Many thanks to Tundra Supply for the use of this Lockhart Raven for some precision testing!
(Update! I just ordered the Lockhart "AR to Raven Builder Kit" !
I can't wait to mount a medium weight barrel, and a mid grade trigger set and further test precision.)
I am measuring precision only; the ability of the rifle to group, or repetitively place rounds as close to the same place as possible. For a broader evaluation of the rifle,
see this excellent thread by Bartok 5.
Summary / TLDR;
The Raven is a reliable and functionally precise general purpose carbine.
The lightweight barrel optimizes the Raven for portability and speed of target acquisition. A medium profile barrel and an improved trigger would enhance precision.
It cycles flawlessly even with poor quality ammo and with match and standard ball ammunition it is capable of hitting IPSC sized targets out to 500m.
The rifle;
The Raven comes with an acceptable 2 stage trigger, a moderately crisp break, with limited backlash. Experience tells me that precision would be best evaluated with an enhanced trigger, so it was replaced with a decent, mid-quality trigger set.
A buttstock that provided a better cheekweld was fitted.
The barrel is rather thin, only slightly larger than what would be described as a “pencil barrel”. No muzzle device was provided and the crown appears cleanly cut.
To reduce variables, testing was done with a quality flash suppressor and bipod and a proven scope with a history of high precision and accuracy on another precision rifle.
Scope; Leupold Mk5 HD 3.6-18 x 44 with a Tremor 3 reticle with a Silencerco Radius laser range finder.
Flash suppressor; Infinite Products Solutions 3 prong.
Bipod; Atlas BT10.
Trigger; Bravo Company PNT Trigger Assembly.
Stock; Magpul CTR
Magazines; Magpul 5/30, assorted metal 10 rd pistol mags.
Testing Method;
Two range sessions were conducted. The second was a reasonably close repetition of the first.
On the first day, 40 rounds of the cheapest communist produced 55 grain ammo and 5 rounds of 55 grain mystery soft point was fired to familiarize myself and test reliability. 45 rounds of three different types of ammunition were fired for testing.
Nine 5 shot groups, 3 groups each of 62 grain M855, 52 grain Match and 62 grain Match were fired at a slow rate from the prone position with a firm rear bag and a bipod at 1 cm squares at exactly 100 meters.
Temperature was -2c and visibility was clear and overcast. Position was broken between each 5 round group, and part way through the first M855 group.
The rifle was allowed to cool at least 30 minutes between strings of each ammo type.
On the second session, 55 rounds of three different types of ammunition were shot for testing.
Eleven 5 shot groups were shot, 3 of 62 grain M855, 4 of 52 grain Match, and 4 of 62 grain Match, at a slow rate, from the prone position with a firm rear bag and a bipod at 1 cm squares at exactly 104 meters.
Temperature was +2c and visibility was clear and sunny. Position was broken between each 5 round group. Each string was fired in approximately 3 minutes.
The rifle was allowed to cool at least 30 minutes between each string. However, on the last string, 52 grain Match, the final two groups were each fired after allowing the barrel approximately 1 hour to return to ambient (+2c) temperature.
Results;
Data;
Reliability : 0 failures of any kind in 150 rounds of 5 types of commercial ammunition from 52 to 62 grains.
Average of all 5 round groups, as measured by individual group.
62 gr M855 : 2 moa / 0.6 mil 0.4 moa Standard Deviation (SD)
62 gr Match : 1.9 moa / 0.6 mil 0.5 moa SD
52 gr Match : 1.8 moa / 0.5 mil 0.5 moa SD
Cumulative group sizes (all rounds of each type superimposed onto one group.)
62 gr M855 : 2.3 moa / 0.7 mil
62 gr Match : 3.3 moa / 1 mil
52 gr Match : 3.3 moa / 1 mil
Average of 2 groups when barrel allowed to cool to ambient temperature.
52 grain Match : 1.1 moa / .3 mil
Discussion
The sample rifle as provided is designed to be a light weight and agile carbine. It is well balanced and handles deceptively lightly despite an 18.6” barrel.
