Robinson Armament XCR Revisited

[anton520b]

Yup the XCR has earned my respect. What a great platform.

If only people knew about this gem lol, but the way things usually go is, people like to think they can get a true battle firearm for a half price of what XCR-M costs, then they go from one rifle make to another until they finish the full vicious circle at which point they come to see the light, discovering XCR platform, it's is like finding a secret revelation, never to go back to inferior platforms.
Yes its price is higher than most BUT yes it will also beat any known platform or be at par with toughest most durable platforms like AK-47 (just much more accurate than AK47). To some this may sound as a bold overstatement but it is just how me and my friend who owns one and shoots it regularly feel about it. My final and fully entrenched position will be formed after the 10k rds test, until then we can only talk about it from a speculative angle.

 

[anton520b]

Never heard of this accuracy package..,what is this exactly?

Depending on what year was it made, XCR-M made before 2015 had an optional accuracy upgrade package which addressed the chamber/barrel (now made in M-match grade), the gas/block tube and advanced muzzle brake, can't tell you exactly what this accuracy upgrade entails as I am not a gunsmith.
Apparently, there is a gap between the gas tube and gas block which newer models don't have, so with newer models this issue has been eliminated thus producing much more accurate rifles. I would just call Wolverine supplies and ask them for opinion and of your rifle needs this accuracy upgrade.
My XCR-M is 2017 production so I don't need to worry about it.

 

[Bombsquad68]

If only people knew about this gem lol, but the way things usually go is, people like to think they can get a true battle firearm for a half price of what XCR-M costs, then they go from one rifle make to another until they finish the full vicious circle at which point they come to see the light, discovering XCR platform, it's is like finding a secret revelation, never to go back to inferior platforms.

It is a nice rifle, no doubt, I look forward to seeing your review. 10k rounds at $0.68 or $0.70 per round is a large financial undertaking for the sake of a review, as you said there are concerns over the cost of your hobby!

I had one until recently, and overall had a positive view on it... it worked reasonably well for me but the accuracy, weight, nose-heavy balance and lack of modularity knocked it down in my rotation. Very interesting and relevant option for those who value quick change barrels, folding stocks, piston operating systems, uniqueness/obscurity in their large frame black rifle.

FWIW I think the Stag 10 is easily the current "best platform" we can get in this NR 308 black category and would strongly recommend picking one up, whether it's a factory Stag 10L or the lighter Faxon-barreled IRUNGUNS version, or a DIY combination off the Stag receiver (my choice). For the price of 2500-3k rounds of Hirtenberger, you could park one in the safe next to the XCR-M and have a second point of reference for the type.


Good luck with the test!

 

[anton520b]

It is a nice rifle, no doubt, I look forward to seeing your review. 10k rounds at $0.68 or $0.70 per round is a large financial undertaking for the sake of a review, as you said there are concerns over the cost of your hobby!

I had one until recently, and overall had a positive view on it... it worked reasonably well for me but the accuracy, weight, nose-heavy balance and lack of modularity knocked it down in my rotation. Very interesting and relevant option for those who value quick change barrels, folding stocks, piston operating systems, uniqueness/obscurity in their large frame black rifle.

FWIW I think the Stag 10 is easily the current "best platform" we can get in this NR 308 black category and would strongly recommend picking one up, whether it's a factory Stag 10L or the lighter Faxon-barreled IRUNGUNS version, or a DIY combination off the Stag receiver (my choice). For the price of 2500-3k rounds of Hirtenberger, you could park one in the safe next to the XCR-M and have a second point of reference for the type.


Good luck with the test!

I hear ya man, the cost of ammo is pretty high, but fortunately I was hording and stockpiling Hirtenberger (both berdan and boxer primed) over some years as I wanted to stock up and shoot it slowly over my lifetime, just until I started opening the oldest packs to discover badly rusted ammo which has accelerated rusting process, as I moved toward newer packs problem is still present but at somewhat lesser degree. Either shoot it all or safely dispose of it, no other option here, most of the brass is no good for reloading, will try to lightly sandpaper it and clean it up a bit before shooting as I wouldn't want the rust damaging my chamber. That's what happens when you try stockpiling surplus ammo lol, lesson learned.
Talking of rusted Hirt. some have advised sanding it first and the oiling the surface of each cartridge lightly, but I wouldn't dare to do that. Wonder what other people's experience is with rusted brass surplus ammo.

 

[cr5]

I'd throw it through a brass tumbler. Just a regular old media type not a pin type.
It will clean it up nicely for you but will take a while, a batch or two a day through the tumbler should keep up to a day or two a week shooting.

 

[Tiker]

Depending on what year was it made, XCR-M made before 2015 had an optional accuracy upgrade package which addressed the chamber/barrel (now made in M-match grade), the gas/block tube and advanced muzzle brake, can't tell you exactly what this accuracy upgrade entails as I am not a gunsmith.
Apparently, there is a gap between the gas tube and gas block which newer models don't have, so with newer models this issue has been eliminated thus producing much more accurate rifles. I would just call Wolverine supplies and ask them for opinion and of your rifle needs this accuracy upgrade.
My XCR-M is 2017 production so I don't need to worry about it.

