Mossberg MMR Hunter: What is acceptable accuracy, which bullet is best.

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nitro-express

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The short version; I took the beast out today, to sight it in and shoot some groups. It is a used Mossberg MMR Hunter, with 1:9 twist, so I bought several boxes of 62 gr ammo. I also bought some 60 gr Nosler Ballistic tip bullets and loaded some. I sighted it in with the factory stuff, and then attempted a few groups with my handloads. They shot a bit low, so I turned up the scope after the first group, and shot 3 more groups. I paid a bit more attention to my shooting on the last group :redface:

The factory ammo didn't warrant a picture, more like patterns than groups. I think the 60 gr Nosler groups show promise, considering the owner told me he had trouble hitting a pallet at 50 yards with 556 ammo.



Before I test fired it, I cleaned the barrel, installed a 2 stage trigger (2/4.5) and mounted a 10X Bushnell tactical scope. Now comes the decision, buy it? or say no thanks. This would be my first AR type rifle.

I assume I can get it to shoot better by testing various bullets and loads, but how much better can I realistically expect it to shoot? How small a group can you expect from one of these? Will they shoot 1/2 inch?

What bullet weight works best with the 1:9 twist? Would a 69 gr Match bullet work? Which one?

Does anybody have any 556 pet loads, for the 1:9 twist, that they'd like to share?

If I buy it, and loose interest, what do you think I could sell it for?

PS: Are all factory AR triggers as bad as the Mossberg trigger? It was so creepy I begged a 2 stage from my buddy before I even attempted to shoot it. The one I installed looks like a LMT, it was a take off on a build, unused, he replaced it with a Timney.

 
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Looks pretty acceptable to me. Assuming those were at 100m.

1/2" at 100m is some pretty high end accuracy, and no I wouldn't expect that out of your rifle. But anythings possible.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought 1in9 would be happier with lighter projectiles not heavier (55vs69).
 
Group #4 and #1 look bad like breathing technique or barrel heating up with the straight up and down string group.
 
If you are shooting under 300 m I'd try 55 gr V-Max. For powder I was using W748, but Varget, H4895, and several others are excellent as well.

If I was shooting farther I'd use Hornady 75 gr HPBT Match over 69 gr SMK's as they are a little cheaper and do the job...easier to find as well.

No harm in giving 55 gr bulk FMJ's a try too, might be acceptable if not great.
 
I've used varget with the 53gr vmax with good success. I've heard the mmr will shoot about 1"@100 maybe those are exceptional groups. Stock ar triggers are crap.
 
BioPace said:
Looks pretty acceptable to me. Assuming those were at 100m.

1/2" at 100m is some pretty high end accuracy, and no I wouldn't expect that out of your rifle. But anythings possible.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought 1in9 would be happier with lighter projectiles not heavier (55vs69).
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Bullet weight as well as bullet length are factors in optimum twist, as is velocity. You are correct. My thinking was that 1:9 is an intermediate twist, between the common 1:12 and 1:7 twists. Bullet weight in 22 cal have a normal range between app 35/40 gr on the light side and 80 gr on the heavy end. IMO 1:9 should have a optimum bullet weight range from 69 gr on the heavy side, down to 55 on the light side. Every gun has its favorite. I know my Ruger 77 shoots 40 gr and 50 gr bullets nicely, with its 1:12 twist.

The way I figured it was that 60 gr was in the middle, and on the Nosler box it states "7" - 10" TWIST BBLS ONLY".

Before I load and test too many different loads, I wanted to know what loads/ammo other shooters were using in their 1:9 AR barrels.
 
In my 20" colt Hbar 1/9 twist I have shot the Hornady 52gr hpbt match with good success using H322 @ 23.5gr iirc

Hornady 68gr hpbt match pills shot Increadibly well sub 1/2" out of my 1/9 18" savage mod 12 using H322 as well.

I have a box of 69gr smk's to play with at some point. I also have been thinking of trying some of the 62gr prvi hp match bullets from budget shooting supply. Seem like a good price if they shoot well.

Cheers
 
Thanks to all. I tested some 55 gr V-Max loads as well as some "cabinet' ammo. It was windy and that added to the challenge.



That was my best group, at 200 yd. Well under 1 moa. for the same 60 gr load that I had used last time. The 55's weren't quite as good at 200. The rest were tested at 100. The 40's were 2 in, the 50 gr V-max were about the same.

None of the loads were optimized for the AR, just what was in the "cabinet".

I do believe I've given it a fair shakedown, and I'm going to go with a Ruger Precision rifle in 243 instead. It'll cost more, but I think I'll like it better.

So, unless you see it for sale in the EE, I didn't buy it. Heck of a nice "try before you buy" opportunity IMO. I shot just over 100 rds.
 
I (no lie) have found that using the Winchester white box 45gr ammo gave me .75" groups if I did my part. (sandbagged rest, Redfield 3-9x42 scope) NOW BEFORE anyone says "those varmint rounds are not crimped so there is a danger of the bullet getting pushed back in the base and causing HIGH PRESSURE"........................................... (Not when I use my Lee .223 Crimp die on them first !!!!!!!!!) Once I crimp them, they go back in the factory box and off the range I go. DONT USE THE WIN 45gr AMMO UNLESS YOU CAN CRIMP FIRST
 
sgt.rock said:
I (no lie) have found that using the Winchester white box 45gr ammo gave me .75" groups if I did my part. (sandbagged rest, Redfield 3-9x42 scope) NOW BEFORE anyone says "those varmint rounds are not crimped so there is a danger of the bullet getting pushed back in the base and causing HIGH PRESSURE"........................................... (Not when I use my Lee .223 Crimp die on them first !!!!!!!!!) Once I crimp them, they go back in the factory box and off the range I go. DONT USE THE WIN 45gr AMMO UNLESS YOU CAN CRIMP FIRST
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I have half a box of them in the cabinet, didn't think they'd work, who knew.

Crimp ? Hadn't considered that as being necessary, my Forster bench rest seating die doesn't even have that feature. I looked at the 45's, and they are crimped, I had to use an eye loop to see it.
 
nitro-express said:
I have half a box of them in the cabinet, didn't think they'd work, who knew.

Crimp ? Hadn't considered that as being necessary, my Forster bench rest seating die doesn't even have that feature. I looked at the 45's, and they are crimped, I had to use an eye loop to see it.
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I think most people crimp for semis.
 
This is the first ive ever herd of someone shooting the MMR. Id say those are acceptable groups. If only AR's were non-restricted eh? Id love an acurate semi auto that isnt 10lbs or 3k$.
 
A quick google on crimping for the AR, some do, and others don't. I crimp for lever action tubular magazine guns, and sometimes for heavy recoiling rifles like my 7 pound 350 Rem Mag, if they have a cannelure. No cannelure, no crimp, or perhaps a light taper crimp.

My opinion on the LEE factory crimp die; I've tried several calibers, and will not use them. They brutalize the case neck, and I just don't see the need for such an aggressive crimp.

Crimping affect accuracy, the worst is the stab crimp, next is the LEE.
 
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