WK180C Owners Thread

421SuperDuty said:
If i buy one today what are the odds i'm going to be burning money on random parts failing? I'm seeing way too many posts about breaking bolts and pistons and whatnot, is the rifle made of glass or something? Nevermind "it's just a range toy not something you bring to Afghanistan", parts failing after 100 rounds?! Jesus! I know beggars can't be choosers considering liberal white womxn write the laws in this joke of a country, but if i put down $1,500 for a rifle i expect something more reliable than a $150 chinese Type-56
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Of course, I can’t speak for all the WKs out there, and I doubt anyone can, but I can say that mine hasn’t had any parts failures. I have had occasional stove pipe failures to eject that I remedied with a stronger ejector spring. I have had the occasional failure of the bolt to lock into battery which I haven’t got around to trouble shooting yet. Is it perfect? Nope. Is it a great range toy for the money? I think so. One of the benefits is that it takes a lot of AR parts, so you can upgrade nearly every aspect of it. And TNA has recently started offering an upgraded receiver.

As you probably know, your choices in Canada for a semi auto tactical sporting rifle are pretty limited. You can get one of these for $1200 (and choose from a vast selection of upgrade options) or spend over $4K on a B&T APC 223 which will offer Swiss Watch level quality and reliability. It’s really up to you.

Despite the few issues I’ve had, I’m likely going to buy a second one after I get my SBR accuracy sorted.

Let me add, that Kodiak has been the best company to work with in terms of after market support, that I’ve encountered... anywhere... in any industry.
 
Hi All:

This is totally information that I don't fully comprehend, but a question for all you WK180 owners.

I was looking at a common chart posted throughout the internet on various rounds that have been shot through the WK180C with MOA groupings and such. It didn't really cover all brands and grains but it appears at the top is a .223 round at 55 grains, though it is Federal, I think. I believe the poorest performing one was a Hornady .223 at 75 grans or something like that. I am surprised a lot of the rounds were 223, not 556 and the Federal 556 55 or 62 grain was not on the list. I would have had to assume that the best performing rounds would have been in the exact same caliber for which the gun was designed.

Here is a sample of the list and an article explaining.

https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/9et74r/wk180c_accuracy_table/

https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2017/3/how-to-pick-the-right-round-for-your-ar15-barrel/

My question is this - in terms of the twist. From what I read, many rifles use 1/9 twist and I saw a chart showing optimal twist - ammo combinations. Apparently the WK180 is a 1/8 twist, and from what I understand, the optimum grain for that would be 62 as a starting point. Yet, all the top ammo types on the list are 55, which on the chart would show as less than optimal though will perform ok.

All things considered - for a new user of a WK180, would 55 or 62 grain be better to use? I know this can be quite subjective - I ask because I bought tons of Federal 556 55 grain. I have some 223 but it's all Winchester. My local store has a sale on some PMC 556 62gr, but not sure if it is worth it - whether someone who is not a competitive shooter (and likely will never be) will notice any difference. If it may help, I will try some 62gr but if the difference is marginal at best, I may just stick with the 55 gr and not waste my money on something else. Not sure if the difference would be akin to golf balls - my skill is so bad, I would slice either a cheap Top Flite or a high end Titleist Pro V1x, into the forest immediately.

Thoughts?
 
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thegazelle said:
Hi All:

This is totally information that I fully comprehend, but a question for all you WK180 owners.

I was looking at a common chart posted throughout the internet on various rounds that have been shot through the WK180C with MOA groupings and such. It didn't really cover all brands and grains but it appears at the top is a .223 round at 55 grains, though it is Federal, I think. I believe the poorest performing one was a Hornady .223 at 75 grans or something like that. I am surprised a lot of the rounds were 223, not 556 and the Federal 556 55 or 62 grain was not on the list. I would have had to assume that the best performing rounds would have been in the exact same caliber for which the gun was designed.