Yep, I was aware of this. I shot a few groups at 100 yards with FGMM and sent the results over to Wolverine. Their reply was:
"The accuracy kit that we install is a new gas block, fit to the upper gas tube and muzzle break. ( I require the rifle here for measurements) This is done under warranty if the rifle is shooting poor groups and scattering random rounds. If you are getting groups and just wanting to improve accuracy then everything will be charged out to the customer as an upgrade. The barrel is not included under warranty so if the customer wants it added, it will be billed out."

 

[HvacFridge Apprentice]

Just bought an xcr-m last month, dying to shoot the 500 round spam can of Norinco I have in storage for a couple years haha. I’m going to keep my eye on this thread, keep the updates coming OP. I want to follow suit with you.

Curious: what optic do you use or anyone else for that matter? Magnification

 

[xdmer]

Results with said ammo will vary, avoid mag dumps and have fun.

Just bought an xcr-m last month, dying to shoot the 500 round spam can of Norinco I have in storage for a couple years haha. I’m going to keep my eye on this thread, keep the updates coming OP. I want to follow suit with you.

Curious: what optic do you use or anyone else for that matter? Magnification

 

[HvacFridge Apprentice]

Anton520b, what scope do you intend on using? I’m looking for ideas and suggestions for my new Xcr

 

[anton520b]

Anton520b, what scope do you intend on using? I’m looking for ideas and suggestions for my new Xcr

6-24x50 Vortex Viper scope brings in a lot of light and everything real close which helps with my aging eyes. Some would say it's too much scope for a battle rifle but I prefer to be able to see the target. Vortex holds zero for me much better than any other brands within same price range or more expensive ones and take a lot of abuse while still holding perfect zero.
I also run MBUS off side all steel sights which don't interfere with scope, flip of a wrist and you can engage targets at 25 yards, I prefer this iron sight to be zeroed at 50 yards, very sturdy all steel and can be easily "dialed in" for closer range targets. Thankfully, XCR-M comes with a lot of "real-estate" so you could install anything you want, accessorize it with everything possible (including a smaller microwave and a cup holder lol).

 

[cr5]

Just bought an xcr-m last month, dying to shoot the 500 round spam can of Norinco I have in storage for a couple years haha. I’m going to keep my eye on this thread, keep the updates coming OP. I want to follow suit with you.

Curious: what optic do you use or anyone else for that matter? Magnification

Optic selection depends entirely on you, your budget, and the ranges you intend to shoot.
Pick a magnification range that matches well to your intended shooting ranges.
Personally I avoid Bushnell and Vortex as I feel their best attribute is their warranty.

 

[HvacFridge Apprentice]

Optic selection depends entirely on you, your budget, and the ranges you intend to shoot.
Pick a magnification range that matches well to your intended shooting ranges.
Personally I avoid Bushnell and Vortex as I feel their best attribute is their warranty.

Range: 0 to 400 yards (for that gun+right ammo, seem about right for the capabilities of the firearm?)
Budget: a hard line on $1000 and under
Magnification: ? 2-10? 3-10? 4-12? Opinions welcomed for suitable magnification at that range. Realistic expectations from both the rifle+ammo and myself (not some fantastical fancy pants precision shooter haha).

 

[cr5]

Range: 0 to 400 yards (for that gun+right ammo, seem about right for the capabilities of the firearm?)
Budget: a hard line on $1000 and under
Magnification: ? 2-10? 3-10? 4-12? Opinions welcomed for suitable magnification at that range. Realistic expectations from both the rifle+ammo and myself (not some fantastical fancy pants precision shooter haha).

I would shop the EE for a used Sightron. I have an S-Tac 3-16×42 on my Modern Hunter but anything from their SIII or S-Tac lines from the 1-7 through to the 2.5-17×56 would work great for right around $1000.
Lifetime warranty and great glass, for a couple hundred more just call Jerry at Mystic Precision and order new.

I went with the 3-16×42 to keep the weight down while still giving a nice magnification range and nice clear glass.

Come for a visit one day and you can look through my scopes (and shoot some rifles), I've got Sightron, Nightforce, Burris, Nikon, Vortex, Trijicon, as well as a couple Aimpoints and an Elcan Specter. Nothing like looking through a scope outdoors to see what it's like, you can't tell much in a store under the fluorescent lights.

 

[xdmer]

HvacFridge Apprentice
, outstanding offer right here, jump on it. Kudos cr5.

I would shop the EE for a used Sightron. I have an S-Tac 3-16×42 on my Modern Hunter but anything from their SIII or S-Tac lines from the 1-7 through to the 2.5-17×56 would work great for right around $1000.
Lifetime warranty and great glass, for a couple hundred more just call Jerry at Mystic Precision and order new.

I went with the 3-16×42 to keep the weight down while still giving a nice magnification range and nice clear glass.

Come for a visit one day and you can look through my scopes (and shoot some rifles), I've got Sightron, Nightforce, Burris, Nikon, Vortex, Trijicon, as well as a couple Aimpoints and an Elcan Specter. Nothing like looking through a scope outdoors to see what it's like, you can't tell much in a store undrer the fluorescent lights.