Bushmaster ACR DMR Accuracy and Favorite Loads

BadAsMo

BadAsMo

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Bushmaster ACR DMR Accuracy and Favorite Loads...

So... new unrestricted semi automatic 223 rifle on the scene here in Canada... the Bushmaster ACR DMR. Looks like a cool rifle... Hits all the latest hot buttons... 1 in 7 twist, heavy barrel.

I've spent a couple days at the range with one over the last couple weeks and the accuracy I've been getting is... well... unimpressive.

Lets put it this way... between the Bushmaster ACR DMR vs a Chinese SKS.... its a fair fight.

Now, I'd like to think there's a trick to this thing that will get the groups under control. I do hand load so I can try anything.

I've been testing 69 grain Sierra Match Kings with Winchester 748 Ball Powder and nothing is under 2 inches at 100 yards. Many groups are over 4 inches. Average is about 3.3 inches.

I do have some 77 grain SMKs on the way, and I'll try them next.

Any of you CGNers have any luck?

Any ideas?

90958%20ACR%20DMR%20Left%20Angle%20Compilation.jpg
 
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my converted ACR with premium factory ammo shoots under 1 moa, and friends who have the DMR do much better than your groups with regular factory ammo in theirs

Try some different factory ammo types to rule out reloading issues.
 
Brian46 said:
my converted ACR with premium factory ammo shoots under 1 moa, and friends who have the DMR do much better than your groups with regular factory ammo in theirs
Click to expand...

That's encouraging that others are doing better... maybe I have a lemon.
I'll be testing other ammo soon.
 
I have zero first hand experience with the ACR, but I'd start at maybe comparing apples to apples.

A fair amount of reports of sub moa results - but what does that really mean? Some people think 3 rounds in a group is sufficient. Some discount 'fliers' and some think shooting that one good group for five is sufficient.

I would recommend trying several types of quality factory made ammunition in addition to handloads.
I also recommend cleaning between types as going from a spherical 'ball' powder to an extruded powder can throw some results.
The cleaning doesn't need to be onerous, just a quick wipe out.

Very interested in seeing your results.
 
Yes.....please check the barrel QD trunion. It must be very tight. That`s the only thing that is keeps your barrel secure and stable between each shot.

Graveman
 
I wish they had an option to eliminate the quick change barrel system and run a more traditional barrel nut like an AR15.

Anyway, at the moment I'm focussed on the barrel nut as the root cause.

Last night I needed 3 hands and a boy to help, but I held the rifle as I applied force on the barrel nut lever and while under tension, I tapped the barrel nut clockwise with a plastic hammer to help it rotate just a little tighter. I feared snapping or bending the lever, but it looks like no harm done.

I'm hoping that's all it will need to settle down.

I'll give it another try on Saturday. Fingers and toes are crossed.... I really want to like this rifle.

I really doubt its poor barrel quality as the barrel is as smooth as a good target rifle when cleaning it and copper doesn't seem to accumulate.
 
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b_w. said:
Is 748 a good powder for that bullet?
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748 has been my standard go to powder for 35 years for my AR15 with 1:7 and 69 SMKs, so I thought I'd start with it for this rifle. My old Colt Delta HBAR would drill 5/8 to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards with it.

Not sure if the ACR piston driven system will react as positively as the direct impingement on the AR though. Could be the ACR has an entirely different powder preference.
 
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BadAsMo said:
I wish they had an option to eliminate the quick change barrel system and run a more traditional barrel nut like an AR15.

Anyway, at the moment I'm focussed on the barrel nut as the root cause.

Last night I needed 3 hands and a boy to help, but I held the rifle as I applied force on the barrel nut lever and while under tension, I tapped the barrel nut clockwise with a plastic hammer to help it rotate just a little tighter. I feared snapping or bending the lever, but it looks like no harm done.

I'm hoping that's all it will need to settle down.

I'll give it another try on Saturday. Fingers and toes are crossed.... I really want to like this rifle.

I really doubt its poor barrel quality as the barrel is as smooth as a good target rifle when cleaning it and copper doesn't seem to accumulate.
Click to expand...

Eliminating the quick change would take away the reason I bought the rifle in the first place. It is a large selling point of the platform
 
Brian46 said:
Eliminating the quick change would take away the reason I bought the rifle in the first place. It is a large selling point of the platform
Click to expand...

