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Posted: 12/5/2023 2:28:58 PM EDT
I've got a 16" stainless.308 that has struggled to punch 2" groups. Talked to LMT and they say they hold all their barrels to 1.5" standard and wouldn't want to touch my barrel because "it'll probably shoot to spec" in their indoor range.
Been thinking about building a 20" .308 and a 20" 6.5 in the future but don't want to crap away thousands on a rifle that shoots PSA accurate. Do any of you guys have experience with a sample size greater than one to know where they tend to shoot? |
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Posted: 12/5/2023 3:25:52 PM EDT
[#1]
Tagged for responses.
I know somebody is going to ask or tell you the ammo you're using could also be part of your issue, so I'll be the first to post..... EVERY barrel performs differently with various types of ammo. I just finished putting together two LMT 308's but haven't had the opportunity to sight them in and see how well they shoot. I've had good luck with LMT in the past w/5.56. |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 12/5/2023 3:33:28 PM EDT
[#2]
Super ammo dependent, can you tell us what you are using? Tends to like longer rounds, ELD/M118/juggernaut
M80 ball always a crap shoot. M118 these days also not nearly as consistent as it used to be. Berger 185 gr Juggernaut Hornady 178gr ELD-X My sample size is MARS-H 7.62 with 16" barrel, but it's been solid 1" gun with good ammo. I had same experience with SR25, the 1 in 10 twist really wants those Bergers! Any milspec/milsurp ammo was pretty much hot dog down a hall way in terms of grouping Also, did you mean to post this in the Bolt action thread? Will limit responses, I'm not familiar with an LMT bolt gun... |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 12/5/2023 3:35:02 PM EDT
[#3]
PSA getting hard to beat these days across the board, LMT and others need to step up to the new plate in terms of price/performance ratio.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 12/5/2023 5:07:23 PM EDT
[#4]
I’ve owned multiple MWS 308’s and they’ve all been sub MOA with quality match ammo. They’ve all shot FGMM well.
What ammo are you using? Are you capable of shooting a large frame gas gun accurately? Do you have others you shoot well? |
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Posted: 12/5/2023 7:57:40 PM EDT
[#5]
I've put some fgmm 168's through it and that's where I'd gotten the best results. With the goofy 1-11.5" twist, I'd read they're going to favor lighter bullets, so that's as heavy as I've gone. M80 ball was around 3 moa.
I have 3-4 small AR's that will do sub moa consistently, so I know I'm halfway capable, but this is my first large frame. Being it's like 13lbs or something, I have a hard time believing I'm flinching lol Barrel is torqued, scope mount is tight, castle nut is tight, feels like I'm getting good trigger presses. And no, I thought I was in the semi section 
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Posted: 12/6/2023 8:29:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: pfitter]
[#6]
If you do go 6.5 buy a krieger/bartlein and send it to d wilson to have converted. Have the best of both worlds quick change and a top of the line barrel
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Posted: 12/6/2023 9:05:19 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By pfitter: If you do go 6.5 buy a krieger/bartlein and send it to d wilson to have converted. Have the best of both worlds quick change and a top of the line barrel I have 6.5 and 308 LMT setups, both have been solid for me. I would do what pfitter said if I I were going for best possible accuracy. Swapping barrels for a match grade heavy barrel is easy and much cheaper than a new setup. |
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Posted: 12/6/2023 11:39:34 AM EDT
[#8]
I will keep that in mind. I'm not absolutely needing 1/4 moa or any super precision by any stretch. Was just hoping for a solid 1 moa offering. If factory barrels are capable of it (my 16" being ignored) then i can just plan on buying them.
Id like to think I'm humble enough to know I don't need the "best of the best" within my capabilities, especially longer range. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 12/7/2023 3:29:46 PM EDT
[#9]
my 16 inch cl 308 did shot 1 moa with fgmm never really shot anything else through that one I can think of and my 20 inch stainless creedmoor is shooting 1 moa with 143 norma match. Will be switching to hand loads for this one so curious to see what it can do, first round of load development had a couple around 1/2 moa (5 shot groups 140 grain smks) so I have high hopes.
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IA, USA
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Posted: 12/7/2023 3:39:05 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WIZZO_ARAKM14: I've put some fgmm 168's through it and that's where I'd gotten the best results. With the goofy 1-11.5" twist, I'd read they're going to favor lighter bullets, so that's as heavy as I've gone. M80 ball was around 3 moa. I have 3-4 small AR's that will do sub moa consistently, so I know I'm halfway capable, but this is my first large frame. Being it's like 13lbs or something, I have a hard time believing I'm flinching lol Barrel is torqued, scope mount is tight, castle nut is tight, feels like I'm getting good trigger presses. And no, I thought I was in the semi section |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 12/7/2023 3:40:38 PM EDT
[#11]
https://bulkmunitions.com/308-win-155-gr-eld-m-black-hills-1c308bhgn12-100-rounds/
This would be worth a try as well |
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Posted: 12/7/2023 8:43:29 PM EDT
[#12]
In for relevance to my interests.
