I haven't had much time to get around to writing this, but I had made some promises about posting up a review of my ECR when I got it. I've had it for just over a week now and after this mornings rainy range session which I am leaving for in minutes, it will have had over 300 rounds down range.
First off- the packaging it comes through with is nice. It ships in a hard case, not Pelican quality but a step up from a Wal Mart case for sure. Most impressive to me is that it comes through with a thick manilla envelope with a full m110 users manual, a test target (.723") and a round count log. I'm not sure what the industry standard is for test firing a rifle, but this one had the following: 3 shots of Rem match 168 to zero the scope at 100, 5 shots of remington match to shoot the test target, and then 40 rounds of Remington UMC to test function. 48 rounds seems pretty thorough to me and more than what I imagine most manufacturers do, and what is also impressive is that the .723" 5 round 100 yard test target was the only group shot- it wasn't cherry picked.
Fit and finish on the rifle are superb, but it is to be expected at an outrageous MSRP of $5600. The bolt and carrier are in a nice hard chrome, the sand cuts on the bcg are damn cool. The offset sights it ships with are really nice. Like most, I generally zero my BUIS and then never use them because my scope never comes off, but I zero'd these and have used them a bit because all that is required is a slight turn of the rifle.
The trigger is fantastic. However, I had a SSA-E and I put it in the rifle, my preference going to the 3.5 pound trigger to the 4.5 pound trigger. I also swapped the A2 grip for a MIAD, the SOPMOD for an ACS, and the "enhanced" charging handle for a BCM Gunfighter.
For an optic I went with a Leupold MK6 3-18X44 with a Horus H58 reticle. I had been wanting to give the reticle a try, and it made the most sense on a semi (to me.) It was also 10 ounces lighter than a Schmidt 3-20, and 5 or do inches shorter, which is important, as I have been wanting to keep the weight down. I used a KAC 34 mm mount with 20 moa of cant, and at 1.4" tall it provided a perfect cheek weld (my Larue mount at 1.55" was just a little too tall.)
I also installed the KAC MAMS brake. Getting the stock FH off was a bitch. The MAMS brake keeps the muzzle flat, and is supposed to even shooting the rifle canted, that combined with effectively eliminating flash is the big selling point. It does not seem to reduce recoil as effectively as a Surefire, in my opinion.
Function has been flawless. No cycling issues, or any sort of FTE, FTF, etc. The bolt has locked back on the last round every time.
Running out of time, but how does it shoot? It shoots well. In load development I have had multiple .6's, .7's, and .8's, as we as plenty of frustrating .3's and .4's opened up to .8 or more by a stray round. I also have had plenty of 1.2's, 1.'3s, all the way up to 2", so to be clear, I am not suggesting this rifle shoots everything sub moa all day long. In fact, I am having a difficult time getting a load together that averages under MOA. All I have tried thus far are 175 SMK's, this morning I am heading in with some 155 Scenars. For the record- it shoots m118lr like shit. 1.5-2", which to me is alarming because I believe that is the exact ammo this rifle is chambered for.
All the time I have for now, I'll leave you with a pic and I will be back later to answer any questions.
With an MWS:
First off- the packaging it comes through with is nice. It ships in a hard case, not Pelican quality but a step up from a Wal Mart case for sure. Most impressive to me is that it comes through with a thick manilla envelope with a full m110 users manual, a test target (.723") and a round count log. I'm not sure what the industry standard is for test firing a rifle, but this one had the following: 3 shots of Rem match 168 to zero the scope at 100, 5 shots of remington match to shoot the test target, and then 40 rounds of Remington UMC to test function. 48 rounds seems pretty thorough to me and more than what I imagine most manufacturers do, and what is also impressive is that the .723" 5 round 100 yard test target was the only group shot- it wasn't cherry picked.
Fit and finish on the rifle are superb, but it is to be expected at an outrageous MSRP of $5600. The bolt and carrier are in a nice hard chrome, the sand cuts on the bcg are damn cool. The offset sights it ships with are really nice. Like most, I generally zero my BUIS and then never use them because my scope never comes off, but I zero'd these and have used them a bit because all that is required is a slight turn of the rifle.
The trigger is fantastic. However, I had a SSA-E and I put it in the rifle, my preference going to the 3.5 pound trigger to the 4.5 pound trigger. I also swapped the A2 grip for a MIAD, the SOPMOD for an ACS, and the "enhanced" charging handle for a BCM Gunfighter.
For an optic I went with a Leupold MK6 3-18X44 with a Horus H58 reticle. I had been wanting to give the reticle a try, and it made the most sense on a semi (to me.) It was also 10 ounces lighter than a Schmidt 3-20, and 5 or do inches shorter, which is important, as I have been wanting to keep the weight down. I used a KAC 34 mm mount with 20 moa of cant, and at 1.4" tall it provided a perfect cheek weld (my Larue mount at 1.55" was just a little too tall.)
I also installed the KAC MAMS brake. Getting the stock FH off was a bitch. The MAMS brake keeps the muzzle flat, and is supposed to even shooting the rifle canted, that combined with effectively eliminating flash is the big selling point. It does not seem to reduce recoil as effectively as a Surefire, in my opinion.
Function has been flawless. No cycling issues, or any sort of FTE, FTF, etc. The bolt has locked back on the last round every time.
Running out of time, but how does it shoot? It shoots well. In load development I have had multiple .6's, .7's, and .8's, as we as plenty of frustrating .3's and .4's opened up to .8 or more by a stray round. I also have had plenty of 1.2's, 1.'3s, all the way up to 2", so to be clear, I am not suggesting this rifle shoots everything sub moa all day long. In fact, I am having a difficult time getting a load together that averages under MOA. All I have tried thus far are 175 SMK's, this morning I am heading in with some 155 Scenars. For the record- it shoots m118lr like shit. 1.5-2", which to me is alarming because I believe that is the exact ammo this rifle is chambered for.
All the time I have for now, I'll leave you with a pic and I will be back later to answer any questions.
With an MWS:
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