May sound like a stupid question; how much would a loose barrel nut affect accuracy on a 16" Carbine build?

When I first got the rifle, it shot about 0.9 MOA at 100Y with hand loads.

I then upgraded the muzzle device, but didn't have the proper tools so I torqued the barrel. Didn't realize until 3 weeks later when the freefloated handguard shook loose, but I had also loosened the barrel nut during the installation.
Before I realized anything was wrong, I shot the rifle, and could only get about 2-2.5MOA


I sent the rifle in for repairs and just got it back. Should I expect the accuracy to drop back down to about 1MOA now that the barrel nut is retightened? Or did I permanently damage my rifle?

The barrel is probably fine. Unless you bent the barrel (VERY hard to do), it'll go back to being accurate, once it's properly reinstalled...

It will be fine .  We had two customers with builds that had loose barrels. Re torque them and they shot fine.

Thanks. So the loose nut does account for the accuracy drop?

Yes it  does and accuracy will return when the barrel nut is tightened.

Probably ought  to tighten up the nut at the end of the stock a little too.

nice. Yeah, he's been tightened up

Yes.  If you can feel any play in the barrel it will not shoot accurately.