Here is a sample of the list and an article explaining.

https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/9et74r/wk180c_accuracy_table/

https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2017/3/how-to-pick-the-right-round-for-your-ar15-barrel/

My question is this - in terms of the twist. From what I read, many rifles use 1/9 twist and I saw a chart showing optimal twist - ammo combinations. Apparently the WK180 is a 1/8 twist, and from what I understand, the optimum grain for that would be 62 as a starting point. Yet, all the top ammo types on the list are 55, which on the chart would show as less than optimal though will perform ok.

All things considered - for a new user of a WK180, would 55 or 62 grain be better to use? I know this can be quite subjective - I ask because I bought tons of Federal 556 55 grain. I have some 223 but it's all Winchester. My local store has a sale on some PMC 556 62gr, but not sure if it is worth it - whether someone who is not a competitive shooter (and likely will never be) will notice any difference. If it may help, I will try some 62gr but if the difference is marginal at best, I may just stick with the 55 gr and not waste my money on something else. Not sure if the difference would be akin to golf balls - my skill is so bad, I would slice either a cheap Top Flite or a high end Titleist Pro V1x, into the forest immediately.

Thoughts?
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It won't matter. 55 shoots fine in 1:7 and 1:8 barrels. 5.56 or .223 also doesn't matter. Good quality "bulk" ammo should most likely all shoot around 2 moa, match ammo closer to 1.5 moa, if my WS is any indication. These aren't guns for sitting at the bench/prone and trying to eke out tiny groups anyways, zero it at the distance that makes sense with your optic and shoot it as it's intended to be shot, like a carbine/service rifle.
 
One needs to understand these semi auto rifles will never be a bolt action, simple physics when it comes down to moving parts.

I used to chase the perfect group with semis, resolved myself to being happy to consistently hit a duelling paddle or plate and not look at paper. POI changes with bullet type, weight, or load.

To conserve powder we use 4895 with a 23 grain charge for .223, and that load works just fine for his WK. We also have way hotter loads for fun shooting but why? I found Hornady 75 grain HPBT Match to be the most accurate, but being a semi the group starts to string as the barrel heats up. My bolt action Fugly Savage does not string as much with it's 1 in 9 twist loves the 75 grainers the most.

Here is an indoor 50 yard group out of his rock solid 1st Gen WK using 75 grain Hornaday.



Here is an outdoor 119 yard ground from my bolt action using a bipod in slight wind with 75 grainers, dime used for reference.

Ammo differences, should have used a shooting bag to tighten up my groups. :(
 
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Thanks for the info - I couldn't help but notice, and maybe my eyes are really bad - does that brass deflector actually says what I think it says? LOL? What can you buy those?

I went to the LGS this morning to get the PMC LAP 62gr, but they were sold out (apparently these new shipments sold out in a day) so I got the regular PMC 55 gr XTAC, which is the only 556 rounds they carried, and they said those will be out by end of today (Saturday).
 
Yes it does, hope I don't get in trouble was hoping it was not that clear, damn Samung phone...

He got the deflector off a WK180 FB page.
 
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...Sorry, I don't know what you are talking about....lol

What was not clear?;)

Anyways, thanks for the info on the groupings and the different ammo. I was surprised at the Hornady results on that original chart as I have always thought Hornady was a more expensive brand and oftentimes are used for precision shooting (or home defense). Glad to see it performing well on your results.
 
It looks like your question has already been answered but I figured I'll weigh in anyways.

A 1/8 twist is suitable for pretty much any bullet weight commonly used in .223/5.56, I have tested mine with 55gr to 69gr projectiles and have not had any stabilization issues. I haven't tried 77gr yet but I'm sure it would work fine, but a 1:7 twist would probably be ideal for 77gr bullets. I started handloading around 4 months ago and have developed some loads for my WK-180c. With Campro 55gr projectiles pushed by 25.0gns of H335 I am getting between 0.6 - 0.8 MOA at 50 yds. That would translate to an average of ~1.5 MOA at 100yds, which is perfectly acceptable for FMJ plinking ammunition. I have yet to fine tune my 69gr BTHP load but I'm fairly confident I could get just above MOA with that at 100yds, I've just been focusing on 55gr projectiles since that is what I use most commonly.

