If you have read any of my other reviews, you will know that I have a weakness for the .308 cartridge and for fine rifles chambered in that calibre. On a money-wasting 1-10 scale with 10 being the worst, addiction to nice .308’s is only marginally better (7) than an addiction to vehicles (8) but we all like toys and so I thought I would show two more of mine. Today the two rifles up for review and comment are a custom F/TR that I have had for a while and another one of those tactical-style builds of which I am especially fond.
Written primarily for the newer shooter, I hope this review will give some ideas (inspiration ?) about what you can build but I should caution that while ‘going custom’ allows you to get exactly what you want/afford, if you decide to sell you will take a greater hit on the resale. In my opinion, the market for used customs isn’t anywhere near as strong as for example used TRG’s AI’s or semi-customs like the PGW Coyote and Timberwolf.
With that cautionary note out of the way, on to the rifles with the first up being my custom F/TR rifle.
Put together by Paul Reiben and Mick McPhee out of Kamloops BC this single-shot rifle is built on the RPA Quadlock action (http://www.rangemasterprecisionarms.com).
The RPA action is a descendant of the much lauded Swing action designed in the 1970’s and, as suggested by its’ name, the RPA uses a four-lug bolt system and not surprisingly, it is especially popular in the UK and often found on match-winning rifles over that side of the pond. Of the bolt rifles I have owned this is the smoothest operating – even smoother than the exceptional action produced by PGW. Perhaps unusually for a custom action, the price of the RPA includes a RPA trigger which is a two-stage (very similar in feel to the Sako TRG) adjustable and is a very, very nice trigger which breaks clean and crisp. If you like two-stage triggers this one is hard to beat.
For this rifle, I chose to use a Krieger barrel as one was in stock when I ordered the rifle and I have been very happy with the Krieger on my Coyote. In my view, using a Krieger means one less thing to worry about as any accuracy problems are most unlikely to be attributed to the barrel.
The stock is an attractive to the eye laminate Reiben which is outfitted with a 6-way adjustable butt, vertical (but not lateral) adjust cheekpiece and a full-length Anschutz-style rail that allows for the installation of most, if not all, bipods. This stock is very comfortable to get behind and for me comfort is a key ingredient in making good shots.
When it comes to outfitting this rifle for the range I choose to use a Centershot F-Class bipod
I like the ability to make precise adjustments without having to constantly be squeezing the rear bag and the Centershot is really precise. For glass, I choose to use the Nightforce Benchrest 12-42x56 which in my opinion has the best glass of the Nightforce range of scopes and wih 42 mad and 1/8 MOA adjustments is perfect for F/TR. So dressed, the rifle comes in under the F/TR weight limit and is ready to shoot.
So, how does it shoot ? Well, I would love to be able to say it is a ¼ MOA out of the box but given that it isn’t an ‘Internet Only CGN Special built on an old Stevens 200’ ( sorry, couldn’t resist ) I have to say that isn’t the case. In fact, I found this rifle quite picky with ammo but, after much experimentation, I am closing in on a good load and the rifle is now showing a preference for the new 155 SMK and the Berger 155.5 BT’s over a load of 46-47 grains of Varget. Loads in this range produce close to, but not under, ½ MOA. Nevertheless, this is a really nice rifle to shoot and I am confident further load development may well lead to me being able to call this a true, consistent, half minute rifle but as of today I am not quite there.
The second rifle I’d like to share with you is another ATRS Tactical-style build.
I have a definite preference for this type of rifle and have owned/still own a number of custom and high-end factory offerings of this type. In fact, avid followers of the crap I write will see that this rifle is almost identical to another ATRS build I had commissioned using a Stiller action which rifle regrettably I had to let go due to unforeseen circumstances arising. When having this rifle built I chose to use a Defiance ‘Rebel’ action. Defiance Machine (www.defiancemachine.com) which is located in Columbia Falls, Montana has a fine reputation for making custom actions on the 700 footprint and this one appears to be no exception. As smooth as my Stiller, the Defiance has the benefit of having a one-piece bolt and handle - unlike the Stiller which had the bolt handle break off on me (it was repaired free of charge and Rick and |Dustin were great to deal with but Jeff Stiller in the USA needs to be reminded of the need for good customer service).
