Disappointed

D

Don357

New member
Well, I have finally got it through my hard head that my CETME is a short range rifle, and a mediocre one even at that! I went to the range today after doing some trigger work on my rifle, and even though it improved some it just wasn't what I thought it should be. At 50yds I was able to shoot 2" groups with irons and the scope. But at 100 yds it opened up to 4" to 6". I have been all through the normal check list of things that you do when accuracy suffers, from different types of ammo, to scope mount, to barrel crown, to trigger pull, etc... Every thing except different weight bullets. I shot 150gr Hornady SST's, 150gr Hornady FMJ, (both are my reloads), 150gr PSP Monarch (Privi Partisan), and Indian OFV 96 M80 Mil-surp. I really can't say which shot best, they were all about the same.

Now I'm considering selling it, but I'm not sure. I like it, but wish it was more accurate. Anybody interested in a trade?
 
Id be disappointed to, thats how my bow shoots at 50 yards. I would be getting rid of it if it were mine, does it maybe just need a good wire brush cleaning? I had one that I thought was clean and was getting decent groups but not what I wanted gave it a real good cleaning and it made a heck of a difference
 
Every thing except different weight bullets
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I would try heavier or lighter bullets and see if that helps. Seems worth a shot.

On second thought, scratch that, what do you want for it? Can you post some pics?
 
Being a rifle markmanship instructor, I always go back to the shooter being the issue, until the shooter performs all the necessary steps to shoot accurately; then we get to blame the rifle.

Are you shooting from a bench?
 
Remember, the CETME isn't a target rifle, and even when rebuilt won't be. I have a SAR-8 I bought new in the box that when it shoots 2-3" groups at 100 yards with open sights, I'm satisfied. Unless the trigger group is worked, the standard military trigger doesn't foster the best accuracy.
 
To be accepted as a NATO battle rifle it had to have shot 1"X3 1/2" groups under test conditions with NATO mil-spec ammunitiion.
As the CETME was accepted then it must be capable (as a model, not an individual rifle) of achieving the 1X3 goal, if yours can't there is something wrong.
It is not a target rifle but should hold 3 MOA with milsurp ammo.
 
Remember, the CETME isn't a target rifle,

That is completely true but my Beretta CX4 storm carbine in 9mm will hold groups equal to that.
There is something wrong with the shooter or gun.
My national match M1A is capable of better groups than that at 500 yards (as long as someone else shoots it,,, I can’t see that far any more.)
 
There is something wrong here a Cetme/G3 should hold a 3" group at 100yd easily specially with a scope. It is either user error, or you need to try some different weigh bullets.

If those don't help, check the rifle.
Is it a Century build?
Call whoever the manufacturer is and see if you can send it in through a warranty.
 
check list of things that you do when accuracy suffers, from different types of ammo, to scope mount, to barrel crown, to trigger pull, etc...
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What about the scope itself? Your problem could be caused by a bad scope. I had a cheepo scope cause the same issue once. What kind of scope is it and what's the history behind it? It should be easy enough to remove the scope and check the accuracy using the open sights. Good luck on your problem.
 
"Being a rifle markmanship instructor, I always go back to the shooter being the issue, until the shooter performs all the necessary steps to shoot accurately; then we get to blame the rifle.

Are you shooting from a bench?"

Sheepdog, I know the routine, inhale, exhale 1/2, squeeze. And I am shooting from a bench with an almost fully supported rifle.

"Unless the trigger group is worked, the standard military trigger doesn't foster the best accuracy."

Gearhound, I did everything except replace the springs.

JHgreasemonkey, The scope could be the problem or at least part of it. I'm using a Tapco dual rail SWAT mount, with a Tasco 3x9x40 "Golden Antler" scope. I KNOW the mount is stable, because I solved that part of the problem years ago when I first put it on. But I got 1.75", 3 shot groups with the scope and iron sights at 50yds .


The rifle is a Century, but it runs flawlessly. I've only had a couple of FTL's and they were with one particular magazine that I need to toss, but can't bring myself to do it.
I've had the rifle for several years, but have never really gotten serious about tweaking it for accuracy. I've mostly just played with it. I like to use it deer hunting and have carried it a few times. I kind of like the funny looks I get around the hunting gang!LOL I have a dedicated deer rifle, a .308 Stevens which absolutely loves my reloads, I just wish my CETME did.As for whether or not it's clean, OH YEAH. I CLEAN all my firearms every time I take them out, and every couple of months even if I don't. I can't stand a dusty gun.
Maybe I'll try different bullet weights, different powder and charges. I don't know. Maybe I'll sell it or just keep it as a close range defence gun. Thanks for the input. PM me if anyone is interested in making me an offer on the gun.
 
