DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
Can confirm it like FGMM 69GR
Sterling Arms International R18 Mk2 - Redux!
- Thread starter Bartok5
- Start date
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
I've got a service rifle match coming up this weekend and I plan to run some 62gr Barnaul. Obviously not expecting great accuracy, I'm more curious to see how bad it is and to see what reliability is like.
Balance with the steel Midwest Industries Folding Stock "Knuckle" mounted on my rifle puts the point of balance right in front of the Magazine Well, exactly where it ought to be. Not all of those additional Barrel lbs are located at the extreme end of the rifle.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
I found the balance wasn't an issue. I shot a number of snaps and it was easy to shoulder.
I've had a few black rifles, including a couple 180 variants. The handful that had heavy barrels tended to be noticeably muzzle heavy and poor handling so I thought the question needed to be asked.
Good to hear that the balance is still there, will hopefully find to check one out in person at TSE later this week. Cheers gents!
So, I acquired additional 5.56/.223 ammo in order to shoot some 10-round groups with the R18 Mk2 Production Rifle with heavy Barrel profile. Here are the results at 100m with PMC XTAC 62gr "Green Tip" FMJ ammo. There are 3 declared fliers, which are circled on the target. Excluding the flier, the Left (1st) group measures 72mm / 2 7/8 MOA. Including the flier, the first group measures 85mm / 3 3/8 MOA. Excluding the fliers, the Right Group measures 2 5/8 MOA and with the fliers it spans 17mm / 4.5 MOA.
Here are the results at 100m using Federal 69gr Gold Medal Match ammo. The Left (1st) group was a "transitional" group where the Barrel was being re-seasoned for the Match ammo. I find that full seasoning often requires at least 20 rounds to attain consistent results with a new ammo. In this case, the transitional group measured 55mm / 2.50 MOA without the declared flier, and 87mm / 3 3/8 MOA including the flier. The last "seasoned" group with match ammo produced a 43mm / 1 5/8 MOA 10-round group. Pretty much identical to the 1-1.50 MOA 5-round groups that Ieported earlier with 69gr Match ammo.
Here are the results at 100m using Federal 69gr Gold Medal Match ammo. The Left (1st) group was a "transitional" group where the Barrel was being re-seasoned for the Match ammo. I find that full seasoning often requires at least 20 rounds to attain consistent results with a new ammo. In this case, the transitional group measured 55mm / 2.50 MOA without the declared flier, and 87mm / 3 3/8 MOA including the flier. The last "seasoned" group with match ammo produced a 43mm / 1 5/8 MOA 10-round group. Pretty much identical to the 1-1.50 MOA 5-round groups that Ieported earlier with 69gr Match ammo.
The Affordable Optics and Rifle Review YouTube channel posted a review of the R18 MK2, with one ammo type indeed doing a sub-MOA group. Also reiterated the default gentle gassing does not eat Barnaul; throw the gas setting in 4x4 to get err done, rear wheel drive/normal gas on good pavement/ammo. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2304897-Sterling-R18MK2-Review-from-Affordable-Optics-and-Rifle-Review-on-YouTube?p=19093424#post19093424
I don't think the numbers out are super high yet, but people who have a rifle that works fine (which hopefully the R18's design improvements are ensuring) are less likely to post about it, plus people are less likely to publicize which specific NR firearms were purchased under their last purchase authorization, so it's hard to say.
I've heard them say in a couple interviews that there's around 500 in the wild. Not bad considering the limited distribution. I'm interested in getting one. Waiting on the Famae first though. If push comes to shove pre sept 20 I may purchase one just to be safe.
I get that success can breed silence but people also like to show off their new shiny things too and it's just silence.
If this gat is a good un and is locally made I'd hope the numbers would at least match the comparatively priced X-95
If this gat is a good un and is locally made I'd hope the numbers would at least match the comparatively priced X-95
What is the number for Tavors in the wild? 500 R18 Mk2s in the wild (thus far, just getting started) versus __ X95s???
I can personally attest that weight aside, the R18 is one of the best NR, conventionally-configured Modern Sporting Rifles currently available in Canada. As far as Canadian manufactured rifles are concerned the R18 is clearly the superior choice.
In my estimation, the reason that you aren't hearing from new R18 owners is that they prefer to remain anonymous. That way, when the government of today inevitably bans the R18 they won't be able to find and seize what they don't know exists (and with who). When it comes to disclosing ownership of NR, self-loading, centrefire long-guns with detachable magazines? Discretion is the better part of valour and "mum's" the smart word.....
