Options for accuracy in a NR .223?

Ol' Smokey

Ol' Smokey

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
Location
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
I hope this isn't taken as a "What .223 semi to buy" thread - that's been done to death.

My question is a bit different.

I would like to work with a non-restricted .223 semiauto, to develop a genuine 1 MOA or better rifle with handloads.

From reading here, and elsewhere on the web, most non-AR offerings will not do that out of the box, but tend to give folks 1.5 to 2 MOA at best.

I know some guys claim sub MOA, but I'd like to see consecutive 100 yard, 5 round groups to believe it. The fellows claiming such seem to be in the minority.

So of the available non-restricted offerings in Canada, which are the most likely candidates for accurizing? Are there platforms that lend themselves to minor tweaks that could take me into sub MOA territory?

I'd be happy with up to a 20 inch heavy barrel, and 1:7 twist for heavier bullets.

No particular purpose in mind - I just like accurate guns, and it could serve as a 200-300 yard coyote gun.

If the rifle itself could be sub $3K, that would be peachy. I'll have to thin the existing herd considerably ......
 
A used swiss arms would do the job. If you can relent on needing a semi you can save a pile of cash and get a bolt gun fully done for around 1k.
 
Swiss Arms'll do it. So will an SL-8, more than likely.

It'll cost you, but if it's what you want, it's what you want. I can understand that.
 
the sl8 will do it. I have gotten sub MOA 5 shot groups with mine but I am still working on loads so can't say much regarding repetition. I haven't had enough range days with it yet to say either way on that. Everything I have read FWIW say that the SL8's will shoot sub MOA all day long, but like i said I don't have enough experience with mine yet to support or refute the claims.
 
I have a buddy who owns a Mini-14 Target model which will hold MOA with cheap Winchester white box loads. His is the laminate-stocked model. I have the same gun with the Hogue stock, and although mine will not quite do as well with the cheap crap that I shoot in it, I would not be surprised if a bit of load testing and development would result in MOA accuracy. A lot of owners seem to be doing well with these rifles.

Mine has been shortened to 18.5 inches, completely removing the threads for the harmonic stabilizer gizmo. I have a cheap Limbsaver rubber donut on the barrel which easily duplicates the accuracy I was getting before the chop. It is now an outstanding coyote rifle...it was too heavy and poorly balanced before.
 
Thanks for the replies so far.

I should have noted that I have several bolt guns, including .223, that are sub half MOA.

This project is just something new to mess around with.

Of course, the AR is definitely capable - but I can't hunt with it, so I need to look elsewhere.

Stupid, stupid gun laws.:(
 
Mini14 target
SL8
Swiss Arms PE90 target model recommended for scope mounting
ACR with SS bull barrel
 
Just to be different....Try a Volquartson Evolution in .223. Milarm here in Edmonton had one about a year ago. They are expensive, but apparently are tack drivers. Price starts around $2,400 and by checking off certain options you can get to around $4,700! They also use the AR mag platform. Check out their website if interested.
 
After much poking around on the web, I decided that the SL8 would best fit my needs.

By all accounts, it displays excellent accuracy out of the box, certainly enough for my purposes. It seems that MOA is attainable for most folks, with significantly better accuracy being attained y some using match ammo or handloads.

Yup, it's funky, and for practicality, some small mods are necessary - like adapting to use AR mags.

Don't know when I'll get range time, I have a few guns bought that I haven't shot yet (eek!). When I do, I'll post a report.

Thanks to all who posted suggestions here.
 
Ol' Smokey said:
After much poking around on the web, I decided that the SL8 would best fit my needs.

Yup, it's funky, and for practicality, some small mods are necessary - like adapting to use AR mags.
/QUOTE]

you can make it look like a G36, less funky. one on the EE right now
Click to expand...
 
Throttle_monkey1 said:
My non-restricted ACR is sub moa accurate, but they're not too common.
Click to expand...

It was on my short list - but didn't see one anywhere in Canada.

It seems like when one of the NR black rifles comes in, it's gone.

If they move so fast, why is there so little stock in Canada?

Seems like dealers are passing on a good bit of business .........
 
Ol' Smokey said:
After much poking around on the web, I decided that the SL8 would best fit my needs.

By all accounts, it displays excellent accuracy out of the box, certainly enough for my purposes. It seems that MOA is attainable for most folks, with significantly better accuracy being attained y some using match ammo or handloads.

Yup, it's funky, and for practicality, some small mods are necessary - like adapting to use AR mags.

Don't know when I'll get range time, I have a few guns bought that I haven't shot yet (eek!). When I do, I'll post a report.

Thanks to all who posted suggestions here.
Click to expand...

Good rifle choice.

I wouldn't hack up the rifle in order to get the AR magwell onto it.
Just pick up some Spear SL8 mags for $45 (Wolverine has stock).

For the high cost of parts I also wouldn't hack it into a G36 (perhaps I am a purist but I detest the G36 hack).
Try the rifle first and see if the ergonomics work for you.
Put on a decent scope and optionally a bottom rail and afg2 and you should be good to go.
 
Last edited:
deegee said:
Good rifle choice.

I wouldn't hack up the rifle in order to get the AR magwell onto it.
Just pick up some Spear SL8 mags for $45 (Wolverine has stock).
I'm in the middle of a Spear 5/30 to 5/10 mag mod if you prefer shorter mags.

For the high cost of parts I also wouldn't hack it into a G36 (perhaps I am a purist but I detest the G36 hack).
Try the rifle first and see if the ergonomics work for you.
Put on a decent scope and optionally a bottom rail and afg2 and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
I don't have any plans for major alterations.

It seems like some folks are happy to double the cost of their gun for what seem largely cosmetic changes.

As for mags, they seem to unobtanium in Canada unless they are AR. I really prefer the LAR type mag, or 5/20.

It seems that amount of modification to install the magwell is minor, and the part costs less than a single HK mag!

The one additional mod I am considering is a low sight rail - does anyone know of a source in Canada? That actually has them?

Sorry CGN sponsors, there's nothing more frustrating than go to dealer site after dealer site only to encounter the inevitable - "out of stock".:(
 
Ol' Smokey said:
...
As for mags, they seem to unobtanium in Canada unless they are AR. I really prefer the LAR type mag, or 5/20.
...
Click to expand...

$45 for SL8 5/30 mags at Wolverine.

Keep in mind that if you modify (cut) your rifle to put on an aftermarket magwell, you decrease its resale value, so once it's modified its usually a keeper or a loss.
 
Last edited:
deegee said:
$45 for SL8 5/30 mags at Wolverine, can easily be made into 5/10 with one cut.

Keep in mind that if you modify (cut) your rifle to put on an aftermarket magwell, you decrease its resale value, so once it's modified its usually a keeper or a loss.
Click to expand...
None listed on the Wolverine website .......

Soem things I just don't get.

HK Mags $175 each - insane.

Availability of alternative in Canada? Right now, looks like zero.

Had a mini 14, and couldn't find anyone with stock on 5/20 mags - even though they are common as dirt in the US.

Honestly, unless you run an AR, there seems to be very, very little dealer support up here for black rifles.

I bit the bullet on the HK because I wanted a NR, reasonably accurate rifle, knowing full well that getting goodies for it will be a PITA, and that I will be boned on prices for the stuff that is available here.

I suspect that the minor mod for the mag well won't be seen a s a huge issue for anyone buying the rifle. The low cost and ready availability of all sorts of decent AR mags is a huge plus for conversion.

Besides, I plan on keeping this one until they pry it out of my cold, dead hands.

Which may not be THAT far off for an older fart like myself!:D

C'est la vie, in Canada.:(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom