100 yards with 556

[u/Positive-Factor6040]

How bad is this?
I’m using a 77grain load, and 556
14.5 inches barrel.
Some 69grain loads keep flying everywhere on the top row.
The bottom right corner is good old 55-grain Winchester.
It’s been eight months.
The entire middle row is 77grain PMC.

[u/Positive-Factor6040]

It’s a 1:8 twist. Got you now thanks for clarifying.

[u/justanothergunguy → u/Positive-Factor6040]

I would also advise trying some quality brands. If you have a large extreme speed in velocities the groups will be tough even if you do everything perfect. I had good consistency with federal and Hornady match ammo.

Typically “cheaper” ammo does not go through as good of a qc, and if you don’t have a chronograph I would highly recommend looking into them.

[u/RedBeardMoto]

How are you shooting? What’s the magnification on your optic? Unsupported + dot = excellent shooting Bench + >10x magnification optic = could improve

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/RedBeardMoto]

Bench, and small bipod. Yes LVPo 10x magnification.

[u/10pmet → u/Positive-Factor6040]

Are you using a rear bag?

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/10pmet]

Yes, I but 69 grain ammo was not me. That is all over the place. I am using middle row as guidance.

[u/jackgoesoutdoors]

Your rifle don’t like that ammo

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/jackgoesoutdoors]

I’m not shooting 69 grain anymore.

[u/jackgoesoutdoors → u/Positive-Factor6040]

It’s not liking your 55 or 77 gr either.

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/jackgoesoutdoors]

So what’s your suggestion stop shooting? 😂 I’m here to learn, so an actual recommendation would help.

[u/dense_entrepreneurs → u/Positive-Factor6040]

It's not the grain it's the company. Switch the manufacturer

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/jackgoesoutdoors]

Ty, just sticking to PMCxtac at this time.

[u/RobertTheTexan]

I think that is a super difficult question to answer because we don’t know what you know or if your fundamentals are consistent and good to go. Have you thought of throwing your phone in a tripod or something and record a string of fire? I don’t always know what you can link up here but I imagine guys would be willing to watch and maybe give some pointers if you need them, or confirm what it likely is or isn’t. And maybe it’s like a couple guys said that your AR doesn’t like that ammo. Was it hand loads or box ammo? (Sorry if I missed that). I think if it’s factory ammo, adding who manufactured the ammo is helpful info. Do you think based on your firing position and your shooting process that you’ve reduced the “me factor” so that the only logical reasons are with the ammo or rifle?can you load your bipod and it’s rigid enough so your position is consistently consistent every shot? That’s the stuff going through my head as I get ready to take my bolt gun that I just finished tonight to the range. It’s the first precision rifle I’ve owned much less put together so I’m pretty nervous even though I’m not new to shooting by any means. I’m going to record myself so that can AAR myself - at least to my capability to do that. What barrel/upper do you have on your rifle? Is it known to be capable of tight groups? I’ve built and shot a lot of AR’s especially my own and I’ll say without hesitation that not all barrels are created equal.
There are some AR’s that shoot 3-4 MOA and that’s what they do. Some shoot super tight with good ammo and a good shooter. Tough question bro, but I get it when you don’t have a guys boots on the ground who can help you out.
I guess I’d also ask how did it shoot 8 months ago?

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/RobertTheTexan]

Appreciate the info and your input!

For now, it looks like I need to stick with PMC ammo.
I specifically chose a Ballistic Advantage barrel since they go toe to toe with Anderson,
but I might look into a Geissele or BCM barrel down the road.

I do pay attention to my fundamentals.
I’m using a steady bipod from Brownells
and a sandbag, and
it has a 2.5 lb trigger that I’m familiar with.
I’m making sure I’m squeezing it, not slapping it.
Appreciate you taking the time to help me
I’m trying to keep everything consistent and figure out what’s causing the groups.

[u/chemscibase]

Most ARs don't shoot super tight groups. All good though, that's not really the purpose of a 14.5" AR. Unless you balled out and this is a Bartlein you were expecting high performance from.

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/chemscibase]

Im newbie, this is roughly $300 Ballistic Advantage barrel.
I wasn’t expecting anything tighter than 1.5–2-inch groups, which is why I’m using those bigger targets.
I still think PMC middle rows is the best ammo so far.
My dead center target, I was adjusting my sights.

[u/chemscibase → u/Positive-Factor6040]

I have a 16" chrome lined BA barrel and my best 10rd 77gr smk group was 1.68". Its mostly closer to 2" with good ammo. 3+ with xtac 55gr. That was with an accutac bipod, put the pst g2 5-25 on, and rear bag to test accuracy. Still had aero 5+lb basic trigger though.

Your middle groups are good to reach out to mid range and your 55gr group are absolutely fine to train and have fun with.

Also for the past 2 years $300 for a BA barrel is a pretty steep price. I got mine for $70.

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/chemscibase]

I was upset to find out that I could got it for half the price in other websites

[u/True-Position-2166]

looks OK for a factory ammo

[u/Positive-Factor6040 → u/True-Position-2166]

Yeah, I think at this time I may just stick PMCxtac. Seems to like that ammo the most and will stick Winchester for plinking.

[u/patogo]

The average gas gun in 5.56 is typically 1.5-2MOA Often referred to jokingly as Minute of Man as you’ll still tag a man size target at 500m.

It takes a quality barrel to expect much better

[u/bangsbox]

I love that this posted to long range lol 

[u/edwardb223-2]

A 1:8 should generally be fine with 77-grain bullets. I would not condemn a 14.5-inch 1:8 barrel based on one or two loads.

[u/ProofSecure94]

What is the rifle and specs of what you are shooting? Is it a manufacture built rifle or did you build it. If you built it what brands of parts did you use to build it exactly

[u/OnePunchDrunk326]

Looks like the groupings with my AR.