Um, yes?
I figured that if I'm getting 2-3-4" groups out of a wide variety of the cheapest wolf/tula ammo I can find, that it would settle into something much nicer with good quality handloads. Once I've either confirmed or denied it's my skill level then I can either focus on trying more load combos or getting back to skill building.
Seems like modern rifles are getting pretty good vs. 10-15 years ago when you needed high end or custom stuff to break into the accuracy game. Maybe not so on ARs, I'm more of a bolt gun guy.
1st , I agree with most or all here that getting a loose 1MOA or 2MOA that is consistent with run of the mill cheap or cheaper AR parts. For me it's knowing the rig in question and having confidence that I know where the Love is being Delivered consistently and if that is 2 MOA , so be it because it's going to hit something when going for CM.
2nd, being the Red-Headed Step Child, is it possible to fine tune any bang stick to deliver MOA or Sub-MOA performance? I've lived it and my short answer is yes and the med answer is possible but at what cost , both $$$ & Time.
I applaud your efforts to squeeze more out of the rig in question.
I also believe you are tackling the dilemma in a logical fashion in trying different ammo , questioning your technique , etc.
As you fully realize everything involved with shooting, rig itself ~ shooting technique, becomes endless and interrelated variables. Could be as simple as this, at times I've been testing different types of ammo and notice the groups opening up or totally going to hell and after stepping back and running a rope through the barrel the previous performance returns.
One immediate thing that can be checked ~ corrected is scope set-up.
Ya, everyone knows hands down how to set a scope up, as it is simple and basic.
OK, position the firearm as you would shoot it, meaning level or canted , and level the optic using a string or plumb bob. One note, if you , or anyone , uses one of the clamp on picatinny levels I would check it! I don't use them anymore and while it's a pain if I am setting a rig to level I just use a raw level , meaning no holder or fixture, across the rail. One large variable with any optic is introduced if it has a “Fast Focus Eye Piece.” Why? Many scopes with this style ocular are slightly to moderately LOOSE! Frankly I prefer Fast Focus Oculars to be tight and yes almost to the point of needing a small pipe wrench to turn it. Why? Because it will shift or move and gives the shooter a different prospective of the reticle , period. This most definitely effects fine tuning accuracy especially when dealing with other variables , such as all different types of ammo.
I have an AR rig assembled from 2nd hand parts and a cheap barrel that delivers MOA to Sub-MOA performance and whether Luck or skill it's a Win and I'll take it. I also have some that shoot a Loose MOA and 2 MOA.
Safe Shooting