BCM 11.5 BFH; Accuracy/Load Development

[JustDSM]

With a new Forster Co-Ax on the bench, I figured I'd put some rounds together and do some load work-ups to find out what charge weights would make best use of my time (loading/plinking). With a bunch of Hornady 55gr FMJ and VMAX on the bench I figured I'd start there, making a few 77gr SMK's for comparison sake.

Working with Hornady's manual, and BLC(2) powder, I work up my FMJ's and VMAX's from 24.4gr-28.2gr and go do a ladder test with each to find any accuracy nodes then load up a few within the center of that node to see what happens down-range. The results of that experiment didn't go quite as I expected, and I walked away rather disappointed. I'm not sure what others experience accuracy wise out of a 11.5" barrel but I was expecting more than 2-3 MOA from handloads.

Details:
Rainier matched receiver set
Vltor A5 (std spring, std buffer)
SSA-E trigger
LMT Enhanced carrier w/ BCM bolt
BCM 11.5" BFH barrel (w/ MicroMOA .067 gas port) - and it cycles .223 unsuppressed
KAC URX rail
AAC Brakeout/M4-2000 suppressor

Rifle has less than 1500 rounds through it. For the load development and this evaluation the rifle was on a Harris bipod and a rear bag with a Leupold 2.5-8 TS-30A2 scope in Seekins Precision 1.45" high rings.

Hornady 55gr FMJ @ 100y (10 rounds)
- 25.0gr of BLC(2) with a 2.220 COAL; averaging 2408 fps
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/JustDSM/D7DE9F01-3EB5-4A4A-8E36-928652E1322D_zpsokqqycia.jpg

Hornady 55gr VMAX @ 100y (10 rounds)
- 24.5gr of BLC(2) with a 2.250 COAL; averaging 2554 fps
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/JustDSM/9D71883B-A60E-46E6-BB78-205F88CA2B11_zpsijzidibk.jpg

Sierra 77gr SMK @ 100y (8 rounds - what I had laying around)
- 24.5gr of VV N-140 with a 2.250 COAL; averaging 2452 fps
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/JustDSM/0A24E529-472B-4831-B301-EBDB7F58CB34_zpsgja1yyxd.jpg

As you can see, the results aren't what I'd consider stellar. I wasn't sure what to expect with a govt profile 11.5" barrel, but I expected better than what I've observed given the proper support of the rifle and adequate magnification. I'm certainly capable of more as my CLE Mk12 barrel and TS-30A2 scope are capable of 0.5-0.6" groups with 69gr SMK's @ 100y.

I'm rather disappointed in this barrel at this stage. What have you all experienced with your 11.5's in terms of 100y accuracy?

[foxtrotx1]

That is odd, I have the 11.5 LW non BHF, and I get sub 1.5 MOA groups with 69 grain match kings no problem. I usually shoot with a 3x acog So it might do better than that. Hell, I think my barrel shoots Wolf Gold at less than 2.5 inches with that set up. Something is up.

[scooter22]

Looks good to me


Official Kremlin Transmission

[556BlackRifle]

Looks good to me


Official Kremlin Transmission

+1 That looks pretty good to me. I'm curious what group size you were getting with factory match ammo?

Also, you might get more help if you post this in the Reloading and Ammunition (https://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?72-Reloading-amp-Ammunition) section.

[JustDSM]

+1 That looks pretty good to me. I'm curious what group size you were getting with factory match ammo?

Also, you might get more help if you post this in the Reloading and Ammunition (https://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?72-Reloading-amp-Ammunition) section.

Thanks for everyone's feedback thus far. I've not shot any factory match loads through the rifle for groups so I don't have anything to compare. But the same 77gr load in my CLE Mk12 barrel shoots .75" @ 100y. Thanks for the tip on the reloading forum, I probably should have posted this there, however I didn't as the focus of my post was more around the barrel rather than the ammunition used.

Again, thanks for the feedback thus far.

[wahoo95]

How's it shoot with factory match grade ammo for comparison? Try that to set a baseline.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[JustDSM]

I picked up a Sionics RGP 11.5 to try. It only made since, as I was running running a restricted GB (.067") to tame things down a bit. The slightly heavier profile is favorable in my opinion anyway. I'll report back with the results of the Sionics 11.5.

BCM BFH 11.5 w/ <1500 rounds.. $75.00 shipped ;)

[CPM]

Blasphemous as it is, I have never been impressed with a BCM barrel, and I have shot many, to include the ones I own.

[Leaveammoforme]

I've never really been impressed with my BFH 11.5's accuracy. It's decent enough, but it's not a tack driver.