The IWI Carmel: Initial Thoughts and Observations **Range Report added on post #48**
- Thread starter Master-G
- Start date
FALSE!
Gary has battled obesity and is a decorated veteran of the Battle of Smorgas Bord, even receiving the Sacrifice Medal for injuries sustained during his assault on Pork-chop Hill.
Those cheeks tell the story, like a Nam vet with a thousand yard stare…
Thanks buddy, you just made me laugh!FALSE!
Gary has battled obesity and is a decorated veteran of the Battle of Smorgas Bord, even receiving the Sacrifice Medal for injuries sustained during his assault on Pork-chop Hill.
Those cheeks tell the story, like a Nam vet with a thousand yard stare…
Gary would save more lives if he banned cutlery and all you can eat buffets....FALSE!
Gary has battled obesity and is a decorated veteran of the Battle of Smorgas Bord, even receiving the Sacrifice Medal for injuries sustained during his assault on Pork-chop Hill.
Those cheeks tell the story, like a Nam vet with a thousand yard stare…
I had a chance to take the rifle to the range last evening—it was a very pleasant mid-summer evening with light winds and temperature in the low 20s. As I expected, the rifle performed perfectly—no issues at all with multiple ammunition and magazine types. I fired 100 rounds using several different Magpul mags, a 5-round aluminum model and both polymer and plastic 10-round pistol mags with no issues
I did end up putting on the stubby BCM foregrip and I was surprised by how much "handier" the rifle felt—I really like it! Before I tried this model on my Tavor I hadn't much cared for foregrips but this one changed my mind.
Here's the selection of ammunition I was using:
I shot two five-round groups with each ammo type (except three with the S&B as you'll see below) with a cadence of maybe a shot every five or eight seconds. Here are the results of the PMC Bronze (the top two groups) and the Federal Power Shok (bottom two groups):
Here are the groups for the Sellier & Bellot Precision (top two (and middle)) and Federal Premium (bottom two):
I fired a third group with the S&B because I felt that the second group was not really indicative of the ammunition's accuracy potential, and wanted to give it another shot (or five!)
OK—onto the results. I used an online group-size calculator...it was the first time I'd used one and it was pretty slick! Much easier than trying to figure it out with a ruler!
The rifle, maybe not surprisingly, prefers higher-quality ammunition, but was surprising to me was that the rifle is capable of sub-2 MOA accuracy with the right ammunition, which, for a semi-auto rifle with a lightweight 16" barrel was an unexpected result. I'll be interested to see how the 18.5" barreled ones perform—hopefully they'll show similar results. With a 4X scope and sandbags I feel that I can't "aim" much better than 2 MOA or so, so I was really pleased.
I did notice that the fired cases all had a dent just below the shoulder—it was similar to what my FAMAE rifle would do.
The rifle shoots very flat, with very little to no muzzle climb, and the trigger reset is very positive (you can hear it in the video below). After I was done shooting I tested the trigger again—it was slightly, but noticeably, smoother, and a quarter-pound lighter, at 4.75 lbs now.
Overall, I'm very happy with the rifle. I would prefer if it was maybe a bit lighter, but I'm OK with its weight. I'm looking forward to getting it out again!
It was a great evening!
I did end up putting on the stubby BCM foregrip and I was surprised by how much "handier" the rifle felt—I really like it! Before I tried this model on my Tavor I hadn't much cared for foregrips but this one changed my mind.
Here's the selection of ammunition I was using:
- PMC Bronze (55 grain)
- Federal Power Shok (55 grain)
- Sellier & Bellot Precision Rifle Ammunition (69 grain)
- Federal Premium (69 grain)
I shot two five-round groups with each ammo type (except three with the S&B as you'll see below) with a cadence of maybe a shot every five or eight seconds. Here are the results of the PMC Bronze (the top two groups) and the Federal Power Shok (bottom two groups):
Here are the groups for the Sellier & Bellot Precision (top two (and middle)) and Federal Premium (bottom two):
I fired a third group with the S&B because I felt that the second group was not really indicative of the ammunition's accuracy potential, and wanted to give it another shot (or five!)
OK—onto the results. I used an online group-size calculator...it was the first time I'd used one and it was pretty slick! Much easier than trying to figure it out with a ruler!
Ammunition Type | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 |
| PMC Bronze 55 grain | 3.4", 2.9 MOA | 3.8", 3.4 MOA | - |
| Federal Power Shok 55 Grain | 5.6", 4.9 MOA | 4.21", 3.7 MOA | - |
| Sellier & Bellot 69 gr | 2.0", 1.8 MOA | 4.26", 3.7 MOA | 1.6", 1.4 MOA |
| Federal Premium 69 Grain | 2.7", 2.4 MOA | 3.3", 2.9 MOA | - |
The rifle, maybe not surprisingly, prefers higher-quality ammunition, but was surprising to me was that the rifle is capable of sub-2 MOA accuracy with the right ammunition, which, for a semi-auto rifle with a lightweight 16" barrel was an unexpected result. I'll be interested to see how the 18.5" barreled ones perform—hopefully they'll show similar results. With a 4X scope and sandbags I feel that I can't "aim" much better than 2 MOA or so, so I was really pleased.
