AR-15 M4 Clone throws flyers

[kaizen]

I put together a cheap M4 style AR a while back. I assembled the lower and picked up a Delton upper from a group buy. Gun has functioned fine, never failed to cycle and always goes boom. I mounted a scope and shot good ammo for the first time yesterday. Groups were ok, running probably 3" at 100 yds....but on occasion it would throw a round 4" or so from the others for no apparent reason. I don't have much experience with AR's. Would the flyer issue be considered normal? Is 3" groups at 100 yds reasonable for budget AR? Ammo used was Remington Corelok and Corbon Hunter.

[Leftridge]

My guess is ammo..Or..You.. If you have it on a rest and your getting fliers its probably the ammo..or your optic, though occasional fliers to me suggest ammo.

And I agree that 3" groups at 100" for that gun is uncharacteristic unless you are shooting off hand

[systemnt]

Gun's smarter than you and was anticipating the target moving. Never question the AR.

[Tommyh]

3" groups at 100yds is problematic and totally out of character for this weapon platform. check ammo, mounts, shooting technique. What ammo are you using and have you tried more than one brand/grain?

[kaizen]

I did have problem with optic mounting before with this gun but I bought Burris mounts and swapped everything out. Everythings tight. I'm not really worried about the 3" part. I figure for $350 upper thats about all I could expect. I may just need to pick a better range day. I was shooting off bags but it was pretty windy. My other rifle likes the Corelok. I've never tried the Corbon before. I was thinking of using it to take my doe allotment. It was the same shooting bench and bags I use for all my rifles.

[txdukklr]

$350 upper ought to perform better then 3" at 100. ar's are generally very accurate.

I'd bet with the fliers that it's ammo. what twist is your barrel and what ammo are you shooting.

[fister]

Could be your trigger, if you aren't used to shooting it, and used a cheaper trigger to build it. I assume you are an experienced shooter so you know how to check your trigger squeeze, so if that is not the case disregard. On govt issue m4s this tends to be the bigggest problem with getting my soldiers to shoot accuratley is the tough and sometimes jerky trigger, and the attention that has to be paid to finger placement and trigger squeeze.

[kaizen]

I believe barrel is 1:9 twist. The corbon 62 gr I think?. The AR trigger is just basic DPMS. So, it's not good. I shoot a lot surplus rifles mainly mauser and sks. The AR trigger has a long pull but isn't nearly as heavy as some others I shoot. Several folks at the lease just bought new .17 hmrs they will be sighting in this weekend. I will give it another go.

[xman59]

i never reccomend remington green box,, it alone has issues to often,, and fliers are not uncommon... but try a couple other brands of ammo,, are you shooting 5.56 or 223... make sure of the chamber stamp,, but head space could be the culprit also,,, ammo first,, then take it to a gunsmith who can check check the head space

[eltacs]

I'll buy the gun from you for $400 and take it off your hands.

[bigtuna]

DPMS triggers are notoriously bad. I recommend a rock river two stage trigger and some better ammo. I bet that gun will do significantly better

[texag93]

I'm guessing ammo if optics are tight and you are confident that you and the rest were good.

Try Hornady 55gr. Vmax. If rifle is accurate, this round can produce some really small groups.

[Tommyh]

DPMS triggers are notoriously bad. I recommend a rock river two stage trigger and some better ammo. I bet that gun will do significantly better

this trigger is eqaully bad for a two stage and avoid at all costs. it will perform better, but like buying a corolla over a tercel. If you want a good two stage, get a timney, or a gisselle battle trigger and will be worth every penny you spend on them (not much on the gisselle(sp) ). You can even get a trigger spring kit from www.brownell.com that will reduce spring tension, but without replacing the FCG, its just adding lipstick to a pig.

[bowhntrmatt]

As stated, I would go buy a box each of several different brands of ammo and see what the gun likes. A Timney or other quality trigger group is a must-have as well. My ar shoots the ultra-cheap Russian stuff better than the remmy ammo. Barnes and hornady ammo seems to work best for me.

[N Dubya]

3" groups at 100yds is problematic and totally out of character for this weapon platform. check ammo, mounts, shooting technique. What ammo are you using and have you tried more than one brand/grain?

Amen, technique, technique, technique. I would try other ammo as well, but the AR can do MUCH better than 3" groups. Take your time, slow way down and make every round count. Get your hands on a spotting scope and break it down round for round. Rounds that strike higher or lower than the target are generally blamed on your breathing, rounds that hit left to right of the target are generally blamed on trigger squeeze. Hopefully this helps.