Pic my target apart, please :)

[Dave in WI]

I put together an AR LR with a Centurion 6.5 Creedmoor 24" 1x8 bull barrel and bolt. JP Adjustible gas block tuned to just above locking carrier back. Shot some preliminary groups and not very satisfied. I am by NO means a great shot. All factory Hornady ammunition as marked on target. Top left is 140gr and top right and both bottom groups are 120gr. I see 2 distinct groups in each of the bottom two groups. Probably not consistent with my hold? Is it obvious by my target what I am doing wrong? I am wide open to constructive opinions.

 

[Screamineagle]

Have you shot AR's much in the past? I ask this because they can be very finicky. Nothing like shooting a precision bolt gun. Try to get your face in the same place every time. I try to put the front edge, of my collapsible stock, in the corner of my mouth for every shot. Trigger squeeze is key. Some Ar's like to be held with a solid grip, ie no free recoil.
Steve

 

[Dave in WI]

Shot a "fair" amount of AR's. Front of rifle on Bald Eagle rest, rear collapsible stock squeezed in rear bag with light shoulder pressure. Cheek pressure seemed consistent. Scope isn't the best, Bushnell Yardage Pro. Was kind of hard to keep consistent scope alignment, but all shots felt good. I am assuming it is me because I thought this rifle would magically shot 1/2", LOL.

 

[MGYSGT]

Took one of my AR's out yesterday to sight in a new scope at 300. After getting on target, just couldn't find the load it would shoot with 68 Hornady HPBT. By accident I found some 69 Serria plinking loads in the back of the jeep, so I figured, what the heck. Group shrunk by half. from 1 MOA to .5 MOA. Guess they are just like bolt guns in that way. They like what they like.

Tom

 

[jpretle]

In my experience, AR's are tuff to shoot from a bench and sand bag and front rests. Sometimes a temporary plate attached to the for end can be of help. Available from Sinclair.
If you are going to be using it for competition, using a coat and sling----that is the way I would '0', it.

 

[pdhntr]

...... Scope isn't the best, Bushnell Yardage Pro. Was kind of hard to keep consistent scope alignment, but all shots felt good. I am assuming it is me because I thought this rifle would magically shot 1/2", LOL.

Hi Dave,

I am certainly not saying your scope is junk, but do you have a higher power scope to try? When testing a new build, I don’t want the scope to be any part of the “test”.

I have my Sightron 10-50 set up with picatinny rings, and many of my rifles are set up with picatinny bases. I routinely swap the Sightron around to do load development or get an accuracy benchmark.

It is on an AR right now to do testing with a new suppressor.

Jim

 

[msalm]

Not always, but some AR uppers, 10's and 15's are not the most square or even flat on the receiver face. I have taken some factory guns that exhibited double grouping, or just the odd flier and faced the receiver and that solved the flier issue. I make it standard practice to face the receivers when building a custom AR. It certainly doesn't hurt and can only help IMO. Depending where you're at, stop by and I can do that for you, it's all of a few minutes setup on the lathe.

 

[TAJ45]

The pic would not come in anywhere close enough to "clear" for me to more than just barely see the holes, so: Going by your "2 groups" statement, yes, bench technique.

Also, you didn't mention any use of wind flags or experience reading them. Two groups won't usually be the wind imo but being a physical force, whatever it is doing at the shot will definitely be a wild card for groups.

The other thing is how "fine" you are holding. Are you putting the hairs on a diamond point or the corner of a box with the impact being somewhere other than aiming point? You don't want to destroy the aiming point.

Again, maybe some of these questions would be answered if I had a sharp pic. Hope you get it sorted out. It can be a fun ride........

 

[Dave in WI]

The wind is finally dropping off here, so will get a chance to shoot some more groups. I'll get a better picture and concentrate on all above suggestions.