The thin barrel is part of this design but limits its precision. Only a few rounds can be precisely fired before the accumulated heat causes increased dispersion and larger groups sizes. The final 2 groups fired, both 52 grain Match, measured 1 and 1.2 moa and were done so from a cold barrel.
It is expected that a medium profile barrel would enhance precision while maintaining an acceptable weight and balance.
Conclusions
Conclusions
This Raven is a reliable, functionally precise general purpose sporting rifle.
It cycles flawlessly even with poor quality ammo, positively ejecting brass to the 3 to 4 o’clock at 2 to 3 meters.
With 62 grain standard ball and match ammunition it is capable of high probability hits on IPSC sized targets out to 500m.
(Credit; Applied Ballistics Analytics)
Limitations of testing;
Small sample size. Only 6 or 7 groups were fired of each type of ammunition which is insufficient both for individual types of ammo and to discern differences between each type. All groups were fired by the same shooter, and from the same prone position. Also, a wider variety of commonly available commercial ammunition would better predict real world results.
Modifications to rifle; Modifications made to the rifle for testing are acceptable variables as few shooters will ever leave their rifles in an as-purchased state. Specifically, the trigger, which had the greatest impact on precision, was mid-grade, and not an overly expensive drop-in trigger pack.
Comments;
As a fun range shooter or practical general utility firearm the Raven is head and shoulders above the other Canadian made options, without the extreme costs of higher quality foreign rifles.
Anyone who says competitive Service Rifle is dead in Canada needs to grab a Lockhart Raven, it is more than capable of producing top scores with the right mindset and skills.
I am excited to further test the Lockhart "AR to Raven Builder Kit" I just ordered, which I will fit with a medium weight barrel and a mid grade trigger.
I love that Lockhart has made this option possible!
I also can't wait for the .308 based version, especially in 6.5 Creedmore.
I thank Lockhart Tactical and Tundra Supply for bringing this innovative system to Canadian shooters!
(Update! I just ordered the Lockhart "AR to Raven Builder Kit" !
I can't wait to mount a medium weight barrel, and a mid grade trigger set and further test precision.)
I am measuring precision only; the ability of the rifle to group, or repetitively place rounds as close to the same place as possible. For a broader evaluation of the rifle,
see this excellent thread by Bartok 5.
Summary / TLDR;
The Raven is a reliable and functionally precise general purpose carbine.
The lightweight barrel optimizes the Raven for portability and speed of target acquisition. A medium profile barrel and an improved trigger would enhance precision.
It cycles flawlessly even with poor quality ammo and with match and standard ball ammunition it is capable of hitting IPSC sized targets out to 500m.
The rifle;
The Raven comes with an acceptable 2 stage trigger, a moderately crisp break, with limited backlash. Experience tells me that precision would be best evaluated with an enhanced trigger, so it was replaced with a decent, mid-quality trigger set.
A buttstock that provided a better cheekweld was fitted.
The barrel is rather thin, only slightly larger than what would be described as a “pencil barrel”. No muzzle device was provided and the crown appears cleanly cut.
To reduce variables, testing was done with a quality flash suppressor and bipod and a proven scope with a history of high precision and accuracy on another precision rifle.
Scope; Leupold Mk5 HD 3.6-18 x 44 with a Tremor 3 reticle with a Silencerco Radius laser range finder.
Flash suppressor; Infinite Products Solutions 3 prong.
Bipod; Atlas BT10.
Trigger; Bravo Company PNT Trigger Assembly.
Stock; Magpul CTR
Magazines; Magpul 5/30, assorted metal 10 rd pistol mags.
Testing Method;
Two range sessions were conducted. The second was a reasonably close repetition of the first.
On the first day, 40 rounds of the cheapest communist produced 55 grain ammo and 5 rounds of 55 grain mystery soft point was fired to familiarize myself and test reliability. 45 rounds of three different types of ammunition were fired for testing.
