AR-15 Accuracy with Factory Ammo — Surprising Results
Displayed are results with Federal Gold Medal Match — quite impressive accuracy!
Criterion Barrels has published an interesting Ammo Comparison Test, shooting seven (7) different varieties of .223 Rem ammunition out of an AR15 fitted with Criterion Barrel. Each ammo type was chronographed (10-shot string), then five-shot groups were shot at 100 yards. Along with handloads (69gr Sierra MK + Varget), six (6) types of commercial ammo were tested:
|
PREMIUM Type Ammo: |
BULK Type Ammo: |
Here are the results for the four best commercial ammo types tested: Federal Gold Medal Match (GMM) with 69gr SMK, Prime 77gr OTM, Creedmoor 75gr HPBT, and American Eagle XM193 (55gr FMJ). The Gold Medal Match shot the best of all factory ammo tested. In fact, the GMM even shot slightly better than the handloads, which averaged 0.79″ for the three accurized groups.
The results are quite interesting. The Federal GMM actually shot the best, beating “untailored” handloads. Basic accurizing efforts and a much better rest set-up showed significant benefits with most ammo types (but not the bulk Wolf Ammo). As you would expect, the more expensive ammo shot best: “Chart 1.2 [below] showcases the average [after accurizing] five-round group sizes with each type of ammunition at 100 yards, while Chart 1.3 lists the price per round of each ammunition type. It becomes immediately evident by reviewing these two graphs that there is an inverse relationship between group size and factory ammunition price.”
READ Full Criterion Barrels AR15 AMMO Comparison Test »
Accurizing Improvements — Better Scope, Better Rests, Accu-Wedge
As you would expect, some basic accurizing efforts improved accuracy with the better ammo. The accurizing process included: 1) Swapping to a Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 6-24x50mm optic; 2) Adding an Accu-Wedge; 3) Improving fitment during reassembly, and 4) Switching from Harris bipod to a Sinclair Front Rest and Edgewood rear bag for added stability. The same 1:8″-twist Criterion barrel was used throughout the testing process.
If you shoot an AR15, or even shoot a .223 Rem bolt gun with factory ammo, you should probably read this test in full. Criterion put a lot of time into the testing, and experimented with a variety of AR options showcased in a series of YouTube videos. SEE: Accurizing the AR-15 Video Playlist.
Similar Posts:
- Criterion Barrels AR15 Ammo Accuracy Comparison
- NEW Federal Factory Ammo Loaded with Berger Bullets
- Criterion Gets Tight Groups with Creedmoor .308 Win Ammo
- Criterion Barrel — Great Accuracy with Creedmoor Sports Ammo
- Low-Cost Prvi Partizan .308 Match Ammo
Share the post "AR-15 Accuracy with Factory Ammo — Surprising Results"
Tags: .223 Rem, 5.56x45, AR15, Criterion, Criterion Barrels, Federal GMM, Gold Medal Match
What good is his info without mention of the barrel twist rate?
Editor: Correction. Criterion shot two sets of groups. The First set was shot off bipod. The second “Post-accurizing” groups were shot with rear bag and front Sinclair rest. We used the data from the second group. This is all explained in the Criterion article if you click the link.
Jerry wrote: It takes a little work to find it, but the barrel is a 16-inch 8-twist chrome moly model. The article says the groups were shot off a Harris bipod with a rifle referenced in the video below. That’s not bad ammo performance from a light rifle off a bipod.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu2PN2rAvR4&t=3s
Not sure how it’s surprising that FGM outshoots hand loaded ammo. It’s generally acknowledged to be high quality and pretty consistent. I bought some factory ammo (labeled “Australian Outback”) which produced stunningly good results in a factory gun a few years ago.
Just because ammo is hand built doesn’t mean that it’s automatically better. As many of us know, ammo build quality matters a lot and different barrels like different recipes. I have built a fair amount of mediocre ammo over the years. And will again in the near future.
I’m kinda surprised that no hornady ammo was used. I’ve had extremely good luck with at least one of their offerings in my ar15 custom 6mm creedmoor and 6.5 creedmoor. I like the fgmm and prime offerings but Hornady deserves mention. They’re putting some good ammo out there for the guys that are afraid to or don’t want to get into hand loading.