Took my new SRS out to hogtooth's shooter/spotter class this weekend and, while the weather sucked, the SRS shot superbly. 10-12mph winds (not gusts), 40* and dropping temps, and rain combined with the sandy soil into a lovely slurry that coated everything. Ammo, rifles, chambers, scopes; everything. Despite this my 5-shot zero confirmation group (including clean cold-bore), apart from a 0.1Mrad adjustment half way through, could have been covered by a nickel and, thanks to some good wind calls by my spotter, I cleaned the UKD course. Even as magazines got gritty I still didn't have a single problem with feeding and extraction was never a problem (fortunately I did not take a hot load, a couple guys were blowing primers because of the moisture on everything). I did have issues with rounds not wanting to eject, and about halfway through the course this had risen to 100%. The bolt simply extracted the round, popped it off the extractor but made no real attempt at all to eject the case. Since I knew it was going to happen it was no big deal to just flick it out with the tip of my finger (especially since the bolt handle is so close to the bolt head on these) but it was certainly annoying. It must have been the grit and moisture because back at the house tonight I fed some through it and the problem was gone. These never have ejected cases with much enthusiasm, though, and I'd certainly recommend DTA look into what can be done to make the ejector a little more upbeat. It should be noted, however, that a surgeon action was also having ejection problems in this mess.
Cleanup was a breeze, when I got back to the hotel I just turned 4 bolts, pulled the bolt and barrel, closed the lens caps, and took the rest into the shower with me. A quick rinse and she was as good as new. If anything, after feeding all day long with sand covering the bolt, it cycles even smoother than before the class. A great way to break it in, I guess.
The rifle carries great with a 2 point sling. Tight across the chest or behind the back works well, but with the even balance it also carries just wonderfully over just 1 shoulder. The rifle tucks in flush against you and doesn't attempt to shift or swing the way a less balanced traditional rifle does. It feels very secure. Sling and barricade positions are quite satisfying, not having all that torque hanging out there 10 extra inches really makes it much easier to control.
After my little tune-up on the trigger and welding the mags together I'm really really happy with this rifle. It's a fantastic tool for the practical rifle game, an opinion shared by many who fondled it this weekend. It may lack some of the pure artistry of a GAP tuned Surgeon, but it delivers where it counts. I'm really looking forward to getting the barrel re-threaded (it comes threaded 3/4" for a 338 suppressor) so I can try this out with my SAS.
The rain kept the camera in the truck most of the time, but here are a couple picks I took during a very brief reprieve. Click on the photo for the full-size pic.
Cleanup was a breeze, when I got back to the hotel I just turned 4 bolts, pulled the bolt and barrel, closed the lens caps, and took the rest into the shower with me. A quick rinse and she was as good as new. If anything, after feeding all day long with sand covering the bolt, it cycles even smoother than before the class. A great way to break it in, I guess.
The rifle carries great with a 2 point sling. Tight across the chest or behind the back works well, but with the even balance it also carries just wonderfully over just 1 shoulder. The rifle tucks in flush against you and doesn't attempt to shift or swing the way a less balanced traditional rifle does. It feels very secure. Sling and barricade positions are quite satisfying, not having all that torque hanging out there 10 extra inches really makes it much easier to control.
After my little tune-up on the trigger and welding the mags together I'm really really happy with this rifle. It's a fantastic tool for the practical rifle game, an opinion shared by many who fondled it this weekend. It may lack some of the pure artistry of a GAP tuned Surgeon, but it delivers where it counts. I'm really looking forward to getting the barrel re-threaded (it comes threaded 3/4" for a 338 suppressor) so I can try this out with my SAS.
The rain kept the camera in the truck most of the time, but here are a couple picks I took during a very brief reprieve. Click on the photo for the full-size pic.
