latest build dissapointment

[croc4]

Got to hit the range today with the latest build, and was anxious to try it at as the wood furniture really makes this a pretty handsome AK IMO. well, it fired / operated without a hitch, not FTF or FTE issues. How ever I started noticing the holes looked a little odd, the scope is a 4x and this was at 50yrds so I couldn't tell what was going on exactly from the bench. Well I get down range and ;-(, very strange looking holes indeed, sort of like the profile of a bullet. Odd thing not all of the holes looked this way, I don't quite get that, shouldn't they all either key hole or none should?.

The kit came with a US barrel, and from what I can tell it looks ok, no obvious signs of a bad crown or rifling. The ammo was steel cased FMJ russian, I have had good results with it from other rifles.

To say the least I'm bummed.

Croc4

[Gowking]

Yep keyholes. Get a new Romy barrel from Apex.

-MRA

[nicoroshi]

Yep keyholes. Get a new Romy barrel from Apex.

-MRA

Agreed.
The Romy barrels from Apex are great.

[hoozaru]

when it comes to the AK, foreign barrel > US made barrel

[JAGGUY]

You should slug your barrel to see what is going on. It would be interesting to know what the diameter the bore is.
I have had good luck shooting oversize cast bullets from worn or over-sized barrels..

And maybe check to see if it has some slower twist rate than normal...

[tujungatoes]

eewwww....looks like one of the pics from venturasurf's thread.

Do you know where that barrel came from?

[croc4]

issue found ;-/

So I just got done checking the twist rate and it comes up as 1 in 28.5 ;-(

The rod doesn't even make a full turn going down the barrel, so I am taking the half turn I was able to get and doubling it (1 in 14.25).

Not sure what barrel it is, green mountain maybe. I'll have to check with the kit seller.


Croc4

[REPR]

Those targets make me sad. Hope you get this sorted because that rifle looks beautiful. Good luck

[nicoroshi]

What's with all the bad press about green mountain rifle
Barrels????
Out of all the us barrels out there that is the only one I would use.
I have one on my m70ab that shoots better than any combloc barrel on any if
My builds.

http://img194.imageshack.us/i/imagexzh.jpg

This is 10 at 50 yards just resting on the mag with Russian ammo
THAT is how a green mountain rifle barrel shoots.
Would bet my left jewel that the barrel you have IS NOT a green mountain.

[1lostinspace]

Try it with lighter rounds it appears to not be stabilizing but the rifle looks great!
PS it would make one nasty HD gun a round tumbling like that means splat!

[TURBOELKY]

Where did the kit come from, so were aware!
Oh, and I agree with nico, doubt its a gm barrel.

[bigbob76]

I know I sound like a broken record but come on! Why not buy a matching numbers parts kit with an original barrel? Obviously money is not an issue if people are buying better furniture and stuff. I've used a lot of the Apex Romy barrels and some Green Mountains but only on kits that couldn't be found with original barrels.

[Killawhale415]

Wow that's some of the worst keyholing I've ever seen!

I hope you get it sorted out and shooting soon.

[SJgunguy24]

I'd bet 1$ that came from AK builder. I've had a couple come through that were keyholing bad (from what the owners said). So all I could do is crown and hope for the best.

[croc4]

It may not be a GM barrel, But I recall hearing that is what this seller uses, I have other kits from the same seller with US barrels that shoot just fine, so this does not appear to be the norm.

Bigbob, as far as why, well I have purchased many things from the seller in the past and have always had good service, I'm also not too concerned with the all matching aspect, at some point their will be no more of those with the current regs and the price was decent, plus with a US barrel I have more options since the 922r count is one part higher.

Lostinspace, LOL, I actually was thinking that on the drive home from the range (los altos R&G)

Croc4