The "New" Barrett MRAD Thread!!!!!!

[mgrs]

Load development today for the .260 with 130gr ELD-X and 139gr Lapua Scenars.

Not the best group of the day, but would have been without the flyer.

42.8gr H4350, 139gr scenar at 2.800 OAL, Prime Brass, Win WLR primer. 5 rounds at 100 yards....these things can shoot.

 

[mgrs]

What is the preferred cleaning rod guide?

Looking for something universal for small breech.

I tried this one but it only works with the .338 large breech (perfect fit there):

https://www.eurooptic.com/barrett-mrad-bore-guide-98426.aspx

 

[Prebanpaul]

ANy of you guys running a SPuhr mount with a 56mm scope. I am trying to figure out which one will work on this.

 

[Dooby]

ANy of you guys running a SPuhr mount with a 56mm scope. I am trying to figure out which one will work on this.

I'm running the 6Mil cant version, QDP-4602 with Vortex Gen2 Razor 4.5-27x56mm. This is actually on my AI AXMC-SA. you should have room to put on front caps.
https://spuhrwebshop.com/en/isms/sp/34/6/qdp-4602.htm

If you go with a canted model, make sure your scopes got enough vertical adjustments so you can zero @ 100yards/meters.

 

[Raik]

Information is sparse on these guns at least on the forums. There have been a lot revisions to the MRAD since inception that can be confusing to follow. However, you need to have at least some idea because some of the parts are not compatible.

For those who have recently purchased a new MRAD, what size breech are they? I was never really clear on this and a call to Barrett CS was not much help.

For discussion's sake, I have both here:

Large bolt face (.338lm) and body: ~1.1" diameter bolt body
Small bolt face ("C" marked, .308 family case head) and body: ~.95" bolt body

View attachment 6996593

On factory replacement barrels, It looks like the non-CF barrel kits are ~$1250 at the usual retailers. You do get a matched bolt head, barrel bag, and magazine at least.

I Have bought my MRAD May 2017. My breech size is 0,95"

 

[Dooby]

Don't think i saw anything in this thread. but i noticed Barrett's got a 2-Stage trigger for the MRAD? Link below.

https://store.barrett.net/p-3159-mrad-2-stage-trigger-assembly.aspx

is this new? does anyone have one? If so, can anyone compare it with the AI 2-Stage triggers?

 

[Dooby]

BTW 300 PRC barrel kits are now available on the Barrett Website. Fluted and Carbon Fiber barrels are same price @ $1575/per kit.

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

I thought they all came with a 2 stage till I got my MRAD a few weeks ago lol I would prefer a 2 stage sense every other gun I own is... but don't feel like spending over $300 to replace a already great trigger..

 

[mgrs]

I Have bought my MRAD May 2017. My breech size is 0,95"

Thanks, and that is a .338?

BTW 300 PRC barrel kits are now available on the Barrett Website. Fluted and Carbon Fiber barrels are same price @ $1575/per kit.

Oh my...and that is very competitive on a CF barrel kit if pricing holds. Love this platform and am hoping it gains more traction.

.300 PRC is tempting as it should be OK to run through a .300wm rated suppressor.

I thought they all came with a 2 stage till I got my MRAD a few weeks ago lol I would prefer a 2 stage sense every other gun I own is... but don't feel like spending over $300 to replace a already great trigger..

Wait, have you even shot yours yet?

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

I zeroed it last weekend when the rain actualy stopped and of course there has been dry firing practice laying in the floor at my house lol


I would assume a .300 PRC would be fine with a good .300 wm can... It is kind of just a hot hand loded 300wm and less than a 300 NM

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

BTW 300 PRC barrel kits are now available on the Barrett Website. Fluted and Carbon Fiber barrels are same price @ $1575/per kit.

My bet is there is a misprint somewhere ... But if i was looking for a 300PRC kit i would sure as hell try and see if it works lol

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipme...kits-with-ammo-make-offer-1-left-/47-1840086/

.260 kit for sell... if it was about anything but a .260 I would have picked it up myself

 

[Raik]

Thanks, and that is a .338?



Oh my...and that is very competitive on a CF barrel kit if pricing holds. Love this platform and am hoping it gains more traction.

.300 PRC is tempting as it should be OK to run through a .300wm rated suppressor.



Wait, have you even shot yours yet?

Yes, sure .. its .338 LM

 

[mgrs]

Finally got around to putting a set of go/no go gauges in my .260 and .308 MRAD barrel kits. They will both close on the No-Go gauge and are the only barrels/bolts I own that will close on it. I don't have a Field Gauge to drop in.

