What is your optic/setup and what are you shooting off of?

Before you do any major tear-downs, slap a different scope on it, and while the scope is off, check all the mounting hardware for the proper torque settings. You may have a "dancing reticle" that bounces after the first shot or some scope mounting hardware that's either loose or not torqued evenly, causing the problem.

Mine shot pretty good for a few rounds after the cold bore being several inches different. If yours after the barrel warms up still shoots #1 round different, it’s a different problem from what I had…

Cheap Burris, $149 job

Bags

Ok, I will swap scopes

I hate to do it because of the ammo price/shortage but I’ll give it a shot

I do want to tear it down the best I can, see if I can find anything then clean it again

If that don’t work, scope swap

I’ve got an old VXI I can toss on there.

Control your breathing. Were the good groups you fired at the same rate of fire? If not, slow the rate of fire and rule out barrel heat and breathing.

Agreed.

You cleaning last night was really cleaning. When I clean it js two wet batches with Bore Tech, then nylon brush for 10 strokes, then patches until there is nothing on them. I have had barrels so bad, I never could get to white patches and I started all over.

A rifle that used to shoot well, then all of a sudden does not, on the same ammo says the barrel needs to be cleaned in my opinion.

And lot number might be on the inside flap of the box. Often lightly printed.

My bet is a scope/mounting issue.

I figured it out and will post pics next

This was a mechanical failure that slipped me

If anybody from BCA reads this, this again wasn't they're fault

They do provide a good product at a great price point

Again, BCA was not to blame here

This is a Burris mount, both the wings had gotten slightly lose

I can't trust this mount, its gotta go

How they’re supposed to lay


This is a slight exaggeration but this is how I noticed them this morning, again they weren’t kicked up this bad



So I tossed this old mount and VXI on



1st ZERO w new scope/mount

When I saw it walking in, I knew I had it. Pretty pumped



2nd ZERO😍

When groups open up gradually, it’s probably a fouled barrel (overly fouled). If groups open up suddenly, it’s probably something else that’s the problem. The suggestion to take the scope off and tighten everything and then try another scope is what I’d do. Of course, if the barrel is still overly fouled, do what Fireman said. But…if you do both things before retesting groups, you won’t know which one solved the problem.

Another complication is that you shoot factory loads, and you can’t be certain of the ammo consistency.

My money is on your having a bad scope, because I’ve had your problem more than once, and it was the scope.
…….

Well, I was a few minutes late with my opinion, having just read that the problem is fixed. Glad it’s fixed.

I really do appreciate all the comments and help

This site is great about that

Thanks guys

A good, inexpensive lesson to stay away from QD or adjustable mounts.

Never mind I see you solved the issues !

That was my first and last QD mount to ever have

Im not saying they're all bad because I am sure somebody makes a really good one

I think this one was $109, I could have bought a Warne fixed mount for that price and forever been done

Lot's of military guys use LaRue QD mounts, but they're very expensive.

I am sure but that mount would have cost almost as much as this cheap rifle did

And I won't be swapping scopes

I’m glad it was a fairly easily solved problem.

Glad it is solved. I'm still surprised that you had so many groups print the same pattern, in the same order (first close, then two high).

I know I cant figure that out either

But because of that consistent, yet poor pattern I didn't think to check scope mount

It was a very consistent one that held thru prob 10, 3 shot groups

I would have figured the pattern would have been more of a birdshot pattern

Gee, now you've got me worried. I have the exact same QD mount on my AR.

I think mine made it to around 120 rounds before loosening

Is yours new? How many rounds?

Idk, id like to think I got a lemon but I think the mount just sucks as a whole

I bought the mount brand new. I shot it about 50 rounds sighting-in & plinking when I first got it. Then I detached the scope & put a Romeo5 in its place for a while. Then recently a friend called & wanted some help with a hog problem so I took the dot sight off & put the scope back on. I checked it at the range & the mount worked as advertised & I didn't lose my zero. Popped 2 pigs in the ear at about 100 yds. So it's only been maybe 15 shots since I last put the mount back on. I'll keep an eye on the scope/mount if I exercise the AR more. I'll keep you posted.

Good example of why not to cheap out on parts