I get that some people want quick change barrels, and for their own reasons... I assume with short barrels and CQB types.

For me (accuracy freak) anything that threatens accuracy or static point of aim is a negative particularly when the rifle is designated DMR.
 
BadAsMo said:
Bushmaster ACR DMR Accuracy and Favorite Loads...

So... new unrestricted semi automatic 223 rifle on the scene here in Canada... the Bushmaster ACR DMR. Looks like a cool rifle... Hits all the latest hot buttons... 1 in 7 twist, heavy barrel.

I've spent a couple days at the range with one over the last couple weeks and the accuracy I've been getting is... well... unimpressive.

Lets put it this way... between the Bushmaster ACR DMR vs a Chinese SKS.... its a fair fight.

Now, I'd like to think there's a trick to this thing that will get the groups under control. I do hand load so I can try anything.

I've been testing 69 grain Sierra Match Kings with Winchester 748 Ball Powder and nothing is under 2 inches at 100 yards. Many groups are over 4 inches. Average is about 3.3 inches.

I do have some 77 grain SMKs on the way, and I'll try them next.

Any of you CGNers have any luck?

Any ideas?

90958%20ACR%20DMR%20Left%20Angle%20Compilation.jpg
Click to expand...

this is very wrong

try some vmax in it

or you have an optics issue

with my dlask barrel im averaging 1.3 moa with vmax, your barrel is better, so...
 
You should not need to tighten the barrel with helpers. My 300BLK conversion will shoot around 0.85-0.9moa most days with my handloads and all I do to tighten the barrel is rest it on the butstock and with a thumb on the magwell to stop the rifle from rotating and pull the handle. Just be sure the handle is slightly raised so the nut engages the ratcheting and stays tight.
I haven't had my 223 barrel barrel out enough to find a good load for it yet but my first round of testing with hornady 75gr was giving me around 2 moa with the odd load getting closer to 1 moa but I'll need to try some more loads to zero in on the load it likes.
My 300BLK is custom made non restricted length from McGowan blank and my 223 is a non restricted Questar barrel with 8 twist and Wylde chamber.
I'm sure I'll find a load that shoots sub moa in the 223 as well.
This is my second ACR and the fourth non restricted barrel and the only one i couldn't get to shoot well was the pencil barrel from Herron, i think it was cut too thin but it sure was light.

Try a different scope
It sounds like you're fairly experienced shooting semis so i won't suggest getting someone else to try shooting it.
I've had a couple semis that liked 60gr Nosler Varmageddon pills over CFE223, maybe give that a try.
For factory fodder try to find some Black Hills Mk262 77gr, it's shot well in everything I've tried it in but I ran out before i got this latest barrel so can't say how it will shoot in it yet.
 
I would guess scope too.

So boys mine arrived a day early. So after first look. Rifles looks real nice. Machining is some really well. PRS .... Well is a PRS it's awesome for the prone boys like myself. And nice too if you have a decent sized scope. I'm not sure why it has a rep of being front heavy. Mine is the factory DMR version and feels well balanced. Not much difference from my Swiss MH or XCR. Some may be more sensitive to this then me. I'm used to lugging my 15lb bolt guns.

Planning on getting on the range this weekend or perhaps taking a day off work next week. I'll.keep ya posted.

PS. One small feature. May sound silly but I really liked. There is some rough grip areas above the magwrll on both sides. I love that because I have a compact stance and nor ally place my front hand on that magwell area.

Let me know if you boys want closer pics of certain parts.
 
BadAsMo said:
I get that some people want quick change barrels, and for their own reasons... I assume with short barrels and CQB types.

For me (accuracy freak) anything that threatens accuracy or static point of aim is a negative particularly when the rifle is designated DMR.
Click to expand...

Quick change for me is swapping calibers. The ACR would not have been a platform I would have adopted if it was chained to 223/556. Got enough of those already
 
BadAsMo said:
I get that some people want quick change barrels, and for their own reasons... I assume with short barrels and CQB types.

For me (accuracy freak) anything that threatens accuracy or static point of aim is a negative particularly when the rifle is designated DMR.
Click to expand...

Strongly recommend getting a non-qd trunion. There was a fellow on the ACR forum building them. They lighten the gun quite a bit too.
 
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