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Posted: 12/5/2023 2:28:58 PM EDT
I've got a 16" stainless.308 that has struggled to punch 2" groups. Talked to LMT and they say they hold all their barrels to 1.5" standard and wouldn't want to touch my barrel because "it'll probably shoot to spec" in their indoor range.

Been thinking about building a 20" .308 and a 20" 6.5 in the future but don't want to crap away thousands on a rifle that shoots PSA accurate.

Do any of you guys have experience with a sample size greater than one to know where they tend to shoot?
Link Posted: 12/5/2023 3:25:52 PM EDT
[#1]
Tagged for responses.
I know somebody is going to ask or tell you the ammo you're using could also be part of your issue, so I'll be the first to post..... EVERY barrel performs differently with various types of ammo. I just finished putting together two LMT 308's but haven't had the opportunity to sight them in and see how well they shoot. I've had good luck with LMT in the past w/5.56.

Link Posted: 12/5/2023 3:33:28 PM EDT
[#2]
Super ammo dependent, can you tell us what you are using?  Tends to like longer rounds, ELD/M118/juggernaut

M80 ball always a crap shoot.  M118 these days also not nearly as consistent as it used to be.

Berger 185 gr Juggernaut
Hornady 178gr ELD-X

My sample size is MARS-H 7.62 with 16" barrel, but it's been solid 1" gun with good ammo.  I had same experience with SR25, the 1 in 10 twist really wants those Bergers!

Any milspec/milsurp ammo was pretty much hot dog down a hall way in terms of grouping

Also, did you mean to post this in the Bolt action thread?  Will limit responses, I'm not familiar with an LMT bolt gun...
Link Posted: 12/5/2023 3:35:02 PM EDT
[#3]
PSA getting hard to beat these days across the board, LMT and others need to step up to the new plate in terms of price/performance ratio.  
Link Posted: 12/5/2023 5:07:23 PM EDT
[#4]
I’ve owned multiple MWS 308’s and they’ve all been sub MOA with quality match ammo. They’ve all shot FGMM well.

What ammo are you using? Are you capable of shooting a large frame gas gun accurately? Do you have others you shoot well?
Link Posted: 12/5/2023 7:57:40 PM EDT
[#5]
I've put some fgmm 168's through it and that's where I'd gotten the best results. With the goofy 1-11.5" twist, I'd read they're going to favor lighter bullets, so that's as heavy as I've gone. M80 ball was around 3 moa.

I have 3-4 small AR's that will do sub moa consistently, so I know I'm halfway capable, but this is my first large frame. Being it's like 13lbs or something, I have a hard time believing I'm flinching lol

Barrel is torqued, scope mount is tight, castle nut is tight, feels like I'm getting good trigger presses.

And no, I thought I was in the semi section
Link Posted: 12/6/2023 8:29:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: pfitter] [#6]
If you do go 6.5 buy a krieger/bartlein and send it to d wilson to have converted. Have the best of both worlds quick change and a top of the line  barrel
Link Posted: 12/6/2023 9:05:19 AM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By pfitter:
If you do go 6.5 buy a krieger/bartlein and send it to d wilson to have converted. Have the best of both worlds quick change and a top of the line  barrel
View Quote


I have 6.5 and 308 LMT setups, both have been solid for me.

I would do what pfitter said if I I were going for best possible accuracy. Swapping barrels for a match grade heavy barrel is easy and much cheaper than a new setup.
Link Posted: 12/6/2023 11:39:34 AM EDT
[#8]
I will keep that in mind. I'm not absolutely needing 1/4 moa or any super precision by any stretch. Was just hoping for a solid 1 moa offering. If factory barrels are capable of it (my 16" being ignored) then i can just plan on buying them.

Id like to think I'm humble enough to know I don't need the "best of the best" within my capabilities, especially longer range.
Link Posted: 12/7/2023 3:29:46 PM EDT
[#9]
my 16 inch cl 308 did shot 1 moa with fgmm never really shot anything else through that one I can think of and my 20 inch stainless creedmoor is shooting 1 moa with 143 norma match. Will be switching to hand loads for this one so curious to see what it can do, first round of load development had a couple around 1/2 moa (5 shot groups 140 grain smks) so I have high hopes.
Link Posted: 12/7/2023 3:39:05 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By WIZZO_ARAKM14:
I've put some fgmm 168's through it and that's where I'd gotten the best results. With the goofy 1-11.5" twist, I'd read they're going to favor lighter bullets, so that's as heavy as I've gone. M80 ball was around 3 moa.

I have 3-4 small AR's that will do sub moa consistently, so I know I'm halfway capable, but this is my first large frame. Being it's like 13lbs or something, I have a hard time believing I'm flinching lol

Barrel is torqued, scope mount is tight, castle nut is tight, feels like I'm getting good trigger presses.

And no, I thought I was in the semi section
View Quote
I didn't realize they made a 16" in that twist, that would definitely force you into the 168 gr world for sure.  Still lots of good ammo choices in that weight.
Link Posted: 12/7/2023 3:40:38 PM EDT
[#11]
https://bulkmunitions.com/308-win-155-gr-eld-m-black-hills-1c308bhgn12-100-rounds/


This would be worth a try as well
Link Posted: 12/7/2023 8:43:29 PM EDT
[#12]
In for relevance to my interests.
Link Posted: 12/10/2023 2:05:06 AM EDT
[#13]
My 16” stainless .308 will shoot MOA with nice hunting ammo and consistently sub with FGMM. Not quite as tight as my OBR but not far off either.
Link Posted: 1/6/2024 6:29:40 PM EDT
[#14]
16" 308 CL barrel loves 168 FGMM. It's MOA with that load and have about 500 rounds through it. Recently picked up a 20" 308 SS barrel and it's breaking in, but not quite on par with the 16" yet.  I'll get more rounds through it and see if it tightens up.
Link Posted: 1/7/2024 10:57:59 AM EDT
[#15]
Some people that have accuracy issues with the MWS find that retorqueing the barrel locking screws helps. They should be at 140in/lbs, tighten front bolt then rear.
Link Posted: 2/2/2024 4:37:58 AM EDT
[#16]
I need to go shoot paper.  I'm concerned now and if my new 16" SS MWS barrel shoots close 1.5 MOA I'll be really pissed.  

Because I hastily zeroed choreographed to get info into the kestrel then shot some steel in the desert with Hornady 178's at targets out to 835 yards.

Thought the issues were me because I could make hits more consistently on a 10" target with my CLE 18" bartlien 5.56 AR shooting 77's.

LMT really said they expect 1.5 MOA with the SS barrels?
Link Posted: 2/2/2024 6:57:09 PM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By dhena81:
I need to go shoot paper.  I'm concerned now and if my new 16" SS MWS barrel shoots close 1.5 MOA I'll be really pissed.  

...

LMT really said they expect 1.5 MOA with the SS barrels?
View Quote


Not one of my PSA barrels shoots worse than that. I would be pissed if I paid LMT money and got a 1.5 MOA rifle.
Link Posted: 2/5/2024 2:36:56 AM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By lew:


Not one of my PSA barrels shoots worse than that. I would be pissed if I paid LMT money and got a 1.5 MOA rifle.
View Quote

This.
Link Posted: 2/5/2024 2:48:59 AM EDT
[#19]
LMT means paying a 50% premium to shoot average groups. They aren't known for accuracy and if you want that, get a Kreiger or Compass Lake.
Link Posted: 2/5/2024 5:46:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: WIZZO_ARAKM14] [#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By dhena81:

LMT really said they expect 1.5 MOA with the SS barrels?
View Quote
Not in writing, but their CS rep that called me from my contact info on their CS page informed me of that.

Chrome lined and SS held to same 1.5" standard.

The 14.5" piston barrel I got in 5.56 had a factory acceptance tag of 1.9moa, sooooo I don't really know what they're doing.

Rifle is nice I guess.

Spending an extra $200 and still having the same accuracy standard is kinda brain dead though. But I'm just some plebe on the internet.
Link Posted: 2/16/2024 9:03:33 PM EDT
[#21]
My 16” .308 LW CL barrel is a 3/4” shooter. The 20” .308 CL barrel is a 1/2-3/4” shooter. My 20” SS 6.5 CM barrel is a 1/2” shooter.
Link Posted: 3/10/2024 11:40:06 PM EDT
[#22]
I have never got any brand of M80/M193/M855 to shoot worth a crap from any rifle I have ever owned, I have owned a lot.

.30 caliber rifles get tested with Sierra Match Kings, 168's in .308 and .30-06, 190's in .300 WM. 5.56mm rifles get tested using 69 grain SMK's. If they don't shoot under an inch with this ammo, I relegate them to blasting rifles.
Link Posted: 3/11/2024 12:17:56 AM EDT
[#23]
.308  - 16” LMT barrel - 1k -  20” plate
Attachment Attached File



Same  LMT barrel 700yds

Attachment Attached File


20” .308 - 10shots  1 flyer  100yds LMT/Rock barrel
Attachment Attached File


All shot prone, a fair bit of preload on the bipod

Link Posted: 4/2/2024 3:29:08 PM EDT
[#24]
m118LR right at half MOA

M80 1.5 MOA

Chrome lined barrel out shoots all my SR25's.
Link Posted: 4/19/2024 11:22:21 AM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cvryanm:
I didn't realize they made a 16" in that twist, that would definitely force you into the 168 gr world for sure.  Still lots of good ammo choices in that weight.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cvryanm:
Originally Posted By WIZZO_ARAKM14:
I've put some fgmm 168's through it and that's where I'd gotten the best results. With the goofy 1-11.5" twist, I'd read they're going to favor lighter bullets, so that's as heavy as I've gone. M80 ball was around 3 moa.

I have 3-4 small AR's that will do sub moa consistently, so I know I'm halfway capable, but this is my first large frame. Being it's like 13lbs or something, I have a hard time believing I'm flinching lol

Barrel is torqued, scope mount is tight, castle nut is tight, feels like I'm getting good trigger presses.

And no, I thought I was in the semi section
I didn't realize they made a 16" in that twist, that would definitely force you into the 168 gr world for sure.  Still lots of good ammo choices in that weight.


That is not entirely true...  I have a SCAR 17s that will shoot 175gr if I do my part 1MOA fairly easily probably better if I was a better precision shooter.  1:12 can shoot up to 190gr loads it may not be the most ideal twist but it is done and capable.  168 or 175 should do more than adequate out of a 1:11.5 or 1:11 twist.  I think OP just needs to try a few different loads as I have a 16" 1:10 AR308 that shoots the AAC 168gr OTM better than it does the FGMM 168gr but that could also be me having better days than others as I am NOT a sub-MOA shooter and when I do shoot sub-MOA it is often the exception rather than the rule.
Link Posted: 6/1/2024 11:19:50 AM EDT
[#26]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cvryanm:
Super ammo dependent, can you tell us what you are using?  Tends to like longer rounds, ELD/M118/juggernaut

M80 ball always a crap shoot.  M118 these days also not nearly as consistent as it used to be.

Berger 185 gr Juggernaut
Hornady 178gr ELD-X

My sample size is MARS-H 7.62 with 16" barrel, but it's been solid 1" gun with good ammo.  I had same experience with SR25, the 1 in 10 twist really wants those Bergers!

Any milspec/milsurp ammo was pretty much hot dog down a hall way in terms of grouping

Also, did you mean to post this in the Bolt action thread?  Will limit responses, I'm not familiar with an LMT bolt gun...
View Quote


I hear you on the M80 ammo. I’m getting close to .5MOA groups with other ammo. M80 shoots 3-4 MOA.
Link Posted: 6/11/2024 2:05:03 PM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By WIZZO_ARAKM14:
Not in writing, but their CS rep that called me from my contact info on their CS page informed me of that.

Chrome lined and SS held to same 1.5" standard.

The 14.5" piston barrel I got in 5.56 had a factory acceptance tag of 1.9moa, sooooo I don't really know what they're doing.

Rifle is nice I guess.

Spending an extra $200 and still having the same accuracy standard is kinda brain dead though. But I'm just some plebe on the internet.
View Quote


Aren’t piston guns less accurate than comparable direct impingement guns? Maybe that accounts for some of the 1.9 MOA.
Link Posted: 6/11/2024 5:24:42 PM EDT
[#28]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By spmx7777:
Aren’t piston guns less accurate than comparable direct impingement guns? Maybe that accounts for some of the 1.9 MOA.
View Quote


Not necessarily. Accuracy in both instances is dependent on the consistency of the ammo, the barrel harmonics, the repeatability of the movement of the working components, etc... In practice, the weight and force of the piston and return spring acting on one side of the barrel will change the harmonics. Is that repeatable? Depends...
Link Posted: 6/12/2024 8:11:15 AM EDT
[#29]
It's all about the ammo.

My LMT 6.5cm shoots sub moa.  5x5 at 100 yards got me .8 MOA with Hornady 140 American Gunner ammo.  Never tried anything else.  Moa (or less) is fantastic for a semi auto.

I've never benched my LMT 308 for group size... But when zeroing it I got similar groups to the 6.5... but again, it's all about the ammo.
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