bushmaster .223/5.56 accuracy?

[Elk whack master]

What kind of of accuracy can you expect from one with 18"barrel? Best groups I have got @ 200 yards is around 2 1/2"- 3" with 4 shots of hand loaded 55gr v-max. Its all stock, but I would like a better trigger on it. Its my preditor gun so it good for kill shots, but I still want to tighten it up. I have gotten tigher groups with reloader 10 than the CFE powder.

[Huntbear]

Light, Heavy or Bull barrel???   That kind of accuracy is unacceptable to me, but I am used to my guns shooting 3/4 in. or less with handloads.

[Wazukie]

Ya, I would think that it should shoot better than that    Id thats the best though, I'd trade it in on a bolt gun for sure.

[Elk whack master]

I not sure if its heavy or light . I will have to guess light and it has a flash supressor on it to.

[Huntbear]

Have you ever tried other bullets?  Ballistic Tips?  Accubonds?  Sierra bullets??   What is the twist on the barrel??

Different powder?  Played with the COAL?  All these will affect accuracy if it is a finicky gun.  Is it tight?  How many rounds down the pipe?  Did you get it really hot rapid firing 30 rounds? 

[Heredoggydoggy]

If your lower has a standard trigger, get rid of it, and get a Rock River National Match 2-stage, or a Timney, or other good trigger.  It will be a good bit of money, but with a trigger that you don't have to hit with a rock, your accuracy should get a lot better.

[Elk whack master]

It has around 500 rounds down it. I have got the barrel rapid fire hot when I first got it, but I don't do that now. Twist rate can't remember without digging out the manual. I had someone tell me that it wont like 55gr and should go to 69gr but I have read on here if you go 69gr or heavier you will need a fast twist rate to stablize it. I am gonna try some match grade bullets next time shopping. As far as COAL I just matched some hornady factory ones I had. How do you figure out the best coal? Generally, is longer better or shorter? I read something about taking a match and sooting up the tip and put it in and then take it out, then inspect it to see if there is landing groves on it so it is just bearly touching. Is that the best way to do it? I know the trigger is EXTREAMLY heavy, but I do not have the gun funds for a nice one for it now.

[JLS]

What kind of sight or scope do you have on it?  If you're talking 2.5-3 with an Eotech, that's not too bad.

[Huntbear]

COAL should be what the manuals call for.  IT IS THE SAME FOR EVERY MANUAL.. 2.260 inches.   If it is a 1:9 twist, those 55 gr. should be fine.  Match grade bullets will do no better or worse...  try other bullets that are much cheaper than "match grade" stuff.  Get some Sierra, or Nosler and try them first.

start middle of the load data and move up slowly.. find what it likes and then use it.

[Fl0und3rz]

I haven't seen a Bushmaster that was not 1:9 twist. They are available, just not common.

As for twist and bullet weight: what huntbear said.

See also:

http://www.universalshootingsports.com/index.php?topic=2707.0
http://www.policeone.com/Officer-Safety/articles/3297425-The-twist-rate-debate/

[Elk whack master]

Scope is a 3-14x centerpoint wallmart special. It was all I could afford at the time. Just havent got another one yet. Its not a very clear scope ,but it works.

[Heredoggydoggy]

With an AR-15. COAL is pretty much limited by the magazine.  The book says 2.26, but I've found that to be a trifle long for the magazines I use.  I go for a length of 2.24 to 2.25 and accuracy is fine.  A friend of mine swears by the 69 grain Match bullets, and my ARs would handle them fine (1 in 9 and 1 in 7 twists) but they shoot 55 grainers just fine, so that's what I load.  I get the Varmint Nightmare bulk blems from Mid South Shooters Supply.  They are the same as Midway's Dogtowns, and are even cheaper, and just as accurate as V-Max Hornadys.

I still think yuor crappy trigger is handicapping you. 

[huntnphool]

I haven't seen a Bushmaster that was not 1:9 twist. They are available, just not common.

My Varminter is 1:10, it shoots 40gr. Noslers well.

[FC]

As others said, put a good trigger in it and prepare to be amazed!

[thinkingman]

What kind of stock are you using?
It seems the current trend is to have a collapsible buttstock, which doesn't provide for any consistency in cheekweld(unless you spend serious bucks).
An A2 stock will shoot better than a collapsible.
Start there.
The other is the handguard.
Is it a free-float or standard?...and for gosh sakes, resist the urge to put a gazillion-rail handguard on it.
No benefit.