Since my AR is in AR Jail, never again to see the range again it seems, and I had a crap loade of nice, new Tula .223 55 gr JHPBT ammo that worked darn nice in the AR and shot well too, and no one seemed to want to pay a reasonable price for the ammo, I figured I might as well shoot it out of something.
I worked a trade deal on one that the seller believed was never fired (he got it in a bundle purchase). I believe he was right, because I pulling an oiled patch through it, it came out a clean, oiled patch, not a trace of anything on it. The rest of the rifle was perfectly clean, and not a mark on it anywhere, including the Weaver Rail.
I put a cheap Tasco 3 x 9 .22 scope on it for now, and headed for the range. It did not take long to get it on paper.
What I did notice from the very first shot is that it has a stupid heavy trigger, virtually no take-up, very clean break, but just heavy.
I can usually get groups of 1-2" from a bench rest, which I figure with cheap ammo, cheap scope, and heavy trigger is likely not too bad.
One thing I did notice is that when the barrel heats up, the rifle does not eject, I am hoping that it is the steel cases, and that when I get through with the Russian stuff this issue will disappear. This only happens when it is hot, after firing 10 or 12 rounds, or after sitting in the sun for an hour, it will do it on the first shot. A light bump with the cleaning rod easily dislodges the casing. Maybe a stiffer ehector spring? Anyone else experiencing this?
The other thing is that the bull barrel is stupid heavy, but I think that is compensating a bit for the heavy trigger.
Overall, despite the ugly birch stock, I am pretty happy with it.
Anyone else have any experiences with these rifles in .223?
Thanks,
Mark
I worked a trade deal on one that the seller believed was never fired (he got it in a bundle purchase). I believe he was right, because I pulling an oiled patch through it, it came out a clean, oiled patch, not a trace of anything on it. The rest of the rifle was perfectly clean, and not a mark on it anywhere, including the Weaver Rail.
I put a cheap Tasco 3 x 9 .22 scope on it for now, and headed for the range. It did not take long to get it on paper.
What I did notice from the very first shot is that it has a stupid heavy trigger, virtually no take-up, very clean break, but just heavy.
I can usually get groups of 1-2" from a bench rest, which I figure with cheap ammo, cheap scope, and heavy trigger is likely not too bad.
One thing I did notice is that when the barrel heats up, the rifle does not eject, I am hoping that it is the steel cases, and that when I get through with the Russian stuff this issue will disappear. This only happens when it is hot, after firing 10 or 12 rounds, or after sitting in the sun for an hour, it will do it on the first shot. A light bump with the cleaning rod easily dislodges the casing. Maybe a stiffer ehector spring? Anyone else experiencing this?
The other thing is that the bull barrel is stupid heavy, but I think that is compensating a bit for the heavy trigger.
Overall, despite the ugly birch stock, I am pretty happy with it.
Anyone else have any experiences with these rifles in .223?
Thanks,
Mark
