Is The SAI Sterling R18 MKII Worth The Extra Cost?
- Thread starter 1ABNDT
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Did some more testing last weekend of April - this time to develop a few loads with the abundance of Ramshot TAC I have on hand that were dialled down in powder as I was popping primers with my existing batch of hand loads. TAC is a fairly fine ball powder that is supposedly good with heavier .224 bullets - so 65gr. and up. The Stainless Steel Armalite barrel appears to be a fairly tight chambered .223; supposition on my part based on the pressure signs I'm seeing with the ammo I'm shooting through it.
IMG_5744 by M J, on Flickr
IMG_5747 by M J, on Flickr
All of the 68 and 69 grain stuff was mediocre producing ~2.5", 10 round groups.
I have a significant amount of 55gr. flat based AMAX on hand so did up some of that to see how it would do:
IMG_5746 by M J, on Flickr
IMG_5745 by M J, on Flickr
The last group with 23.0gr of TAC seems promising, and worth pursuing if i wasn't going to be shooting much further than a couple a hundred meters, but I need to stretch this out to 500m.
Next day I took the remainder of the hand loads varying in charge weight of tac, bullet types (68gr Hornady HPBTs & 69gr. SMKs), and primers (Winchester WSRs and Federal 205ms) down and shot a Service Rifle match in Taber.
The R18 performed well, even if my come-ups and wind calls were messed up and bouncing around
Took it home and did a stripping and cleaning - this with around 600 rounds through it:
IMG_5736 by M J, on Flickr
Not sure if the above is indicative of normal wear, but this is the portion where I believe the bolt cam pin comes into contact with the upper receiver. I'll be keeping an eye on this area.
IMG_5739 by M J, on Flickr
The firing pin shoulder that is up against the firing pin retaining pin is showing some adverse wear, in my mind - I'll keep an eye on this area too.
Lastly, considering the amount of hand loads I have for my other service rigs, I figured it was time to spin on a different barrel - this one a chrome lined 7 twist Colt H-Bar. Only a few more ounces over the other two Sterling and Armalite barrels who were both just shy of 3 lbs each... This one just over 3lbs.
IMG_5741 by M J, on Flickr
IMG_5744 by M J, on FlickrIMG_5747 by M J, on FlickrAll of the 68 and 69 grain stuff was mediocre producing ~2.5", 10 round groups.
I have a significant amount of 55gr. flat based AMAX on hand so did up some of that to see how it would do:
IMG_5746 by M J, on FlickrIMG_5745 by M J, on FlickrThe last group with 23.0gr of TAC seems promising, and worth pursuing if i wasn't going to be shooting much further than a couple a hundred meters, but I need to stretch this out to 500m.
Next day I took the remainder of the hand loads varying in charge weight of tac, bullet types (68gr Hornady HPBTs & 69gr. SMKs), and primers (Winchester WSRs and Federal 205ms) down and shot a Service Rifle match in Taber.
The R18 performed well, even if my come-ups and wind calls were messed up and bouncing around
Took it home and did a stripping and cleaning - this with around 600 rounds through it:
IMG_5736 by M J, on FlickrNot sure if the above is indicative of normal wear, but this is the portion where I believe the bolt cam pin comes into contact with the upper receiver. I'll be keeping an eye on this area.
IMG_5739 by M J, on FlickrThe firing pin shoulder that is up against the firing pin retaining pin is showing some adverse wear, in my mind - I'll keep an eye on this area too.
Lastly, considering the amount of hand loads I have for my other service rigs, I figured it was time to spin on a different barrel - this one a chrome lined 7 twist Colt H-Bar. Only a few more ounces over the other two Sterling and Armalite barrels who were both just shy of 3 lbs each... This one just over 3lbs.
IMG_5741 by M J, on Flickr
DaveMachine
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Had the same thing happen to my firing pin - I got contact info for Mike from Sterling an got a replacement part fairly easy. Really curious to see how that HBAR performs.
Also curious to see how that HBAR performs. Honestly, those 68 and 69gr loads aren't too shabby, just a hair over 1 moa. Shouldn't be any issues pushing that to 500m+. Are you gonna try any 75/77s? I usually jump straight to those for any kinda longer range .223 stuff. The BC bump compared to the 68/69s gives you a decent advantage at distance.
You've got me seriously contemplating one of these, haha.
You've got me seriously contemplating one of these, haha.
Shot on the weekend of May 11, 2023 and put another ~150 rounds through it.
The Colt Hbar was predictably more forgiving of my existing warm hand loads and increased firing schedule / tempo.
As with the other testing, groups are 10 rounds in around a minute.
Of the existing hand loads I tried, the most consistent were the 77smk over 24.0 grains of Varget. The 205m and WSR primers seemed to give similar performance with respect to grouping.
Once I have chewed through my existing SR handloads, I'll probably work up a load specific for this rifle.
100m:
IMG_0157 by M J, on Flickr
100m:
IMG_0156 by M J, on Flickr
Targets 8 & 5 overlay (20 rounds into 2 1/4" @ 100m:
IMG_0158 by M J, on Flickr
300m Prone monopod'ing off a magazine - 10 rounds into 9.5" (2.75 moa) with wind rear quartering full value right to left (Milo) Holding for dope half way middle to right edge of target.
IMG_0160 by M J, on Flickr
The Colt Hbar was predictably more forgiving of my existing warm hand loads and increased firing schedule / tempo.
As with the other testing, groups are 10 rounds in around a minute.
Of the existing hand loads I tried, the most consistent were the 77smk over 24.0 grains of Varget. The 205m and WSR primers seemed to give similar performance with respect to grouping.
Once I have chewed through my existing SR handloads, I'll probably work up a load specific for this rifle.
100m:
IMG_0157 by M J, on Flickr100m:
IMG_0156 by M J, on FlickrTargets 8 & 5 overlay (20 rounds into 2 1/4" @ 100m:
IMG_0158 by M J, on Flickr300m Prone monopod'ing off a magazine - 10 rounds into 9.5" (2.75 moa) with wind rear quartering full value right to left (Milo) Holding for dope half way middle to right edge of target.
IMG_0160 by M J, on Flickr
