I have an older model G&G M16 - steel like black polymer upper with tinted plastic lower - put many thousands of rounds, has been shimmed twice since and has excellent compression for all stock parts

.
Got myself a Stainless Steel Madbull 6.03, same as stock length along with a Lonex hop-up unit.
All parts in and still getting the same range and did not improve the groupings at 100'. I am aware that I should replace the bucking but the hop-up doesn't appear to engage as the bbs don't backspin with hop on full
Could my bucking make such a difference, or is this another problem?
Thanks,
Joe