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Posted: 3/30/2008 8:55:40 AM EDT
| This has probably been asked a thousand times before, and I apologize in advance. But a local guy has a Bushmaster A-2 16-inch with the standard 1:9 chrome barrel in nearly new shape for $700. I'm thinking this isn't a bad price for a first AR. What kind of accuracy could I expect from this rifle with a decent handload? Is it capable of less than MOA? If not, are any of the lower-end S&Ws capable of MOA or less (considering the rebate). Thanks, guys. |
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Generally, you can expect 1.5 to 3.0 MOA from a mass produced factory barrel. Bushmaster has high standards for its barrels. Getting sub-MOA in a mass produced, chrome lined barrel is not unheard of, but it is not common. The S&W rifles are made by CMT, and still used mass produced barrels, thus the same expected accuracy. S&W was going to offer AR from its performance center, but, to my knowledge, have not hit the market. Now, those barrels were made by a high end barrel maker, Lothar Walther and would have shot sub-MOA. Mine do. Let the hailstorm begin. 
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+1 while having a dedicated sure firing handload might get you sub MOA, i would not count on it--those bbls just werent built up to approach sub-MOA if you want sub-MOA, get a bbl that was made to get sub-MOA |
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The Bushmaster I bought BRAND NEW could shoot MOA at 100 yards with Match Grade ammo like 69gr SMK just depends on how many rounds I shoot in a group  (5rd groups)Most Brand new AR15`s SHOULD shoot 1MOA or CLOSE I NEVER BUY USED WEAPONS !! I rather do without and save. |
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For the kind of crazy money they are asking, I would expect only sub-MOA. Edited to add S&W's link: www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15714&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701 $1841-$2173, and it doesn't even come with a test target? |
That rifle would be fine for your first AR. You can always get a different upper. Unless it has the AK brake. |
For that kind of money ADCO, GTS, or MSTN would be willing to build you a gun and gurantee sub-MOA accuracy with a given factory load, with test targets to prove it. |
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