Re: new R&D precision rifle
range report.
the bolt works smoothly and i had zero problems feeding from the 5 and 10 round magazines. i have one 10 round magazine that fits a little tight inside the badger bottom.
i chrono'd 5 loads each with the 140gr AMAX-moly and the 140gr SMK-moly using the factory suggested load as a starting point. factory 140gr AMAX (non-moly) runs just under 2700fps. i expected a lower velocity in this rifle as the factory tests were done using a 28" barrel and i asked randy to do it 24".
i managed to get it to about 2725fps with both the AMAX and SMK. no pressure signs on bolt lift or primer. 2700fps or so will reach to 1000 yards, but i'll be doing a bit more experimentation to see if i can get it closer to 2800fps, but got good results with the loads i tested today.
i tested at 200 yards on a moderately toasty day, prone using a bipod and redtac rear bag.
my best 5 shot group is shown at the top (at least, i thought it was 5 shots, but i was banging away faster than i should have and i've taken a lot of blows to the head in my life). ignore the .308 hole on the right - i was also chrono-ing some .308 loads and got confused and shot on the wrong target (dammit). the center to center group is 0.3MOA. the lower group was representative of the other groups i got and was 0.7MOA - it was my fault, not the rifle. i always have great 4 shot groups, but inevitably throw the last shot - shower criticism on me, not the stick.
i'm not done yet - gotta spend some more time developing loads and getting a feel for the gem that randy made.
for scale, the 4 pasters make a diamond 1.5" on a side.
