Famae 542 Range report and photos (no stopages so far)

It was -20 again today but I headed back to the range. I shot Norinco copper washed ammo and Federal 168gr Gold Medal Match. Results where odd, some groups where good, some were bad. There was no wind so my breath and smoke from the rifle was hanging around me which was not ideal and I could not wear my glasses. Some groups where around 1 moa and others where around 4 or more. Over all I'd say the rifle was averaging about 3.5 moa today but there were some groups that looked really good. I've attached some of the best and not so good groups. Groups were shot at 100m.

I re-tightened all the scope mounts, screws etc... to see if I could eliminate flyers. In the end I found that the flash hider is a little lose (similar to the looseness in the gas block). I'm not sure if this could be causing the inconsistent groups but it seems like a good possibility to me. Also I might have just been shooting badly, I haven't had much trigger time in the last year.

In total 387rds have now been fired through this SG542. Considering that most of it has been cheap Norinco ammo the rifle was still not to dirty though I have stripped it right down to look for any possible explanation for the inconstant grouping I've been getting. The only items that I can find are the slight movement in the flash hider and gas block. I think that it maybe possible to shim the gas block. The flash hider may require removal and replacement with a threaded unit (would have to thread the barrel).

I'll test the rifle again when the weather is warmer and hopefully I'm shooting better.















 
Were you swabbing the barrel when going from the Norinco to GMM?
Were you going back and forth between the two, or did you shoot a set with one and then switch the ammo?
 
xopher said:
Even if he was still switching between the two, I'd expect accuracy to be better :/
Click to expand...

A little known issue from switching from ammo to ammo is residuals within the barrel that can very well cause aberrant results on paper - mostly caused by differing powder types.
Combine that with the inconsistencies at the muzzle - I can see how those alone would create groups like we've seen.
 
I've seen that many times with rimfires. Interesting to hear it's a concern with centerfires as well, although it makes perfect sense.
 
True enough, I was switching back and forth without cleaning. The groups were better to start with then got worse. I've given the rifle a good cleaning, next time I'll just shoot the GMM and see what happens.
 
Thanks for doing the testing HeadDamage! Looking forward to seeing how it performs in better weather conditions and with a strictly FGMM diet.

Just out of curiosity, where you using different supported positions during testing? ie sandbag vs bipod etc
 
A nice preliminary test.
I'm a bit choked that the muzzle isn't threaded (which allowed it to loosen). I wonder how easy/hard it is to remove the barrel for machining? Or can threading the barrel be done somehow without removal?
 
Among the less than stellar shooting conditions I was dealing with was the fact that I was shooting off a wooden bench of questionable integrity and sitting on a similar condition seat. Next weekend is forecast to be above -10, perhaps I'll try and again. Sooner or later conditions should be good enough to shoot this rifle better. I would have thought that someone from a warmer area of the country would have posted something by now.
 
The flash hider looks easy to remove, knock the two pins out with a correctly sized punch and it should fall off. I haven't done this yet because the pins are staked, not much but enough that I'm holding off for now. If the next range outing doesn't improve I may remove the flash hider do see if it is affecting things or not. If it is I'll have the barrel threaded and install something else on it.

If all else fails I shall unleash GrensVegter on it (He is the Stig of the gun smith world) ;)
 
Last edited:
HeadDamage said:
The flash hider looks easy to remove, knock the two pins out with a correctly sized punch and it should fall off. I haven't done this yet because the pins are staked, not much but enough that I'm holding off for now. If the next range outing doesn't improve I may remove the flash hider do see if it is affecting things or not. If it is I'll have the barrel threaded and install something else on it.

If all else fails I shall unleash GrensVegter on it (He is the Stig of the gun smith world) ;)
Click to expand...

I can speak for more than myself when I say it would be interesting to see the result.:)

I'd bet that a wobbly flash hider would have that affect. I recall a test of hiders many years ago where (by analysis of high speed photography), the author speculated/concluded that hiders/muzzle breaks that disappated muzzle gases away from the base of the projectile showed more accuracy--as the propellant gasses were less likely to interfere with the exit/flight of the projectile. Basically, like the effect of having a damaged crown versus an intact one.

Maybe we should set up a betting pool.....
 
The flash hider pins were lose, a few gentle taps with the hammer and punch and they slid right out. The hider then lifted right off with no resistance, it is very lose on the barrel without the pins holding it in place. I think I could tighten the hider up by driving the pins in better but I'll try it without the hider first before I put it back on.

 
Last edited:
I'm surprised it's not threaded, then again it's a design for 1970s developing world armies.
 
Today I returned the the range to try the rifle without the flash hider on. The rounds where shot in the order of, 168gr Gold Medal Match, 175gr SMK with Varget powder, Norinco Copper wash. Results seem better.













 
Looks like it could be promising , Im guessing those groups will tighten up when the bore gets broken in a bit and smooths out.. I know the new NOS barrels for M1 Garands wont shoot decent groups usually till they get a few hundred rounds down them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom