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5.56 opinions wanted

I took my new Stag Model 2 out to the range with a hundred round box of .223 55 grain FMJ I bought from A&A at the time of purchase.

BTW, A&A is a great place to deal with.

Never having fired a long gun before, by the time I got down to my last two four shot groups I had dialed my scope in to be about an 1 1/2" low, but the groups were 2" and 1 1/2", so I was pretty psyched about that performance. This is at 100 yds. with a Leupold 3-9x40.

Second time out, could barely find paper on my 6"x10" targets @100 yds. Someone there that saw my performance the previous week asked my what I changed. I had to run to a local sporting goods store and they had limited selection and crappy prices, but I was still waiting on an internet order, so I had no choice, buy what was there or no shooting the next day.

This second box was 5.56, also 55 gr FMJ.

So I see that ammo selection is pretty critical if one is looking for good range performance.

My rifle is chambered in 5.56 NATO. Does that mean .223 is not optimal for peak ballistic performance and accuracy? That first box of .223 performed very well...

Given my requirements (consistent accuracy as inexpensively as possible), does anyone have a particular recommendation?

Thanks,
Blue1

Your rifle will digest 223 just fine. Most boxed 55gr FMJ isn't going to impress you with group size.If you want to shoot smaller groups it'll probably take some better ammo,like some match grade stuff.
Also,your rifle is new,and it sometimes takes a few hundred rds to get the barrel to shoot good.Clean the barrel often for the first couple hundred rounds,and don't get the barrel too hot before letting it cool off.

Stag makes a decent firearm,it should serve you well for years.

It's a 1:9 twist, would it be best to use 55 grain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue1 (Post 632501)

It's a 1:9 twist, would it be best to use 55 grain?

A 1-9 will shoot 69gr great.Hornady also makes a 75gr Match bullet for 1-9 twist,but I don't know if they have any factory loads with it.
I load all of my own bullets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue1 (Post 632484)

Could have been the different ammo, new barrel, etc but I like to start at the simple explanation...did you dismount the scope between range sessions, did it loose zero? .223 in a 5.56 chambered barrel will give up some accuracy but not to the extent you describe. Going from 1.5-2 MOA to +6 MOA is way beyond a change in ammo. A 1:9 will handle pretty much anything but the heaviest bullets, try some 62 gr green tips and see if the accuracy improves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jpyle (Post 632544)

There was a little more wind the second day. The scope had not been unmounted.

Blue1

another question. with that big a difference it could be entirely possible you did not have the same shooting posture. and that depends on what scope mount you have. is it in rings attached to the flat top? is it mounted above the irons? ive noticed with my scope sometimes me having my cheek weld just a little off throws my bullets all over. i have a stag model 4 and love mine. when i do my part it shoots really nice. i have irons w a scope mounted above. its not the best but it provides what i wanted as far as sights.

It's an AR-specific scope and AR specific-mount; it just clears the rear flip up sight.

I was seated at a table with a carpeted barrel rest, with my elbow on the table in a comfortable position.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue1 (Post 633825)

It's an AR-specific scope and AR specific-mount; it just clears the rear flip up sight.

I was seated at a table with a carpeted barrel rest, with my elbow on the table in a comfortable position.

If you have front and rear BUIS shoot a few groups at 25 & 50 yards on open sights using several ammo types. If the groups hold true move out to 75, 100, etc. If the groups stay close, i.e. 2-3 MOA then you and the rifle are doing your part. Rezero the scope and shoot a few groups mixing up the ammo...if it opens up again the scope, rings or mount are faulty.

BTW, how is the eye relief? Do you get the same cheekweld off hand and from the bench?