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Posted: 12/10/2023 2:05:06 AM EDT
[#13]
My 16” stainless .308 will shoot MOA with nice hunting ammo and consistently sub with FGMM. Not quite as tight as my OBR but not far off either.
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Posted: 1/6/2024 6:29:40 PM EDT
[#14]
16" 308 CL barrel loves 168 FGMM. It's MOA with that load and have about 500 rounds through it. Recently picked up a 20" 308 SS barrel and it's breaking in, but not quite on par with the 16" yet. I'll get more rounds through it and see if it tightens up.
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OR, USA
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Posted: 1/7/2024 10:57:59 AM EDT
[#15]
Some people that have accuracy issues with the MWS find that retorqueing the barrel locking screws helps. They should be at 140in/lbs, tighten front bolt then rear.
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CA, USA
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Posted: 2/2/2024 4:37:58 AM EDT
[#16]
I need to go shoot paper. I'm concerned now and if my new 16" SS MWS barrel shoots close 1.5 MOA I'll be really pissed.
Because I hastily zeroed choreographed to get info into the kestrel then shot some steel in the desert with Hornady 178's at targets out to 835 yards. Thought the issues were me because I could make hits more consistently on a 10" target with my CLE 18" bartlien 5.56 AR shooting 77's. LMT really said they expect 1.5 MOA with the SS barrels? |
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Posted: 2/2/2024 6:57:09 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dhena81: I need to go shoot paper. I'm concerned now and if my new 16" SS MWS barrel shoots close 1.5 MOA I'll be really pissed. ... LMT really said they expect 1.5 MOA with the SS barrels? Not one of my PSA barrels shoots worse than that. I would be pissed if I paid LMT money and got a 1.5 MOA rifle. |
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Posted: 2/5/2024 2:36:56 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By lew: Not one of my PSA barrels shoots worse than that. I would be pissed if I paid LMT money and got a 1.5 MOA rifle. This. |
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AK, USA
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Posted: 2/5/2024 2:48:59 AM EDT
[#19]
LMT means paying a 50% premium to shoot average groups. They aren't known for accuracy and if you want that, get a Kreiger or Compass Lake.
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Posted: 2/5/2024 5:46:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: WIZZO_ARAKM14]
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dhena81: LMT really said they expect 1.5 MOA with the SS barrels? Chrome lined and SS held to same 1.5" standard. The 14.5" piston barrel I got in 5.56 had a factory acceptance tag of 1.9moa, sooooo I don't really know what they're doing. Rifle is nice I guess. Spending an extra $200 and still having the same accuracy standard is kinda brain dead though. But I'm just some plebe on the internet. |
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Posted: 2/16/2024 9:03:33 PM EDT
[#21]
My 16” .308 LW CL barrel is a 3/4” shooter. The 20” .308 CL barrel is a 1/2-3/4” shooter. My 20” SS 6.5 CM barrel is a 1/2” shooter.
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Posted: 3/10/2024 11:40:06 PM EDT
[#22]
I have never got any brand of M80/M193/M855 to shoot worth a crap from any rifle I have ever owned, I have owned a lot.
.30 caliber rifles get tested with Sierra Match Kings, 168's in .308 and .30-06, 190's in .300 WM. 5.56mm rifles get tested using 69 grain SMK's. If they don't shoot under an inch with this ammo, I relegate them to blasting rifles. |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 12:17:56 AM EDT
[#23]
.308 - 16” LMT barrel - 1k - 20” plate
 Attached FileSame LMT barrel 700yds  Attached File20” .308 - 10shots 1 flyer 100yds LMT/Rock barrel  Attached FileAll shot prone, a fair bit of preload on the bipod |
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Posted: 4/2/2024 3:29:08 PM EDT
[#24]
m118LR right at half MOA
M80 1.5 MOA Chrome lined barrel out shoots all my SR25's. |
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Posted: 4/19/2024 11:22:21 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cvryanm: I didn't realize they made a 16" in that twist, that would definitely force you into the 168 gr world for sure. Still lots of good ammo choices in that weight. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cvryanm: Originally Posted By WIZZO_ARAKM14: I've put some fgmm 168's through it and that's where I'd gotten the best results. With the goofy 1-11.5" twist, I'd read they're going to favor lighter bullets, so that's as heavy as I've gone. M80 ball was around 3 moa. I have 3-4 small AR's that will do sub moa consistently, so I know I'm halfway capable, but this is my first large frame. Being it's like 13lbs or something, I have a hard time believing I'm flinching lol Barrel is torqued, scope mount is tight, castle nut is tight, feels like I'm getting good trigger presses. And no, I thought I was in the semi section That is not entirely true... I have a SCAR 17s that will shoot 175gr if I do my part 1MOA fairly easily probably better if I was a better precision shooter. 1:12 can shoot up to 190gr loads it may not be the most ideal twist but it is done and capable. 168 or 175 should do more than adequate out of a 1:11.5 or 1:11 twist. I think OP just needs to try a few different loads as I have a 16" 1:10 AR308 that shoots the AAC 168gr OTM better than it does the FGMM 168gr but that could also be me having better days than others as I am NOT a sub-MOA shooter and when I do shoot sub-MOA it is often the exception rather than the rule. |
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