The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: ratcatcher55 on September 10, 2010, 04:33:04 PM

Title: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on September 10, 2010, 04:33:04 PM
Range day for me and a former co-worker.

The purpose was to zero optics on our rifles.

Buddy's rifle was a new LMT 16" carbine and Millet optic.

We could not get the rifle to group at all. It may have been 6 inches at 50 yards. The rifle has a 1/7 twist
Tried 55 and 62 grain ammo.  Tried my Aimpoint. Tried iron sights.  Tried different shooters.
My groups were a bit tighter but not enough to even go any further.

The trigger is not great but I have shot a lot worse. The gun seem tight, no wiggling or movement. We shot from a sold rest and did not have the barrel resting on anything

We got my Aimpoint sighted dead nuts on after 3-5 round groups at 50 yards. Both of us had no problem hitting 8 inch steel plates at 200 yards.  I don't think it was a shooter induced error.

Anyone have any suggestions?  I was shooting an XCR or I would have swapped uppers with my AR
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: Bic on September 10, 2010, 08:55:51 PM
I'm at somewhat of a loss too ratcatcher55, if it were a shotgun or bolt rifle I'd have a barrel maker look down the tube & check it for 'true' as my next move.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 10, 2010, 09:35:21 PM
Try wiping a Q-Tip around the end of the muzzle, if it snags fibers from the swab you have burrs on the muzzle crown that are throwing the shots off.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: m25operator on September 10, 2010, 10:32:06 PM
It if it has a muzzle break or flash hider, remove and try again, could have rounds barely touching on exit. Get back with us.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: alfsauve on September 11, 2010, 07:38:34 AM

Buddy's rifle was a new LMT 16" carbine and Millet optic.


Sometimes "new" just needs to broke in.

 
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: rat31465 on September 11, 2010, 07:50:23 AM
I would agree with the statements that New needs to be shot out of the carbine first.  I bought a new LMT a couple years ago and was less than impressed with it at first.  After shooting a few hundred rounds through it...it settled down and has become a consistent shooter. 
Check the gas system to make sure it is clean and obstruction free...also check the bolt and lug recesses to make sure they are clean.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: bafsu92 on September 14, 2010, 09:17:06 AM
It if it has a muzzle break or flash hider, remove and try again, could have rounds barely touching on exit. Get back with us.
This, and if that doesn't help check headspace. Also I'm guessing it's chambered 5.56 NATO are you using 5.56 ammo or .223 ammo? I heard something about a batch of LMT rifles that were defective, not sure if there was a full recall or not but it had something to do with improperly reamed chambers/misaligned to the barrel bore. I'd shoot it once more trying the few things mentioned and if there's no improvement I'd call LMT.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: twyacht on September 14, 2010, 06:41:22 PM
All the previous posts, are valid, have you tried a bore sight? either an insert type, or one shaped like a bullet? Laser pointer will tell the tale.

Look through the optics and you'll see exactly where the "muzzle" is pointing.

Keep us informed, LMT makes some fine rifles, for Brits... ;)
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on September 16, 2010, 08:37:18 AM
Thanks to all.

We had tried both 55 and 63 grain 5.56 and .223 with the same results.

I don't have the gear to check headspace but that maybe the problem.

The LMT flashider was examined and it did not have any strange build up at after an exam.

Break in?? Shooting 12 MOA at 100 yards IMHO is pretty piss poor! 3 -4 inches is the spec.

Good news. LMT said send it back so they will look at it ASAP. Seemed to be good folks.

I will let you  know what the find out.

Sorry for the delay but the house got hit by lighting on Sat. Big hole in roof, fried computer, modem and TV's. Rain put out the fire so all in all we got lucky. I was at a shoot in TN and wife was alone in the house when it happened.

Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 16, 2010, 11:24:32 AM
Sorry to hear that Ratcatcher.
As a cynical side note I will mention, you do know you will take major crap the next time you want to go to a shoot that's further than across town.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on September 16, 2010, 01:47:50 PM
Sorry to hear that Ratcatcher.
As a cynical side note I will mention, you do know you will take major crap the next time you want to go to a shoot that's further than across town.

Thanks Tom.

Typically this happens when I'm a long way from home. The damage is directly related to distance.

The wife is pretty good about my shooting and training days. Less so about new firearms.
Good thing all black rifles look the same to her.  ;D
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: Majer on September 16, 2010, 02:09:49 PM
The first thing I would check would be to see if the barrel nut is properly torqued to spec. if it is loose it would allow the barrel to shift the point of impact.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on September 17, 2010, 08:15:20 AM
The first thing I would check would be to see if the barrel nut is properly torqued to spec. if it is loose it would allow the barrel to shift the point of impact.

I'm thinking that maybe the winner. I'll let you know.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on September 30, 2010, 01:46:31 PM
LMT returned the rifle today with a new barrel. Hopefully we will get to the range and see an improvement.

Turnaround 10 working days and my friend was very happy with the customer service folks.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 30, 2010, 09:27:36 PM
LMT returned the rifle today with a new barrel. Hopefully we will get to the range and see an improvement.

Turnaround 10 working days and my friend was very happy with the customer service folks.

Great, hope all goes well and better than last time out.
Best of luck.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: kmitch200 on October 03, 2010, 12:52:04 PM
LMT returned the rifle today with a new barrel. Hopefully we will get to the range and see an improvement.
Turnaround 10 working days and my friend was very happy with the customer service folks.

Well it's been 3 days!!  How does it shoot?

Glad to hear LMT had such a fast turnaround.
If the rifle shoots as expected, (I bet it does), that's pretty good customer service.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on October 11, 2010, 09:29:19 AM
Well it's been 3 days!!  How does it shoot?

Glad to hear LMT had such a fast turnaround.
If the rifle shoots as expected, (I bet it does), that's pretty good customer service.

This guy  is one of those dependable parent, husband and employee types! He needs to get his priorities straight and go to the range. Hopefully we will go this week.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: twyacht on October 11, 2010, 04:56:14 PM
Give it a quick boresight if available, I'm sure LMT made it right,.......

or you all can't shoot..... ;)
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on October 12, 2010, 09:17:19 AM
Give it a quick boresight if available, I'm sure LMT made it right,.......

or you all can't shoot..... ;)



Don't think that didn't enter our pointed little heads!
The fact we could hit the 200 yard plates with my XCR made us think it was the rifle.
If I had brought a AR we would have just started to swap parts until we isolated the problem.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: tombogan03884 on October 12, 2010, 10:59:29 AM
Don't think that didn't enter our pointed little heads!
The fact we could hit the 200 yard plates with my XCR made us think it was the rifle.
If I had brought a AR we would have just started to swap parts until we isolated the problem.


Got to love the "Leggo" guns  ;D
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: ratcatcher55 on October 24, 2010, 01:42:36 PM
Well we hit the  range on Friday. The rifle was perfect.  :) Very nice groups at 50 and 200 yards.

LMT did a nice job all the way round.  The rifle owner was all smiles and ready for the tactical rifle match on the 30th
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: PegLeg45 on October 24, 2010, 02:05:28 PM
Great to hear the good news. Glad it turned into a good shooter.
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: twyacht on October 24, 2010, 04:39:33 PM
Good to see those 'blokes" made it right.... ::)

Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: Timothy on October 24, 2010, 07:15:56 PM

Got to love the "Leggo" guns  ;D


Which reminds me, how does yours shoot TB?
Title: Re: Rifle problem and I'm lost
Post by: tombogan03884 on October 24, 2010, 07:49:32 PM
Still haven't gotten to the range.  :(