BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I was in a gunstore yesterday and for the first time saw a MLR. I gave it a look over to see what it was like.
First thing that caught my eye was the detachable mag. To be blunt it looks terrible. Cheap looking with visible (and poor looking) weld lines. It did fit in it's mag well nicely and did not rattle. Then I cry upon the mag release. I found it hard to operate. It did positively hold the mag though. Still, I would look to replace it myself.
The barrel is a stubby 26" with an integral brake that effectively neuters the last inch and a quarter of the barrel. I think that we discussed the barrel length question to death with knowledgeable Lapua and L.Imp shooters concurring that a longer barrel, most likely on the order of 29" gives you better velocities. Given that the intended use of the 338 Lapua is LR target and hunting, not slipping through the alders, a longer tube should be offered by the factory. 26" is great for a 300 Win, but a fool's errand with a case that burns over 100 grains of slow powder.
I also did not like the palm swell on the stock. I realize that this is entirely subjective, but it's my review, right? Regardless, I found the swell uncomfortably large and found that it protruded too much for my hand. Maybe that would change with some time spent shooting it.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing is the bolt, particularly the amount of material they had to remove to shoehorn the Lapua into their action. I'd like too see more metal surrounding the case head not because of pressure fears but because I think there is a risk of damaging that thin lip during feeding should a case jam with the case head not seated against the bolt face. More material would make the rig feel more robust and less flimsy.
Now I can't for the life of me remember the price. Maybe I'll swing by the shop again this afternoon and update this thread.
Given all the givens, I'd opt to go full custom if I was in for a Lapua. For the intended purpose the extra money spent on custom would be well worth it.
First thing that caught my eye was the detachable mag. To be blunt it looks terrible. Cheap looking with visible (and poor looking) weld lines. It did fit in it's mag well nicely and did not rattle. Then I cry upon the mag release. I found it hard to operate. It did positively hold the mag though. Still, I would look to replace it myself.
The barrel is a stubby 26" with an integral brake that effectively neuters the last inch and a quarter of the barrel. I think that we discussed the barrel length question to death with knowledgeable Lapua and L.Imp shooters concurring that a longer barrel, most likely on the order of 29" gives you better velocities. Given that the intended use of the 338 Lapua is LR target and hunting, not slipping through the alders, a longer tube should be offered by the factory. 26" is great for a 300 Win, but a fool's errand with a case that burns over 100 grains of slow powder.
I also did not like the palm swell on the stock. I realize that this is entirely subjective, but it's my review, right? Regardless, I found the swell uncomfortably large and found that it protruded too much for my hand. Maybe that would change with some time spent shooting it.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing is the bolt, particularly the amount of material they had to remove to shoehorn the Lapua into their action. I'd like too see more metal surrounding the case head not because of pressure fears but because I think there is a risk of damaging that thin lip during feeding should a case jam with the case head not seated against the bolt face. More material would make the rig feel more robust and less flimsy.
Now I can't for the life of me remember the price. Maybe I'll swing by the shop again this afternoon and update this thread.
Given all the givens, I'd opt to go full custom if I was in for a Lapua. For the intended purpose the extra money spent on custom would be well worth it.
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