1.75" at 50 yds = 3.5" at 100 yds

The groups you shot at 100 yards aren't that far out of whack compared to 50 yds.

Could be ammo. Try a few different kinds.
 
I'm with the guys who think a heavier bullet. The 150s may not be stableized with your barrel twist.

You may be suprised. As mentioned be sure to use a bench and good techniques

The wind can also destroy accuracy. The early morning is generally the best. But may be hard during March. Good Luck, Eagle
 
I'm with the guys who think a heavier bullet. The 150s may not be stableized with your barrel twist.
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This is kind of backwards. If a heavy bullet can be stabilized by the barrel twist then so can any lighter bullets.
 
Flick it and buy something which dosent suck ;)

Nothing more depressing than shooting a rifle which wont group, especially if you have spent money on it. It might pay to swap out the scope / mount and have another shooter give it a go if you still have any interest in the rifle though.
 
Different loads

I'm with the school of trying different loads. You need to treat it as an independent gun and work up a load/bullet specifically for it. I have two 308's and a 300 WSM that I was trying to be cheap and use the same bullet. The two 308's worked out, but with different charges and seating depths, but the 300 needed a different bullet entirely. All three guns shoot 1 inch groups at 100 yards now, I just can't interchange the ammo (with the 308's) as each one is different and the 300 now shoots 165 grainers.

Even though the CETME is a military gun, it is still itself and may require loads to match. I also have a Mini 14 that likes the same handloads I use in my Bushmaster but my Armalite hates them. Just the way it goes sometimes.
 
I've never shot one of these, but I do have a Golani (AK Hybrid). How is your scope mounted? Side mount? Rail mount? If it's attached in any way on that rear cover, it won't be accurate because the rear covers have a little wiggle room. From a photo I googled, it appears that like the Galil/Golani, they put the rear iron sight on the cover. Same problem, it just doesn't hold true zero..close enough for combat purposes I suppose.

I have also noted that since I've gotten older and my eyesight isn't what it used to be, shots I was once making with a 3-9 power scope, now require a 4-12. At 100 yards at 9 power, I just can't see the bullseye well enough to pinpoint the shots.

Another thought, was there any wind at the range? At 100 yards, it's not that big of a deal really. But it could matter a little...and it seems a little is all you are really trying to correct.
 
Rdkill,

CETME's, HK's and their variants are totally different animals from AK's and their variants. CETME's, etc, use either a "claw" type mount or have a rail welded to the top of the reciever, and IF you get the mount on correctly, there's no "wiggle room" because the reciever and barrel are essentially one piece.
 
What you have posted in thread shows me you're not ignorant when it comes to shooting a rifle, and you're capable of shooting anything accurately.
With that, I have come to conclusion that it is the rifle and the company that built it. Buy a JLD PTR91, I have shot these along with original HK91s and they shoot sub MOA with match ammo.
I am sorry, but as a dealer, I have gotten alot more junk from Century, than I have got good weapons.
 
Sheepdog, I know the routine, inhale, exhale 1/2, squeeze. And I am shooting from a bench with an almost fully supported rifle.
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if thats the routine, you are leaving 4 other steps out.
With nato ammo that rifle should be capable of a 3 to 4 moa group, snd to be honest, to ask any more than that from it is unreasonable. A 2 inch group at 50 yards is 4moa, a 4 inch group at 100 yards is 4moa, satisfactory acuracy for that rifle.
 
Have you let someone else who you know is usually a reasonable shooter try the gun? Maybe its not the gun. That should help prove it one way or the other.

Ive never owned a CETME, but Ive owned a couple of HK91's. They both would usually shoot around 3" or so at 100 yards from a rest with surplus ammo, which is basically spec for the ammo. Sometimes a little better with my reloads, but not by much. Youre always at the mercy of the ammo, regardless what the gun or you can do. If the ammo isnt up to it, the rifle will never be, or at least consistently.

I dont know exactly what Century did/does to the guns to get them in, but Im assuming they come in as a barreled receiver and they swap out the parts they need for compliance. If thats not the case, and they are barreling their own receivers, then its anyones guess.

A scope really wont make the gun or you shoot "better", but the scope and/or its mount can definitely make it shoot worse if things arent right. If youre using a claw mount, you do have to watch. There are good ones, like HK and ARMS, and then there are some that arent. You even have Airsoft copies passed off as the real thing, which will really spoil your day.
 
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