Just picked up an SL8
- Thread starter ArmedGinger
- Start date
I had one years ago for Service Rifle shooting. It was tricked out with the Hera kit as I recall which converted it to AR mags and and pistol grip and AR stock set.
I ditched the Hendshoult 3x sight almost immediately as it is very dated and not compatible with the quality of the remainder of the rifle. The rifle could benefit fro a LPVO in the range of 1 or 2.5 to 10 power.
As I recall (and I could be mistaken), but the heavy barrel was in the 1:9 twist range and could shoot 77smk well out to 300-400m but would barf on them at the 500m mound.
It was OK, but didn't keep up with my Colt HB AR, so I sold it on.
Now with everything else banned, it is a real contender. It's only competitor is the B+T APC and maybe an ACR. Remainder of Canadian made AR-180b clones need not apply - unless maybe you factor in a barrel change.
I'd start with a steady diet of 69smk with 23-24 grains of TAC, Varget or other decent powder and light them off with 205m primers.
Picked up this one recently from the EE. I’ve always liked the look of the ACR stock and G36 optic on the SL8, although the eye relief of the optic is very short.
That is identical to what I had, only with an G36K (shorter) front end. It was an excellent untility/sporting rifle.
I'd bet it'll ring the gong.....
Interesting - It has been my experience with the APC that it is as capable as the likes of the PE90 and SL8 across a course of fire from 100 - 500m.
Not as good as a tuned AR, but head and shoulders above a rack grade rifle by a decent margin.
Have you handloaded for it? If not, most likely worth the effort.
r34skyline
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Odds are yes, but do try some of the factory offerings to see which projectile yours would like. Mine really loves the 69-77gr stuff, the swiss match, the 77gr smk are particular standouts for my gun, the fast rifling does point to it liking the heavier stuff.
Here’s an old thread a buddy of mine posted on modifying a pistol grip from the thumb hole on the SL8. It’s worth the read.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/683332-How-I-un-thumb-holed-my-SL8-stock
It did make the SL8 a lot handier.
One of the issues I had with the SL8 was the cost of changing it up. Essentially you were getting a quasi ACR, or PE-90 at the end of the day for the same or more cost. The PE-90 target model with 62 grain ammo kept up with the SL8 accuracy wise but didn’t require any changes. Of course the current politics and what is available today is a different story.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/683332-How-I-un-thumb-holed-my-SL8-stock
It did make the SL8 a lot handier.
One of the issues I had with the SL8 was the cost of changing it up. Essentially you were getting a quasi ACR, or PE-90 at the end of the day for the same or more cost. The PE-90 target model with 62 grain ammo kept up with the SL8 accuracy wise but didn’t require any changes. Of course the current politics and what is available today is a different story.
Been disliking the ACR more and more these days due to the weight. I think its mostly due to the DMR barrel.
Would a SL8 thats been converted to a G36 style be noticeably lighter than an ACR?
Does the SL8 run AR mags by just changing the magwell? Or does the bolt need changing too?
Would a SL8 thats been converted to a G36 style be noticeably lighter than an ACR?
Does the SL8 run AR mags by just changing the magwell? Or does the bolt need changing too?
You can read the stickies above. Several magwells are available, some good, some not so. No change on the SL8-4 and 5 other than removing the tabs inside of the receiver. Also shown in sticky above.
r34skyline
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you dislike the ACR DMR for the nose heavy nature you will also hate the SL8. If anything it’s exaggerated by the light polymer receiver.
Now, that is some talent! I know how mine would turn out if I were to tackle a project like that!
fritzhanzel
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I don't think it is as nose heavy as some people are claiming. Remember, it has a bull barrel. The nose heaviness will be reduced, depending on what glass and mount you put on.
Funny, most people focus on accuracy first, then one shoots accurate, then people say "it is nose heavy".
If life would be perfect, sigh.
The SL8 is definitely nose heavy with the varmint / bull barrel. Putting heavy glass (I ran a Nightforce 2.5x10 NXS) doesn't really resolve the balance. It does somewhat, but the best bet is either a barrel swap or turning down the barrel or weights in the butt stock.
If the rifle does not perform well with any quality factory ammo, reloading isn't even a consideration.
The regular versions of the pe90 were never as accurate as the sl8 and I had every version from cqb to sniper. Only the sniper version was comparable, actually better than the factory sl8.
That doesn't align with my experience with the two at all.
I looked for a better mousetrap for service rifle shooting while I was doing it, and that entailed wringing out every autoloader available at that time.
The PE90 (regular 20" Barrel) was second only to a tricked out AR15, and if there were stoppages induced thanks to crappy STANAG mags or other typical AR failings, the PE90 could win on any given day.
It's biggest Achilles heal was that any real pressure applied to the hand guards (and barrel) would affect POI, so the shooter had to be cognizant of that.
It came with a guarantee of 10 rounds into 10cm x 10cm square at 300m and could easily deliver that.
The SL8 is very capable and able to keep up, but I think its a very big stretch to say the inverse is true.
I looked for a better mousetrap for service rifle shooting while I was doing it, and that entailed wringing out every autoloader available at that time.
The PE90 (regular 20" Barrel) was second only to a tricked out AR15, and if there were stoppages induced thanks to crappy STANAG mags or other typical AR failings, the PE90 could win on any given day.
It's biggest Achilles heal was that any real pressure applied to the hand guards (and barrel) would affect POI, so the shooter had to be cognizant of that.
It came with a guarantee of 10 rounds into 10cm x 10cm square at 300m and could easily deliver that.
The SL8 is very capable and able to keep up, but I think its a very big stretch to say the inverse is true.
fritzhanzel
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The SIG 550 is on the boo boo list, so no sense arguing about it.
Here is what you have to do: Remove the top rail, put a Herra 2 piece rail on it, then a basic primary arms mount and mount your scope or LPVO on it, yes it holds zero, check out opticsplanet and the reviews from many AR owners, then a bottom rail and a thumb grip at the front lower. Compare it to a one of the legal options we have, like a Templar or a Siberian. I handled all 3 and there are all somewhat front heavy due to the long thing sticking out at the front, lol.
Accuracy: 1. SL8 2. Siberian 3. Templar
Here is what you have to do: Remove the top rail, put a Herra 2 piece rail on it, then a basic primary arms mount and mount your scope or LPVO on it, yes it holds zero, check out opticsplanet and the reviews from many AR owners, then a bottom rail and a thumb grip at the front lower. Compare it to a one of the legal options we have, like a Templar or a Siberian. I handled all 3 and there are all somewhat front heavy due to the long thing sticking out at the front, lol.
Accuracy: 1. SL8 2. Siberian 3. Templar
