Colt has had a crazy amount of changes in the model number and toll marks of the standard 6920 (“M4”) in the last few years. Now it’s just the “Carbine” with so many different marking changes that only Brent can keep up with it.
With the simplified changes in markings came the inevitable cries of drop in quality from the usual internet experts (shitwits). A few weeks ago, I got an upper from a friend that was only months old. I decided to do an accuracy test to see how it does.
I don’t bother with the stupidity of doing accuracy tests with M193 or M855 or dogshit ammo. So, all ammo was match, match quality handloads of my own or premium ammo otherwise.
As is my wont, I used my trusty 10X Leupold on Larue mounts for optics and the lower used a Larue match trigger. Gun was fired at 100 yards from a BR competition rest and front and rear bags which I forgot to take pictures of. I’m still getting over the stomach virus, so sue me.
Above is a 100 yard group of 10 rounds using my own 77 grain hand loads. Sierra HPBT with 24 grains of Varget. KNOWN SAFE IN MY GUNS ONLY. Disclaimer.
Groups fired at 100 yards. Upper left is 3 rounds ( all I had left) of my flat base HP 53 grain hollow points. Upper middle is 75 grain TAP. Upper right is 62 grain SOST.
Bottom left is the Hornady 73 grain ELD and bottom right is the Federal 77 grain Gold Medal Match.
That’s about all I had the energy for. After the stomach virus I was running out of energy quick. I will give it some more testing in a few weeks but I don’t see much more point. It is a rack grade M4 from Colt. Accuracy is what I expect from Colt with good ammo and good optics and a proper rest.
Below is barrel markings for spurgs and purists.
Buy new production with confidence. This gun is factory other than my match trigger and adding a colt side sling swivel. New production comes with front sling swivel in the traditional place, which I don’t like on a carbine. Thanks to Brent for giving me that side sling. They are getting hard to find these days.
Scattered Shots 
Hey mate…nice shooting!
My experience has been that Australian ADI 2206H (sold in the USA as H4895) performs a little better in the smaller .22 cases than Varget. Similar velocities, but tighter groups.
Varget (sold here as ADI 2208) is seen among Australian reloaders as a “one size fits all powder”. It’s fast-intermediate burning rate and will work OK in a wide variety of chamberings, whereas the faster burning 2206H specifically suits small rounds better. ADI 2209 (H4350 in the US) works better in larger rounds like .308 and my 6.5×55.
I use 2206H i(aka H4895) in my .204 Remington 700 and get superb results, and 2209 (aka H4350) for the 6.5, and also get great results. I’ve got several pounds of both powders in my powder safe right now.
I’m not dumping on your shooting here, which looks damn fine as always, just suggesting you try out the H4895 for .223 loads if you can get any. It’s a fine powder, and very temperature stable, which is important in my AO, which can go from -10 in winter to 110 in summer.
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I use R-15, Varget and Vit N145 for the heavier 77 gtain loads. all at the same charge of 24. this is a long established and well known load for competition here
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