Range Report on New Precision Rifle

[Flatbush Harry]

I posted two weeks ago that I had gotten a new rifle at Mile High Shooting Accessories of Erie, CO. Yesterday I finally sighted it in at 100 yards and tested a few of my match loads that I use in my former #1 precision rifle. The new rifle is:

Remington 700 5R with factory-applied Cerakote
AICS AX Chassis
NightForce C173 3-15x56 Scope
NightForce 20 MOA Picatinny Rail
NightForce Medium High (1.265") Rings

My sight-in load was Remington Premier Match with 168gr SMK bullets. My test groups were 5-shot groups with several different loads. The two groups shown below are my two best loads in my other rifle...they work pretty well in this one. The Reloder 15/Hornady A-MAX group measures 0.499" while the VV N550/SMK group measures 0.641". I'll be adjusting the trigger a little (it's an X-Mark Pro adjustable) to bring it down to about 2 lbs and tinkering with these loads a bit to see if I can get some improvement, but I'm a pretty happy camper right now. Also, I noted this in my initial thread, but I recommend Mile High very highly.

FH

 

[Boltfluter]

Looks like you have a shooter there. I look forward to your next range report.

Regards,
Paul

 

[kis2]

can't complain about that even a little! nice work. So, your post says "...in my former #1 precision rifle."...officially replaced now?

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Looks like you have a shooter there. I look forward to your next range report.

Regards,
Paul

Thanks, Paul. Stay tuned.

Best regards,

Harry

 

[Flatbush Harry]

can't complain about that even a little! nice work. So, your post says "...in my former #1 precision rifle."...officially replaced now?

Thanks. My "former #1 is a Rem 700 SPS-Varmint glass bedded in a B&C Medalist A5, wearing a Vortex Viper PST 6.5-24x50 FFP. It's nearly as good a shooter but I just love the new set-up. I'm looking forward to stretching both their legs to 600 and 1,000 yards but I think the new rifle will take over as my #1.

Regards,

Harry

 

[Joe L]

Excellent! Looks like you will have a lot of fun at 600 and 1000 yds.
Joe

 

[insight3b]

Sweet. Is this the 5r with barrel flutes and black stock from the factory...I think its called the 'tactical' 5R?

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Sweet. Is this the 5r with barrel flutes and black stock from the factory...I think its called the 'tactical' 5R?

Yes, it is. The stock appears to be a B&C M40 with bedding block and it was free-floated. I will be rebarreling a Rem 700 SPS SS down the road with a heavy barrel in either .260 Rem or 7mm-08 and bedding it in the stock.

Regards,

Harry

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Excellent! Looks like you will have a lot of fun at 600 and 1000 yds.
Joe

Thanks, Joe.

Cheers,

Harry

 

[JGorski]

What brass did you use with that 168 AMAX? I get super good accuracy with lapua brass and 42grs RE15, 43grs with Win brass in my SPSS. Im talking .5moa or better out to 300yds for 5 shots.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

What brass did you use with that 168 AMAX? I get super good accuracy with lapua brass and 42grs RE15, 43grs with Win brass in my SPSS. Im talking .5moa or better out to 300yds for 5 shots.

I used Hornady once-fired brass as well as some Federal once-fired brass. I have been very pleased with Hornady products, especially their A-MAX bullets. I have gotten great results with the A-MAXs, Sierra MatchKings and Nosler Custom Comps.

Regards,

Harry

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I happened to stop up at Mile High this morning to pick up a few items and noticed some Hornady Superperformance .308 Win Match ammo with 178gr Match BTHP bullets. Just for grins, I grabbed a couple of boxes and stopped at the range on the way home to see if this barrel liked them. The pic below was my first group of 5; using "OnTarget", this group measured 0.441". I am impressed by this addition to Hornady's product line...indeed, I have some Hornady brass and 178gr A-MAXs. I'm going to develop a few ladders with RL15, VV N550 and will be trying to find some Hodgdon's Superperformance powder. I just hope I'm not going to have to stay with factory loads (LOL). BTW, between a muzzle velocity of 2,775 fps and 178gr bullet, compared to FGMM with 2650 fps MV and 168gr bullet, this load should do well at distance. I can hardly wait.

Normally, I would say "It ain't the arrows, Tonto!" but I'll give props to Rem, AI, NightForce and Hornady for this outcome.

Cheers,

Harry

PS-this group is 1" low and 1" right because I didn't yet change my scope set from the RL15/A-MAX sight in Sunday.