Thread: AR not accurate at all

Built a Spikes lower a while back and did some trading for a complete upper. Took it out and it's all over the map. No two shots seem the same. Can't keep it on paper. We put a bowling pin at 25 yards. It would hit then be left, right, high, low then who knows


Where do I start with this. I will try and get some info off the barrel when I get a chance


I have tried PMC and Remington ammo.

Ouch. Sounds like your barrel is loose. I would get that looked at chop chop.

stick with one kind of ammo, for consistancy, for now I would use the remington. Make sure the barrel is properly tightened onto the upper reciever. Make sure you have proper headspace. make sure the muzzle crown is even and concentric. Shoot from a bench carefully and slowly. if you have a freefloat tube, great. it could be one of these or a combination, or something entirely different.

all I could think of for now.

what aiming device?scope?flip up sites?red dot?all of the above?
loose barrel and head space sound like a good bet too as the other 2 said but my first thought was a knock off red dot that wont hold accurate.
also barrel rifleing 1:9?1:7? and what grain ammo with that?if your running a 40gr bullet with a 1:7 bbl that would explain it but sounds like your probably well seasoned with ar's building your own and all so im sure you have ammo vs.rifleing figured out.

Optic lose on mount was my issue once.

Are you using a rest or no rest?

Cheap red dot or optic not holding true?

Front sight not pined and loose?

is it a 5.56 or 223 barrel? How about ammo? 5.56 or 223?

twist as others have stated?

Lot's need to be answered yet.


Stay Safe.

@ double tap

Both open sight and a handy 4x 32 to see if the flip up was floating shooting 55 and 63 grain and pretty sure it's a 1-9. Loose barrel not sure. I am lost on the Head space and muzzle crown comments

barrel should be stamped stating what twist and caliber.

Bench rest, 556, front sight pinned and tight

can someone chime in and explain the need for proper head spacing,and the process?what does that mean?

Here's a video.
GunTech : Checking the Headspace & Installing the Ejector - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

Still sounds like a out of torque barrel.

i just learned the barrel nut must be torqued to 50ftlbs.and the barrel and bolt coming from different companies may require you to check head spacing to make sure they match up ok.

also buffer tube....are you sure your buffer tube is right for your gun and stock?if not your issue could be from lack of bolt action or too much spring?

Loose barrel or bad scope, probably scope

Thanks to all. Let me check the things mentioned and see what I come up with.

Where at in "Eastern WA"? Someone local might be able to help too........

@ Nwcid

Sunnyside area.

Hmmm no one mentioned yet but sometimes the quality of parts can do this. WHO is the upper made by? Scope could be issue as well. What BUIS are you using??

Originally Posted by doubletap007

can someone chime in and explain the need for proper head spacing,and the process?what does that mean?

On the AR15 with a new barrel and a new bolt you have a 99.9999999% chance of correct head space. Checking head space on modern made rifles is way over blown on the net.

have you let someone else try shooting it to see if it has the same issue?

See my thread in the "Gunsmithing and Repairs" section titled "Bushmaster Accuracy Issues". I went through everything before deciding I needed a new barrel.