Need some help, I'm confused. My AR15 is an area weapon!

DaveMachine

DaveMachine

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So I'm the owner of a 16" Stag Carbine. One of those RTR1016 jobbies that ArmsEast was selling a while back. Free float tube, ground down gas block, 16" 1/9 twist, M203 cuts, 556 chamber.

I'm confused because I can't seem to get it to group well. With factory ammo it patterns at 100m (probably 7-8" IIRC) and with reloads it's much better (3-4") but still the groups are larger than I'd expect. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't be blaming the rifle but I can shoot smaller groups (1-2") with a rack-grade C7 and service ammo so that's why I'm confused.

I've thought about rebarreling and going to a different type of chamber such as a .223 Wylde since all I'm shooting at the moment is 223. Before I do that however I'd like to know what's going on and I was hoping you folks could offer some input.

The only the thing I could think of is maybe the fact that I'm using .223 in a 556 chamber. *shrug*
 
i am not an AR guy but the first question is what is the twist rate of the barrel. i can never remember what they are but i believe that a faster twist rate needs a heavier bullet. if you are using 55 grain bullets try going up to 66 or even a 72 and see what happens. i am sure the more serious AR guys can properly explain it to you.
 
First thing I would do is Contact Walter @ Armseast and explain the situation you are having , out side of that I can only guess that your problem may lie is that the Free float hand guard may be contacting the Front Sight Block , A poor quaility barrel or poor ammunition
 
1 in 9 twist is pretty standard and is fine for anything up to and in the 60's. I cant help you with the problem but i doubt it has anything to do with the rate of twist.
 
It's not from shooting .223 out of a 5.56 chamber either. My Ar180 has a 5.56 chamber and a 1/9 twist, and using 55gr American Eagle .223 FMJ rounds, I can easily get 2moa out of it.

From the sounds of it, there's probably something wrong with the rifle (or it might just be a bad batch of ammo). As Savage said, call up Arms East and explain what's going on.
 
I bought the rifle second hand so I don't think that ArmsEast would be any help. Not that it is their responsibility to help me out anyways.

I've run lots of ammo through it so I doubt it's an ammo issue. The float tube (I forget the make, and won't be able to have the rifle in front of me for another 2 months'ish) isn't touching the gas block, I'm absolutely certain of this.

So far I've run:
69gr SMK reloads
Winchester whitebox 55gr
AE 55 and 62 gr
Hornady 75gr TAP (this group not too badly but I'd expect tighter)
 
:agree: call Walter he will atleast point you in the right direction. As it sound's like there is an issue ether with the barrel or an out of spec upper. Please post pic's of the inner barrel & upper reciever if possible.
 
The optics I've been runnig are fine. I am running a Leupold Mk4 1.5-5 in an ADM Recon mount which has worked just fine on my C7 so that puts optics out of the question. I've also used my issue iron sight on the rifle as well, works great on my issued rifle not so much on my rifle at home.

I don't think it's a trigger issue either as I lightened the trigger pull on my rifle so it's super smooth. (the problem was also present before)

I won't be able to check anything else until I get back home in May.
 
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If it's the upper, we'll sort it. Give us a call when you get back. Those uppers shot great when they left here. Hoping the problem lies elsewhere, but I'd be happy to help as possible.
 
- +1 on the barrel nut. Ten years ago, I had a C8 that would group spot on the CZP for the first few groups, then the holes would start walking to the right. Barrel was loose.
 
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