Spartan Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

[guns_and_labs]

Introducing the first example of the Spartan Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle (PUHR?), this one in 6.5-284 Norma... a masterpiece by Marc Soulie. Or maybe it is to be called the Spartan Precision Carbon Ti Featherweight rifle package. Or just the Peregrine. I'm waiting for Marc to name the line... in the meantime I'll just call it the coolest hunting rifle I've ever handled.

Some details on the build:

Extreme Shooting Products titanium receiver, scope base and lug
Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped barrel, 8 twist, finished at 26"
Manners MCS-TA carbon fiber lightweight stock
Huber Concepts trigger, set to .826 lbs (yikes!)
PT&G aluminum hinged floorplate
Vais aluminum muzzle break

Marc may chime in on other things I've forgotten to note.

Some initial thoughts on handling:

It weighs out at 10 lbs. 8 oz. with a relatively heavy S&B PH 4-16x scope, and 8 lbs something without. But it really doesn't feel that heavy at all. It balances perfectly for me, with the balance point right at the magazine. I really like the way it points naturally.

The Huber trigger is obscenely good. I hate it. It has made all my Jewell and Timney triggers seem cheap and gritty.

I've got a box of factory rounds to start the barrel break-in, and I have the first fifty rounds for load development. I'll be headed to a range on Thursday to start shooting this beauty.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

Awesome sums it up purdy good. Like to see that hometown receiver.

 

[stockdoc]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

Marc brought this rifle out as well as the Hide's prototype build at our last long range match. Outstanding workmanship and attention to detail on both!

 

[steves1911]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

That my friend is fine looking hunting rig! Told my friend about Marc since he is looking for a new hunting rifle. He wants a Weatherby or custom, I told him to go with Marc's rig, no comparison! Looks like your over in the East Bay! I'll have to show him this! Not only is Marc a craftsman but he is a great person to deal with.

 

[gehrm]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

That is a great looking rifle. From the attention to detail, I'm sure it will shoot as good as it looks. Very nice!

 

[MarcS]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

Thanks guys. That is one of the rifles that I hated to give to the client The only thing not mentioned is that the rings are Badger alloy std. height at .823". From the looks of those pictures I guess I didn't clean them as well as I thought! It looks like a full size tac rifle and the dimensions feel nice but it weighs more like a factory sporter.

Something like this in one of the new Elite Hunter lightweight stocks from Manners and no cheek piece would be much lighter.

Marc

 

[Oregonmuley]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

Dang fine looking rifle, really liking the looks of the Manners stock, congrats to you on a fine looking rig!!

 

[guns_and_labs]

Re: Spartan Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

After six rounds of factory to zero the scope (that's really the extent of my "break in"), I settled in with some test loads with H4831SC and H4350. All were with 140gr Berger Hunting VLD, virgin Lapua brass, and CCI BR-2 primers. COAL was 0.004" off the lands, for a 3.132" OAL and 2.458" length to ogive.

Unfortunately, I think I started too low.

The best load with the H4350 was the top load I had, and it was progressively improving as I pushed the bullet more. At 47.3 grains of H4350, I was showing my best group at 5/16", and 2754 fps. The best load with H4831SC was 51.5 grains, 0.25" and 2817 fps.

Qualitatively, I love this rifle. Its balance and manners were perfect. It shot everything well, when I did my part, recoil was mild, and the barrel just wouldn't heat up. The last fifteen rounds I shot one right after another, and there was no drift and the barrel stayed warm. Those rounds also included the best group of the day (the 1/4" one).

I'm going to clean it up and load up another set, starting at the most accurate and working up a bit. I really think I should be able to find something closer to 3000 fps. Then I'll start playing with OAL.

I suppose I should be finding a decent hunting load and then just preserving barrel life, but this rifle is too much fun to shoot.

 

[MarcS]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

I enjoyed shooting with you this morning Tom thanks for the invite. That rifle is a hammer and I'm looking forward to your hunting reports.

Marc

 

[Armed Ferret]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

gorgeous rifle, but let's be fair, 8 pounds isn't exactly an "ultralight".

great stick nonetheless.

 

[Grand]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

Great looking rifle. It will be interesting to see how the aluminum brake holds up to gas cutting. What part of Cali?

 

[bbcellars]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MarcS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks guys. That is one of the rifles that I hated to give to the client The only thing not mentioned is that the rings are Badger alloy std. height at .823". From the looks of those pictures I guess I didn't clean them as well as I thought! It looks like a full size tac rifle and the dimensions feel nice but it weighs more like a factory sporter.

Something like this in one of the new Elite Hunter lightweight stocks from Manners and no cheek piece would be much lighter.

Marc </div></div>

Just ordered one today

 

[TXBRASS]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

Great looking stick....

The ".826" trigger cracks me up.... that's very precise... :->

What color is that stock?

 

[guns_and_labs]

Re: Spartan Arms Precision Ultralight Hunting Rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TXBRASS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

What color is that stock? </div></div>

Gray.

 

[guns_and_labs]

What part of Cali?

NorCal. Bay area most of the time, but I shoot out at Sac Valley with the NCPPRC.

I've gone out again for load testing, and confirmed that H4831SC is just too good to ignore. Still showing 1/4" at 100 yards. Time to stretch the legs a bit on the long range course.

 

[Some Day]

That is a sweet stick you have Congrats.How do you like that stock,Thinking of putting that on my 338 Norma I'm going to have built.