Rifle problem and I'm lost

[ratcatcher55]

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

[Bic]

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.

[tombogan03884]

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.

[m25operator]

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.

[alfsauve]

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

Sometimes "new" just needs to broke in.

 

[Sponsor]

[rat31465]

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.

[bafsu92]

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.

[twyacht]

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...

[ratcatcher55]

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.

[tombogan03884]

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.