Oly Arms k16, 1-9bbl, Bushell elite 4-12x40 . shooting 62 grain Bear and wolf. ive been through about 2000 rounds of mostly brown bear and silver bear. I was shooting the other day at some squirrels that were trespassing at about 200 yards from the porch. missed one, hit one in the heart, missed another, and nicked one that about jumped right out of his body. They ravenge my deer feeder but i dont like to leave anything injured so i decided to put a few groups on paper. I put a target at 180yds and was surprised how loose my groups were. wind was barely moving and gun was in a sight vice. Ive heard of comp shooters going through barrels, but how many rounds does it take? Is mine just broke in or on its way out?
Worn out barrel? Bad ammo?
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briansmithwins
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How many total rounds thru this barrel? I'd be surprised if a 5.56 barrel had the throat shot out in fewer than 10,000 rounds and would expect it to last more like 20-25,000.
Check the crown for dents and dings. Check the barrel for looseness: Grab the FSB and upper receiver and try to move them (rotate) in relation to each other.
Check the crown for dents and dings. Check the barrel for looseness: Grab the FSB and upper receiver and try to move them (rotate) in relation to each other.
mljdeckard
Member
Remember, about 4 moa is acceptable for military rifles. Some just weren't assembled for serious accuracy.
4 moa would certainly be a poor performer by AR15 standards. Based on what I read, most ARs can hold groups under 2moa and many will approach 1moa.
The Elite is a quality scope, so I would not expect that to be an issue.
I have never had much luck with the Russian ammo. I would recommend that the OP try some other brands and bullet types. That may make all the difference.
The Elite is a quality scope, so I would not expect that to be an issue.
I have never had much luck with the Russian ammo. I would recommend that the OP try some other brands and bullet types. That may make all the difference.
R.W.Dale
Member
My retro which won one of thr's ar matches won't keep the steel cased monarch inside a target the size of a beachball at 100yds
stchman
Member
While I am surprised that there are ARs that can shoot the cheap Russian steel case stuff, use better ammo (PMC, Fiocchi, etc.) for precision shooting.
I have a Mini-14 and use Brown Bear primarily at the range for plinking around, but my more expensive brass cased ammo does give better groups.
I have a Mini-14 and use Brown Bear primarily at the range for plinking around, but my more expensive brass cased ammo does give better groups.
about 2000 rounds of steel case because thats what i stocked up on before i knew much about ammo. ive shot about 40rounds of PMC but not at a target so i dont know the differences that it might have made. i put wolf on paper long ago and it did pretty well. so either the bear sucks, barrel is done or there is another problem... barrel was cleaned and had about 20 rounds prior to target shoot. crown in perfect. 5.56 chamber. this barrel is supposed to be capable of 1moa.
jpwilly
Member
Ammo, you should shoot something decent and report back. The Federal Brass case american eagle would be a huge leap forward over the cheep steel case ammo you're shooting.
bogus mcall
Member
Try a box of hornady 50gr V-Max. If that doesn't shrink your groups then look elsewhere for your problem because the ammo's not your problem. Have you checked your scope rings to make sure they are tight?
As far as quality of ammo goes, the wolf is the bottom of the barrel, by alot. I use alot of brown bear, I shoot decent to rather tight groups with it, and it is alot cleaner than PMC.
PMC shoots tighter groups, but is very dirty. American eagle shoots about the same as PMC but is cleaner.
What I refer to in the differences of tightness of these groups from one ammo company to another in my experience is not a huge difference.
Its not as if one brand wont get on paper, where as another will. Its not like one brand makes .5 MOA groups and another makes 3MOA groups out of the same rifle. The inconsistancy of some wolf rds can be the exception to this though.
Try some more brands, the same weight of bullet.
Afterwards try a different weight of bullet, and a few brands.
PMC shoots tighter groups, but is very dirty. American eagle shoots about the same as PMC but is cleaner.
What I refer to in the differences of tightness of these groups from one ammo company to another in my experience is not a huge difference.
Its not as if one brand wont get on paper, where as another will. Its not like one brand makes .5 MOA groups and another makes 3MOA groups out of the same rifle. The inconsistancy of some wolf rds can be the exception to this though.
Try some more brands, the same weight of bullet.
Afterwards try a different weight of bullet, and a few brands.
UPDATE.. just shot a bunch of 5 shot groups using brown bear 62gr hp and fmj, silver bear 62gr sp, winchester 55gn fmj, lake city penetrator 556 m855 55gn. im sighted in with brown bear now. there is a six inch elevation with all other rounds. bullet weight doesnt seem to be an issue at 100yrds. i dont understand why there is a diff in silver bear and brown bear both 62gr. ive always thought my scope was messing up. i didnt know all my Bears shot different. im affraid to get into the case of golden bear. the brown bear seemed to group the best at 2 1/4''moa. and for an extra $7 a box i can shoot 4moa with lc penetrators. im hoping this isnt the best grouping i can get out of this gun. most people with the k16 seem to be getting moa or less. im gonna try more ammo.
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R.W.Dale
Member
You'll never get anything resembeling accuracy as long as you're he'll bent on fmj or steel cased fodder.
FMJ BT bullets are eaisly thr most inaccurate projectiles mankind has yet devised. Honestly I'm suprised they're shooting as well as they are for ya.
FMJ BT bullets are eaisly thr most inaccurate projectiles mankind has yet devised. Honestly I'm suprised they're shooting as well as they are for ya.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Ammo. That's plinking ammo, not match ammo.
Clean the barrel and then get some premium match ammo and see what it'll do. A 1:9 barrel should work well with 69gr projectiles, I'd think (not sure about the 77's). The good stuff will be bit more expensive, though...
Really good stuff (and $30 a box!!): http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=167212
The cheapest match type ammo I can find: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=418642
Clean the barrel and then get some premium match ammo and see what it'll do. A 1:9 barrel should work well with 69gr projectiles, I'd think (not sure about the 77's). The good stuff will be bit more expensive, though...
Really good stuff (and $30 a box!!): http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=167212
The cheapest match type ammo I can find: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=418642
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
Bite the bullit and buy 100 rounds of Fed. Match with 69gn match bullit's, clean the barrel, shot in group's of 3 or 5. this will give you a good ideal of what the rifle will do. Then send me your used brass.
Update.... ok, im putting over 1500 rounds of bear up for sale. what good is plinking ammo if you cant plink what your plinkin at. I didnt clean the barrel between wolf and winchester groups so im sure that affected accuracy on winchester. I bought some Remington UMC 45gr and shot it after i cleaned the barrel. Then shot the winchester white box 55s again. Both had 1 1/4moa. I just got a RCBS pro 2000 that has never been used and an old Lee single stage press. Along with a few dies, a few thousand diff primers, bullets (not .224), and most the other gadgets needed. I will be shooting only reloads from now on. I bought some remington 223 brass, Hornady v-max 55gr, barnes triple shock hp 62gr, sierra varminter 55gr and nosler sp 60gr. i would like to go stick with 55grainers because of availability and selection but will opt for a diff weight if there is good reason. people keep talking about heavy bullets being better. id like to try some of those too. and does the primer brand make a difference?
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The barrel should go a minimum of 20,000 rounds before groups start to open up.
788Ham
Member
Sounds as if you've got it pretty well dialed in now! Wait on the squirrels..... then snipe 'em!!
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