is why the guy sold it.
Thanks again.

An old Bullseye Pistol shooter tipped me off to a problem he was having with a 1911 once: the magazine.

I'm not sure what an AR-45 looks like, but if it uses a 1911 styled magazine in it, try a different brand of magazine, against your current magazine. Do a side by side comparison using your same loads, and see if the 'random flyer' disappears. If it does, mark the magazines accordingly.

A very good buddy of mine had the same issue - a random flyer, from a Ransom Rest, always on the 3 shot. It was significantly out of the 'group'. When he changed magazines to a different brand, the loads shot differently. After trying 3 different brand of magazines, the flyer disappeared, and he was able to zero-in on a final load.

Good luck!

-tc

 

[ebb]

My AR9 feeds from a 33 round Glock magazine. The choices were Glock or some very expensive Colt magazines that are hard to find. I don't know what SSEs gun takes but most people use the glock version.

 

[Knotwild]

I had A PSA in 45, glock magazines. Heavy and never once ran a full magazine without malfunctioning. I sent it back and they said they didn't make it any more and couldn't fix it. I happily took a refund and never desired one again.

You might get help at Macon Armory.
https://www.maconarmory.com/products/ar-45-barrel-blowback

 

[dantiff2]

Interesting dantiff2, I will try that.

No guarantee's with blow back guns on accuracy. But you definitely want to run the heaviest possible buffer you can that will allow for reliable performance but that weight will also change if you change ammo, powder or bullet weight. It's a tuning factor but part of the fun ; )
Dan

 

[SSE]

Mine takes Glock mags and runs good with the factory 13 rd mags but does not like the Korean 26 rd mags. I will see about a heavier buffer and pay attention to the different mags to see if it makes a difference. I switched out buffer spring with a heavier one but it did not help and might have made it worse.Thanks guys.

 

[ebb]

You can't even get a Korean magazine in the mag well of my PSA gun. But i have never had a feeding issue with a factory Glock.

 

[PigButtons]

You bought it used, right? Did you bore scope it to make sure it's not copper, lead, or carbon fouled? Have you inspected the bolt face for square or defect?
Put two rounds in the mag and fire one, extract the second and inspect the bullet for scuffs, scratches, dents, shortening of OAL. I don't know what the feed ramp is like on your unit but it may need some tweaks.

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

My 16” Marlin M45, while not at all like an AR, can be picky about the ammo it likes too, but a couple loads will consistently put five 200-grain XTPs into 2” groups at 50 yards with a red dot. The cartridge is potentially much more accurate that what the OP is obtaining, the “it’s just a .45” excuse doesn’t help.

A used barrel’s condition could be a contributor: how clean is it, does using a borescope show any rifling issues, is the chamber/throat cockeyed? While I might accept 2” groups at 25 yards, I too would be looking to improve it.




.

 

[Ggmac]

Both of my converted Mauser 94s get 1”-1.25” at 100 yds . Its a hoot watching the bullet hit the paper . You have enough time to reweld and see it .