AR Inaccuracy Trouble Shooting

[Long Cut]

This was my first AR build. I recruited a buddy that shoots semi professionally and builds multiple AR’s a year to help me with the barrel/gas system & hand-guard. I put the rest together.

PSA U/L Receiver
PSA Free Floated Handguard

WOA SPR .223 Wylde 18” 1:7 barrel
WOA Gas Tube, Block & BCG
Radian CH
TT Duty 3.5# Trigger
Radian 45 safety
Geisselle H2 Buffer & Spring
Atlas bipod

Geisselle Super Precision mount
SWFA 3-15 Gen 2
Both mounted with torque wrenches; believe 20in/lbs scope and 60# in/lb on the mount.

Ammo-
AAC 77gr OTM’s
AAC 75gr BTHP’s
AAC 70gr TSX’s

Distance- 100 Yards off bipod & bag


This barrel doesn’t have 100 rounds down the tube. It’s right around 50-75 rounds at this point between myself & my buddy shooting it. Granted my buddy shot it at his indoor range at 20 yards, so he wasn’t able to really see the accuracy. Everything appears to be tight and functioning properly.

3, 4 & 5 round groups are 77gr OTM’s during the sight-in process.
The three 10 round groups at the bottom and lower right side are the 77 OTM, 70 TSX’s & 75 BTHP’s.


So ALL that being said…
could this be from me loading the bipod during the shot?
Could there be a burr in the barrel that I cannot see, causing the groups to open up like this?

 

[Boltgun]

-Did you torque the barrel nut?

-Don’t think bipod preload could account for 5-6 moa groups.

-Once encountered a PSA barrel that had a burr in the chamber that caused big groups like that. Do you have access to a bore scope?

 

[JF_Idaho]

Checked supressor alignment?

 

[Long Cut]

-Did you torque the barrel nut?

-Don’t think bipod preload could account for 5-6 moa groups.

-Once encountered a PSA barrel that had a burr in the chamber that caused big groups like that. Do you have access to a bore scope?

1. My buddy did the barrel / barrel nut and I trust his work. He stretches his personal built AR’s out to 700-1k without issues.

2. I know bipod preload accounts for groups shifting, but I agree these “groups” seem to have more going on than just that.

3. Don’t have a bore scope, but I’ll see if a local smith wants to check it out for me. I figured before I got to this point, I’d ask around to see if I overlooked something

 

[Long Cut]

Checked supressor alignment?

No. Think that would account for groups this large?

Haven’t had an issue in my other rifles with the exact suppressor / YHM mount setup

 

[JF_Idaho]

No. Think that would account for groups this large?

Haven’t had an issue in my other rifles with the exact suppressor / YHM mount setup

It definitely could if it's clipping a baffle or end cap. Gonna be barrel thread dependent so each rifle would be different.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Shoot a group off a bag without the bipod to eliminate that variable. Then shoot a group off a bag without the can to eliminate that variable. Report back after that.

 

[MallardSX2]

Shoot a group off a bag without the bipod to eliminate that variable. Then shoot a group off a bag without the can to eliminate that variable. Report back after that.

This.

 

[Long Cut]

Shoot a group off a bag without the bipod to eliminate that variable. Then shoot a group off a bag without the can to eliminate that variable. Report back after that.

Sounds perfect to me.

Today was a brief zero before a coyote hunt, so I didn’t get too crazy with testing different variables.
Transparently I didn’t think the suppressor could throw groups off that much without ever having any baffle strikes, sparks etc…

 

[Jason Snyder]

Sounds perfect to me.

Today was a brief zero before a coyote hunt, so I didn’t get too crazy with testing different variables.
Transparently I didn’t think the suppressor could throw groups off that much without ever having any baffle strikes, sparks etc…

It seems like a lot to me, but there is only one way to find out. In 10-15 rounds you’ll eliminate two variables or identify the problem.

We were troubleshooting an AR one day. 12 MOA size groups. We checked suppressor, retorqued the adapter, different optic, lower receiver, different shooters, different lot of ammo. Finally I took it in and cleaned it. Next thing I know it’s back to 2 MOA. Wouldn’t have believed it if I is t test it and see it for myself.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Take the can off and shoot it.

 

[RWT]

If it continues to be a poor shooter
Try real match ammo. AAC is very inconsistent lately
Consider the upper receiver is bad. I’ve received one from PSA. PSA Grendel I couldn’t get to shoot sub 4”. Changed to a known good lower with a TT. No joy. Tried 2 different barrels. One a new Wilson combat. No joy
Tried a new upper receiver and it shoots 1.5-2” now. Measured the receiver and it was out of “square” as you traveled up towards the barrel the width changed twice. I assume the receiver was poorly manufactured.