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Another range trip today to sight in the Bushmaster (previous attempt was an abort - the scope rail mount nuts worked loose ). After a couple of groups at 25 yards I was ready for 100 yards. My last five shot group (good breath control, heavy sandbags) had one flyer and four at two MOA. Is this the best I can expect from the Bushy? I was using either Hornady or PPI match ammo.

Hate to say it, but a lot depends on the ammo. I get +/- 3" dependent on the type.

I would say you should be able to get a minimum of a 2" group at 100 yds. A couple things to consider - has the gun been properly broken in? The way I used to break in new match barrels was 2 shots followed by bore brush with solvent and a dry patch. I would do this until I reached about 60 rounds fired. Then start testing loads in it for group size. Also, the best factory ammo I ever found, that was consistently accurate in all the .308's or 7.62 x 51mm I have shot was Federal National Match 168 gr. Good luck.

Thanks guys. I was using 168 grain BTHP ammo.

I probably have 100-150 rounds through it and I have not done the bore brush and solvent break-in process . My Bushy does not have a bull barrel - it's just the standard carbine model. I'll clean the barrel and make another trip to the range, guess I should take solvent & brush with me.

MY Armalite manual said a chrome lined barrel does not require a break in, but the match barrel did, you didn't specify if the barrel was lined or not.

If your barrel twist is 1:10, it will prefer 175 grain match to 168 grain match. My custom AR10, with Noveske heavy match stainless barrel, will shoot about 1"-1.5" groups with 168 grain match, but it will put 4 rounds into 1 hole with Black Hills 175 grain match or Federal 175 grain M118LR. It has a 1:10 twist. I have found that the AR10 is not a natural tack driver. It isn't terrible, but for instance, an FNAR in .308 will probably outshoot most AR10s unless they've been highly accurized.

geekwagun wrote:MY Armalite manual said a chrome lined barrel does not require a break in, but the match barrel did, you didn't specify if the barrel was lined or not.

My barrel is a 1:10 twist with a "4150 chrome-moly steel w/chrome-lined bore/chamber .." so I guess no break in is necessary (not feeling so badly now.)

I saved my shell casings from yesterday and it was all Privi Partizan ammo in 168 grain. Next time at the range I'll shoot my Hornady 178 grain ammo (I forgot it was 178 grain.)

Was just reading a Bushy .308 ORC review and the best the reviewer shot was 1.45" at 100 yards.

I'll make another range trip next week and shoot another five shot group with the PPU (PPU is stamped on the casing of the Privi Partizan) ammo and then the Hornady - it will be interesting to see what groups I get. Andy, I was just about ready to go scope shopping and then I looked again at my shot group - with four out of five being around 2 MOA I was wondering if it was the scope, the ammo, me or the Bushy.

I had no idea how hard the scope mounts would get slammed by the recoil of the .308, yesterday I had to tighten all 12 of the tube clamp torx bolts . BTW, my picture of the five shot group was with a tight scope after I tightened the tube clamps - zero perceptible movement.

Today I cleaned and lubed Bushy and reseated the scope tube clamp bolts with threadlocker.

Thank you so much guys for the comments! This is my first AR-type rifle, so I'm in new territory here (I'd love one in 5.56 but that might not happen for a while due to 'events' .)

johncanfield wrote:I saved my shell casings from yesterday and it was all Privi Partizan ammo in 168 grain....

For what it's worth, I have NEVER gotten good accuracy from the Prvi Partizan 168 grain Match ammo, and I consider it nothing more than plinking stuff. It's not horrible ammo. It's just not truly match grade.

(Can't resist)

For a bushmaster, merely hearing around round fire and the bolt cycle exceeds my expectations.

Now for a serious answer - have you tried different glass? Just to eliminate the optic.

My ORC has a Troy FF tube on it and I shoot 1.25" groups with 175gr projectiles. I never shot it with the factory hand guard on it.

Don't have a bushy carbine in 308 but the one I shot was nowhere near match grade and consistently hit 1 1/2 -2 inch groups with match grade ammo and descent glass if the shooter did their part.

I believe it was a Nikon 4-12 scope in the $400 price range and it seemed to get the job done. Don't remember what ammo My friend was using at the time he has since mounted that scope on another more accurate bolt gun and placed a more quick acquisition scope on that rifle

gigag04 wrote:(Can't resist) For a bushmaster, merely hearing around round fire and the bolt cycle exceeds my expectations. Now for a serious answer - have you tried different glass? Just to eliminate the optic.

Yeah, yeah, okay. It's what I could find on the shelf the day after glorious leader got reelected. . Actually the Bushy has been 100% reliable once I tucked the stock hard into my shoulder, I'm very glad to own it (there is no other choice now in the marketplace unless you want to kiss way too many $$$$$ goodbye.)

I am thinking that I might have an optics problem - looking at Leopold, Vortex, etc. Thanks again everybody!