This is my last evaluation test of my Norinco AR-15 and a pair of new NEA carbines – 10.5” and 14.5”
The Norinco has some modifications. A Rock River trigger and a floated barrel. This makes it similar to the NEAs, which come floated and both have been now fitted with Rock River triggers. All three rifles have been fitted with the same 20X target scope and were shot of sand bags. All rifles felt the same and I think all shots were fired with similar concentration.
The test today was intended to find a good load for each rifle. I was prepared to find that each required its own load, although it is always nice to find a compromise load that works in all the rifles.
For bullets I chose the Hornady 55 FMJ, a 62 gr Serbian FMJ and the Hornady 68 HP Match. Each was tested with 22 to 25 gr of H335, in 1 gr increments. That is 12 different loads for each of 3 rifles, 10 shot groups. 360 rounds.
Temperature was warm and winds negligible. Perfect test conditions.
The results were clear and conclusive.
The 55 gr FMJ Hornady and the 68 gr Hornady Match shot very well. The 62 gr Serbian FMJ was mediocre.
The Norinco shot the best groups in 10 of the 12 loads. The NEA 10.5” shot well, but not quite as good. The NEA 14.5” shot very poorly. There is something wrong with it. I am going to look at the flashhider, to make sure it is not interfering. Then I will check to make sure the barrel is on tight. The third possibility is a bad barrel, but I doubt that, given that the rest of the rifle appears to be very well made.
This Forum does not lend itself to publishing tables of data, but if a picture is worth 1000 words, these 3 pictures are a good summary. The Norinco was good, the NEA 10.5” almost as good and the NEA14.5 was poor.
The Norinco has some modifications. A Rock River trigger and a floated barrel. This makes it similar to the NEAs, which come floated and both have been now fitted with Rock River triggers. All three rifles have been fitted with the same 20X target scope and were shot of sand bags. All rifles felt the same and I think all shots were fired with similar concentration.
The test today was intended to find a good load for each rifle. I was prepared to find that each required its own load, although it is always nice to find a compromise load that works in all the rifles.
For bullets I chose the Hornady 55 FMJ, a 62 gr Serbian FMJ and the Hornady 68 HP Match. Each was tested with 22 to 25 gr of H335, in 1 gr increments. That is 12 different loads for each of 3 rifles, 10 shot groups. 360 rounds.
Temperature was warm and winds negligible. Perfect test conditions.
The results were clear and conclusive.
The 55 gr FMJ Hornady and the 68 gr Hornady Match shot very well. The 62 gr Serbian FMJ was mediocre.
The Norinco shot the best groups in 10 of the 12 loads. The NEA 10.5” shot well, but not quite as good. The NEA 14.5” shot very poorly. There is something wrong with it. I am going to look at the flashhider, to make sure it is not interfering. Then I will check to make sure the barrel is on tight. The third possibility is a bad barrel, but I doubt that, given that the rest of the rifle appears to be very well made.
This Forum does not lend itself to publishing tables of data, but if a picture is worth 1000 words, these 3 pictures are a good summary. The Norinco was good, the NEA 10.5” almost as good and the NEA14.5 was poor.
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