So I’ve been struggling with a 16” AR build for the last few years. I’ve never been able to build an accurate one. Never shoot it much even though it’s in the front of the safe if you know what I mean. It’s reliable, just not accurate. I’ve gone through several barrels and parts and just, nope.
Yes, I am a cheap bastard and I am sure that is what but me this time. I’ve had good general luck with cheap AR-15 and 10 builds in other calibers and lengths, but not 16” 223 wylde.
Finally what I did was swap the upper for an AIM generic forged and a new handguard and barrel nut. I’ve been reusing the barrel nut from attempt to attempt. Same with the upper.
Plinking ammo, most brands it is shooting around 3MOA +/-.5 depending on the brand. It hates American Eagle 223. Though I’ve never owned a 223 AR that can shoot it better than 5MOA. Even my sub MOA 20” can’t shoot it for crap.
Then I switched to nice ammo. I put some Frontier 55gr BTHP and it shot 2MOA (these are all 5 shot groups). Then it shot a .51” (1.02MOA, shooting mostly at 50yds, a little at 100) group with Hornady Black 75gr BTHP. Followed up by a .53” group with Australian Outback 55gr Blitz Kings.
This is compared to 2.5MOA best with Hornady black using the SAME barrel in the “old” upper and handguard and barrel nut. So I guess you can wear them out given sufficient messing with them.
Shot a couple more really nice similar sized groups with Hornady black. Then shot a couple score more rounds of plinking ammo.
Very happy. Now just time to go work up some inexpensive hand loads for it that I can crank out in volume that will shoot okay.
Spent several hours at the range and it was a great day today!
Yes, I am a cheap bastard and I am sure that is what but me this time. I’ve had good general luck with cheap AR-15 and 10 builds in other calibers and lengths, but not 16” 223 wylde.
Finally what I did was swap the upper for an AIM generic forged and a new handguard and barrel nut. I’ve been reusing the barrel nut from attempt to attempt. Same with the upper.
Plinking ammo, most brands it is shooting around 3MOA +/-.5 depending on the brand. It hates American Eagle 223. Though I’ve never owned a 223 AR that can shoot it better than 5MOA. Even my sub MOA 20” can’t shoot it for crap.
Then I switched to nice ammo. I put some Frontier 55gr BTHP and it shot 2MOA (these are all 5 shot groups). Then it shot a .51” (1.02MOA, shooting mostly at 50yds, a little at 100) group with Hornady Black 75gr BTHP. Followed up by a .53” group with Australian Outback 55gr Blitz Kings.
This is compared to 2.5MOA best with Hornady black using the SAME barrel in the “old” upper and handguard and barrel nut. So I guess you can wear them out given sufficient messing with them.
Shot a couple more really nice similar sized groups with Hornady black. Then shot a couple score more rounds of plinking ammo.
Very happy. Now just time to go work up some inexpensive hand loads for it that I can crank out in volume that will shoot okay.
Spent several hours at the range and it was a great day today!
