S&W M&P15-22 Sudden Accuracy Problem

[cc426]

I had my M&P15-22 out today and went through about 300 rounds. First 200-250 rounds were no problem...about 2 inch groups at 50 yards.

Then all of a sudden I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. Maybe 10 rounds on paper (barely) and then I was missing my target by 5-10 yards+ in random directions...

Any ideas whats going on?

[Dattebayo]

Scope mount or sights got loose would be my first guess. Were you grouping atleast or where they all over the place?

[J@mes]

I had this happen to me too, it was a scope issue.
Make sure it hasn't wiggled loose.

[cc426]

Double checked the scope when i was shooting since that was my first thought as well...it was tight as a drum...i didn't switch to irons to double check and make sure it wasn't the internals...but i figure it's a .22...shouldn't be really knocking the scope around...

not grouping at all. Hits were all over the place...

[lt05deluxe]

Clean it.

[Dattebayo]

Double checked the scope when i was shooting since that was my first thought as well...it was tight as a drum...i didn't switch to irons to double check and make sure it wasn't the internals...but i figure it's a .22...shouldn't be really knocking the scope around...

not grouping at all. Hits were all over the place...

How are you shooting the rifle? Bench? Bipod? Free stand?

[BANG BANG]

Possible loose barrel ??

[migueloo]

Could it be that you we pushing /pulling the handguard?

[Dattebayo]

Possible loose barrel ??

Well if you never taken off the barrel from the barrel nut, I'd highly doubt that issue.

What I am guessing is if you shot with a bipod or anything that mounts of the front of the rifle, the barrel isn't actually freefloating as it is touching with the front cap of the forearm.

If you actually pop that cap out and slide it to the flashhider (or off the barrel if you have no flash hider or can take off the flash hider) and make it truly free floating, it makes a huge difference if you like to apply a bit of forward or downward pressure when shooting on the bipod.



As you can see, my POA starting hitting all over the place depending on how much I got down on the rifle. This also shows that effect as when there is no downward pressure on the rifle on the free stand shots, all the shot landed low. This is also at 25 yards so at any further distance, it would literally be all over the place. Fun rifle, but not accurate enough for my liking so I sold it.

[pennys dad]

what kind of ammo did you use before this recent shoot?
At a recent appleseed we saw a rifle go from moa at 25 yards to no groups at all. when we checked the rifle we found the barrel full of lead fouling. the shooters soaked the barrel for a few hours that night.
the shooter was using thunderbolt ammo

[G-forceJunkie]

Check to see if the barrel is leading up.

[cc426]

How are you shooting the rifle? Bench? Bipod? Free stand?

bench

i know free floating will improve accuracy, but we're not talking about going from 2 inch - 3 inch groups...more like 2 inch to 30 feet....

[cc426]

what kind of ammo did you use before this recent shoot?
At a recent appleseed we saw a rifle go from moa at 25 yards to no groups at all. when we checked the rifle we found the barrel full of lead fouling. the shooters soaked the barrel for a few hours that night.
the shooter was using thunderbolt ammo

Normally i shoot CCI but with 22 hard to find....this box i went through was thunderbolt...

any specific cleaner you recommend to clean out lead fouling?

[mycrstuff]

Soak it in Kroil Oil overnight. Then clean with a bore brush. The kroil gets under the lead and it comes out in clumps.

You might need to order it online as it is hard to find locally.

[Dattebayo]

bench

i know free floating will improve accuracy, but we're not talking about going from 2 inch - 3 inch groups...more like 2 inch to 30 feet....

Oh wow, I didn't think that it was all over the place like that. I dunno...your f'ed the crown on the front of the barrel?