ACR Has Arrived

[stubblejumper]

Well I mounted a Nikon M223 3-12x42 scope, and fired the rifle this morning. Just to get it on target, I used a cheap box of Winchester 55gr factory loads, and after sighting it in, I shot a three shot group, and a five shot group at 100 yards. The three shot group measured 1-1/8", and the five shot group measured 1-1/2", so the rifle does have some promise. I just cleaned the barrel, and tomorrow I intend to try some 69gr matchking handloads, to see how they do. My brass catcher came today, so at least I won't have to chase my brass.

 

[cr5]

My brass catcher came today, so at least I won't have to chase my brass.

Which brass catcher did you get?
I bought a 3Bucc from 4thgentactical and enough rail mounts to put it on every rifle I have. Problem is that I've acquired a couple more rifles since then and need to order some more mounts.

Those groups sound pretty good for cheap 55gr, should be under an inch with good stuff.

 

[stubblejumper]

I bought the Caldwell brass catcher. It installs and removes quite easy, but I will see how well it works tomorrow. The Winchester loads were the 55gr with poly tips. I will try the matchkings with two different powders, hoping to get it sub moa. I do enjoy just how easily the rifle comes apart without tools for cleaning.

 

[cr5]

I bought the Caldwell brass catcher. It installs and removes quite easy, but I will see how well it works tomorrow. The Winchester loads were the 55gr with poly tips. I will try the matchkings with two different powders, hoping to get it sub moa. I do enjoy just how easily the rifle comes apart without tools for cleaning.

Ya, it's a great design, you'll love it even more when you get another caliber conversion for it. I can swap back and forth between 223 and 300BLK in less than a minute.
the 3Bucc and the Caldwell look fairly similar. Mine works great on all my rifles, catches 223, 300BLK, and 9mm no problems.

 

[stubblejumper]

I didn't achieve moa for five shot groups with the components on hand, 1-1/4moa has been around average. Since I have such a good supply of 69gr matchkings, and Varget on hand, I will likely just stick with those components and accept 1-1/4moa, until I use up the components that I have on hand. The brass catcher has worked very well.

 

[mikethebike]

thats at 100 yards or 200 yards? cause I'm looking at 2 x 3+ inch groups here out of 4 (top right, bottom left)

 

[Canadiankeeper]

thats at 100 yards or 200 yards? cause I'm looking at 2 x 3+ inch groups here out of 4 (top right, bottom left)

my question also. Good enough to hunt with though.

 

[cr5]

I didn't achieve moa for five shot groups with the components on hand, 1-1/4moa has been around average. Since I have such a good supply of 69gr matchkings, and Varget on hand, I will likely just stick with those components and accept 1-1/4moa, until I use up the components that I have on hand. The brass catcher has worked very well.

Was that just one load? I'm sure you'll find a better powder charge with a little experimenting. I've never really gotten the best results with Varget in my 223's but lot's of guys swear by it.

my question also. Good enough to hunt with though.

Not in Alberta, we can't hunt with 223, I guess the deer are tougher the further west you go.
That's why I built the 300BLK conversion and am working on my 6.8SPC conversion.

This is my best so far with the 300BLK
View attachment 15200

 

[stubblejumper]

thats at 100 yards or 200 yards? cause I'm looking at 2 x 3+ inch groups here out of 4 (top right, bottom left)

You aren't very good at estimating dimensions. The group below is the largest group at 1.46". The next largest group is 1.32", and the other two groups both measure 1.2". The targets that I use measure 5.5"x5.5".

Was that just one load? I'm sure you'll find a better powder charge with a little experimenting. I've never really gotten the best results with Varget in my 223's but lot's of guys swear by it.

I tried Varget,Benchmark, and IMR 4064, with 69gr,55gr, and 40gr bullets, and Varget and the 69gr matchkings were as good as any of the combinations. My bolt action Tikka preferred 4064, and my Sako preferred Benchmark, both rifles averaging under 1/2moa with the Matchkings.

 

[cr5]

You aren't very good at estimating dimensions. The group below is the largest group at 1.46". The next largest group is 1.32", and the other two groups both measure 1.2". The targets that I use measure 5.5"x5.5".

Pretty darn good for your first batch of handloads in that rifle.

 

[stubblejumper]

There are a couple of other powders that I do hope to try, but those three are all that I have on hand that are suitable, and I have a fair supply of Varget to use up. I am also finding that the shape of the stock makes this rifle more awkward to shoot from a bench than my bolt rifles. Each group has three or four shots within moa, with a flier or two, I hope to reduce the fliers with some more shooting time with this rifle.