What should I have expected?
My set up:
Bushmaster XM15-E2S 16" Chrome-lined barrel with M203 cut-outs
Nikon Monarch 4-16X42
Shooting hand loads and Hornady 40gr V-max factory loads.
I used to shoot a .243 bolt gun and got very satisfactory results at the range. I know I should not expect that same level of accuracy from a semi-auto, let alone, a service rifle but my groups at 200 yards bother me.
With hand loads charged to the max, I get about 2.25 - 2.75" groups at 200 yards. With Hornady factory loads I get about the same, maybe a little tighter. I know I may be able to tighten things up as I experiment with different powder and bullets but should I be expecting to be able to achieve bolt-action accuracy with this rifle?
I plan on a getting a Giselle trigger in the future and perhaps this will help, but I feel pretty confident in my trigger pull with the awful stock trigger.
I've been shooting off a makeshift rest but it keeps things pretty steady and I keep the front pressure point right in front of the magazine well to minimize pressure on the barrel.