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SCAR or HK MR
- Thread starter Andrew1182
- Start date
For me ( an im an HK guy) its SCAR.
Even in non comparison reviews the biggest complaint on the HK is always HEAVY for a 16" semi. The SCAR is quite light and very little recoil. Accuracy wise prob around the same.
Even in non comparison reviews the biggest complaint on the HK is always HEAVY for a 16" semi. The SCAR is quite light and very little recoil. Accuracy wise prob around the same.
SCAR
Light
Reliable
Very accurate especially when you consider weight.
Only negative is they eat optics. I am not afraid to put a trijicon or NF on it. But I won't run expensive NV on one
The mag issue can be rectified. Having to spend money on a different lower and a Gisselle would be one other negative.
Light
Reliable
Very accurate especially when you consider weight.
Only negative is they eat optics. I am not afraid to put a trijicon or NF on it. But I won't run expensive NV on one
The mag issue can be rectified. Having to spend money on a different lower and a Gisselle would be one other negative.
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Yes, I have used both.
SCAR in either .556 or 7.62
Advantages:
- SCAR tends to be a more accurate rifle
- SCAR is lighter
- Recoil impulse of the SCAR is more straight line and into the shoulder
Disadvantages:
- The SCAR 7.62 doesn't use standard SR25 mags
- The folding stock mechanism has been known to break (unless they fixed that issue).
R,
jmw
SCAR in either .556 or 7.62
Advantages:
- SCAR tends to be a more accurate rifle
- SCAR is lighter
- Recoil impulse of the SCAR is more straight line and into the shoulder
Disadvantages:
- The SCAR 7.62 doesn't use standard SR25 mags
- The folding stock mechanism has been known to break (unless they fixed that issue).
R,
jmw
Good stuff. Keep them coming. Deersniper I have the same optic on my MR556.
- Mar 15, 2018
- 1,279
- 5,090
I love my SCAR and run an ELCAN SpecterDR 1.5x/6x which I think is the perfect optic for that weapon and a Geissele Super SCAR trigger; It is an amazing rifle.
Now the bad news. FN rules the US Military market, M4/M4A1, M240,etc. That is their bread and butter and that’s what they care about. They will sell weapons to Civilians but they are not set up to support the Civilian market (I include Law Enforcement in this which is the market I serve). Need to replace the bolt on your 17S? You may wait 2 years (I waited 2-1/2 and this was a weapon sold to a Police Department).
Just recognize that everything on a SCAR is proprietary. When it runs, and boy do they run, it’s hard to beat. But if it breaks down it will likely be sitting in your safe for a very, very long time while you try to source parts. If you’re getting it for a range gun, go for it, you’ll love it. If you’re getting it as your primary self defense weapon or you’ll be working with it, go HK.
Now the bad news. FN rules the US Military market, M4/M4A1, M240,etc. That is their bread and butter and that’s what they care about. They will sell weapons to Civilians but they are not set up to support the Civilian market (I include Law Enforcement in this which is the market I serve). Need to replace the bolt on your 17S? You may wait 2 years (I waited 2-1/2 and this was a weapon sold to a Police Department).
Just recognize that everything on a SCAR is proprietary. When it runs, and boy do they run, it’s hard to beat. But if it breaks down it will likely be sitting in your safe for a very, very long time while you try to source parts. If you’re getting it for a range gun, go for it, you’ll love it. If you’re getting it as your primary self defense weapon or you’ll be working with it, go HK.
Ahh... I was unaware of that. Good point. Hopefully, though, parts failures like that are very rare. I've never had issue with mine, and I've had it for more than 5 years, with thousands of rounds.
R,
jmw
I own both. They are fairly different rifles.
Weight: SCAR. The HK is 9.6lbs, SCAR is 8. Once you put on an extension rail on the SCAR the difference is less.
Accuracy: The HK shoots circles around the SCAR. HK holds 1 moa even when the barrel is hot. The HK will make hits out to 1000 yards. The SCAR will do 1-1.25 moa when the barrel is cool, but opens up to 1.5-1.75 after a couple of groups. The SCAR's twist rate is too slow, I had trouble making hits past 700 with the SCAR.
Recoil impulse: (both of my rifles have surefire brakes. Stock the HK comes with a flash hider making the recoil sharper than the SCAR's factory brake) The HK is smooth and soft. Feels like a well oiled machine. Hardly moves off target. It is my softest shooting 308. The SCAR has a harsher recoil impulse but my no means harsh. The heavy bolt causes a double recoil impulse. One as the bolt goes rearward, and another as it slams forward. However both are very light and manageable for 308's
Reliability: Both have been 100% reliable so far. They both run clean compared to my SR-25, and will tolerate any kind of ammo. Magazine wise the SCAR magazines work fine. The HK magazines are my favorite of any weapon system. Sand doesn't bind them up. Clear to easily view amount of ammo loaded. The SCAR stock is very reliable gun. However run it with a suppressor other than OSS or Surefire and the gun is very prone to breaking parts. I don't know the long term effects of running a suppressor on the HK.
At the end of the day: do you want a lighter rifle that can become compact? Or do you want a more accurate smoother shooting rifle?
I take my SCAR hunting. I shoot my HK at the range more. I shoot my SR-25 the most. I like all 3 of them.
