Please help me decide MR1 or SL8

kb007

kb007

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I've been looking for a semi auto 223 NR rifle for quite some time now. Main use will be target / bench, but want NR just in case I decide to go walkabout. I already have an AR15, and really want something that will be MOA if possible. I will scope this rifle for sure. I already reload for multiple 223 rifles, so another one is no big deal. I'll be shooting with hand loads prolly 95% of the time.

I've narrowed it down to either Benelli MR1 or HK SL8-4.

From the searching I've been doing, seems the MR1 has decent accuracy, takes lar15 mags (yes I have a bunch) but falls short a little on ergos (have held one a few times, just can't get the bolt release thing out of my head). Price is a few hundred less, but I'm not scared to spend the extra $$.

SL8 seems to have a better rep as a more accurate gun, tho very heavy barrel (cost f accuracy I guess), better ergos and I don't mind the thumbhole. Lar mags need an adapter, but not a big deal. Prolly just buy a few extra mags. I've handled one and it seemd to fit me firly well. Price is a few hundred more, but it is what it is.

Right now, I'm leaning fairly strongly towards the SL8, any owners of either gun want to chime in with thoughts one way or another?

TIA
 
I have never touched an MR-1 but my SL8 is a fantastic rifle, it works well on the bench and I enjoy taking it hunting. There are some great options to customize down the road if you wish to. If you aren't happy with the ergos of a rifle it is an expensive way to see if it grows on you.
 
MR-1 is a very distinct rifle...built more like an M-4 shotgun than a "black rifle"...but it takes AR magazines, and has a pretty nice factory trigger-pull.
 
i am a firm believer of you get what you pay for
i am an owner of a SL8
and wouldnt be with out it now.

my main grumble is i want a HK semi auto in 308 for hunting!!!
 
Went to LGS today - they've had both MR1 and SL8 in stock for a few weeks now and did the fondling thing again.

This time it seems the SL8 followed me home. Will be taking it out for a little range time tomorrow :)

I had a Millet LRS 6-25 scope laying around and threw it on just for s&g. It looks comically large but somehow not as bad as I thought it would.
 
I owned an Sl8, nice gun but was not a shooter, as you SHOULD expect from a rifle with that price, so I sold it.
I have an MR1 on the way. Lets see what that will do at 100 yards.
 
Anees said:
I owned an Sl8, nice gun but was not a shooter, as you SHOULD expect from a rifle with that price, so I sold it.
I have an MR1 on the way. Lets see what that will do at 100 yards.
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Hmmmm.... I have an SL8 that shoots 1 MOA all day. Don't know what happened in your case.

Moe
 
You really need to handle both to decide. Personally I am not a fan of either but I would choose the MR1 over the SL8 as I really don't like the ergo of the SL8, and the MR1 uses AR not HK mags.
 
kb007 said:
Went to LGS today - they've had both MR1 and SL8 in stock for a few weeks now and did the fondling thing again.

This time it seems the SL8 followed me home. Will be taking it out for a little range time tomorrow :)

I had a Millet LRS 6-25 scope laying around and threw it on just for s&g. It looks comically large but somehow not as bad as I thought it would.
Click to expand...

Good choice, I've owned 2 SL8-4's and both were capable of MOA with the right ammo. My last one liked Hornady 55gr v-max and Winchester 50gr ballistic silvertip for factory ammo and my best results with handloads were with 62gr Nosler over CFE223. I'm sure there would have been other bullets and powders that worked well but that load worked well for me and shot pretty darn good in my friends SL8-4 as well. Haha, just read the posts on this page, there he is in post 11.
 
Ebola said:
Whats wrong with the barrel being pencil thin? POI doesn't shift when it heats up. Benelli has a nice finishing process they do to it to prevent shot stringing. The barrel is thin but it is thick enough to thread it for a birdcage.
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Just had Dlask shorten my MR-1 barrel to 18.5" from 20" and installed one of their flash hiders.

Thanks Joe!!!!!

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cr5 said:
Probably shooting Norinco or dirtybird and expecting 3/4 moa ;)
Just like any rifle, it's all about finding it's favorite food.
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Not that I fed much Norinco through my SL8, but the best it could shoot it was 4 MOA.(barf) Your advice for 60gr Noslers and Hogies advice for 69gr SMK proved best for me with my loads for both reaching consistent 1 MOA. I chose to go with the Nosler in the end for it's exploding crow factor as the SMK is really a target shooting bullet. Picked up 1200 Nosler projectiles so I am committed to them now.

Moe
 
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