PSA rifle getting better

[bruceleroy]

I finally took a plunge and ordered the PSA 18" upper receiver in 6.5 G obviously.

I added a muzzle brake (not really necessary but I love to see impacts), and a Bushnell Nitro 4-16x44 FFP with MIL reticle.
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After some issues with double firing (trigger issue) and the bolt not locking back (combo issue of trigger resetting and gas block not adjusted right) I began to get this thing dialed in.
I bedded the barrel in loctite and let it setup for 48 hours. On the first range trip after I was able to get consistent groups and all of them were at or barely above an inch.

All this was while shooting Hornady American Gunner ammo so I know with reloads I will be able to get this gal dialed in pretty good.

This week I took the Grendel out and was feeling really stable and confident so I shot a 100 yard group that resulted in 0.87 MOA:
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Nothing to to terribly excited about, as this is my least precise rifle, I ventured out to 305 on paper for a 1.41" or a 0.43 MOA group:
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Some may think it strange that I could shoot better at 300 than at 100 but I tend to have the same issue with my favorite 308. I will shoot right at an inch at 100 then crank out repeatable 1.25" groups at 300. I think I just figure it is good enough so I just shoot.

The other day when I went out I borrowed a Magnetospeed so I could confirm some data. Unbelievably I was getting 2550 average speeds for the American Gunner ammo. Bear in mind I am at over 8k feet ASL where I shoot so this may be a huge contributing factor to my muzzle velocity. I will take it! 1000 ft/lbs at 400 and 2000 ft/sec.

Anyways, I am super happy with the results so far and will have new posts soon when I fire my reloads that are sitting in the garage...

To be continued...

[Old Marine]

[grayfox]

Look at the VG 6 gamma 6.5 Brake. Also, do not use crush washers, instead use the accuwasher system, or get a jam nut and use a bit of loktite blue. Timing is simple and you won't have any uneven torques on the barrel.

[Rosecrans1]

I love my PSA 20". A few years old but once the barrel got broken-in, it shoots most everything well. By the way, the Hornaday SST's were never my rifle's favorite when reloaded. My best results were with 120gr Speer Gold Dots, 123gr Lapua Scenars, Berger 130 hybrids and the 123 ELD-M.

[bruceleroy]

I hope I can shoot SSTs well, I have 250 of the 129s. I also have a LOT of 123 ELDM and Amax.

[Rosecrans1]

If you don't have much success with the SST's at first, set them back and wait until you have over 200 to 250+ rounds through your PSA. Then reload some of the same loads you tried before. I saw mine improve significantly in some loads. I can shoot them under MOA if I do my part but they just aren't as accurate as the others mentions earlier. They also tended to open up more for me at 200+ yards. Just keep that barrel clean as I had a lot of copper build up in mine until I had a lot of rounds through it.

[justinspicher]

[VASCAR2]

[FLshooter]

PSA barrels are better than BCA barrels.But still hit or miss.Glad you got a good one.

[Dug Silverman]

[FRB6.5]

Their stainless uppers and guns have an accuracy guarantee, document what you did and used and contact PSA to send it back. You won't do anything to "tune" that to shoot MOA, it is just a bad barrel.

[justinspicher]

[depletedyourcranium]

You're not alone. Mine was even worse. Wolf was slinging like giant 8-10 inch groups. I eventually ditched my PSA barrel and bought a used 12 inch Faxon group buy barrel here.

[justinspicher]

[Rosecrans1]

I would "google" the Better Business Bureau and write a formal complaint. Especially about not receiving back anything from your emails to them. If you "Google" the following, "Palmetto State Armory, BBB" and hit enter, you should find a link to the BBB site in their home district.
They have received a lot of complaints since the Pandemic and I think they are running on a skeleton crew but they are answering the complaints on the site and you could get your money back or another barrel or upper from them. It's better than eating the the purchase if it's not what you expected.