I have a 16' barrel and can't get better than a 3" scattered group. I just purchased a Bushnell AR Optic 3x9 hoping it would help however same results. Am I expecting to much from an AR for a better performance. What about a barrel upgrade or is that a waste of $. What Barrel is recommended

How many different loads have you tried? Can you tell us more about the rifle itself?

Lots of barrel suggestions in this thread:

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum...853/re-recommend-ar15-barrel#Post7982853

Thanks for the forum link --

Anytime anyone has grouping problems with optics, I would always suggest see if someone you know can check all the screws and such to ensure all is installed correctly.

If you happen to be in the greater Houston area, I would be glad to help or let you borrow tools.

Here's a reputable vendor...peruse their offerings. Not inexpensive in some cases. Of course you can't go wrong with Wilson barrels.

Rainier Arms

Ghost light the current barrel , is it a bear creek arsenal barrel ?

Unfortunately this is not the time to do this but buy multiple manufactures of ammo and see what shoots the best. You would be surprised how much of a difference this will make.

Before we jump into a barrel upgrade, let's talk about the ammo that you are shooting. What ammo are you getting 3" groups with? How many different brands/weights of ammo have you tried? Let's also talk about the kind of accuracy that you are looking for. What would make you happy? 2MOA, 1 MOA, sub-MOA?

Edit: Also, before we jump to conclusions, what distance are you getting those 3" groups? 100 yards?

I had a similar problem with a new AR. I tried 4 or 5 powders and charge rates, but the best I could do was about an inch and a quarter. I called the manufacturer and was told that the accuracy met mil spec and that was about as good as it was going to do. A nice fellow on this forum had a new and unused excellent barrel, and we are shooting great nowadays.

So...if it isn’t the scope or mounts, try a new barrel. The one I got was by Seekins Precision.

This, it worked wonders for me.

I have one of their Select 5.56 barrels. It was made by Black Hole Weaponry (now Columbia River Arms). All of my hand loads are .5 moa or less.

Not at all. This is just the first pic I grabbed off my phone of my 7-08 gasser doing .1 moa with hand loads. It's not a fluke. I have several more that are sub 1/2 moa.



We do need more specs of your set up though.

Have a 6.5 Grendel that wasn't grouping well. Put a Faxon 20" on it and have been happy with it.

3" scattered group is not good assuming you are a capable shooter. What ammo were you using? Brand of rifle? Is the barrel nut torqued properly? A lot of things can go wrong on an AR. I'd be happy to look at it if you are in the Frico/Mckinney area.

Forgive me, BUT I'm going to be the elephant in the room. There is a lot left unanswered, first who made the rifle? Is the barrel floated? Does the rifle have a standard trigger? What ammunition have to tried? How many rounds have you shot in it? What type off support are you using and what distance are you shooting? Did the rifle have any type of optic before you added the Bushnell? Plus, how well can you shoot?

Any suggestions made before all those questions have answered are just a guess.

Free float handguard or clamshell?