Since comments I have for this rifle will be much of a repeat about those I wrote on the Stiller build, I will just stick to the highlights: For the barrel I stuck with what I had liked on the previous ATRS build - going once again with a 1:10 twist 24” Rock Creek M40 profile barrel as the look I was hoping to achieve was of an updated USMC M40 SWS.
Cerakoted black, the rifle and action sits in my favourite stock - the McMillian A5 with integral cheekpiece ( the saddle type are a pet peeve of mine even though there is nothing at all wrong with them and I have them on my Coyote and custom 700 I still feel they look kinda cheap ), and adjustable butt. Rounding out the build I used a Jewel trigger, ATRS bottom metal and AICS mags (which are in my view the best of the aftermarket magazines).
Outfitting this rifle for range work I chose to attach my favorite tactical bipod, the Versapod and also ulilised the Anschutz rail to attach Jerry Teo’s fine MPOD ( yes, it wore two bipods to the range !).
As an aside, I would recommend asking whoever builds your custom tactical to install such an Anschutz type rail and they really can be useful. Topping off this rifle I decided to mount my favorite scope for tactical rifles – my Schmidt and Bender PMii 10-50x56.
Pictured with the Coyote for comparison:
Outfitted with scope and both bipods and ready for the range how does this rifle shoot ? Well, I have had it out once – at the Port Coquitlam and District range – and put 60 rounds through it using a mix of ammo made up for other .308’s. All shooting was done at 200m and it shot everything under 1 MOA with the best group of 5 shots being produced by some 190g SMK over 41.7 Varget which measured measuring a very respectable 1 ¼” that my math makes to be about ½ MOA at that distance. The very best group would have been with the FGMM which put 3 into the same hole but then I got excited and pulled #4 to ruin the group and was still pissed at myself when letting #5 go. These results were not quite as good as what I recorded with my previous ATRS build but that was at a different range under different conditions. Still ½ MOA with all other groups being under 1 MOA on day one with loads made up for other rifles really isn’t too shabby at all and I expect that with proper load development that this rifle will end up as being a consistent ½ to ¾ performer which is most acceptable in my book for a tactical rifle.
In my opinion even though re-sale is not as solid, it is usually worth considering a custom when deciding to buy a new rifle - perhaps this short article will give some ideas.
Thanks for reading.
Bob
Written primarily for the newer shooter, I hope this review will give some ideas (inspiration ?) about what you can build but I should caution that while ‘going custom’ allows you to get exactly what you want/afford, if you decide to sell you will take a greater hit on the resale. In my opinion, the market for used customs isn’t anywhere near as strong as for example used TRG’s AI’s or semi-customs like the PGW Coyote and Timberwolf.
With that cautionary note out of the way, on to the rifles with the first up being my custom F/TR rifle.
Put together by Paul Reiben and Mick McPhee out of Kamloops BC this single-shot rifle is built on the RPA Quadlock action (http://www.rangemasterprecisionarms.com).
The RPA action is a descendant of the much lauded Swing action designed in the 1970’s and, as suggested by its’ name, the RPA uses a four-lug bolt system and not surprisingly, it is especially popular in the UK and often found on match-winning rifles over that side of the pond. Of the bolt rifles I have owned this is the smoothest operating – even smoother than the exceptional action produced by PGW. Perhaps unusually for a custom action, the price of the RPA includes a RPA trigger which is a two-stage (very similar in feel to the Sako TRG) adjustable and is a very, very nice trigger which breaks clean and crisp. If you like two-stage triggers this one is hard to beat.
For this rifle, I chose to use a Krieger barrel as one was in stock when I ordered the rifle and I have been very happy with the Krieger on my Coyote. In my view, using a Krieger means one less thing to worry about as any accuracy problems are most unlikely to be attributed to the barrel.
The stock is an attractive to the eye laminate Reiben which is outfitted with a 6-way adjustable butt, vertical (but not lateral) adjust cheekpiece and a full-length Anschutz-style rail that allows for the installation of most, if not all, bipods. This stock is very comfortable to get behind and for me comfort is a key ingredient in making good shots.