Weight: SCAR. The HK is 9.6lbs, SCAR is 8. Once you put on an extension rail on the SCAR the difference is less.
Accuracy: The HK shoots circles around the SCAR. HK holds 1 moa even when the barrel is hot. The HK will make hits out to 1000 yards. The SCAR will do 1-1.25 moa when the barrel is cool, but opens up to 1.5-1.75 after a couple of groups. The SCAR's twist rate is too slow, I had trouble making hits past 700 with the SCAR.
Recoil impulse: (both of my rifles have surefire brakes. Stock the HK comes with a flash hider making the recoil sharper than the SCAR's factory brake) The HK is smooth and soft. Feels like a well oiled machine. Hardly moves off target. It is my softest shooting 308. The SCAR has a harsher recoil impulse but my no means harsh. The heavy bolt causes a double recoil impulse. One as the bolt goes rearward, and another as it slams forward. However both are very light and manageable for 308's
Reliability: Both have been 100% reliable so far. They both run clean compared to my SR-25, and will tolerate any kind of ammo. Magazine wise the SCAR magazines work fine. The HK magazines are my favorite of any weapon system. Sand doesn't bind them up. Clear to easily view amount of ammo loaded. The SCAR stock is very reliable gun. However run it with a suppressor other than OSS or Surefire and the gun is very prone to breaking parts. I don't know the long term effects of running a suppressor on the HK.
At the end of the day: do you want a lighter rifle that can become compact? Or do you want a more accurate smoother shooting rifle?
I take my SCAR hunting. I shoot my HK at the range more. I shoot my SR-25 the most. I like all 3 of them.
The HK is more accurate with FGMM, But not substantially. The SR25 seems to be easier to shoot past 600. But It is also a heavier gun with better trigger. The Geissele trigger in the SR25 is far better than the Geissele in the HK.
The first two are SR25 with suppressor. Without suppressor I get one ~1 moa group. With suppressor the first round in a magazine goes high left.
With the HK, with suppressor the rounds will clover leaf in about .5-.75 moa with one round opening up the group.
The first round flier is predictable enough to hold a tight cluster if I compensate for the shift. I have found that switching to a carbine buffer system nearly eliminates the first round shift however. The bolt lockup is different when the bolt is released from the rear vs recoil.
I don't know if those are your guns in the photos. The FN rail extension system did not free-float, and significantly affected my accuracy.
They are. I will take a closer look in the morning as a precaution but have had no issues.
I've seen similar results with a 417 vs sr25 but haven't fired my MR762 yet. I was hoping results would correlate to the 762 as well. Thanks for the intel.
Interesting. I have had a different experience. I’ve found my SCAR to be more accurate and have a flatter recoil impulse. Maybe the SCAR just “fits” me better? I’ll have to let go some preconceptions and give the HK another go.
R,
jmw
I
It is also possible your scar may be a particularly accurate example. I think I have an average example of the scar and a particularly good hk. However the pencil barrel on the scar vs heavy barrel on the hk explains the heat sensitivity.
jmw, if the hk you shot had a flash hider, which most do because of the thread pitch, the scar would feel softer.
It is also possible your scar may be a particularly accurate example. I think I have an average example of the scar and a particularly good hk. However the pencil barrel on the scar vs heavy barrel on the hk explains the heat sensitivity.
Excellent point! Yes, my HK does have the factory flash hider. Switching that out may yield a more fair comparison. I think you may be right. My particular SCAR may just be a more accurate example, and the HK a poor one. I have not really noted the heat sensitivity with the SCAR, but then I really don't shoot that rapidly.
Thanks!
R,
jmw
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I think there are a lot of accurate scars out there from my experience. Mine has shot many groups averaging .35 -.5 moa. However, these are 3 shot groups. I know the barrel can get whippy so I limit to 3, but do several spaced out strings. 10 shot groups it will probably open to 1 inch. I've been very impressed with mine, but it is my go to hunting rifle and not my comp rifle. You would probably want to go to a thicker contour barrel if you want higher volume precision. Deadshot barrels, Teludyne tech would be my top choices if I went that route. I'd get a 6.5 creed though.
3 shot groups are deceiving. If I hand pick 3 shot groups I can show you 1/4 moa groups from all of my guns.
I think 5 is the minimum to really get an idea. Space the shots out if the barrel is thin contour. 10 shot groups really separate the pack. A savage and accuracy international will both shoot tiny 3 shot groups. 10 shot groups will be a different story.
I would like to see any off the shelf semi auto that can shoot a 1 inch 10 shot group. None of my semi autos can shoot a 1 inch 10 shot group in my hands. I’m sure there’s someone here with a finely tuned ar that can do a 1 inch 10 shot group though.
I don’t doubt there are accurate SCARS out there. But owning all of the guns, the scar is the least accurate in my experience. I would like to see someone post two sub 1inch 5 shot groups from a scar to prove me wrong. They don’t have to be consecutive, but just not cherry picked from a dozen 5 shot groups.
Just to chime in, OP why do you have to choose either one? There are better options for the money: KAC SR25 E2 PC, LMT MWS, JP, all will be better performers. But really the most optimal way is to just build your own or have one built by a good smith.
