Accuracy of the Kel-Tec RFB 18.5"?
- Thread starter Brappp306
- Start date
I was really looking into this too before I decided to get one or not. Apparently the accuracy is from 1.5" with some of the best ammo but on average 2" or less with just about everything. The gun doesn't use a rotating bolt head, instead it is more like an SKS tilting bolt, so the accuracy reports aren't all that amazing even for the longer barrel version of the rifle. Maybe someone else who owns this rifle will chime in but I can say reviews on this rifle and accuracy are hard to find for a reason.
On the plus side that is considered good accuracy for a battle rifle like a FN fal or G3, but there have been many stories of jamming problems.
On the plus side that is considered good accuracy for a battle rifle like a FN fal or G3, but there have been many stories of jamming problems.
I had a gen 2 model and with handloads it would do 1.5-2moa off the bench but was typically doing 3-4moa with factory 150gr FMJ. If you take the time to learn to use the gas system correctly and adjust it when you change ammo it is a reliable rifle that is more than accurate enough for hunting and has a nice gentle recoil impulse.
A lot of guys complain about having to adjust the gas system when switching ammo and I question why would someone be changing ammo so frequently that this becomes a problem and if you insist on doing it then just run it overgassed.
Try to buy one that comes with a few magazines, they keep going up in price.
Don't waste your money on the long barrel version, you lose how nice the rifle is to maneuver due to it's compact size and I contacted KelTec directly and found out the long barrel is nothing special, just the same blank finished to a longer length, you'll only gain a small muzzle velocity increase with no more accuracy.
A lot of guys complain about having to adjust the gas system when switching ammo and I question why would someone be changing ammo so frequently that this becomes a problem and if you insist on doing it then just run it overgassed.
Try to buy one that comes with a few magazines, they keep going up in price.
Don't waste your money on the long barrel version, you lose how nice the rifle is to maneuver due to it's compact size and I contacted KelTec directly and found out the long barrel is nothing special, just the same blank finished to a longer length, you'll only gain a small muzzle velocity increase with no more accuracy.
I got 1moa with premium factory ammo, but after 3 rounds opened up to about 1.5
If you look back to when these first came out there is a thread on here where someone did extensive testing with the same result
You need to remember that in the factory built semi auto world money does not buy accuracy, that only really applies to bolt action rifles. 2-3moa is very good for a semi auto. What semi auto rifles out there can you name that honestly do better than 2-3moa consistently other than higher end AR's and some ACR's with custom barrels? I know that some claim their XCR or whatever rifle can shoot 1moa but I have not seen very many prove it with a legitimate target that doesn't have random flyers on it.
You are paying for design, materials, coatings, demand, and of course the Canadian non restricted tax that is added to every NR semi auto that is available to us.
For hunting I just stick to bolt actions now. I've had many semi's that I hunted with and it always comes back to a few factors that keep making me want a bolt action again for hunting. Semi's are heavier, less accurate, and more expensive. They also draw more attention from conservation and RCMP which is a pain in the behind I'd rather just avoid. If you value accuracy then keep the semi auto rifles for fun and varminting and use a quality manual action for hunting big game. If you place your shot correctly, which means shooting at reasonable distances for the caliber you're using and within your shooting abilities you don't need fast follow up shots for big game.
Good luck
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you are better with a bolt gun , semi are all around 2 moa depend on ammo.
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some exceptions with a very good quality of ammo. but no rifle you list is desirable for me.
Fireball and I did that testing when the RFB first came out. 168 SMK loads were 1.5 moa for 5 rounds. Sub moa with 3 rounds. A whole bunch of ammo tests back on that thread. That was a long time ago now. On a side note, I traded my RFB before getting to test it out, but non brass ammo apparently could bring the groups down. Some guys had some very good results with 145 MFS and 180 Winchester silver tips. Both are non brass cased. The belief is that the expansion was more uniform and started the bullet straighter as the bolt wasn't a locking rotating bolt and was a tilting block, this seemed to make up for that. Again I didn't get a chance to try it out. As much as I liked my RFB, a high end rifle came up and the RFB ended up on the chopping block.
Correct, not inherently inaccurate but if accuracy and price are both factors in a decision to purchase then there really isn't a semi auto made that can compete with a bolt action.
I love my semi auto rifles but when it comes to hunting I take my more reliable, lighter, more accurate and cheaper bolt action.
If I was the OP and really wanted a semi auto for hunting medium (deer) sized game on a budget I would go with a 308 and I would buy an M305. If I could afford a rifle in the $2k range it would be a Famme, RFB, FNAR, or XCR-M (in no particular order), and if there was no budget restrictions then a Modern Hunter would probably be top of the list.
Problem is that other than the Norinco all of the rifles listed are not going to be as accurate as a Remington 700 and a guy can buy a bolt action rifle and a decent optic for the cost of a non restricted semi auto alone then still need glass for it.
The decision really comes down to budget, there are NR semi auto rifles out there that would make a fine hunting rifle but it won't be cheap to get something decent then you have to lug around an extra 3 pounds of rifle and hope that the day you need that second shot on an animal that it isn't also the day your semi decides it isn't going to cycle because of the dirt or whatever that got into the action while carrying it around in the bush.
