RND 2000 in 338lm

[NachtKracht]

Is there anyone around with some info on or experience with, the RND 2000 semi-auto rifle in .338lm?

Accuracy, life-time, maintenance, errors?

Most semi's in 338 seem not to be able to withstand the high pressures.

Any info apreciated,

NK.

 

[gabriellapua]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

i dont have any hands on with that rig but for the money a bolt gun in .338 lapua with good optics " i think" is a better way to go. my main rifle for hunting and plinking is a custom .338LM with Nightforce optics and i couldnt be happier with it. i am not a wealthy man and so buying that rifle is out of the quetion for me, i would have to sell the farm to get it. not to say i wouldnt love to shoot it some day i just dont see it being as accurate as the bolt guns. time will tell i guess

 

[pagana]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

I have been looking into one for a long time now. Lloyd Desantis is the proprietor to whom I spoke. The base price is around 5K for which you will receive a virtually fully custom rifle. DGI but with dedicated internals with the ability to remove the stock, everything oversize with rounded lugs on extension and bolt (should minimize any concerns you may have with being robust enough for .338), larger diameter (stiffer) gas tube, and much larger diameter in the chamber area (also more robust). definitely my next semi being as I have a Blaser Tac 2 in the same caliber. Expect performance on par with the best of bolt actions.

 

[NachtKracht]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

To Gabriel;
I already tangle with a bolt action, an AWSM-F in 338lm, suppressed with a Zeiss 6-24x72mm scope. And i totally agree with you on the fact that a bolt will be more accurate. But there are circumstances that a semi-auto comes in more handy at times.
Unfortenately up till now the most semi-auto rifles i came across did not stand the big powers that be when it comes to a calibre as the 338. Not many people have a use for a rifle that falls apart after 600 rounds or less.

To Toolmakr;
If you have any more info or internetlinks (other than the RND site itself) i'd apreciate it. The way you describe it, makes it at least sound firm and rugged enough.
And i am not looking for bolt action accuracy, 1 moa will do.

Thnx,

NK.

 

[pagana]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

Alot of the information that I have found about RND is from both Zediker's AR books and his site. If not thorough enough, give a call to RND. He answered many of the questions I had and that's very important when you're contemplating that much money on an unknown qty. By the way, while he will not guarantee better than 1 MOA given the caliber, he did insinuate that .5 MOA is not outside the realm of reality given the quality of the barrels. I believe Rock barrels are standard with ABS carbon fiber wrapping or even a Krieger as options.

 

[NachtKracht]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

Thnx for the info. Will do.

NK.

 

[Rovieairto]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

I would have concerns about the ammunition withstanding the abuse of auto-loading while still maintaining accuracy.

I would think that crimping would become mandatory and that doesn't always pan out for precision projectiles.
(OAL changes really mess with accuracy IME)

The large frame AR's suffer from this more than the small, and I'd assume that it only gets worse as you move up.

This is pure speculation.

Any other large frame AR shooters out there that agree?

 

[BCP]

Re: RND 2000 in 338lm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hamilton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would have concerns about the ammunition withstanding the abuse of auto-loading while still maintaining accuracy.

I would think that crimping would become mandatory and that doesn't always pan out for precision projectiles.
(OAL changes really mess with accuracy IME)

The large frame AR's suffer from this more than the small, and I'd assume that it only gets worse as you move up.

This is pure speculation.

Any other large frame AR shooters out there that agree?
</div></div>

I don't crimp my ammo - load it the same as for a bolt gun, just standard RCBS die - and the OAL doesn't change after it's fed from the magazine into the barrel, although I have heard of it happening. Only real issue I had was the hollow point tips getting beat up by the feedramps but a dremel fixed that.

I also did an experiment where 50 rounds were 2.8 overall and the powder weighed out exactly vs. 2.795-2.805 overall and the powder thrown, accuracy and velocity over the chrono was the same.

The main differences I have found is that with a bolt gun you can load them longer (you can with an AR but I prefer to make them magazine length, why buy a semi if you are going to make it single shot?) and the fact that a semi is simply harder to shoot. You really have to keep consistent pressure, firm hold and same cheekweld otherwise your groups will open up drastically. Mine was shooting 3-4" groups at 200 until I actually paid attention, then I made a pair of 1.25" groups with the same ammo.

The only thing I regret is spending 1100 on a DPMS SASS upper when I could've got a fulton upper with a better barrel for 1200. That was stupid. It still shoots plenty good though.

338lapua mag in a semi AR platform? I would get a bolt gun instead because of cost per round. The new 700 PSS 338 lapua looks like a real winner in bang for the buck.

Now, if I could get an AR in 30-06 or 300 win mag...