When it comes to outfitting this rifle for the range I choose to use a Centershot F-Class bipod
I like the ability to make precise adjustments without having to constantly be squeezing the rear bag and the Centershot is really precise. For glass, I choose to use the Nightforce Benchrest 12-42x56 which in my opinion has the best glass of the Nightforce range of scopes and wih 42 mad and 1/8 MOA adjustments is perfect for F/TR. So dressed, the rifle comes in under the F/TR weight limit and is ready to shoot.
So, how does it shoot ? Well, I would love to be able to say it is a ¼ MOA out of the box but given that it isn’t an ‘Internet Only CGN Special built on an old Stevens 200’ ( sorry, couldn’t resist ) I have to say that isn’t the case. In fact, I found this rifle quite picky with ammo but, after much experimentation, I am closing in on a good load and the rifle is now showing a preference for the new 155 SMK and the Berger 155.5 BT’s over a load of 46-47 grains of Varget. Loads in this range produce close to, but not under, ½ MOA. Nevertheless, this is a really nice rifle to shoot and I am confident further load development may well lead to me being able to call this a true, consistent, half minute rifle but as of today I am not quite there.
The second rifle I’d like to share with you is another ATRS Tactical-style build.
I have a definite preference for this type of rifle and have owned/still own a number of custom and high-end factory offerings of this type. In fact, avid followers of the crap I write will see that this rifle is almost identical to another ATRS build I had commissioned using a Stiller action which rifle regrettably I had to let go due to unforeseen circumstances arising. When having this rifle built I chose to use a Defiance ‘Rebel’ action. Defiance Machine (www.defiancemachine.com) which is located in Columbia Falls, Montana has a fine reputation for making custom actions on the 700 footprint and this one appears to be no exception. As smooth as my Stiller, the Defiance has the benefit of having a one-piece bolt and handle - unlike the Stiller which had the bolt handle break off on me (it was repaired free of charge and Rick and |Dustin were great to deal with but Jeff Stiller in the USA needs to be reminded of the need for good customer service).
Since comments I have for this rifle will be much of a repeat about those I wrote on the Stiller build, I will just stick to the highlights: For the barrel I stuck with what I had liked on the previous ATRS build - going once again with a 1:10 twist 24” Rock Creek M40 profile barrel as the look I was hoping to achieve was of an updated USMC M40 SWS.
Cerakoted black, the rifle and action sits in my favourite stock - the McMillian A5 with integral cheekpiece ( the saddle type are a pet peeve of mine even though there is nothing at all wrong with them and I have them on my Coyote and custom 700 I still feel they look kinda cheap ), and adjustable butt. Rounding out the build I used a Jewel trigger, ATRS bottom metal and AICS mags (which are in my view the best of the aftermarket magazines).
Outfitting this rifle for range work I chose to attach my favorite tactical bipod, the Versapod and also ulilised the Anschutz rail to attach Jerry Teo’s fine MPOD ( yes, it wore two bipods to the range !).
As an aside, I would recommend asking whoever builds your custom tactical to install such an Anschutz type rail and they really can be useful. Topping off this rifle I decided to mount my favorite scope for tactical rifles – my Schmidt and Bender PMii 10-50x56.
Pictured with the Coyote for comparison:
Outfitted with scope and both bipods and ready for the range how does this rifle shoot ? Well, I have had it out once – at the Port Coquitlam and District range – and put 60 rounds through it using a mix of ammo made up for other .308’s. All shooting was done at 200m and it shot everything under 1 MOA with the best group of 5 shots being produced by some 190g SMK over 41.7 Varget which measured measuring a very respectable 1 ¼” that my math makes to be about ½ MOA at that distance. The very best group would have been with the FGMM which put 3 into the same hole but then I got excited and pulled #4 to ruin the group and was still pissed at myself when letting #5 go. These results were not quite as good as what I recorded with my previous ATRS build but that was at a different range under different conditions. Still ½ MOA with all other groups being under 1 MOA on day one with loads made up for other rifles really isn’t too shabby at all and I expect that with proper load development that this rifle will end up as being a consistent ½ to ¾ performer which is most acceptable in my book for a tactical rifle.
In my opinion even though re-sale is not as solid, it is usually worth considering a custom when deciding to buy a new rifle - perhaps this short article will give some ideas.
Thanks for reading.
Bob
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