New NR R18MK2 from Sterling

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Bman12456 said:
Im fully open to being proved wrong and without an actual MSRP there is no way to know. Im simply making the assumption based entirely on past experiences with EU made rifles.

No way to know whether the improvements will be worth the additional cost or if they will be improved at all.

Time will tell and Im still going to keep tabs in this rifle. But I'm skeptical.
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Fair enough. However, this rifle project was also never conceived to be simply an 'improved WK/WS". The price will reflect the significant additional costs to build this rifle.

If SAI simply wanted to make an improved lower and put to the CDN market, it could have been out 6-8 months ago. However, from the outset this was proposed as a complete rifle project.

JR
 
TSE JR said:
Fair enough. However, this rifle project was also never conceived to be simply an 'improved WK/WS". The price will reflect the significant additional costs to build this rifle.

If SAI simply wanted to make an improved lower and put to the CDN market, it could have been out 6-8 months ago. However, from the outset this was proposed as a complete rifle project.

JR
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Sounds good mang! Im looking forward to seeing more and hearing reviews. Nothing against anyone involved in design or production. I get increased cost because of the additional design and machining time, just not yet sure if the additional cost will be worth it to the consumer. Hope it is, I may even buy one.
 
Bartok5 said:
Not sure what your dislike of "EU Rifles" stems from, nor do I much care. In the case of the R18 Mk2 only the Upper and Lower Receiver are manufactured by Sterling in England. The remainder of the rifle is sourced from Canadian and US-manufacured parts such as the SAI custom-fluted, CrMV, 1:8 rifled, air-gauged, pencil-weight barrels. It is not an "EU Rifle", but rather a hybrid built from the best parts that the designer could source both domestically and internationally.
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I have nothing against "EU Rifles". Just that in my experience they often cost more than the final product is worth in comparison to non EU options. This is obviously due to increased production and import fees, and EU made products are more often than not superb quality. Often there are better or on par options that cost less due to not being made in the EU.

Looking forward to reading your review regardless of my initial impressions.
 
Bman12456 said:
I have nothing against "EU Rifles". Just that in my experience they often cost more than the final product is worth in comparison to non EU options. This is obviously due to increased production and import fees, and EU made products are more often than not superb quality. Often there are better or on par options that cost less due to not being made in the EU.

Looking forward to reading your review regardless of my initial impressions.
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I also agree, which is why SAI contracts to get as much done in Canada as possible. Shipping is probably the biggest additional cost of importing rifles to add to the cost.
 
Bman12456 said:
I had a sub 300 serial SAI TSR so I know they make a good product. Im looking forward to hearing more
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Fair enough. I probaby come across as an "apologist" for TSE and SAI, although that is certainly not my desire. I fully intend to provide a non-biaised review of the WS18 Mk2, "warts" (if any) and all. I simply hate to see perceptions coloured against a new offering before it even exists on the market. Whatever happened to letting a product stand or fall on its own merits? From what I know of the R18 Mk2 and based on my former ownership of a Sterling .308 riflle, I expect these to be a high-quality, reliable and accurate firearm. We shall see....
 
Bartok5 said:
Fair enough. I probaby come across as an "apologist" for TSE and SAI, although that is certainly not my desire. I fully intend to provide a non-biaised review of the WS18 Mk2, "warts" (if any) and all. I simply hate to see perceptions coloured against a new offering before it even exists on the market. Whatever happened to letting a product stand or fall on its own merits? From what I know of the R18 Mk2 and based on my former ownership of a Sterling .308 riflle, I expect these to be a high-quality, reliable and accurate firearm. We shall see....
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What make and twist barrel?
What ammo are you using to test for accuracy?
Any chance you could try Nosler 55g Balistic tips and Hornady Superformance 53 g ?
 
Here’s hoping for a worthy product. I’ve watched the NoDak/Spud with great disappointment. The Spectre lower then great disappointment on the upper. Then the Jard…
I’m all for a quality product, nothing comes cheap.
 
I too expect they will be quality. If theyre released this year I may end up buying one as Im in the market for a new MSR. Here's to hoping it lives up the SAIs other quality rifles!
 
45C said:
What make and twist barrel?
What ammo are you using to test for accuracy?
Any chance you could try Nosler 55g Balistic tips and Hornady Superformance 53 g ?
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Full Barrel details will be forthcoming in a week, however for now suffice it to say that they are Sterling Barrels, with a 1:8 twist. Button-rifled, air-gauged, stress-relieved, etc. Longitudinally fluted from the Gas Block to the Muzzle Brake for enhanced rigidity and quicker cooling. I will divulge the additional "secret sauce" that Mr. Cox employed in the barrel manufacturing process, in my review next week...

Nosler Ballistic Tips and Hornady Superformance are not cheap ammo. So, sure I will happily test them - so long as you are paying! I will provide my email address for EMT ammo payment, otherwise, you get what I happen to have on-hand:

- PMC X-Tac 55gr Ball
- Bulk 62Gr M855 Green Tip
- Federal American Eagle 62 Gr Green Tip (Light Armour Piercing)
- Swiss GP 90 63gr "Match" Ball
- IVI 77gr Ball

I won't have any Barnaul Steel-Cased ammo on-hand for my intial review, but hope to acquire some from a friend by the time of my first update in roughy a month's time.
 
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I'm interested to hear how it shakes out. Sorry if this has been asked already, but do we know what kind of aluminum the receiver is made out of? Probably not 7075, eh?
 
GoldPrime said:
I'm interested to hear how it shakes out. Sorry if this has been asked already, but do we know what kind of aluminum the receiver is made out of? Probably not 7075, eh?
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At the risk of slowly giving away my review piece by piece over the coming week, I will divulge that the R18’s Upper and Lower Receivers are fabricated from T6061 aluminum alloy, and not the harder T7075. I don’t have a dog in this fight and understand that there are pros and cons associated with the use of each material. At the end of the day, Mr Cox noted to me that T6061 is easier to cut and therefore requires less expensive machine time to fabricate each component. Added to that is his belief that the more ductile T6061 will withstand the explosive forces of a detonation out-of-battery better than the more brittle 7075-series counterpart. He may have a point there, not that anyone is anticipating breech explosions in the R18! A hard-coat anodizing process with enhance the surface hardness of the aluminum, providing a protective finish for the rifle.
 
Would you use a scope with at least 8-9 power and shoot the two boxes after the initial sight in?
 
45C said:
Would you use a scope with at least 8-9 power and shoot the two boxes after the initial sight in?
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Yes, I certainly would not zero nor chase the bullseye with premium ammo! That said, I suggest waiting for my initial review. The Swiss TP90 is pretty much match ammo, so should provide optimal group sizes. If the R18 Mk2 groups sub-MOA with either the GP90 or 77gr IVI ammo we will definitely have a winner on our hands.....
 
You misunderstood or , more than likely,I said it wrong.. lol

I asked if you could sight in with a few rnds of whatever , then shoot a couple of five rnd groups with each of the cartridges I mentioned.
It’s what I use and I think if the gun can shoot that MOA , then I’m interested.

I’m sure most folks will use these for comp? Where accuracy don’t matter as much?
I’m more of a wanna be bullseye hunter.. ha ha

If you could do that, I’ll donate the two box’s of bullets.

And if not, no worries, I can always wait until someone eventually tests it out.
I’m looking forward to your review anyway.
 
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