I've had a spikes 14.5 inch AR for a few months now. The other day was the first day I had it out with an optic, a hilux cmr 1-4. Great optic so far. My issue is to me anyway groups were less than stellar. I did manage one 3 shot group that was 1.5moa. Other than that most groups were in the 2.5-4moa range. I was shooting both AE .223 55gr and Winchester 55gr. The AE did seem to be a fair bit better than the Winchester. Basically what I'm wondering is groups in the 2.5-4 range normal for a 14.5 inch barrel with a 1in7 twist and a 4x optic. I know I need to do my part for this which I usually do and these groups were achieved in a rest.
14.5 inch AR accuracy
- Thread starter tactical_tech
- Start date
You're shooting plinking ammo. Try 62 grain ammo, along with PMC bronze in 55 grain. Then reload. This should give you a better idea of your rifles true accuracy.
The barrel length doesn't really affect accuracy. You get less velocity which might make the off the shelf ammo at the wrong velocity for ultimate accuracy in your barrel. Reloading along with trying a lot of off the shelf ammo will help you narrow down an accurate round.
Chrome lined often limits accuracy. It's lined for wear and corrosion resistance. Unfortunately it doesn't help with accuracy.
The barrel length doesn't really affect accuracy. You get less velocity which might make the off the shelf ammo at the wrong velocity for ultimate accuracy in your barrel. Reloading along with trying a lot of off the shelf ammo will help you narrow down an accurate round.
Chrome lined often limits accuracy. It's lined for wear and corrosion resistance. Unfortunately it doesn't help with accuracy.
Try some better ammo and see what happens. See if you can get your hands on some 55 grain Hornady Vmax ammo or some Hornady 60 grain TAP. Be prepared for a big improvement if your shooting skills are up to matching the gun and ammo.
This kind of question pops up all the time - I will say a quality AR should be 2MOA +/- 0.5MOA with commonly available commerical ammo.
On the other hand, it is hard to tell whether it is the rifle's issue or the shooter's issue without analyzing the group.
On the other hand, it is hard to tell whether it is the rifle's issue or the shooter's issue without analyzing the group.
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my cq does about 3 mins but then again i never expected much from it
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Ammo can have a huge impact on group sizes. With my Swiss, it will group anywhere from 3 MOA (55gr Winchester White box) to 1 MOA (Hornady Steel Match) with factory ammo, and sub MOA with handloads. My recommendation is to hit up a few stores and buy 1 of every kind of .223 they have, and try all of them. That or start developing handloads.
I have the same rifle, but it is a Red Dot set up, maybe later with a magnifier.
My 16" Spikes will have the Hi-Lux CMR.
I have them for different reasons, different jobs.
But like all have said, 55 gr I finds is good for plinking, but the 62 gr will allow you to have a drastic difference in POI.
Are you shooting bench with rest/support?
I also have a 10.5" coming, and that I know is not a tack driver. It is my CQB/HD/ get the family out of the house/less that 100m rifle.
My 16" Spikes will have the Hi-Lux CMR.
I have them for different reasons, different jobs.
But like all have said, 55 gr I finds is good for plinking, but the 62 gr will allow you to have a drastic difference in POI.
Are you shooting bench with rest/support?
I also have a 10.5" coming, and that I know is not a tack driver. It is my CQB/HD/ get the family out of the house/less that 100m rifle.
Ya it was from a rest.
This is the first AR type rifle I have owned. My experience before this AR was a C7. Not saying I am a perfect shot but I do ok so its not my my first rodeo with this platform, so I like to think for the most part I did my job. I only had a few of the AE .223 rounds left and that was the ammo I achieved a 3 shot group of 1.5moa. Seemed to go downhill with the Winchester white box.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
As I mentioned in my post, ammunition has a huge impact on accuracy. Winchester White box is also one of the poorest performing .223 rounds I have tried. I mean FFS, MFS groups better than white box (there's a reason white box so cheap... just saying). Before you get concerned with the accuracy results you're getting, buy some decent match grade ammunition. Federal Premium, Remington Premier, Hornady Superformance, TAP and Steel Match have all performed well in any firearm I've tried them in.
That's the plan, going to pick up a few kinds and see what works. Thanks for your help.
Make sure you have consistent cheek wield - fix power sights like C79 are more forgiving while varied power scopes will have more parallax issue if you do not have perfect and consistent cheek wield.
Also, make sure you are not pressuring the barrel when using a rest.
I will disregard all the suggestion for buying match grade ammo. Is your group splitting, vertical/horizontal stringing? If yes, shoot the cheap stuff until your rounds are more evenly distributed in the group, even if the group size is 3 to 4MOA.
Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated. When I was shooting it was from my lead sled, the groups with the Winchester white box were pretty consistent in the 3moa range. The AE was around 2. So I'll remember your advice next time I'm out and try some different ammo and see what it likes.
Like GT said make sure you are not putting the barrel on the rest unless you have a free floated forend. Shoot off you mag in the prone position. Get off the bench.
One time while training for Bisley with the CF team Canada in Gagetown, we had 16 of the best shooters in the Canadian Forces. All we did was shoot positional groups from 100m. I think I may have seen one or two groups under 1.5" at 100m. Now yes that was with issue C77 ball(which is very good as far as issue ammo goes) and not match or ammo tailoured to a specific rifle.
2-4 moa is pretty much the norm with the ammo you're using. Handloads would probably help the cause.
One time while training for Bisley with the CF team Canada in Gagetown, we had 16 of the best shooters in the Canadian Forces. All we did was shoot positional groups from 100m. I think I may have seen one or two groups under 1.5" at 100m. Now yes that was with issue C77 ball(which is very good as far as issue ammo goes) and not match or ammo tailoured to a specific rifle.
2-4 moa is pretty much the norm with the ammo you're using. Handloads would probably help the cause.
