groups stringing

[sloguy]

i m shooting a ar with a rimfire kit( not a rimfire upper, a drop in kit), using federal automatch ammo and shooting at 25 yards. cooler day, so that could account for not seeing this happen before, im assuming that the cooler air was taking the heat out of my barrel faster than other days. id fire 10 rounds and my first shot was over a inch low, then next would be higher and by the3rd-5th shot poa to point of impact were uniform. but the time it took to reload the magazine let the first round drift back to an inch low.

my ar has a freefloat tube, using a thinner barrel( i forget what the exact name of it is) using a harry handle mounted scope rail, and a centerpoint 4-16 scope( the one on sale at walmart).

the stringing is less evident when im shooting 223. its blaringly obvious when im using 22lr.

does anyone know what is causing this, or any ideas on how to fix it?

[apbrian112]

i'm gonna guess you have to shave the harry handle... should put your groups all in one hole.

[wildcard]

Sounds like user error. At 25 yds, you should be seeing some pretty tight groupings (.5" MAX should be expected even with he crappiest bulk pack ammo). A warmed barrel from 3 shots should have no effect especially at such a short range.

[aplinker]

Try using your irons, too. Those carry handle mounts aren't reliable.

[sloguy]

it doesnt happen when i use the iron sights.


i dont think user error is to blame.

[tophatjones]

I would assume that the .223 would have worse barrel heating problems than the .22. Have you tried the scope on another rifle yet? Also, have you tried your .22 kit on another rifle?

[aplinker]

it doesnt happen when i use the iron sights.


i dont think user error is to blame.

The that alone tells you it's something about your aiming system.

Personally I'd switch to flat-top, but I know how you stubborn SLO guys are

For you, I'd start with bedding the scope mount. There's a nice thread somewhere on how to do with with carry handle mounts. From there, try a different scope.

[sloguy]

well, i only put one group on paper with the iron sights. it didnt do it as far as i could tell. ill have to go shoot some more groups with iron sights to make sure. but as far as the stringing with the scope, im positive that wasnt user error. ill double check all my screws and see if something came loose.

i just bought this scope, and i really like it. id hate to think it was bad.

retrospect, i shoulda started with a flat top. i just had a thing for the carry handle look. i still do, but i want my scope lower now.

[sloguy]

possible culprit found. the screws that mount the rings to the base were found stripped. i donno if that was my doing or just cheap rings.

i hate how everytime i get rings included with a scope they turn out to be trash. what the heck?