AR15 shotgroup ?

[DANNY-L]

Can anyone explain this group,it has been the same with all loads I've made from 55gr.-69gr. The rifle is scoped with a leupold varix-ll 3x9 which is locked down tight. Factory 55gr.fmj hit the same also. Shots are from a bench with a lead sled. Barrel is cleaned with a bore snake between groups,and is cleaned with a brush about every 50. I'm going to be gone for about a week,hopefully when I get back there will be an answer

 

[[email protected]]

I would guess the #4 is a flier. What distance did you zero the scope in at? It is common to get the group on paper at 25yds and then you fine tune at 100yrds or greater. It appears the the crosshairs need to be moved to the left and down this will bring the group to the right and up. I really dont know what you wanted explained so I have to guess what you needed explained.

 

[DANNY-L]

I'm just trying to get a consistant shotgroup,I will zero afterwards. Everything I've fired through it seems to just about have 2 groups.

 

[capreppy]

Shot #1, barrel cold / clean? if cold or clean, first round is warming / fouling round
Shot #4, either a flyer or ...

One of my buddies showed me a new way to work up loads.

Take a large piece of paper and put 5 targets on that paper (assuming you are doing 5 loads).

Shoot your fouling / warming round.
Shoot Target #1 with one bullet from Batch #1
Shoot Target #2 with one bullet form Batch #2
.....
When you've gone through all of the bullets from all of the batches, you should be able to see distinct groups. If the bullets are NOT grouping, you may need to try a different bullet or powder or charge.

My Stevens 200 in 270 Win likes lighter loads (need to finish load development, but haven't had time to do so). I almost missed the pet load as I started just high of what it likes. I have a rough idea of what it likes (based on my first batch of bullets). I'll develop loads around the one that it liked most.

It is possible that you have not found your rifle's powder range for that bullet and you need to try below the range you are looking at now. You can go higher, but you'll need to check max loads as you didn't provide enough information about bullet weight/profile and powder/charge in use.

 

[Funshooter45]

It sounds like you have tried several bullets. I am going to assume you have tried different powders and different charge weights for those powders. Perhaps you have tried different seating lengths too. Basically you have tried all the "normal" load development techniques and still haven't found one that will give you a tight group, correct?

One thing to think about. You mentioned using a lead sled. I know there are various models of those devices out there. A lot of people think they completely eliminate the human factor of proper breath and trigger techniques and should theoretically give more consistent groups. I'm not so sure about that. I don't have a lot of experience with the lead sleds, but I played around with one of them a couple times. They seem to be pretty solid feeling, but I noticed that you can still alter the aim point a bit by not having a consistent technique. If you rest your shooting thumb on the stock, it will cause inconsistent downward pressure. And trigger technique still has to be extremely consistent. Also, I didn't like the lead sled because it sort of got in the way and altered my normal cheek weld to the stock, thus affecting my sight line in the scope, which can lead to parallax issues.

In short, my brief experiences with the lead sled gave me worse groups than just using my normal technique with a regular sand bag. They are not fool proof devices. I'm sure with more experience a person will get more consistent using a lead sled. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't take it for granted that the lead sled will give you the best results automatically.

 

[DANNY-L]

I was thinking I might want to try sandbags,but I have had some good shootin with the LS,maybe because all my other guns are bolt action. I have tried several powders mainly h335 and varget but also imr4064 and w748,I've loaded high,low and in between. I know I'm with-in the 100yd kill zone of a coyote but would like to be a bit more consistant. All my reloading is done useing rcbs except I use the hornady autocharge with my rcbs 10-10 as back-up. I've played very little with seating depth,I tried the lee fcd and that made it a little worse. I like the idea of trying the 5 seperate targets and will try that.Thanks

 

[243winxb]

Mil-Spec may not produce Match grade Accuracy.

Contact spikes tactical and see if you can get a replacement or move up to a match grade barrel/upper.

•Spike's Tactical 16", 1:7 Twist, Mil-spec Barrel
•Government Barrel Profile, Mid Length Gas System
•F-marked A2 Front Sight Base, .750" Diameter Gas Seat
•Spike's Tactical Mil-spec M16 Bolt Carrier Group
•Mid Length Handguards
•A2 Flash Hider
•Mil-spec Lower Parts
•ST-T2 Tungsten Buffer
•ST M4 Stock

 

[DANNY-L]

This group is with sandbags,which aint to bad. I was a bit rushed for time but just had to do it. The 2 fliers were definently me. Thanks for the input and suggestions.

 

[243winxb]

The 2nd target is looking bettter.

Should you find any of the above issues with your Spike’s Tactical products we will repair or replace the product to meet Spike’s Tactical Industry Standards. There is no need to cut any Spike’s Tactical products into pieces should you find them to be out of spec. Although, we have been known to offer to replace products cut up by a specific customer, we find that a simple phone call is a more efficient way of resolving an issue.

 

[DANNY-L]

To me this is a fully functional beauty of a rifle that I don't see any problems with,I think an AR just takes time to get used to one another.

 

[RustyFN]

I found with my lead sled I had to be very consistent with how I was gripping my AR while it was in the sled. If I gripped it tight then loose and also pulled it into my shoulder a little I ended up with groups like that. I concentrated on holding it consistent and ended up with groups like this.