I like to shoot 5 shot groups when I am developing hand loads for my AR. When you are working up a hand load at what point do you stop tinkering with it and call it good? When do you leave well enough alone? I know that the AR platform for the most part isn’t know to be a tack driver and I shouldn’t expect to shoot clovers but at 100 yards is a 3"-4" group good or should I expect better?
I am using a Palmetto State Armory with a 16" A2 profile MP CL 1/7 barrel. I rest the rifle on a sand bag using Magpul MBUS sights.
Depends on the bullet. For 55 gr FMJs, you can get under 2" with Hornady’s bullet. If I’m running Matchkings, I just use the house load, and almost any AR will shoot between .75 and 1.25 inches with a magnified optic.
I never develop a load for a specific AR. I have too many to mess with that. The 77 gr load I use works good in all the bolt and gas guns we shoot.
I am using the last of my Amscor 55grain BTFMJ’s with BL-C(2) powder. My groupings are very consistent at 3" with one flyer that opens it up to 4". I am starting to think it’s the bullets.
You might be able to pull out a little better than that, but Armscor bullets are cheap. You will be much happier with the results from Hornady 55gr FMJ’s.
Op if you cant find the hornady 55s and want to see if its you or the bullet pm me and I will send you enough of the horndy to load and shoot some groups. Then you can see what a better bullet does.
I dont use 55 fmj anymore and have been slowly trading off my stash qnd done have many left so this would be a good way to off the rest.
If you can find the hornady 55 sp w/can they perform better than the fmj.
I use “NRA 100 Yard Small Bore Rifle Target” out to 100 yards. As far how good I am with iron sights, I would say I have been consistent 3 MOA shooter from a sand bag rest. For some reason lately it’s been more like 4-5 MOA.
I come to you guys because many of you are very knowledgeable (Active/Retired Military, LEO, Industry experts) and can give me a real assessment of possible issues. My shooting friends tell me I am being to critical but it worries me that my groups have almost doubled in size the last few outings. I am just a average Joe that the good Lord has blessed with a steady hand and after of hours of trigger time have become a decent shot. …but now my groups are opening up. I do a lot of shooting alone so I don’t feel the pressure and can concentrate on the shooting. I have asked could it be my eyes, my breathing or even my trigger pull. The only thing that is different is the bullets as mentioned. OnyxZ offered the advice of using Hornady bullets which I have ordered.
Thanks for the help guys. Any other input is welcomed -Geo
Both Pappabear and I generally shoot horribly when we go out on our own. There’s no one there to tell you to slow down when you’re rushing stuff. We both shoot too fast because we THINK we’re seeing it, locked in, and comfortable.
Some days groups just aren’t working for you. It happens. I’ll shoot a 1.5 MOA iron sight group one day, and another week I’m struggling to keep 3 or 4 moa. Shoot these hornadys. And if you want to worry about groups, get some 77 gr SMKs. Then you’ll be ruined to shooting 55 gr doo doo forever.
Well I am Glad to report that I have found the culprit! It was the projectiles. As suggested, I ordered some Hornady 55grain bullets. My groupings are now what they used to be. Thanks guys.
At the risk of coming across as a snob, My response would be “tight enough to consistently “clean” the X-ring on an NRA high power target sized for the distance you are shooting”.
Below is my “rapid fire” group shot at 300yards in 60secsonds with a magazine change, prone, shooting irons, sling supported:
While those groups were shot with a free-floated NM AR-15, I see no reason why this can’t be duplicated with your rig if properly supported with sand bags.
For reference, the x-ring is 3inches, 10 ring is 7 inches, so we are not talking benchrest groups here.
