bushmaster ar

[model 12 toby]

got a bushmaster AR quite a while ago. shot it a bit. only 16" barrel. getting little worse than 3/4" groups. Just was wondering how to make this gun tighter in general. seems that the upper and lower and handguard have a lot of slop in them. seems like that combined with heavy trigger add up to worse than what is possible groups? shooting 69 grain smk at 2710 fps. it's a moderate load. wanta mess with the gun a little more in the future but it seems kinda lacking in the user friendly department.

 

[RJBain]

Model 12, To take the slop out between the upper and lower, get yourself a Accu-Wedge. It's a little red rubber wedge that installs in the lower behind the rear take down pin. Sinclair sells them, #14-3800 for $4.95 each. I had a Colt at one time that came out of the box with one. As far as triggers go, Geissele, Jewell are the two big names.

Good luck with your AR, Bob

 

[MrMajestic]

What he said. If you don't have a free float handguard you can add that. FYI-the AR is just about as friendly as it gets. Kitchen table smithing at its finest! ;D

 

[model 12 toby]

i'll for sure check it out. what can I expect out of that 16" barrel and 69 grain matchkings though. I'm trying to figure out where to place this gun in my mind if ya know what I mean with very little testing.1in 9 twist. I'm not sure if my hand guard is free floating or not. is that high dollar? is this going to compete with my savage model 12 bolt action guns without much work?

 

[40X Guy]

If funds allow, buy a dedicated upper with a semi bull barrel with a fast twist in 20 or 24 inch length, you can change upper in about 30 seconds. Also look at the Jard trigger. Its a single stage trigger that works very well. The AR's are capable of very good accuracy.

Frank

 

[bluealtered]

The 16" 1:9 will do well out to about 300yds. No it won't match your model 12 for groups without more work to me than it's worth. Using a 55-62gr bullet you should be able to make clover leafs at 100yds, for 69gr a 1:8 20" has worked better for me.

There are a lot of triggers out there to try, however you might start with using a lighter spring group and working the surfaces of the hammer/trigger. It's very simple to do and lots of info on how to do it on the web.

The handguard is a easy swap as well, though you may need to remove the gas block, which is simple. you can go to ar15 for info or snipeshide, etc. blue

 

[Rookie]

i'll for sure check it out. what can I expect out of that 16" barrel and 69 grain matchkings though. I'm trying to figure out where to place this gun in my mind if ya know what I mean with very little testing.1in 9 twist. I'm not sure if my hand guard is free floating or not. is that high dollar? is this going to compete with my savage model 12 bolt action guns without much work?

Accuracy from an AR is no different than a bolt rifle. A Match Grade barrel with straight true chamber, free floated and crisp clean trigger & quality scope.
Shooting loads matched to it. It's that simple.

 

[MrMajestic]

You didn't mention the range for your 3/4" groups however if you meant 3/4MOA that's not to shabby for a shortie! My Colt 6920 stock upper is 1 MOA(2") at 200 yards with the 69 grain Nosler CC and Varget. Think I was getting 28?? fps with it. I bought a DPMS Low Pro upper with their 20", 1 in 9" twist Bull barrel and it shoots 1/2 MOA with the same load. FF forearms range in price depending on how you want it configured.

 

[model 12 toby]

yeah. 100 yards. I don't even have a scope on the thing right now. hope to coyote hunt with it in tight cover. gotta get a scope soon and wait for deer gun season to be over by then. accu wedge. check. new trigger check.