My personal best 3 shot group with my AR

[Crazyornothing]

I just wanted to post this as less about the rifles accuracy and more about how over the last few years I struggled to get 1MOA consistently, then I went on a personal journey to see how small an AR can shoot. I learned a lot by listening to Cortina, Primal Rights, Johnny's Bench, and incorporated annealing, expander mandrel, Mighty Armory FL sizing die, 21st century primer seating. ect, and by doing all of this my loads started shrinking with my match Shilen 20 inch barrel.

This was just during load development and was the first 3 shots using this combination. I didn't even mess with sestin depth or anything and just got lucky. I will re test to see if this is even repeatable. But through a lot of time and practice I feel I am on the right track at least. I know 5 shot groups is what I normally use but I wasn't expecting this for first 3 in the ladder test. I stopped after 3 lol

Nosler 70 Grn RDF
N135
Starline Brass
556 Primer CCI
2,920 FPS
SD 12

 

[mac86951]

Ahhh, you stopped after 3! It's a good group, but now you'll never know if it would have gone 4, or even 5! I guess you can try again next time. It's a great baseline to see if it happens again.

-Mac

 

[Bamban]

Good to hear about Shilen barrels. Have to plug one for them. They support our TX Service Rifle Teams, juniors and adult, with donated select match blanks.

 

[Jeff Porter]

70 RDF will group in small numbers but I am sure RDF stands for Random Damn Fliers.

AR match rifle 3x9 scope rest and a bag.



( RDF definition stolen from Russ T, have to give credit where it is due )

 

[Old Navy]

I just wanted to post this as less about the rifles accuracy and more about how over the last few years I struggled to get 1MOA consistently, then I went on a personal journey to see how small an AR can shoot. I learned a lot by listening to Cortina, Primal Rights, Johnny's Bench, and incorporated annealing, expander mandrel, Mighty Armory FL sizing die, 21st century primer seating. ect, and by doing all of this my loads started shrinking with my match Shilen 20 inch barrel.

This was just during load development and was the first 3 shots using this combination. I didn't even mess with sestin depth or anything and just got lucky. I will re test to see if this is even repeatable. But through a lot of time and practice I feel I am on the right track at least. I know 5 shot groups is what I normally use but I wasn't expecting this for first 3 in the ladder test. I stopped after 3 lol

Nosler 70 Grn RDF
N135
Starline Brass
556 Primer CCI
2,920 FPS
SD 12

Outstanding! Really outstand with a 9X scope.

 

[ronsatspokane]

The more shots you add to the group, the more that little voice in the back of your head says: put the rifle down now! Of course you never listen and eventually it says: I told you so dumb ass. You hear that loud and clear... or so I'm told.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

The real trick is to shoot that group every time.

 

[Ned Ludd]

It's always a good feeling when you are able to shoot a tiny group, regardless of the number of shots. Well done!

 

[Okumacaptain]

The real trick is to shoot that group every time.

I know all about that ! Lol

 

[joshb]

That’s a keeper! Good job with the reloading! Guys that only shoot factory fodder just don’t get it!

 

[M-61]

Very commendable 3 shot group. You have every right to be pleased.

 

[Bocephus]

I just wanted to post this as less about the rifles accuracy and more about how over the last few years I struggled to get 1MOA consistently, then I went on a personal journey to see how small an AR can shoot. I learned a lot by listening to Cortina, Primal Rights, Johnny's Bench, and incorporated annealing, expander mandrel, Mighty Armory FL sizing die, 21st century primer seating. ect, and by doing all of this my loads started shrinking with my match Shilen 20 inch barrel.

This was just during load development and was the first 3 shots using this combination. I didn't even mess with sestin depth or anything and just got lucky. I will re test to see if this is even repeatable. But through a lot of time and practice I feel I am on the right track at least. I know 5 shot groups is what I normally use but I wasn't expecting this for first 3 in the ladder test. I stopped after 3 lol

Nosler 70 Grn RDF
N135
Starline Brass
556 Primer CCI
2,920 FPS
SD 12

Absolutely outstanding!
I once managed a "one shot group" that edge-edge, measusured slightly less than 0.25".
Things kinda went sour after that shot.
Seriously though, you seem to be on the right track. Thanks for the data.

 

[jelenko]

70 RDF will group in small numbers but I am sure RDF stands for Random Damn Fliers.

AR match rifle 3x9 scope rest and a bag.
View attachment 1336879


( RDF definition stolen from Russ T, have to give credit where it is due )

Jeff - This is with a service rifle? Do you rest the buttstock directly on the bag?

 

[Dave in WI]

Great shooting! All my one-shot groups look like that....

 

[jlshaw]

Good to hear about Shilen barrels. Have to plug one for them. They support our TX Service Rifle Teams, juniors and adult, with donated select match blanks.

I had White Oak put Shilen barrels on several of my Service Rifle and Space Gun uppers. They all shoot 1/2 x-ring groups at 200 yards. I'm not sure how much improvement (attributable to the barrel) is possible.
Go Shilen!

 

[spencerhenry]

I was out shooting my 50 with a friend a couple decades ago. We were shooting sandstone cliffs at about 1600 yards. I selected by head stamp, a handful of tracer incendiaries, I fire the first shot, into the center of the “block”, it’s a good hit. I fired the second shot, the craters overlapped. I fired the third shot and it almost overlaps the other two.
He says I should quit, that I won’t beat that. I said “if it isn’t five shots, it doesn’t count”. I shot a fourth round, still right in there. Now the tension is high, I let the 5th round go. Another right in there, while the group was importing measure as it was hundreds of feet up the cliff, I have examined the craters in other groups, the craters ar about 4 to 5” in diameter. I estimated that group at 16” or under.

 

[Crazyornothing]

Outstanding! Really outstand with a 9X scope.

Actually the scope was a nightforce SHV 6-24 so I can't lie the magnification is incredible!

 

[Crazyornothing]

I was out shooting my 50 with a friend a couple decades ago. We were shooting sandstone cliffs at about 1600 yards. I selected by head stamp, a handful of tracer incendiaries, I fire the first shot, into the center of the “block”, it’s a good hit. I fired the second shot, the craters overlapped. I fired the third shot and it almost overlaps the other two.
He says I should quit, that I won’t beat that. I said “if it isn’t five shots, it doesn’t count”. I shot a fourth round, still right in there. Now the tension is high, I let the 5th round go. Another right in there, while the group was importing measure as it was hundreds of feet up the cliff, I have examined the craters in other groups, the craters ar about 4 to 5” in diameter. I estimated that group at 16” or under.

That's much more significant achievement than my lil group here lol

 

[Crazyornothing]

It's always a good feeling when you are able to shoot a tiny group, regardless of the number of shots. Well done!

Thank you! And to everyone else.

 

[Crazyornothing]

Absolutely outstanding!
I once managed a "one shot group" that edge-edge, measusured slightly less than 0.25".
Things kinda went sour after that shot.
Seriously though, you seem to be on the right track. Thanks for the data.

Thank you I appreciate it, thank you for the kind words.