I Inherited a Palmetto State Armory AR15

[Linstrum]

I am a long-time shooter and caster, starting both back in about 1964, and I have been a Boolits web site contributor and supporter since Day One. But what I am NOT is an AR15 shooter. In indelicate terms I might be called an AR15 virgin, although I do have quite a bit of experience with the Remington .223 cartridge.


What I do know about my newly acquired PSA AR15 is that it is new in the box, it has a 16" barrel, and has a one turn in 7 inch rate of twist. I have a large supply of milsurp 62 grain boat tails along with Ramshot Tac, IMR 4895, Reloader 15, and a few other rifle powders.


I like my recently manufactured Ruger Mini-14 ranch rifle, it has far better accuracy than the older Mini-14s did 30 years ago. Can I expect this Palmetto State Armory AR15 to do as well? :shock:
rl 1,185

[Ehaver]

There is no reason for it not to do as well or better.

The only limitation you might have on accuracy is if it is an M4 profile barrel. The pencil thin one. When that heats up you can lose accuracy. The higher twist rate in my opinion is much better than the 1-9 standard issue. Allows you to use heaver weight, longer bullets.

55grn is pretty standard and used in all twist rates. I have a 1-8 twist and can clover leaf all groups at 100 yards.

You should do well.

And if you don't like it and want to part with it, just wait until the next election! you could make a good chunk of change.

[Mik]

I think the conventional thinking is that you can expect an average AR to be somewhere between 1 and 2 moa, closer to 1.

I've never shot one with anything but iron sights or a red dot so I don't know from personal experience what they are really capable of.

Ehaver,

Clover leafs at a hundred yards? Please tell me you shoot with magnification so I don't feel like a complete hack.

[nagantguy]

Have more trigger time with that weapon platform than anything g else besides maybe my bb gun as a kid. Haven't shot one made by palmetto but do have experience with there parts kits and find them of high quality.

[Ehaver]

Nope, not on that rifle. Not yet at least. Its just a plain jane red dot.
109524109525

[Mik]

Wow, good for you.

[Jupiter7]

My 3gun rifle is built around a Psa barrel. It is exceptionally accurate. Yours should put the mini14 to shame. My favorite loads are near max with Varget and RamshotTac.

[EMC45]

IMR4895 will be good. Nice fast twist on the barrel for the heavies.

[warboar_21]

I have a PSA upper with the FNH M249 barrel. It is very accurate for a rifle that is not scoped. When I put a 3x9 on it just to see how it would shoot I was surprised to see 5 shot groups under an inch as long as I didn't rush them. Both Tac and Imr 4895 will work well in the rifle.

[Motor]

I have a PSA 20" 1 in 7 and it shoots great. Reloder-15 and those 62s should be a fine combination. If you want to try it on some varmints try the 60gr Hornady V-Max.

Stay away from thin jacketed varmint bullets like the Sierra Blitz. I tried some 55s in mine and the 1 in 7 twist blows them apart a few yards in front of the muzzle.

If you want to hunt hogs or deer I recommend the Sierra 65gr GameKing

BTW: My rifle shoots "regular" 55gr bullets very well too.

Motor

[lefty o]

a good AR is easily capable of 1/2" or less at 100. an okay one is good for an inch, and any AR that cant hold under 1 1/2" should be scrapped. the basic platform has excellent potential for accuracy, but there is alot of junk on the market, that doesnt take advantage of the potential.

[runfiverun]

you got the 62 grain bullets give them a try I have a 1-8 twist barrel and it shoots my home made 65gr plain base bullets just fine, I use them for ground squirrels and rock chucks and haven't had any complaints
[err thank-you's] from any of them yet.
check to make sure whether it's a 223 or 5.56 or a wylde type chambering that will determine your oal as much as magazine length will permit any way's.
pull down bullets are just that pull down's, don't expect 1/2" groups from them, but they are fun to shoot rocks with.