MR1 or SL8???

DaveC

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I HAVE to add a non-restricted black gun that takes AR mags to my safe! The urge has gotten too strong to ignore any longer.

I think I have it narrowed down to either the MR1 or the SL8. This won't be used for any competitive shooting, so the unorthodox ergonomics won't be any kind of an issue. It will mostly likely just join my coyote whackin' arms.

I like the Swiss Arms as well, but it's just a little excessive in the $$$ department.

Accuracy is the most important to me.

It almost seems like a toss-up between the two.

Any opinions or advice????
 
SL-8 is a good rifle accurate but too f@&king heavy to be lumping around the back country for any lengthy period of time, where I was hunting and the amount of hiking I did with it, the SL-8 was way to heavy. I did a bit of horse trading with mine for other NR black rifles, including the AR-180b I settled with the XCR, light weight, good ergonomics and never had a problem with function, you can add AR stock/grips conversion kits and its all (with the exception of the conversion kits) a hell of alot cheaper than any aftermarket parts for the the SL-8. Ive wacked many coyote and caribou with my XCR I Love It. Good luck with your quest!
 
Even with the money save, the MR-1 is just a top rifle, i bought 3 in the last 14 month and yet to have a single malfunction or loose screw or bad fitting, they are accurate with hanloads and WWB 45 gr, got many sub half moa group with 2 of then (one still unfired), would not spend twice the price for the same performance... JP.
 
I had an early SL8-4 and while it was a very accurate .223 it only liked heavy bullets due to the tight twist rate (it would shoot 55 grain but really liked 68 grain and heavier). I had to have the lower receiver replaced twice due to the infamous crack in front of the bolt catch (500 rounds the first time then again after 200 rounds). I've heard that they fixed the problem on the newer ones and HK replaced mine free of charge both times but I was still out of a rifle for a few months each time. That was enough for me and I sold it after the last replacement.

I would look at the XCR-L as well if you want a non restricted semi auto. You can also get the 6.8 conversion later and be able to hunt deer with it.

I just sold my AR180-B not to long ago and it was a really good rifle as well. Not as accurate as the HK but still ok and it is non restricted. It was 100% reliable and you can find them used for between $1300 and $1700 on the EE. I only sold mine to fund another rifle purchase and not because I had any issues or problems with the rifle. Just didn't use it enough and needed money for another AR.

I've never had an MR1 but have heard good things.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I would like to try to keep this one under $2K, $1700-$1800 would be better. :)

While I think the Tavors look pretty cool, I haven't heard that name mentioned in the same sentence as accuracy. LOL

For shooting coyotes and gophers, this is a must. :ar15:
 
If you value accuracy neither of these fit the bill!!

MR1 is a 3" gun at best and so is the SL8, Tavor and XCR are even worse!!! A mini-14, sent to a proper gunsmith for accurizing will make you much happier.

Cheers,
 
If you value accuracy neither of these fit the bill!!

MR1 is a 3" gun at best and so is the SL8, Tavor and XCR are even worse!!! A mini-14, sent to a proper gunsmith for accurizing will make you much happier.

Cheers,



Sorry but I think you are competely off base with your opinion.

The SL8-4 I owned was easilly MOA with match grade ammo. The XCR's I've shot are usually around 1.5-2 MOA with decent ammo and the Mini-14 I owned which was an older ranch rifle with 1:7 twist couldn't even keep groups within 6 inches at 100 yards with any ammo I tried. Mine was 100% reliable but I sure wouldn't count on it to shoot a coyote beyond 100 yards. And considering the price of a mini and then the cost of sending it away to make it shoot you may as well just spend the money on something decent from the start. Plus mags are Ruger or Ruger and are not overly hard to find but also not easy if you don't have a well stocked retailer close by.

I have heard the Tavor isn't very accurate but I have not shot one and don't want to say anything bad unless I've experienced it myself.

For blasting coyotes for under $2000 with a .223 I would look at a used XCR or a used AR180-B if you can find one. Both use easy to find AR mags and both can shoot decently when you find the right ammo for the gun.

If you don't mind going with a bolt action both Savage and Remington (among others) make wonderful .223 bolts for around $1000 that will outperform a semi in both accuracy and price.
 
I should add that I already have a very accurate Savage 12FV, a Mini 14 target and an AR. :D

I have an excellent load for 69 gr Sierra match HP that shoots very well in both the Savage and 1-1.5 MOA in the mini.

I find the mini a little unweidly for coyote hunting and it kind of drives me nuts the way the scope turret gets pounded by the brass. It doesn't bug me enough to get rid of it, but enough that I might enjoy using another rifle more. (Really, is there such a thing as too many guns?)

The constant threads and comments about Loctite have me leery of the XCR, besides the budget.
 
I'm not sure how much weight I put in the locktite comments about the XCR. I have 4 friends with them and none of them have ever had a bolt come loose. I think that a little bit of maintenance once in a while checking fasteners comes with the territory. I'm not exactly sure why Rob Arms went that route in the first place but checking tightness once in a while wouldn't turn me off an otherwise good rifle.
They can be found used for around $2000 from time to time on the EE but you better be ready to pounce on it if you see one for that price. I think that them holding their value and still being hard to find in the stores says something about them as well.

Don't listen to everything you hear from the whiners on the internet. You always hear the bad stuff and the ones that have had good luck with them are too busy out shooting to come on here to tell you how good they are.

The XCR is heavy for a .223 sporting "battle rifle" though.
 
I have a acurate min-14 but but has ejecting issue, I hated the stock on it( I'm more a pistole grip guy) so I put the archangel sparta stock and its just awsome!

To start again I might jump on a kel-tec su 16 any toughs?
 
So you think the MR-1 is a 3 inchs groups rifle, just take a look with WWB 45 gr @ 3600 fps fps... JP.
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So you think the MR-1 is a 3 inchs groups rifle, just take a look with WWB 45 gr @ 3600 fps fps... JP.
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I've watched your posts on your MR1 with intrigue. I fondled one at Cabelas today. Did you have to take off your rear sight to get your scope down low?

Is it pretty fussy on ammo preferences?
 
Yes very easy to take off a few tork, for ammo both love the WWB 45 gr and as far for reload one love 77 gr Scenar ( Got a couple of .25 5 shoots groups with those) and the other one really crave the 52 GR Amax, consistent .5 load, with 55 gr both get 1.2 to 2 inch, both shoot very good groups with Hornady 75 gr Match ( .6 -.8 ), the OAL is really the secret to make those rifles shoot... JP.
 
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