Hi everyone,
I am new to the firum and I have a problem that I hope someone can help me with.
Not long ago I purchased a DPMS Panther Flat-Top AR in .204 Ruger[/B]. It has a free floated 24 in. stainless fluted barrel, Jard trigger, tactical charging lever, bi-pod stud, Hogue grip, a Skeleton stock, with Barska 8-32 x 50 illuminated, parallax adjustable scope. I thought that it might make a fun varmint gun, being semi-automatic. It will not shoot, however. I have tried BL-C(2), H322, Benchmark, CFE-223, as well as a number of other powders. I have prepared and carefully shot both Berger 35 gr. and Hornady 32 gr. bullets with all of these powders, and still no load that will shoot anywhere near 1.00" consistently. Most loads are shooting around 1.5" to 2.5". There have been some groups in the 0.650 area, but they have not been repeatable. This is the worst shooting rifle that I have ever owned. I have been a reloader for over half-a-century, a successful benchrest shooter, shot on the U.S Olympic Team, and am a gunsmith who builds custom benchrest rifles and very accurate varmint and tactical rifles. I do not, however work on AR type rifles. In fact, I know very little about them. I only give you this background so that you will not assume that it is my reloading technique or my shooting ability. The last rifle that I built, a 20 VarTarg, shoots everything at or below .250", and many groups under 0.100.
My question is whether any one else out there is having accuracy problems with their DPMS rifles. I do not know what else to try. I have checked the throat and the headspace and found both to be fine. I have changed scopes with no luck. The only thing that I have not yet done is to change barrels.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
I am new to the firum and I have a problem that I hope someone can help me with.
Not long ago I purchased a DPMS Panther Flat-Top AR in .204 Ruger[/B]. It has a free floated 24 in. stainless fluted barrel, Jard trigger, tactical charging lever, bi-pod stud, Hogue grip, a Skeleton stock, with Barska 8-32 x 50 illuminated, parallax adjustable scope. I thought that it might make a fun varmint gun, being semi-automatic. It will not shoot, however. I have tried BL-C(2), H322, Benchmark, CFE-223, as well as a number of other powders. I have prepared and carefully shot both Berger 35 gr. and Hornady 32 gr. bullets with all of these powders, and still no load that will shoot anywhere near 1.00" consistently. Most loads are shooting around 1.5" to 2.5". There have been some groups in the 0.650 area, but they have not been repeatable. This is the worst shooting rifle that I have ever owned. I have been a reloader for over half-a-century, a successful benchrest shooter, shot on the U.S Olympic Team, and am a gunsmith who builds custom benchrest rifles and very accurate varmint and tactical rifles. I do not, however work on AR type rifles. In fact, I know very little about them. I only give you this background so that you will not assume that it is my reloading technique or my shooting ability. The last rifle that I built, a 20 VarTarg, shoots everything at or below .250", and many groups under 0.100.
My question is whether any one else out there is having accuracy problems with their DPMS rifles. I do not know what else to try. I have checked the throat and the headspace and found both to be fine. I have changed scopes with no luck. The only thing that I have not yet done is to change barrels.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
