FAL accuracy?

[halfinchharvard]

I've been working with 2 seperate 21" rifles, both with DSA top covers, quality rings and scopes. I can't seem to bring it under 2 1/2 MOA. My triggers are a bit rough, but I should be able to do better. I've tried several handload recipies and factory loads. Am I asking too much???

[dominus]

Yes, without a new barrel, trigger job and perhaps more work. The FAL is a battle rifle and not designed for supreme accuracy. It's platform is more consistent with functionality and reliability. It may not be as accurate as an AR but I bet it'll work in worse conditions.

[MAINER]

You might try removing the bipod if it has one. How are you resting your rifle? Most Fals shoot best with the front rest just ahead of the mag.

Are you getting any vertical or horizontal stringing? Groups should be round.

You can try a group with the gas turned off, single loading and other trick, but that defeats the nature of the beast.

Work on that trigger. Take the lower off and dry fire the FCG a couple hundred times. Don't recommend letting the hammer slam forward btw.

Better yet, send it to Moses for a trigger job. :D

ps; 2 1/2" is not bad!

[Matt(formerly@)EntrepriseArms]

I put a free float handguard on one of mine, with a rail on the bottom for the bi-pod.

I took it to the range yesterday, and after I got the scope dialed in, I put about 1 3/4 to 2" groups with Aussie surplus ammo @ 100 yards.

As a side note, I use the A.R.M.S top cover, which I feel is superior to any top cover that uses set screws. I just think that you can't get the same accuracy using set screws, and they always work themselves loose.

[Matt(formerly@)EntrepriseArms]

I put a free float handguard on one of mine, with a rail on the bottom for the bi-pod. Barrel is surplus Imbel, not chrome lined.

I took it to the range yesterday, and after I got the scope dialed in, I put about 1 3/4" to 2" groups with Aussie surplus ammo @ 100 yards.

As a side note, I use the A.R.M.S top cover, which I feel is superior to any top cover that uses set screws. I just think that you can't get the same accuracy using set screws, and they always work themselves loose.

I should also mention, however, that one of our customers reported being able to put two bullets in the same hole with an Israeli heavy barrel with handloads @ 100 yards!

[halfinchharvard]

Great feedback, thanks.
I do not use a bipod, I was resting the rifle on sandbags just behind the front sight, (which I will change) & I use locktite on the cover set screws & rings to prevent loosening. I just heard back from moses and will be sending him my trigger very soon!

I love the reliability and design of the FAL, and after using AR's for many years, I purchased a CAI which was soon followed by an Imbel (taking the advice of Boston T Party, my table mate at the SAR show in AZ.)

I love smackin those rams down at 600 yds while the poodle shooters strain to hear their .223's "ding" and hope it wobbles over!

[Venom6]

Have owned six FALs (three Belgian including two para's, a DSA Lightweight Carbine - since discontinued -, an StG58, and an OSW). None of them were less than two minute guns, though others including Chuck Taylor have said that one minute guns are possible and out there. Kokalis once opined that the problem is the tilt locking system; varying numbers of rounds in the magazine put varying pressure on the bottom of the bolt which affects its mating with the locking shoulder, contributing to larger dispersion. Others have said that a good tight fit with the locking shoulder will improve accuracy. A local 'smith (who has built a number of national benchrest champion guns and presumably therefore knows a little about accuracy if not about fighting rifles...) has said that he can tighten up a FAL to achieve 1 MOA but then the gun won't work. My own experience is that with good ammunition and competent assembly the FAL is about a two minute gun. The billy-goat trigger and aging eyes peering through iron sights will easily double that. Just my experience.