Superior Tactical Solutions Semi-Automatic Sniper System in 6.5 Grendel
Let me first say... "WOW!". I have never fired an AR sporting this level of accuracy, with a potent and versatile cartridge. Not only did this rifle blow away the SASS competition, it can hang with most bolt guns. Constructed around the AR-15 platform, the STS SASS also carries the advantage of lighter weight and mobility. Please read on...
Technical Specs:
VLTOR upper receiver
Smith & Wesson M&P lower
Broughton barrel - chambered by STS in .264 LBC (this allows use of both cartiadges, at safer pressures)
Suppressed Armament Systems flash suppressor
Les Baer bolt
Daniel Defense bolt-carrier group
TROY "free float" quad-rail
MAGPUL PRS Stock
MAGPUL "pistol" grip
Harris Bipod
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T M1 6.5-20x50 illuminated MIL-DOT scope
Zeroing:
Firing the Hornady 123 grain A-MAX, the weapon quickly zeroed in at 25 yards. The time I'd been waiting for was here! Time to see what it could do at 100 yards. Brad at Superior Tactical Solutions had promised me 1/2 MOA accuracy, which satisfied my needs and expectations... however many manufactures make such a claim, very few deliver. As we all know, delivering sub-MOA accuracy out of semi-automatic weapon is much easier said than done. Attention to detail must be paid every single step along the way.
Once I knew the 100 yard zero was getting close, I decided to give it a whirl. I took aim at the upper-left target. It had been some time since I had fired a weapon with this light of a trigger. Measured at STS, the trigger broke consistently at 3 lbs. The looks and feel of an AR had triggered a mental association / muscle memory of Uncle Sam's trigger pulls... I had fired the weapon before I meant to, throwing one high. "OK... let me try this again". I then proceeded to fire off a 3-shot group. I knew I had done well, but it was time to go check the target. Hoping for 1/2 MOA accuracy, I measured the target to find "0.56".
[0.132 x 2 = .264]
0.56 - .264 = .296
I had fired just short of near perfect 1/4 MOA accuracy.
But could it be repeated? Although my pics are limited, I assure you I fired approx 1/4 MOA accuracy a dozen times. There is no doubt in my mind that in more capable hands, this is the most accurate SASS I have ever seen.
In my opinion, it is one thing to show up to a range rested and quite comfortable... it's something entirely different for our soldiers and Marines abroad. So, I decided to intentionally increase my discomfort by donning my PASGT and ESS goggles.
About 50 push-ups and some double-shoulder-arm-taps later... with a tired neck and foggy goggles, I decide to try my hand again.
As the day grew and muscles quivered, and 77 rounds later the groups began to spread. Gust of 20 mph winds made it difficult. I attempted to time my shots between the gusts, however the wind often triumphed. It felt like every time I carefully broke the trigger the gust hit me without warning. All things considered, the weapon continued to deliver despite being dirty. Considering the dirty weapon, hours of continuous firing, shaky muscles, and strong winds at full value... I continued to be impressed by the accuracy and reliability of this weapon.
Let me first say... "WOW!". I have never fired an AR sporting this level of accuracy, with a potent and versatile cartridge. Not only did this rifle blow away the SASS competition, it can hang with most bolt guns. Constructed around the AR-15 platform, the STS SASS also carries the advantage of lighter weight and mobility. Please read on...
Technical Specs:
VLTOR upper receiver
Smith & Wesson M&P lower
Broughton barrel - chambered by STS in .264 LBC (this allows use of both cartiadges, at safer pressures)
Suppressed Armament Systems flash suppressor
Les Baer bolt
Daniel Defense bolt-carrier group
TROY "free float" quad-rail
MAGPUL PRS Stock
MAGPUL "pistol" grip
Harris Bipod
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T M1 6.5-20x50 illuminated MIL-DOT scope
Zeroing:
Firing the Hornady 123 grain A-MAX, the weapon quickly zeroed in at 25 yards. The time I'd been waiting for was here! Time to see what it could do at 100 yards. Brad at Superior Tactical Solutions had promised me 1/2 MOA accuracy, which satisfied my needs and expectations... however many manufactures make such a claim, very few deliver. As we all know, delivering sub-MOA accuracy out of semi-automatic weapon is much easier said than done. Attention to detail must be paid every single step along the way.
Once I knew the 100 yard zero was getting close, I decided to give it a whirl. I took aim at the upper-left target. It had been some time since I had fired a weapon with this light of a trigger. Measured at STS, the trigger broke consistently at 3 lbs. The looks and feel of an AR had triggered a mental association / muscle memory of Uncle Sam's trigger pulls... I had fired the weapon before I meant to, throwing one high. "OK... let me try this again". I then proceeded to fire off a 3-shot group. I knew I had done well, but it was time to go check the target. Hoping for 1/2 MOA accuracy, I measured the target to find "0.56".
[0.132 x 2 = .264]
0.56 - .264 = .296
I had fired just short of near perfect 1/4 MOA accuracy.
But could it be repeated? Although my pics are limited, I assure you I fired approx 1/4 MOA accuracy a dozen times. There is no doubt in my mind that in more capable hands, this is the most accurate SASS I have ever seen.
In my opinion, it is one thing to show up to a range rested and quite comfortable... it's something entirely different for our soldiers and Marines abroad. So, I decided to intentionally increase my discomfort by donning my PASGT and ESS goggles.
About 50 push-ups and some double-shoulder-arm-taps later... with a tired neck and foggy goggles, I decide to try my hand again.
As the day grew and muscles quivered, and 77 rounds later the groups began to spread. Gust of 20 mph winds made it difficult. I attempted to time my shots between the gusts, however the wind often triumphed. It felt like every time I carefully broke the trigger the gust hit me without warning. All things considered, the weapon continued to deliver despite being dirty. Considering the dirty weapon, hours of continuous firing, shaky muscles, and strong winds at full value... I continued to be impressed by the accuracy and reliability of this weapon.
