Thoughts on this AR

[Hugger-4641]

Duplicate post

 

[Hugger-4641]

I also have that same upper, fixed to a PSA lower. Honestly, I have been somewhat disappointed in the accuracy. It is consistently averaging just under 2 MOA for 5 shots from a solid rest with handloads. 55 gr FMJ ammo is under 3 MOA. I may replace the barrel, but I was hoping it would at least match my S&W original Sport’s 1 in 8” twist 5R barrel which is consistently under 1.5 MOA. To be fair, I have talked to others that say their PSA uppers are under MOA with tuned handloads, so maybe I just haven’t found the right combo yet.

My experience has ben that 1/7 barrels are more accurate with 62 to 75gr bullets than with 55gr. If you haven't tried the RMR 69gr or Hornady 75gr bthp, you might try those.

 

[mavracer]

I notice the kit the O.P. linked lists the E.P.T. trigger. It is better than their stock trigger.

Yeah they're a little better, they polish the mating surface and get rid of the gritty feel. The Larue MBT2 is a lot better and IMHO very close to a Geissele for 1/2 the $$. I have both and won't buy anything but Larue again.

 

[2ndtimer]

My experience has ben that 1/7 barrels are more accurate with 62 to 75gr bullets than with 55gr. If you haven't tried the RMR 69gr or Hornady 75gr bthp, you might try those.

I have tried 40 gr through 77 gr, mostly with Ramshot TAC, but also Varget, IMR-8208XBR, Accurate 2230 and Ramshot X-Terminator. The 55 gr FMJ are typically the worst, even 40 gr V-Max and Nosler Varmageddons shoot better than 55 gr FMJ, but still not great out of my PSA 1 in 7” twist. I have had much better results with my 1 in 8” twist Stag Model 6 and S&W M&P 15 Sport.

 

[mavracer]

I have tried 40 gr through 77 gr, mostly with Ramshot TAC, but also Varget, IMR-8208XBR, Accurate 2230 and Ramshot X-Terminator. The 55 gr FMJ are typically the worst, even 40 gr V-Max and Nosler Varmageddons shoot better than 55 gr FMJ, but still not great out of my PSA 1 in 7” twist. I have had much better results with my 1 in 8” twist Stag Model 6 and S&W M&P 15 Sport.

The Military went with a 1 in 7 to stabilize the very long tracer rounds a 1 in 8 is more ideal for the shorter 77 SMK and down. Still there shouldn't be that much difference. Coming from a manufacturing background I bet PSA probably cuts a few more barrels before they change cutters to save a little money so they're a bit more luck of the draw.

 

[bfoosh006]

For you guys with gritty USGI Triggers... look up the "Paracord AR15 Trigger Job" decide for your self if you are interested in trying it.

Your Armory will kick your keister if they find out about it... but..

I have done a couple of USGI triggers... and 4 pulls with the Paracord , removed any gritty feeling. Trigger pull weight was lessened by about a 1/2lb .. so from 7 1/2 lb pull weight to 7lb.

Not sure about long term effects... but the 2 I did, have about 500rds on both of them.

I think of it as an accelerated break in.

 

[bfoosh006]

@bullseye308

IM sent. Parts list. Awaiting for your response , at your leisure.

 

[Pew-Pew]

I've had no problems with PSA uppers. GTG

 

[MistWolf]

Im thinking about another AR from Palmetto and I think this will be a little more accurate than the run of the mill AR. It is an 18” rifle length 233 Wylde.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-18-rl-223-wylde-15-mlok-moe-ept-rifle-kit-w-mbus-ss.html It will just be for punching paper at maybe out to 200-250 yards and I’ll put a decent scope on it that won’t limit it.

So for the price and my goals, what do you guys think?

You’re not gonna find anything better for the money. I say go for it and get to shooting.

You’ll eventually want to install an H2 buffer and a Colt extractor spring, but you can shoot the heck out of it in the meantime

 

[bullseye308]

If that’s the case then why not .22 lr? Challenging, reasonably accurate, and cheaper to shoot even with high quality ammo. When things are tight, no sense owning what you cannot feed.

I have enough components to load plenty of 223 purchased years ago so cost wise it’s probably a wash. I also got some 3GH bullets from RMR last year in the hopes of something better than my inexpensive, utterly reliable, mostly accurate AR. I just want to explode potatoes, apples, and the like at 200-250 yards or as far as I can.

 

[bullseye308]

My experience has ben that 1/7 barrels are more accurate with 62 to 75gr bullets than with 55gr. If you haven't tried the RMR 69gr or Hornady 75gr bthp, you might try those.

I’ll be shooting 62-77 grain(many RMR 3GH)and it will probably never see a 55 in it so I’ll get some loads worked out for it.

 

[bullseye308]

@bullseye308

IM sent. Parts list. Awaiting for your response , at your leisure.

Got it and replied, a most generous offer sir, thank you.

 

[bfoosh006]

Got it and replied, a most generous offer sir, thank you.

IM sent.

 

[bfoosh006]

Package sent. Enjoy ! IM has Tracking #

 

[wesmonster]

I think it’s a good choice for what the OP wants at that price point.

I do think a 1/9 twist is best for 55 gr., my best ever shooting AR upper was a Rock River Arms 16” HBAR unlined with a 1/9 twist. But 1/7 is pretty much all you’ll find these days unless you’re ready to spend more money. And 1/7 is a good overall twist for 55 up to the heaviest bullets you can find.

Anything lighter than a 55 and absolutely stick with 1/9.

 

[bullseye308]

Well I got all the parts and went with this upper. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...er-with-mbus-sight-set-bcg-ch-5165448415.html
With the generously gifted parts I was able to put it together and then topped it off with a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44. Hopefully I’ll get it out this week and break it in. Thank you @bfoosh006 for being an outstanding individual.

 

[bfoosh006]

Good looking firearm !

 

[bullseye308]

Good looking firearm !

Why thank you sir.

 

[2ndtimer]

I am curious to see how it shoots. Don’t be too concerned if it doesn’t group that great with 55 gr bulk FMJ ammo. (PMC Bronze shot the best for me for factory 55 gr FMJ, FWIW). Handloads with decent quality billers should do better.

 

[bullseye308]

I was informed the scope mounts I had were not worthy and I had them setup up wrong anyway. A cantilever mount showed up and once installed I took her out Sunday with my oldest son to sight it in and finish zeroing my savage axis as well. Spoiler alert, I was very happy with the savage until Sunday. This AR is so nice and smooth and everything I hoped it would be, I need to spend a lot of quality time with it and work myself up to it’s potential. I put 100 rounds through it and had it zeroed at 50 yards in 4 rounds. The first target was at 50 and the second was at 100.

The lower half, right side was my son. All groups were 5 rounds on this target and the bottoms center was the last one before moving out to 100.


We both shot this one, my groups were the 5 in the top half, bottom left, 5 in the bottom center, and 10 bottom half top right.
I’ll be making an eye appointment soon because I’m limiting this rifle with my crappy vision and I want to see just how well it can do. Also, this is the second time in almost 3 years I have tried any kind of precision shooting with a rifle and I’m seriously out of practice.
Those that helped with parts and advice, you guys are phenomenal and I can’t thank you enough. I will do this rifle justice and enjoy it while I’m able.

 

[bfoosh006]

It will be interesting to see the barrel break in. Accuracy should improve as the bore smoothes out..

Remember, limit smokes and coffee before shooting for precision... I have had myself so jacked up on coffee that the crosshairs were bouncing around like the Easter Bunny. Lol

And for being out of the saddle for 3yrs, you'll fall right back into it.