Alright I am on a quest. I am on the hunt for a semi-auto precision rifle.
These are the specs that it must have;
- Semi-auto
- Any Cal (I reload)
- sub MOA at 100m, maintain MOA to 600-800m
- Less then 10lbs with optics, bipod (ammo/mag not included)
- Non-restricted
- Under 2k (optics not included)
What I have tried;
-XCR-L (6.8,7.62,5.56. All heavy barrels)
-XCR-M (308 heavy Barrel)
-M14
So whats out there boys and girls? Please post pics, weights and specs because I am sure I am not the only one out here longing for something under these specs ( tried a search and came up fairly short in answers though). Am I just asking too much? I do like the looks of the ATRS Modern Hunter, and with the right parts it will fall into the proper weight (even without a carbon barrel) but we are talking more money then I have even paid for a vehicle. Once I start hearing more personal reviews and results I am sure it will make its way into the rifle safe. The only other one that tickles my fancy that I can't find a single decent review on is the Browning Hog Stalker. I know it is a cheaper FN (makes price point then) and weight's about 9lbs dry. I have yet to try it, and only reviews I can find are with cheap ammo and a red dot/bushnell 3-9x $70 scope, or they only tried it to 100m. Has anyone seen these pushed past 100m, I know that 1-12 twist isn't going to like the heavies but should eat up a 168gr no problem. I just don't know
Now I did put this on the precision forum and not black rifle/battle rifle because that is what I am looking for a "precision semi-auto". I don't care how it looks just how it shoots and meets what I am looking for!
These are the specs that it must have;
- Semi-auto
I currently own several bolt guns that are more then capable. Just look at my 1200m for $1200-$1500 thread to see one example. I do hunt coyote sometimes and no mater how slick a bolt action is, it does take longer then an auto loader. Also I am looking for a spotter rifle for some competitions I would like to participate in.
- Any Cal (I reload)
I don't want a caliber to restrict what I want in the end run. If a certain caliber meets all these requirments then it is what I want
- sub MOA at 100m, maintain MOA to 600-800m
Any rifle can be made too shoot sub MOA at 100m (with enough time,money, and experience) it takes an even better rifle/shooter to keep that MOA too 600-800m. I am not going to fool myself, I know tons of people who can and do hit 1000m with an auto loader but I want to set my sights to realistic, then push the limits
- Less then 10lbs with optics, bipod (ammo/mag not included)
This is the big one, that I am at least a little bit flexible on. I recently found the joy of light weight hunting rifles, so would like to set a goal for my precision rifles. I do most my long range shooting on private land that I must do some hiking to get too. Work makes me carry alot of heavy stuff for long periods of time, I don't want my weekends to include the same! Also in some competitions I would need to hike with it and gear for a fair distance. I want less and less of a reason to be huffing and puffing by the stand.
- Non-restricted
This is a big one, because I'm shooting on private land I cannot have a restricted rifle. I know tons of restricted rifles that meet all but this requirement. I have owned a few. But this limits times and when I can shoot. Work takes up alot of my time, so throwing a bag and rifle on my back and heading to my shooting spot whenever I want is not possible with an AR type/restricted rifle. I also don't want to turn this into an"AR's should be non restricted" or "sign the petition and they will be soon enough" I am not holding my breath for that one and yes I did sign.
- Under 2k (optics not included)
Here is the funny thing I have found, once you add "non" to "restricted" you can charge an extra $1000 simply because we will pay it. I don't include optics in this price as I can always use something from one of my bolt guns
What I have tried;
-XCR-L (6.8,7.62,5.56. All heavy barrels)
I tried all the calibers, got some good results again a little heavy once good optics got on there (shy of 11lbs). Only problem I had with it was it wasn't consistent. I am pretty sure something needs to be done with that single bolt holding the barrel on. I have drawn up plans to kind of do a LMT style barrel retention system, but too scared to screw up something with that price tag. Brings me to another point, there was a time you could buy one used on here for 1600-1900 seems they are all bought up and only price tag is 2k+. A new one of course is over that. I was however impressed at how accurate you can get a 7.62x39 when you hand load. I have thought of also trying it again but doing a 6.5 grendel
-XCR-M (308 heavy Barrel)
This was my hope full. It was a heavy bugger once I put a decent optic and bipod on it (12+lbs), could get easy sub MOA, but would always produce a flyer once it warmed up some. I think it has much to do with the same as the XCR-L in that its only one bolt holding that barrel on. It actually almost reminds me of a tension screw, and could see it causing interesting things to the harmonics of the barrel. Thats just my thoughts though.
-M14
It sort of worked, was pretty heavy once I got optics on it even with a USGI composite stock. It did however meet most of my requirements, sold it though. That is probably why I started building another one using a douglas NM barrel. It again is heavy, in a walnut stock missing front flash hider and a bipod but with NF compact scope I am weighting in at 11.8lbs. I will see how it shoots sometime this week when it gets a little warmer (maybe I found it and didn't need to post
).
).So whats out there boys and girls? Please post pics, weights and specs because I am sure I am not the only one out here longing for something under these specs ( tried a search and came up fairly short in answers though). Am I just asking too much? I do like the looks of the ATRS Modern Hunter, and with the right parts it will fall into the proper weight (even without a carbon barrel) but we are talking more money then I have even paid for a vehicle. Once I start hearing more personal reviews and results I am sure it will make its way into the rifle safe. The only other one that tickles my fancy that I can't find a single decent review on is the Browning Hog Stalker. I know it is a cheaper FN (makes price point then) and weight's about 9lbs dry. I have yet to try it, and only reviews I can find are with cheap ammo and a red dot/bushnell 3-9x $70 scope, or they only tried it to 100m. Has anyone seen these pushed past 100m, I know that 1-12 twist isn't going to like the heavies but should eat up a 168gr no problem. I just don't know
Now I did put this on the precision forum and not black rifle/battle rifle because that is what I am looking for a "precision semi-auto". I don't care how it looks just how it shoots and meets what I am looking for!
Check out this article. 