Nine 5 shot groups, 3 groups each of 62 grain M855, 52 grain Match and 62 grain Match were fired at a slow rate from the prone position with a firm rear bag and a bipod at 1 cm squares at exactly 100 meters.
Temperature was -2c and visibility was clear and overcast. Position was broken between each 5 round group, and part way through the first M855 group.
The rifle was allowed to cool at least 30 minutes between strings of each ammo type.
On the second session, 55 rounds of three different types of ammunition were shot for testing.
Eleven 5 shot groups were shot, 3 of 62 grain M855, 4 of 52 grain Match, and 4 of 62 grain Match, at a slow rate, from the prone position with a firm rear bag and a bipod at 1 cm squares at exactly 104 meters.
Temperature was +2c and visibility was clear and sunny. Position was broken between each 5 round group. Each string was fired in approximately 3 minutes.
The rifle was allowed to cool at least 30 minutes between each string. However, on the last string, 52 grain Match, the final two groups were each fired after allowing the barrel approximately 1 hour to return to ambient (+2c) temperature.
Results;
Data;
Reliability : 0 failures of any kind in 150 rounds of 5 types of commercial ammunition from 52 to 62 grains.
Average of all 5 round groups, as measured by individual group.
62 gr M855 : 2 moa / 0.6 mil 0.4 moa Standard Deviation (SD)
62 gr Match : 1.9 moa / 0.6 mil 0.5 moa SD
52 gr Match : 1.8 moa / 0.5 mil 0.5 moa SD
Cumulative group sizes (all rounds of each type superimposed onto one group.)
62 gr M855 : 2.3 moa / 0.7 mil
62 gr Match : 3.3 moa / 1 mil
52 gr Match : 3.3 moa / 1 mil
Average of 2 groups when barrel allowed to cool to ambient temperature.
52 grain Match : 1.1 moa / .3 mil
Discussion
The sample rifle as provided is designed to be a light weight and agile carbine. It is well balanced and handles deceptively lightly despite an 18.6” barrel.
The thin barrel is part of this design but limits its precision. Only a few rounds can be precisely fired before the accumulated heat causes increased dispersion and larger groups sizes. The final 2 groups fired, both 52 grain Match, measured 1 and 1.2 moa and were done so from a cold barrel.
It is expected that a medium profile barrel would enhance precision while maintaining an acceptable weight and balance.
Conclusions
Conclusions
This Raven is a reliable, functionally precise general purpose sporting rifle.
It cycles flawlessly even with poor quality ammo, positively ejecting brass to the 3 to 4 o’clock at 2 to 3 meters.
With 62 grain standard ball and match ammunition it is capable of high probability hits on IPSC sized targets out to 500m.
(Credit; Applied Ballistics Analytics)
Limitations of testing;
Small sample size. Only 6 or 7 groups were fired of each type of ammunition which is insufficient both for individual types of ammo and to discern differences between each type. All groups were fired by the same shooter, and from the same prone position. Also, a wider variety of commonly available commercial ammunition would better predict real world results.
Modifications to rifle; Modifications made to the rifle for testing are acceptable variables as few shooters will ever leave their rifles in an as-purchased state. Specifically, the trigger, which had the greatest impact on precision, was mid-grade, and not an overly expensive drop-in trigger pack.
Comments;
As a fun range shooter or practical general utility firearm the Raven is head and shoulders above the other Canadian made options, without the extreme costs of higher quality foreign rifles.
Anyone who says competitive Service Rifle is dead in Canada needs to grab a Lockhart Raven, it is more than capable of producing top scores with the right mindset and skills.
I am excited to further test the Lockhart "AR to Raven Builder Kit" I just ordered, which I will fit with a medium weight barrel and a mid grade trigger.
I love that Lockhart has made this option possible!
I also can't wait for the .308 based version, especially in 6.5 Creedmore.
I thank Lockhart Tactical and Tundra Supply for bringing this innovative system to Canadian shooters!
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