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Accuracy went way down after free floating an AR
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2017 at 16:38
Thefieldster1 View Drop Down
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Was wondering if there is anything I could try or what to check. I bought a ruger ar556 and it shot sub moa out of the box with 5 shot groups. Stellar accuracy. Now after putting on a 15 inch rail, low pro gas block, and a 250.00 Elftmann trigger my accuracy has gone way down. I'm sure I torqued everything to spec. Any ideas what might be the problem?
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2017 at 16:41
Thefieldster1 View Drop Down
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I have a Nikon prostaff 4-12x40 (2010) in a skelatonized Warne mount all torqued to correct poundage. The scope is good it's been on many a rifle and works great.
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2017 at 17:28
RifleDude View Drop Down
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First things first, how many rounds did you fire through it to declare it a sub MOA gun before changing out the parts? IOW, are you absolutely certain that sub MOA was true representative precision? A couple sub MOA groups don't necessarily define it as a sub MOA gun; it has to do that more often than not. Is it possible that the rifle aggs the same now as before, except you got lucky with a couple exceptional groups before?

Secondly, have you tried a variety of loads in the rifle? The free float hand guard and the lo pro gas block both changed the resonant frequency of your barrel. Rifle barrels are like large tuning forks in that minor changes in where and how pressure and weight is applied to the barrel as well as minor changes to length alters its resonant frequency and can make major changes to group size with a given load because the bullet exits the muzzle at a different point in the barrel oscillations. Sometimes a shift in barrel pressure and weight makes a given load shoot better, sometimes worse. This is the principle by which adjustable barrel tuners work. Your rifle may shoot just as well as before except prefer a different load to achieve best precision. Also, is your gas block a segmented, 2 part style or a set screw style with the set screw applying point pressure to the barrel? What style gas block did you have before? Some barrels don't like direct set screw pressure applied.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2017 at 21:15
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Same or different ammo?

Who put the gas block on?
Who swapped the rail?
How many initial rounds - declaring it sub-MOA?
How many rounds since?

Same bolt and barrel, it sounds like a torque issue. Or ammo. Or you got lucky initially or unlucky later.
The plural of "anecdote" is not "data."
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2017 at 22:15
koshkin View Drop Down
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Did you remove the barrel nut to change the handguard?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/30/2017 at 13:13
cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Maybe we should start using MTO, (More Than Once), instead of MOA. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2017 at 12:47
hatton mann View Drop Down
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Behold,,,a perfectly good rifel !

Now,,,I shall fix it,,,,,,,,Wink
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/10/2017 at 17:07
Sparky View Drop Down
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Get things figured out Thefieldster1?
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/05/2017 at 19:56
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I think you guys ran him off!
 
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