Had a nice afternoon shooting some targets at my makeshift range, and doing a bit of quick accuracy testing with some factory loads for those curious how good the Criterion barrels are. Criterion likes to say their chrome lining does not effect accuracy negatively due to how they plate it on, and they have a reputation for being consistent and very good shooters that share features with their more expensive Krieger brothers.
EDITED: my Range Buddy app let me down and the results aren't quite as good as the pics show. The "0.6 MOA" groups are just under 0.8 MOA in reality. The 5 round Hirtenberger group is actually 1.7 MOA.
TLDR is that the gun will shoot sub-MOA with a cheapo Zeiss 4-12x50 Terra and my "average" skill pulling the trigger. It really, really likes Federal GMM Sierra Matchking 168 gr and Sierra Gameking 165 gr. Both of those loads were in the 0.8 MOA range on some 3 round groups. It also shot sub-MOA with Federal Berger Juggernaut 185 gr loads, grouping 1.0 MOA.
I didn't have my shooting table today and realized that shooting from a truck bed isn't ideal... because the deep depressions in the bed can make the Leadsled go all cockeyed and throw your shot as it recoils. Definitely bringing my table next time.
Overall, I am extremely happy with the accuracy, reliability, weight and recoil. Reweighed the gun at 7.1 lb naked today. It shoots smooth and flat with surprisingly low recoil for the caliber and weight of the gun, I like the super short SLR brake to tame recoil without being blasty like some of the other brakes I have. The titanium BCG works well with the adjustable gas block and it just chugs through magazines with zero malfunctions from 147 gr Hirtenberger and 149 gr XM80CL to 185 gr Juggernaut. CMC trigger is A+ for a two stage and had no trouble with the hard primers in some of my ammo.
Weight: 7.1 lbs
Length: 35.9 inches
Cost: ~$2800 with lots of sale items
Parts:
Fulton/Criterion 18.5" Lightweight 1:10 Barrel
Armalite Length Gas
SLR SR30 Brake
SLR 0.75 Adjustable GB
SLR 13.5" Helix 308 Handguard
Fulton NIB-X Bolt
Brownells Titanium 308 BCG
POF Roller Cam Pin
CMC 2 Stage Flat Face Trigger
Magpul MOE+ Grip
Radian Ambi Safety
Norgon Ambi Mag Release
JP SCS Buffer w/ Medium Spring
PWS Mod 2 Buffer Tube
MFT Minimalist
Federal Sierra Matchking 168 Gr
Federal Sierra Gameking 165 Gr
Federal Berger Juggernaut OTM 185 Gr
Hirtenberger 5 round group
Hornady 168 AMAX. This was a bit inconsistent but the best groups were about 1 MOA.
Still have a long way to go, I'll try to do a little more shooting later in the week and get some more results, including some of the hunting loads.
EDITED: my Range Buddy app let me down and the results aren't quite as good as the pics show. The "0.6 MOA" groups are just under 0.8 MOA in reality. The 5 round Hirtenberger group is actually 1.7 MOA.
TLDR is that the gun will shoot sub-MOA with a cheapo Zeiss 4-12x50 Terra and my "average" skill pulling the trigger. It really, really likes Federal GMM Sierra Matchking 168 gr and Sierra Gameking 165 gr. Both of those loads were in the 0.8 MOA range on some 3 round groups. It also shot sub-MOA with Federal Berger Juggernaut 185 gr loads, grouping 1.0 MOA.
I didn't have my shooting table today and realized that shooting from a truck bed isn't ideal... because the deep depressions in the bed can make the Leadsled go all cockeyed and throw your shot as it recoils. Definitely bringing my table next time.
Overall, I am extremely happy with the accuracy, reliability, weight and recoil. Reweighed the gun at 7.1 lb naked today. It shoots smooth and flat with surprisingly low recoil for the caliber and weight of the gun, I like the super short SLR brake to tame recoil without being blasty like some of the other brakes I have. The titanium BCG works well with the adjustable gas block and it just chugs through magazines with zero malfunctions from 147 gr Hirtenberger and 149 gr XM80CL to 185 gr Juggernaut. CMC trigger is A+ for a two stage and had no trouble with the hard primers in some of my ammo.
Weight: 7.1 lbs
Length: 35.9 inches
Cost: ~$2800 with lots of sale items
Parts:
Fulton/Criterion 18.5" Lightweight 1:10 Barrel
Armalite Length Gas
SLR SR30 Brake
SLR 0.75 Adjustable GB
SLR 13.5" Helix 308 Handguard
Fulton NIB-X Bolt
Brownells Titanium 308 BCG
POF Roller Cam Pin
CMC 2 Stage Flat Face Trigger
Magpul MOE+ Grip
Radian Ambi Safety
Norgon Ambi Mag Release
JP SCS Buffer w/ Medium Spring
PWS Mod 2 Buffer Tube
MFT Minimalist
Federal Sierra Matchking 168 Gr
Federal Sierra Gameking 165 Gr
Federal Berger Juggernaut OTM 185 Gr
Hirtenberger 5 round group
Hornady 168 AMAX. This was a bit inconsistent but the best groups were about 1 MOA.
Still have a long way to go, I'll try to do a little more shooting later in the week and get some more results, including some of the hunting loads.
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