I've been shooting only XM855 and XM193 62 grain 5.56 and also a bunch of Atlanta factory reloads in 55gr .223. All to about the same accuracy. As in no discernible difference out to 100 for me. Haven't gone any longer than that with this yet
WK180C Shorter barrel options?
- Thread starter Virtual.Chris
- Start date
I've been shooting only XM855 and XM193 62 grain 5.56 and also a bunch of Atlanta factory reloads in 55gr .223. All to about the same accuracy. As in no discernible difference out to 100 for me. Haven't gone any longer than that with this yet
Thanks. I only have 55gr on hand, but may try some heavier bullets and see if that makes a difference.
Here's an update on my short-barrel swap... the saga continues...
TLDR: I'm now looking at other options for a short barrel that might work better on the WK180C. But there's very little to choose from. I'm going to see what Owen at Kodiak thinks.
Bottom line: DO NOT BUY AN MRA BARREL for your semi-auto!!!
Update:
I got the gun back from MRA last week, after they checked the barrel on their bolt action platform and concluded it wasn't an issue with the barrel.
I shot at 50 yards with a Lead Sled, and a 10x scope (Trijicon Accupoint).
Here’s the results of my testing with the 12.5” MRA barrel at 50 yards…. It did ok with the Nosler Match 77Gr, but the rest are disappointing. The Hornady Match 75Gr wasn’t very good and the 55Gr (which is all you can buy in bulk these days) was really bad.
IMG_1620 by Virtual-Chris (Junk Photos), on Flickr
Note that I got 2MOA with the stock 18” barrel before the swap (see second pic).
IMG_1289 by Virtual-Chris (Junk Photos), on Flickr
The quest for an accurate short barrel for this platform continues. DO NOT BUY AN MRA BARREL for your semi-auto!!!
TLDR: I'm now looking at other options for a short barrel that might work better on the WK180C. But there's very little to choose from. I'm going to see what Owen at Kodiak thinks.
Bottom line: DO NOT BUY AN MRA BARREL for your semi-auto!!!
Update:
I got the gun back from MRA last week, after they checked the barrel on their bolt action platform and concluded it wasn't an issue with the barrel.
I shot at 50 yards with a Lead Sled, and a 10x scope (Trijicon Accupoint).
Here’s the results of my testing with the 12.5” MRA barrel at 50 yards…. It did ok with the Nosler Match 77Gr, but the rest are disappointing. The Hornady Match 75Gr wasn’t very good and the 55Gr (which is all you can buy in bulk these days) was really bad.
IMG_1620 by Virtual-Chris (Junk Photos), on Flickr
Note that I got 2MOA with the stock 18” barrel before the swap (see second pic).
IMG_1289 by Virtual-Chris (Junk Photos), on Flickr
The quest for an accurate short barrel for this platform continues. DO NOT BUY AN MRA BARREL for your semi-auto!!!
I just don't understand what could cause this:
- The action is exactly the same
- There's no new parts outside the barrel (I think)
- The gas system is working the same
- The twist rate is sufficient
I can't think of how anything will be looser, settling differently or behaving differently.
The only thing I can think of is that the barrel is not sitting in the rifle properly. As if somehow it's being acted upon. But Kodiak installed the barrel so they know their stuff.
I'm stumped
- The action is exactly the same
- There's no new parts outside the barrel (I think)
- The gas system is working the same
- The twist rate is sufficient
I can't think of how anything will be looser, settling differently or behaving differently.
The only thing I can think of is that the barrel is not sitting in the rifle properly. As if somehow it's being acted upon. But Kodiak installed the barrel so they know their stuff.
I'm stumped
Damn, I’m sorry to hear this is ongoing. I’ll snap some pics of groupings next time I’m out at 50. I’ll use a lead sled thingie too. Wishing you all the best on your hunt
Here's an update on my short-barrel swap... the saga continues...
TLDR: I'm now looking at other options for a short barrel that might work better on the WK180C. But there's very little to choose from. I'm going to see what Owen at Kodiak thinks.
Bottom line: DO NOT BUY AN MRA BARREL for your semi-auto!!!
Update:
I got the gun back from MRA last week, after they checked the barrel on their bolt action platform and concluded it wasn't an issue with the barrel.
I shot at 50 yards with a Lead Sled, and a 10x scope (Trijicon Accupoint).
Here’s the results of my testing with the 12.5” MRA barrel at 50 yards…. It did ok with the Nosler Match 77Gr, but the rest are disappointing. The Hornady Match 75Gr wasn’t very good and the 55Gr (which is all you can buy in bulk these days) was really bad.
IMG_1620 by Virtual-Chris (Junk Photos), on Flickr
Note that I got 2MOA with the stock 18” barrel before the swap (see second pic).
IMG_1289 by Virtual-Chris (Junk Photos), on Flickr
The quest for an accurate short barrel for this platform continues. DO NOT BUY AN MRA BARREL for your semi-auto!!!
I'm stumped as well... And apparently MRA took the barrel off and re-installed it... so its been installed twice now with the same results both times.
When I first contacted them after my first range session with their barrel, they immediately mentioned that that their accuracy guarantee only applies to 14.5 or longer. I said that this is well beyond their guarantee... it’s off the charts (literally). That’s about when they started bad mouthing the WK platform. I should have know I was doomed to get any service from them at that point. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew it could be problematic. But the fact they are trying to blame it all on the gun without taking any responsibility says a lot and it’s going to catch up with them eventually.
It does look a bit strange that the MRA barrel would perform this poorly. They might not be the greatest barrel maker but I'm sure their barrel is better than the ones on my SKS.
I'm sure you've already looked at the fit issue but here's a list:
1. Anything touching the handguard? I'd just remove the handguard and try.
2. Is the gas block loose? What if you remove the gas piston?
3. Is the barrel nut torqued correctly? (I've seen AR with a loose barrel before)
4. How is the barrel to receiver fit without the barrel nut?
For #1,2 you can check this easily. #3,4 requires a barrel nut wrench, a vise, and a torque wrench. If you don't have them try to borrow one. Even better if you have another upper try to swap the barrel into different uppers. You've come this far, no point stopping now.
I'm sure you've already looked at the fit issue but here's a list:
1. Anything touching the handguard? I'd just remove the handguard and try.
2. Is the gas block loose? What if you remove the gas piston?
3. Is the barrel nut torqued correctly? (I've seen AR with a loose barrel before)
4. How is the barrel to receiver fit without the barrel nut?
For #1,2 you can check this easily. #3,4 requires a barrel nut wrench, a vise, and a torque wrench. If you don't have them try to borrow one. Even better if you have another upper try to swap the barrel into different uppers. You've come this far, no point stopping now.
Thanks. I agree. I tried removing the hand guard and that made no difference. The gas block is perfectly tight and centered... if it’s not, it will break a piston immediately. The gun with this barrel has been assembled the first time by Kodiak, and the second time by MRA with no change in performance. It cycles perfectly. I’m pretty certain the barrel is crap, or it has some really odd issue with a semi-auto action. Either way, it’s a real pisser. I’m out $400 for the barrel, $100 for Kodiak to assemble it, and $200 for MRA to tell me there’s nothing wrong with it. And I still need to find another barrel. I’m hoping Kodiak can help find something.