I did notice that the fired cases all had a dent just below the shoulder—it was similar to what my FAMAE rifle would do.
The rifle shoots very flat, with very little to no muzzle climb, and the trigger reset is very positive (you can hear it in the video below). After I was done shooting I tested the trigger again—it was slightly, but noticeably, smoother, and a quarter-pound lighter, at 4.75 lbs now.
Overall, I'm very happy with the rifle. I would prefer if it was maybe a bit lighter, but I'm OK with its weight. I'm looking forward to getting it out again!
It was a great evening!
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Thanks for the detailed range report! Nice to see that it's capable of <2moa, probably tighten that up more with a bit more scope as well. Possibly better with some 75/77gr ammo as well. As far as I'm concerned, a <2moa .223 carbine makes for a very effective 600yd and in rifle (with a suitable optic).
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I got my restricted version in this week. It’s no Bren 2. With that said it was a lot cheaper and available for use. The fit and finish were okay and it feels front heavy. With all that said the price is fair and it’s a semi we can use. I’d say it’s the best of what we have available.
You are a man of many talents. When you retire from law enforcement, there will always be a prolific writing career waiting for you in the wings...FALSE!
Gary has battled obesity and is a decorated veteran of the Battle of Smorgas Bord, even receiving the Sacrifice Medal for injuries sustained during his assault on Pork-chop Hill.
Those cheeks tell the story, like a Nam vet with a thousand yard stare…
20YearsOfTannerite
Regular
Well done brother, very useful information, thank you.I had a chance to take the rifle to the range last evening—it was a very pleasant mid-summer evening with light winds and temperature in the low 20s. As I expected, the rifle performed perfectly—no issues at all with multiple ammunition and magazine types. I fired 100 rounds using several different Magpul mags, a 5-round aluminum model and both polymer and plastic 10-round pistol mags with no issues
I did end up putting on the stubby BCM foregrip and I was surprised by how much "handier" the rifle felt—I really like it! Before I tried this model on my Tavor I hadn't much cared for foregrips but this one changed my mind.
Here's the selection of ammunition I was using:
After sighting in and getting a feel for the rifle (and taking a few videos) I did some accuracy testing from the 100m firing point (which is about 109 yards). The rifle was sandbag-rested and I used the same 4X ACOG TA33 seen in the earlier pictures.
- PMC Bronze (55 grain)
- Federal Power Shok (55 grain)
- Sellier & Bellot Precision Rifle Ammunition (69 grain)
- Federal Premium (69 grain)
I shot two five-round groups with each ammo type (except three with the S&B as you'll see below) with a cadence of maybe a shot every five or eight seconds. Here are the results of the PMC Bronze (the top two groups) and the Federal Power Shok (bottom two groups):
Here are the groups for the Sellier & Bellot Precision (top two (and middle)) and Federal Premium (bottom two):
I fired a third group with the S&B because I felt that the second group was not really indicative of the ammunition's accuracy potential, and wanted to give it another shot (or five!)
OK—onto the results. I used an online group-size calculator...it was the first time I'd used one and it was pretty slick! Much easier than trying to figure it out with a ruler!
PMC Bronze 55 grain Federal Power Shok 55 Grain Sellier & Bellot 69 gr Federal Premium 69 Grain
The rifle, maybe not surprisingly, prefers higher-quality ammunition, but was surprising to me was that the rifle is capable of sub-2 MOA accuracy with the right ammunition, which, for a semi-auto rifle with a lightweight 16" barrel was an unexpected result. I'll be interested to see how the 18.5" barreled ones perform—hopefully they'll show similar results. With a 4X scope and sandbags I feel that I can't "aim" much better than 2 MOA or so, so I was really pleased.
I did notice that the fired cases all had a dent just below the shoulder—it was similar to what my FAMAE rifle would do.
The rifle shoots very flat, with very little to no muzzle climb, and the trigger reset is very positive (you can hear it in the video below). After I was done shooting I tested the trigger again—it was slightly, but noticeably, smoother, and a quarter-pound lighter, at 4.75 lbs now.
Overall, I'm very happy with the rifle. I would prefer if it was maybe a bit lighter, but I'm OK with its weight. I'm looking forward to getting it out again!
It was a great evening!
Adrenaline101
Member
- Location
- Calgary AB
I have such a bad taste in my mouth about my Bren paperweights that this thing has made me super hesitant.
hopefully some enterprising person or company will see a business opportunity manufacturing custom carbon fiber buttstocks and fore ends for this rifle. with an LPVO this rifle will scale 10 lbs. or more. ugh. like packing an FN FAL without the punch.
20YearsOfTannerite
Regular
Main reason I'm going with the MK-15. I understand IWI is tried and true, but I'm not going on the front lines either lol. You can change the all-steel folding stock on the MK-15 to save almost 1lb if you go with an aluminum folder. If you get a fixed stock it will weigh even less.
