Some background: I attended the Appleseed in Liberty Indiana (awesome event, highly recommend Appleseed to everyone!). Afterwards, I decided I would like to shoot a known distance Appleseed (out to 400-500 yards). I already had an AR so I decided I would just set it up for shooting longer distances (scope instead of the red dot, new stock, sling, etc.). I had only put 200-300 rounds through my AR with the red dot.
So I made the trip back to Liberty to have Alan set me up with a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP. Last weekend I finally got down to Atterbury to really get it dialed in. I started shooting 10 shot groups, but my groups were bad. I only had some Winchester 62gr with me, so this weekend I decided to go back with some different ammo and my sled and see what is what.
Here is the info on my AR:
Doublestar Lower with CMMG LPK
16" WOA stainless match barrel 1 in 7", chambered in .223 Wylde
RRA chromed BCG
Below are some photos of my groups. My questions are below the photos.
Group #1 - American Eagle XM855 - 5.56 x 45 - 62gr (green tip):
Group #2 - Independence - 5.56 x 45 - 55gr FMJ
Group #3 - Federal XM193 - 5.56 x 45 - 55gr Ball
Group #4 - Federal Premium .223 – 69gr MatchKing BTHP
Group #5 - Federal Premium .223 – 69gr MatchKing BTHP - Adjusted scope 14 clicks up, 6 clicks left
Group #6 - Federal XM193 - 5.56 x 45 - 55gr Ball
Okay, obviously it likes the Federal Premium Matchking 69gr. the best. My questions are: Should I expect better groups than this (I do, but maybe I'm crazy)? Should I try other types of ammo? Suggestions? Brand? Weight? Anything else I should be looking at that would tighten my groups up? I used the sled to specifically take me out of the equation as much as possible.
I'm assuming that one of the responses will be 'copper or lead fouling'. Could this be the case with only around 500 rounds through it? I typically clean after every outing. Maybe I need to use a different product / method (using CLP now)?
One of the other responses I expect is to check my scope mounting. I had Alan (AA Optics) mount the scope for me. I feel like I should be able to take it out of the equation, but if there is something specific I should check, I'm willing.
Any and all advice / help is appreciated. Sorry this was so long, just trying to give all the information.
So I made the trip back to Liberty to have Alan set me up with a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP. Last weekend I finally got down to Atterbury to really get it dialed in. I started shooting 10 shot groups, but my groups were bad. I only had some Winchester 62gr with me, so this weekend I decided to go back with some different ammo and my sled and see what is what.
Here is the info on my AR:
Doublestar Lower with CMMG LPK
16" WOA stainless match barrel 1 in 7", chambered in .223 Wylde
RRA chromed BCG
Below are some photos of my groups. My questions are below the photos.
Group #1 - American Eagle XM855 - 5.56 x 45 - 62gr (green tip):
Group #2 - Independence - 5.56 x 45 - 55gr FMJ
Group #3 - Federal XM193 - 5.56 x 45 - 55gr Ball
Group #4 - Federal Premium .223 – 69gr MatchKing BTHP
Group #5 - Federal Premium .223 – 69gr MatchKing BTHP - Adjusted scope 14 clicks up, 6 clicks left
Group #6 - Federal XM193 - 5.56 x 45 - 55gr Ball
Okay, obviously it likes the Federal Premium Matchking 69gr. the best. My questions are: Should I expect better groups than this (I do, but maybe I'm crazy)? Should I try other types of ammo? Suggestions? Brand? Weight? Anything else I should be looking at that would tighten my groups up? I used the sled to specifically take me out of the equation as much as possible.
I'm assuming that one of the responses will be 'copper or lead fouling'. Could this be the case with only around 500 rounds through it? I typically clean after every outing. Maybe I need to use a different product / method (using CLP now)?
One of the other responses I expect is to check my scope mounting. I had Alan (AA Optics) mount the scope for me. I feel like I should be able to take it out of the equation, but if there is something specific I should check, I'm willing.
Any and all advice / help is appreciated. Sorry this was so long, just trying to give all the information.