My first trip to the range with this brand new rifle wasn't all that impressive. It was box-stock factory all the way with Weaver bases and a Sightmark 8.5~25x50 scope. Cartridges were loaded with 150 grain Winchester PSP bulk bullets and several powders. My best 3-shot groups for the day at 104 yards were .669" & .872". The rest were over an inch up to 2.5".
Since then, I dropped the barreled action into a B&C Medalist stock, installed an EGW 20 MOA base and a 6.5~20x50 Viper scope with target dot. Sunday, in spite of the heat, I managed 8 groups of 3 shots each at 102 yards. Including my first group of 1.297", all 8 groups averaged .617" with the smallest being .179".
New R-P brass loaded with Varget & RE-15 and 168 grain SMK bullets. OAL was 2.800". I used some 150 grain bullet loads to get the rifle on paper and centered.
Five loads using Varget from 43.0 - 45.0 grains in 1/2 grain increments. Smallest group .370" (43.5 grains) & largest 1.297" with an average of .664"
Three loads using RE-15 from 42.0 - 43.0 grains in 1/2 grain increments. Largest group was .721" and the smallest .179" (42.5 grains) with an average of .539".
I have more loads to test using H-4895 and WW-748 powders but the above groups are very promising. The factory trigger is OK but nothing special and a lighter one would help, no doubt.
The Viper scope worked beautifully. With the 20 MOA base, I still have about 7-8 MOA downward adjustment remaining with a 102 yard zero using the 168 grain SMK bullet. Elevation and windage adjustments are positive. All controls have just the right amount of resistance when turning. The optics are clear and bright throughout the full power range. The fine CH/Target Dot reticle is sharp and well-defined. For the $280 I paid, IMO I doubt there's a better new scope value on the market.
Operation of the rifle was smooth and everything worked as advertised. For an out-of-the-box rifle, modified with only a new stock, I'm more than pleased.
Since then, I dropped the barreled action into a B&C Medalist stock, installed an EGW 20 MOA base and a 6.5~20x50 Viper scope with target dot. Sunday, in spite of the heat, I managed 8 groups of 3 shots each at 102 yards. Including my first group of 1.297", all 8 groups averaged .617" with the smallest being .179".
New R-P brass loaded with Varget & RE-15 and 168 grain SMK bullets. OAL was 2.800". I used some 150 grain bullet loads to get the rifle on paper and centered.
Five loads using Varget from 43.0 - 45.0 grains in 1/2 grain increments. Smallest group .370" (43.5 grains) & largest 1.297" with an average of .664"
Three loads using RE-15 from 42.0 - 43.0 grains in 1/2 grain increments. Largest group was .721" and the smallest .179" (42.5 grains) with an average of .539".
I have more loads to test using H-4895 and WW-748 powders but the above groups are very promising. The factory trigger is OK but nothing special and a lighter one would help, no doubt.
The Viper scope worked beautifully. With the 20 MOA base, I still have about 7-8 MOA downward adjustment remaining with a 102 yard zero using the 168 grain SMK bullet. Elevation and windage adjustments are positive. All controls have just the right amount of resistance when turning. The optics are clear and bright throughout the full power range. The fine CH/Target Dot reticle is sharp and well-defined. For the $280 I paid, IMO I doubt there's a better new scope value on the market.
Operation of the rifle was smooth and everything worked as advertised. For an out-of-the-box rifle, modified with only a new stock, I'm more than pleased.
