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]

Great to hear and thanks for the report. I picked up a 20” PSA Grendel upper about 3 weeks ago and have been getting increasingly better results since a mediocre start. Mine seems to like American Gunner also. SST, not so much. I’ve sent about 200-220 rounds down range with the first 80-100 or so being Wolf that I was happy to get rid of.

My Grendel cycles without issue and is a pleasure to shoot, although I lose the target more than I’d like with my Vortex 4-16. Been shooting steel swingers starting at 350 and going out to 750. What brake did you get?

[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]

I just bought a 12” upper and it shoots like junk. I was awfully excited to get it after reading all the positive reviews. I’ve changed ammo and still can’t get better than a 3-4” group at 100yds.

[VASCAR2]

What barrel did you buy justin? I found it was difficult to accurately shoot my 12” Nitride PSA pistol. I swapped out the EBT single state trigger for a RRA NM. I also used a 2.5-10x42 scope to finely be able to start getting decent groups. I plan on pulling the barrel and inspecting the receiver barrel interface. I‘ll lap the receiver, use blue Loctite on the receiver and barrel extension then reassemble. It might not help but it can’t hurt as my other AR-15’s assembled in this manner are good shooters.

[FLshooter]

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

[Dug Silverman]

I just bought a 12” upper and it shoots like junk. I was awfully excited to get it after reading all the positive reviews. I’ve changed ammo and still can’t get better than a 3-4” group at 100yds.

I also have a PSA 12”, mine is stainless. Before ordering, I read several times that PSA has a 1.5 MOA guarantee? I’m sure someone here can confirm or debunk that.
Something I’ve had good luck with is JB Bore Paste. It is an abrasive, so use sparingly, but I’ve been using it to speed up break in on rack grade barrels with great success. If you have any burrs on the crown, or rough places in the throat, a little polishing can make a huge difference. I’m shooting right at MOA with my pistol with 50ish rounds down the tube using Hornady Black. I’m using a JP Enterprises trigger because that’s what was in the lower I had.

I’m glad to hear that more well used barrels are shooting SSTs better, as I have 100 rounds of it I had decided may have to go into the plinking ammo pile. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve yet to read about anyone raving about how accurate it is in their barrels.

[FRB6.5]

I just bought a 12” upper and it shoots like junk. I was awfully excited to get it after reading all the positive reviews. I’ve changed ammo and still can’t get better than a 3-4” group at 100yds.

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]

I’m convinced it’s a bad barrel. My 16” barrel shoots stupid accurate. I sent an email back to PSA with a detailed write up about the issues I’m having and now I’m waiting to hear back.

[depletedyourcranium]

I just bought a 12” upper and it shoots like junk. I was awfully excited to get it after reading all the positive reviews. I’ve changed ammo and still can’t get better than a 3-4” group at 100yds.

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]

I’ve sent a couple of emails to PsA in the last week with no response. I’m about switch barrels.

[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.

[Hickory Nut]

I purchased a complete 6.5 Creedmoor from them in 2017 and it has never functioned properly (FTF, FTE, and Mangled Brass). I reached out to them several times over the last month and have not heard a peep from them. I wanted to use the rifle for deer season but it was way too heavy. After they jacked up their prices this last go round I will not be supporting them anymore.

I do have a 6.5 Grendel 20" upper that shoots very well but I will spend my money elsewhere from now on.

[Lastrites]

Justin check your private messages, I sent you a link.

[justinspicher]

I saw the link, thanks!

[bbqncigars]

Saw similar c.s. response complaints on arfcom. Seems that the best results were obtained by people who used the industry forum to complain.

[Lastrites]

Josiah from PSA is waiting for site approval to join, he will likely take care of justin's issue if he is allowed on board.