I was shooting an 18" 1/8 twist ar15 the other day and was surprised that it grouped great with 55 gr bullets and got progressively worse as they got heavier (60, 68, and 77gr). I figured this would shoot the 68 if not the 77s. I'm no expert so I figured I'd post and see your thoughts. Should my next step be get a bunch of 55s and see what it shoots best out of the bunch, or is this weird and should I experiment with other heavier rounds? This is intended to be more of a long-range gun, so I certainly wouldn't mind shooting something heavier but it's not the end of the world.
Not what l expected
- Thread starter snowplow
- Start date
Who made the barrel? What chamber? What ammo specifically?
Were you chasing a bunch of different bullet brands down the bore? Brand new barrel or seasoned?
Were you chasing a bunch of different bullet brands down the bore? Brand new barrel or seasoned?
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I’ve got a supposed (haven’t measured it with a cleaning rod) Black Hole 1:8” 16” that groups okay with 55 Hornady Softpoints, is downright scary with 53 V-Maxes, and won’t group a 75 BTHP or 73 ELD for squat.
Haven’t tried any of the midweight bullets.
Haven’t tried any of the midweight bullets.
Well, the 53gr V-Max is a good bullet and all of my rigs shoot them well. As for the heavier stuff, it seems that you aren't having much luck with Hornady. My criterion barrels dont seem to like Hornady much either. I'd try something along the lines of 69 or 77gr sierras.
Get some Federal Gold Match with Sierra Match Kings 77g.
If it won't shoot those well, it probably wont shoot anything well.
If it won't shoot those well, it probably wont shoot anything well.
I wasn't being very scientific about this, I just grabbed a mix of what was on the shelf.
Barrel is a Ballistic Advantage .223 Wylde stainless fluted 18" 1/8 SPR. It is basically new. It's had about 50 rounds through it so far.
.223 55 gr Hornady Vmax Varmint express
www.midwayusa.com
.223 60 gr Ammo Inc Vmax
www.midwayusa.com
.556 68 gr Frontier bthp match
.556 77 gr AAC Sierra TMK
Barrel is a Ballistic Advantage .223 Wylde stainless fluted 18" 1/8 SPR. It is basically new. It's had about 50 rounds through it so far.
.223 55 gr Hornady Vmax Varmint express
Hornady Varmint Express 223 Remington Ammo 55 Grain Hornady V-Max
Designed around the hard-hitting performance of the famous Hornady V-Max bullet, this ammunition is specifically designed for supremely accurate...
www.midwayusa.com
.223 60 gr Ammo Inc Vmax
Ammo Inc. 223 Remington Ammo 60 Grain Hornady V-Max Polymer Tip Box of
Ammo Inc. V-Max Ammunition is the perfect ammo for hunting out in nature or at the range. You will not find a higher quality, better performing line of...
www.midwayusa.com
.556 68 gr Frontier bthp match
.556 77 gr AAC Sierra TMK
Federal Gold Medal Match, Berger, Lapua if looking for a reference factory load
Sample size of one here, but I’ve shot a few cases of Ammo Inc 60gr vmax and it’s consistently a great performer. This is the non-reman version. No idea about any other selections they make though.
I am not sure where people got the idea that fast twists don't shoot light bullets well, but it's a false notion.
No offense to you, but your BA barrel might need more breaking in.
It is a "bargain" priced barrel... and isn't known to be great shooters out of the box.
Clean the barrel thoroughly... "feeling" for any burrs while doing so.... I could be as simple as a burr at the gas port.
Frankly, some Aero / BA barrels have been known to be a "hit or miss" out of the box.
AND... as mentioned, I also agree with the don't shoot one OEM round right after another... in my experience, a barrel needs to be "seasoned" in to any round... IE I allow a group of ( at least ) 5rds to be a throw away group, prior to shooting that ammo for precision.
I have seen groups shrink as the barrel "seasons" in to the next OEM load... not just sometimes, not every time ... but enough to realize it does matter.
I would suggest 2 different approaches...
Try a variety of OEM 77gr ammo... to try and find a round it likes. It can work.
Some barrels just don't like Hornady bullets Ogives.
The 77gr TMK is known to be fussy, at times.
Or replace the barrel now, with a better barrel. All my Criterion barrels shoot very well.
I realize the second version sounds a bit drastic... but... you might spend a crap load of money , on ammo, trying to "make" the BA barrel shoot to your expectations.
FWIW... I have one FN CHF SS .223 Wylde 20" 1n7 barrel, that only really likes one, specific brand 77gr ammo.... and I tried a ton of different OEM 77gr loads trying to make that one shoot the way I wanted.
Being a stubborn cuss... I would probably try a few of the "bargain" priced 77gr loads available.
PSA / AAC makes moderately priced 77gr loads, PMC, Sellier and Bellot, PPU as well.
It is a "bargain" priced barrel... and isn't known to be great shooters out of the box.
Clean the barrel thoroughly... "feeling" for any burrs while doing so.... I could be as simple as a burr at the gas port.
Frankly, some Aero / BA barrels have been known to be a "hit or miss" out of the box.
AND... as mentioned, I also agree with the don't shoot one OEM round right after another... in my experience, a barrel needs to be "seasoned" in to any round... IE I allow a group of ( at least ) 5rds to be a throw away group, prior to shooting that ammo for precision.
I have seen groups shrink as the barrel "seasons" in to the next OEM load... not just sometimes, not every time ... but enough to realize it does matter.
I would suggest 2 different approaches...
Try a variety of OEM 77gr ammo... to try and find a round it likes. It can work.
Some barrels just don't like Hornady bullets Ogives.
The 77gr TMK is known to be fussy, at times.
Or replace the barrel now, with a better barrel. All my Criterion barrels shoot very well.
I realize the second version sounds a bit drastic... but... you might spend a crap load of money , on ammo, trying to "make" the BA barrel shoot to your expectations.
FWIW... I have one FN CHF SS .223 Wylde 20" 1n7 barrel, that only really likes one, specific brand 77gr ammo.... and I tried a ton of different OEM 77gr loads trying to make that one shoot the way I wanted.
Being a stubborn cuss... I would probably try a few of the "bargain" priced 77gr loads available.
PSA / AAC makes moderately priced 77gr loads, PMC, Sellier and Bellot, PPU as well.
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People get that idea from arfcom and reddit, and then repeat it everywhere.
I agree to shoot more and see what you get. As said, BA barrels are not top shelf, but you could get lucky and get an accurate one. Federal Gold Medal Match 69grn .223 ammo usually groups well. May be worth a try.
Seeing many, many examples of Ballistic Advantage and Faxon barrels -- I wouldn't waste my money and patience.
If your rifle won't shoot a decent flat-based benchrest bullet or factory Federal 69 Match ammo sub-MOA at 100 and 200 yards you are flushing good money down the toilet.
You will probably want a 69-grain and heavier match bullet for consistency and wind resistance to 500 yards
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I know the 69 grain Fed GMM is supposed to be in .223 the equivalent to 168gr Fed GMM in 308...in that if a gun can't shoot that, it might not shoot period.
Don't know if it's a post-covid QC issue, but in picking up some 69gr FGMM cheap lately, it's been rather disappointing compared to its 77gr tmk or 73gr Berger counterparts from Federal in at least 1/2 of my guns.
Don't know if it's a post-covid QC issue, but in picking up some 69gr FGMM cheap lately, it's been rather disappointing compared to its 77gr tmk or 73gr Berger counterparts from Federal in at least 1/2 of my guns.