Realistically I'll probably never use this for precision work, I'm going to try it on gophers this spring and I guess we will see if it's accurate enough for that.

Off topic reloading related note: I tested my load with both WSR and CCI 450 magnum primers, I found the best groups were similar in size but the CCI 450 seemed to be more consistent, so perhaps the notion that magnum primers ignite ball powders more reliably (and completely) does hold some weight, at least for my particular rifle.

I also tried the PMC 62gr green tip, and got around 3-4 MOA, but that was likely a result of me using a low magnification optic at 100yds, which would mean I couldn't maintain a consistent point of aim throughout the entire string. I initially wanted to use 62gr projectiles for my handloads but couldn't find any anywhere that beat the value the Campro projectiles offer. My loads cost around 34 cpr when I'm reusing fired factory brass.
 
Happy Easter Everyone:

This may be a silly question, but thought I'd ask it - would anyone consider the WK180 a suitable rifle for what one other CGNer called "Family Care" or "Domestic Defense?"
 
What choices do we have? Once the Liberals are done with this, we will be needing to work on our "hugging it out skills" with unlicensed criminals who decide they deserve and are entitled to everything you hold dear.....
 
randyhub said:
What choices do we have? Once the Liberals are done with this, we will be needing to work on our "hugging it out skills" with unlicensed criminals who decide they deserve and are entitled to everything you hold dear.....
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Yeah, I know....it's pretty limited at this point - and it's not like I have a James Bond collection of different arms I can use. I just read some articles of some home invasions in the GTA, so that got me thinking, since I do have kiddos to protect as a single dad, and I'm not exactly a physically hulking guy...

But you are right - I have read more than one instances of homeowners being behind the eight ball and treated like they are the criminal when they try to protect themselves. Yet all the politicians enjoy armed body guards.

I also agree that the choices are pretty limited, but was just curious whether the WK would fit the bill.
 
Using a 5.56 anywhere except in a very rural setting could really hurt others. Heard in the States many will use a shotgun with a bird load. In Canada I am happy with my Wyze security cameras, my 100 lb Akita cross, cordless phone, and bear spray. No way I want to deal with the courts....
 
randyhub said:
Using a 5.56 anywhere except in a very rural setting could really hurt others. Heard in the States many will use a shotgun with a bird load. In Canada I am happy with my Wyze security cameras, my 100 lb Akita cross, cordless phone, and bear spray. No way I want to deal with the courts....
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I agree. It may sound easy to say, but if I felt I needed a firearm for home defence, I’m living in the wrong place. Now if you’re talking zombie hoard defences... that’s another matter ;)
 
Regarding self-defense, it would be next to impossible for the use of any firearm to be considered a proportional response to a threat in Canada; you would likely need to be severely wounded in front of a camera before firing back would be considered justified, and would likely still be charged even in that eventuality. Better off having a dog; many n'er do wells will move onto an easier target if they see a beware of dog sign.
 
randyhub said:
Using a 5.56 anywhere except in a very rural setting could really hurt others. Heard in the States many will use a shotgun with a bird load. In Canada I am happy with my Wyze security cameras, my 100 lb Akita cross, cordless phone, and bear spray. No way I want to deal with the courts....
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This 5.56/shotgun info is extremely poor information.

5.56 breaks apart rather easily, is low recoil, light weight and can easily take a 10+10 cross magazine, is affordable to practice with and as such is more likely to be practiced with.

Shotguns are high recoil, low capacity, can be quite heavy and more often than not come with extremely basic sighting systems (bead). They are typically more expensive to practice with and less likely to be used. Also at the <10m ranges at which home defence engagements typically occur there is no real benefit to the spread of a shotgun.

Birdshot is for birds, it really is that simple and this old fuddism needs to die.
 
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