LMT 6.5 MWS range report

[matt33]

Finally got chance to stretch the legs on my LMT 6.5 CM. If I get creative here at my house, I can get about 640 yards without much difficulty. There is a slight pucker Factor as I am shooting over my primary electrical service cable to my house. I make sure I hold for elevation, not dialing today!

I'm happy with this rifle. The AR-10 platform is much more challenging to shoot accurately than a heavy bolt-action rifle, but I find the challenge fun. Honest accuracy seems to hover right around 1 MOA with Premium Factory ammo or hand loads that I've been shooting. 5 rounds at 100 yards will quite often get in the .7's, but just as often I will shoot 1.2". It's frustrating because it's always one flyer that opens up the group, typically a lack of focus on my part especially with follow through. Shooting fundamentals are so much more important with large frame AR, it is unforgiving when trying to print tiny groups!

Regardless, I was pretty happy that I went 9 for 10 on a 10" plate at 640 yards on a pretty gusty day from the bed of my pickup truck. I can't wait to get back out there and do it again.

I'm just posting this because I didn't find a ton of stuff on the factory 20 inch LMT 6.5 Creedmoor when I was researching buying one. Figured I'd post this in case anyone is curious how they perform.

 

[Near miss]

Awesome, I am about to buy LMT MARS too in 308 for €3.8K and a 6.5 barrel for it for €940, in sale. How much did yours cost?

I am afraid it won't be as precise as the MR223 but looks like they are very capable. As you noted, not much range reports or reviews being made of them.

 

[Bakwa]

I just got a 20" 6.5 SS dimpled barrel for mine. I'm also looking forward to seeing how she shoots.

 

[unclemoak]

Thanks for the report. I just put a 20” barrel in mine the other day for a long range match.

I was pretty surprised the velocity I was getting with the 20” was only 90 fps faster than my 14.5” mrgg-a barrel.

 

[matt33]

Awesome, I am about to buy LMT MARS too in 308 for €3.8K and a 6.5 barrel for it for €940, in sale. How much did yours cost?

I am afraid it won't be as precise as the MR223 but looks like they are very capable. As you noted, not much range reports or reviews being made of them.

I got a pretty good deal on mine from a large online retailer in Arizona, I believe it was $3100 out the door

It's pretty accurate. Like I said, it's very precise, except for an occasional smallish flyer. I've shot numerous five round groups in which four of the rounds go into well under .5, but the fifth round always seems to open up to .7 - .9. In fact, the last time I shot at 100 yards from a bench, the first 4 shots went into .187", and then boom, the fifth opened the group to .75". However, just as often I will shoot a 1.2" group. Some of that is natural dispersion of the system, but just as much is the recoil cycle of the large frame AR. You really need to be on point with every single shooting fundamental to get small groups

I think a realistic accuracy expectation is an honest 1 MOA

 

[matt33]

Thanks for the report. I just put a 20” barrel in mine the other day for a long range match.

I was pretty surprised the velocity I was getting with the 20” was only 90 fps faster than my 14.5” mrgg-a barrel.

I'd have to take a look back through my notes, but I do usually record velocity readings with lab radar. I was shooting 130 grain Berger hybrids, with 42.5 grains of h4350, I was averaging 2,770 FPS with an SD around 11 and extreme spread of 31

140 Hornady ELD-M with 41.5 grains of H4350 give 2,690, I think the factory Hornady ammunition 140 eldm is around 2,600 FPS

All of these are pretty consistently at or just under 1 MOA

 

[matt33]

I had about 20 minutes before my daughter got home from school, just fired off 10 rounds at about 657 yards today. Similar result, I'm really happy with this rifle.