While this is my first post on this forum, I recognize more than a couple of people from a few other forums (mostly 1911forum.com).
Rifle Details:
HS Precision 2000SA, Heavy Tactical Rifle - 26” Fluted HTR Weight Barrel, Cal 223 (1-9” Twist)
McCann Rail – Vortex Viper 6-24x EBR Scope
Intended Use: Prairie Dogs, Woodchucks, Coyotes (25-400yrd)
Trigger spec’d at 2lbs (It measures 2 1/8th lbs).
Initial Impressions:
Definitely a nice rifle. The action is on par with the limited production shops in terms of smoothness and straightness. While there are stiffer actions, there aren’t many that can fit into a 700 stock. The action capitalizes on the inherent advantages (manufacturing and use) of both the 70 and 700. Some piccies:
The bottom metal is quite nice. The detachable magazine is secure and easy to load – and feeds smoothly with no hang-ups.
Scope Impressions. I brought along a Leupold Mk4 M1 8-25x for comparison. Clarity is roughly comparable. I do like the reticle. Overall, this is a good value for a $750 scope thus far. The question of durability remains to be answered though (not that a 223 will be abusive, but an identical rifle in 338LM is enroute as I type this).
For side by side comparisions.
Shooting Impressions. As the barrel needed break-in, there isn’t many “groups for score” as I’d like. So, a teaser:
Shot a 200yrds using 55g Hornady V-Max bullets over Varget. Brass was fully prep’ed – weight separated to within 0.5g, but not neck turned. Not bad. Easily a 0.5MOA gun out to 200yrds. Slight horizontal spread from wind, good vertical spread. The 10-X barrels are first rate. This one has the standard HS crown, which is very well done.
3 round group (I typically prefer 10 round groups, but as this is breakin…) at 100yrds. Definitely a promising rifle!
Overall Impressions. This is without a doubt a first rate rig. The trigger is great. I like HS stocks, and the HTR stock is a varmint rifle stock without equal (to me). The gun shoots great, especially for not being truly bedded in the stock. The first modification to this rifle will be skin bedding the stock. I think all said and done, I can squeeze another 1/8MOA out of bedding – and on a less than 1/2MOA gun, that isn’t insignificant. I have few, minor gripes. I’d like a beefier bold. I’d also like a thicker recoil lug – I love the Holland ground stainless steel lug. I’d also like the trigger to be externally adjustable. But when it comes from the factory at the desired weight, I can’t complain too much. Here is my biggest complaint – I wish they’d send the rifle in a hard case big enough for a scope. The current case fits the HTR perfectly, only without a scope.
The acid test: Would I buy another? Absolutely. I actually bought 2 more, one in 308 and one in 338LM. I have very high expectations for them.
Cheers!
Bill
Rifle Details:
HS Precision 2000SA, Heavy Tactical Rifle - 26” Fluted HTR Weight Barrel, Cal 223 (1-9” Twist)
McCann Rail – Vortex Viper 6-24x EBR Scope
Intended Use: Prairie Dogs, Woodchucks, Coyotes (25-400yrd)
Trigger spec’d at 2lbs (It measures 2 1/8th lbs).
Initial Impressions:
Definitely a nice rifle. The action is on par with the limited production shops in terms of smoothness and straightness. While there are stiffer actions, there aren’t many that can fit into a 700 stock. The action capitalizes on the inherent advantages (manufacturing and use) of both the 70 and 700. Some piccies:
The bottom metal is quite nice. The detachable magazine is secure and easy to load – and feeds smoothly with no hang-ups.
Scope Impressions. I brought along a Leupold Mk4 M1 8-25x for comparison. Clarity is roughly comparable. I do like the reticle. Overall, this is a good value for a $750 scope thus far. The question of durability remains to be answered though (not that a 223 will be abusive, but an identical rifle in 338LM is enroute as I type this).
For side by side comparisions.
Shooting Impressions. As the barrel needed break-in, there isn’t many “groups for score” as I’d like. So, a teaser:
Shot a 200yrds using 55g Hornady V-Max bullets over Varget. Brass was fully prep’ed – weight separated to within 0.5g, but not neck turned. Not bad. Easily a 0.5MOA gun out to 200yrds. Slight horizontal spread from wind, good vertical spread. The 10-X barrels are first rate. This one has the standard HS crown, which is very well done.
3 round group (I typically prefer 10 round groups, but as this is breakin…) at 100yrds. Definitely a promising rifle!
Overall Impressions. This is without a doubt a first rate rig. The trigger is great. I like HS stocks, and the HTR stock is a varmint rifle stock without equal (to me). The gun shoots great, especially for not being truly bedded in the stock. The first modification to this rifle will be skin bedding the stock. I think all said and done, I can squeeze another 1/8MOA out of bedding – and on a less than 1/2MOA gun, that isn’t insignificant. I have few, minor gripes. I’d like a beefier bold. I’d also like a thicker recoil lug – I love the Holland ground stainless steel lug. I’d also like the trigger to be externally adjustable. But when it comes from the factory at the desired weight, I can’t complain too much. Here is my biggest complaint – I wish they’d send the rifle in a hard case big enough for a scope. The current case fits the HTR perfectly, only without a scope.
The acid test: Would I buy another? Absolutely. I actually bought 2 more, one in 308 and one in 338LM. I have very high expectations for them.
Cheers!
Bill
