xcr accuracy troubles.

[Jayph]

I have no idea if Iam crazy or if there is a part wearing or what but I have a problem with my xcr that is making me go nuts.

When the gun was new it was way more accurate then I expected and quickly became my go to coyote rifle. It would consistantly shoot under 2" (unless the shooter blew it) with hornady steel match 55gr.

This fall I have been having a problem that has been repeatable. It will put two shots dead center and then two to the right and then two to the left. It's to the point that I can call it. the overall group's horizontal spread is 3"-4". The elevation is perfect.

This is my first black rifle and I really don't know where to start to diagnose the problem. The upper and lower have more play than I remember when new but to be honest never really paid much attention when it was new and shooting good. Probably 500 rounds or a bit less through the rifle.

Thanks for any help

Jason

 

[Stevo]

Is the barrel bolt tight? Are your sights/scope tight?

 

[Uncle Tom]

Is the barrel bolt tight? Are your sights/scope tight?

I bet you it's your optic that took a dump.

 

[archer2u]

I bet you it's your optic that took a dump.

even quality optics can fail, smacked, bumped, droped, bouncing around in a case in the box of a pick-up, faulty parts, etc, try new optics before looseing faith in firearm
adam

 

[caramel]

Shifting left right is symptomatic of optic malfunction, ( could be a ring in need of TLC )... JP.

 

[Juan For All]

Make sure the barrel retention screw is tight then try it again. If it continues try a different optic. If you can put this optic on another gun would also be helpful.

I will always get a wanderer in my groups. More than likely from me but certainly not as consistent as your problem.

J

 

[fireball]

Did you recently become single? You might be jerking the trigger.

 

[AlexF]

Check that your gas block is tight: it can loosen up after 300-400 shots fired.

Alex

 

[Uncle Tom]

Did you recently become single? You might be jerking the trigger.

 

[fuzzynuts54]

My upper to lower had some wobble also, and wobble is definitely not great for accuracy. I put 2 strips of hockey tape right up tight to the upper/lower pivot so it gets pinched when you close it. It tightened her right up.

 

[Jayph]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll check and try these things and report back after next range trip

 

[jessekf]

My upper to lower had some wobble also, and wobble is definitely not great for accuracy. I put 2 strips of hockey tape right up tight to the upper/lower pivot so it gets pinched when you close it. It tightened her right up.

Every XCR(And AR for that matter) I can remember holding has a bit of wobble between upper and lower. Mine has a tiny bit and it shoots great.

 

[ogradyrw]

Take apart the rifle, COMPLETE strip down exclude the lower in this...
Soak the smaller the parts in solvent, especially the gas port selector.

Try and clean the hole for gas port on the barrel as well...
Do a standard barrel cleaning and re-assemble and tighten everything g nice snug as the manual indicates and you should be in good shape.

Keep in mind if your buying 1000rd boxes of ammo, they are different lots and American Eagle is not consistent in my experience.
I prefer PMC X-Tac 5.56mm 55gr and get decent results.

 

[ccwcanada]

My upper to lower had some wobble also, and wobble is definitely not great for accuracy. I put 2 strips of hockey tape right up tight to the upper/lower pivot so it gets pinched when you close it. It tightened her right up.

Ooooh THANKS for that! Will do! Notice the same on mine, and would love to see if this improves anything. Sweet.

 

[Mirk]

My upper to lower had some wobble also, and wobble is definitely not great for accuracy. I put 2 strips of hockey tape right up tight to the upper/lower pivot so it gets pinched when you close it. It tightened her right up.

The wobble shouldn’t have a significant affect on accuracy as the sights are still solid to the barrel and action…

 

[crashcollins]

Every XCR(And AR for that matter) I can remember holding has a bit of wobble between upper and lower. Mine has a tiny bit and it shoots great.

Oh ya AR's wobble alright! But it doesn't affect accuracy to any great extent and I doubt it affects the XCR to any great extent either. I would make sure the barrel is installed properly and torque the retaining bolt down with a proper torque wrench. Make sure that the barrel retention bolt is tightening into the dimple, slowly wiggle the barrel back and forth while feeling for the end of the bolt to catch the dimple then tighten down and properly torque to spec.

Try shooting with iron sites at short range to see how the rifle groups then. If all looks alright install scope and site in and see what's going on. If it shoots fine with irons and crappy with your scope you have your answer. You do still have the irons on it right? Oh and if your looking at wobble on your gun and notice the the upper and lower don't seem to lineup straight don't worry that bit of upper sticking out from the lower on the side is built in on purpose.