What kind of groups are you getting with a standard chrome lined barrel 308 lmt mws?

With hand loads or match ammo, .75 to 1.25.  Solid 1 minute gun
with M80/surplus, obviously larger

That was my experience too.  I miss my MWS

So 1-1.25 moa would be acceptable sized groups for this rifle? I have tried handloads with two different powders and 168 eld-m and have a couple groups that are in that range the rest are 1.5-1.75

With a CL barrel, yes.   It's not as accurate as the SS/cryo-treated barrel.

I actually mis-spoke above, I had the SS/cryo-treated 18" barrel, and it was 1MOA with surplus Portuguese 7.62.

I have some 168 smk to try out and the powder I’m using is imr4895 and imr4064.

If I could get some consistent .75” groups I will continue to load for it. If not it will be a FMJ blaster.

Sub moa with 168 smk

It was a pig so I sold it

I don’t mind the weight I’m not going to be carrying this rifle not for very long anyways. I am wanting a decent DMR type rifle with decent accuracy though.

for a CL barrel, I would say anywhere between 1 and 2 MOA would be more than acceptable,  even out to 800 yards, a 2 MOA gun can hold rounds on a 18 inch (2 MOA) man size target as long as the shooter does their part.  I really don't think you can ask for any more out of a CL barrel.

You are only going to be able to get so much out of a CL barrel. If you are shooting for groups or accuracy, i would recommend just picking up one of their SS barrels. While my CL's have been in that inch to inch and a half range, my SS barrels are noticeable more consistent and print some nice groups.

Additionally, at least my 18 inch 308 and 20 inch 6.5 SS barrels don't seem to run nearly as hard are my 13.5 and 16 inch barrels.

Depends on the barrel. My 16” CL will average about 1.75 with solid ammo, and a little over MOA with the stuff it likes most. These are averages of 5 shot groups, not cherrypicked groups of 3 shot groups. For a CL barrel that’s pretty damn good. Haven’t got the chance to print my SS for groups to see how it compares.

New MWS owner here. Im a former Army guy, only shot basic 5.56 carbines to 300 meters and got lucky to have an M24 zeroed perfectly by the last guy to hit 1000 meter pop-up "Ivan" targets on a known distance range. That fond memory is what makes me want to shoot distance again.

I have the LMT slick-side FDE model with 16 inch 1/10 twist CL barrel. Only upgrade is a Geissele 2 stage trigger and muzzle break.

Two questions:

One: I bought it used, previously it has less than 100 rounds through it. Took it out once, 40 rounds of M80 ball (I know 1/10 twist is for heavier loads but wanted to try it). While cleaning I noticed the gas ring on the bolt easily slips off, in fact it's hard to re-insert the bolt into the carrier without the gas ring slipping off. I find this odd coming from AR's, LMT says just replace it, they didnt state if its normal.

Two: I understand stainless is more accurate and CL. For some reason you cant get 1/10 stainless, only 1/11:25 Stainless which is for light loads. I was told 168 and 175 Gold Metal Match is the standard for accuracy, so why in that world does LMT only make accurized barrels setup for lighter loads (I know the British did this but that was for a specific reason- shooting their machinegun ammo). So correct me if I'm wrong but if I want to shoot 168-175 Im better off with the 1/10 even though its CL?  If not, would the 1:11:25 theoretically shoot the 168-175 just as well and additionally allow me to shoot light stuff like 149 grain M80?

Hope this makes sense.

In regards to your second question. 30 cal is fairly forgiving and from a practical accuracy standpoint. The average shooter won't be able to see a performance difference between a 10,11 or 12 wrist barrel.  Especially in a mag fed gas gun

OP you may want to ask the question about 168 and 175gr in 11.25" twist barrels as its own thread in the Precision Rifles section somewhere.  I know longer bullets like those usually require tighter twists but IIRC 11.25" is fine for .30cal bullets at those weights.

A lot of people get really wrapped around the axle about this, but I’ve never noticed a lot of difference. I don’t think it’s nearly as big a deal as 1/7 v 1/9 with light and heavy grain .223. I’ve had 1/12’s shoot 175’s amazing, and 1/10’s shoot light grains amazing. The individual barrel seems to matter a lot more than the twist, at least going from 1/10-12.

To the 3 that replied to my question, thanks guys! Sounds like I'm reading too much instead of shooting haha.

Also sorry to highjack your thread OP, just realized I prob did that. Just got excited to find an MWS thread, didn't know these were so popular until lately.

I routinely shoot MOA with my 16” CL LMT MWS that I’ve owned for just about 10 years now.  I exclusively run FGMM 7.62 175 SMK.  I have several nice buck and gobs of coyotes and hogs that have fallen victim to this rifle.

Interesting, thanks man!

I have two 16”CL’s. .7-1moa with match loads and I’ll let you know on the 150gr wolf tomorrow!

best load in mine so far has been a 168 smk, with 42 gr of IMR 4064. I was able to get just under .9" with this load and swapped optics from my 4-16pst to a TA-11 acog.