I am not my 4th firing of a set of .260 brass with no need to trim, so I would not think it is that bad.

Any ideas?

 

[TheGerman]

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...8-lapua-w-nightforce-beast-brand-new.6924306/

So the real question is, how do I TiN an entire gun?

 

[mgrs]

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...8-lapua-w-nightforce-beast-brand-new.6924306/

So the real question is, how do I TiN an entire gun?

Not sure, but when you do I think you're supposed to find a ghost writer and release a book about it, and then maybe sell some memorabilia on ebay.

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

My bet is there is a misprint somewhere ... But if i was looking for a 300PRC kit i would sure as hell try and see if it works lol

Yep back up to $2300

did anyone try to snag on at $1500?

 

[acudaowner]

very nice gun were you able to see it with your own eyes before buying? I looked into them but had to travel 4 hrs away if i even wanted to see one. Which is why i did not get it yet maybe one day

 

[Delta23]

Ok, this thread is killing me. I am pretty sure the MRAD is for me. I love my Surgeon 6.5 Creedmoor and was about to build another in .338 Lapua, but now I am thinking I might just sell mine and go with a compact 17" 308 and a 26" .338LM conversion kit. I got to handle the MRAD at a local store the other day and the rifle felt great, as did the trigger.

 

[louscamaro91]

New MRAD.
300 WinMag
Fluted Barrel

Mark 8 scope.

 

[IanHusaberg]

Check out the EurOptic MRAD's on closeout.

 

[Delta23]

Check out the EurOptic MRAD's on closeout.

Thanks for the tip. I am all over that 26" 338LM as soon as I sell my Surgeon.

Would be interested in people's opinions on which conversion kit they would add to it and why. Currently I am shooting 6.5 Creedmoor from the Surgeon, however, it occurred to me that the 6.5 really benefits from barrel length where as the 308 seems to be able to get away with a shorter barrel. In the case of the MRAD, it looks like Barrett has had some great results with the 17" 308, which is really impressive and a bit of a shock to me.

Anyhow, my thinking was that a 308/338 setup would really give me 2 completely different rifles, with a compact "lightweight" 308 good to 1100/1200 yards and then the big daddy for everything else. Seems perhaps more reasonable than a 300WM/338LM setup, or a 6.5/338LM setup. Would love to hear other people's setups and opinions though. I still have a bit of this thread to read as well, so I apologize if it has already been covered.

 

[mgrs]

300WM/.338 seems duplicative unless you only shoot factory ammunition or have a .30 cal suppressor.

6.5/.338 is not bad. You'll shoot 6.5 a lot more. I started with a .260/.338 and came to think of it more like having a .260 rifle with a .338 in the safe. I found that going across calibers, I really wanted to re-zero it each time as you really have to be on top of your data management game with this multi-caliber system.

.308/.338 would make a lot of sense if you don't compete or need a 6.5 class caliber. The short .308 barrel really transforms it into a different rifle. Even with a 300sps suppressor attached, it is an inch shorter and still a full pound lighter than a 24" .338 barrel.

I have not shot the .308 barrel kit yet. With the 17" barrel, you do have a very compact folded system.

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

Check out the EurOptic MRAD's on closeout.

Unfortunately it dose not seem to extend to cal. Conversions lol o well

 

[TheGerman]

Thanks for the tip. I am all over that 26" 338LM as soon as I sell my Surgeon.

Would be interested in people's opinions on which conversion kit they would add to it and why. Currently I am shooting 6.5 Creedmoor from the Surgeon, however, it occurred to me that the 6.5 really benefits from barrel length where as the 308 seems to be able to get away with a shorter barrel. In the case of the MRAD, it looks like Barrett has had some great results with the 17" 308, which is really impressive and a bit of a shock to me.

Anyhow, my thinking was that a 308/338 setup would really give me 2 completely different rifles, with a compact "lightweight" 308 good to 1100/1200 yards and then the big daddy for everything else. Seems perhaps more reasonable than a 300WM/338LM setup, or a 6.5/338LM setup. Would love to hear other people's setups and opinions though. I still have a bit of this thread to read as well, so I apologize if it has already been covered.

I have the 22" 308WIN, 24" 6.5CM and 26" 338LM.

I got out of 300WM because there was little point to it with a 338 around.

I primarily shoot the 6.5 because I have semi autos in 308 and 6.5 can still get out to 338 distances where you don't need the energy on target. Plus its quite a bit cheaper per round obviously. I keep the 308 kit around because why not; it has fantastic barrel life, the caliber isn't going away and I have a metric ton of stuff to reload for it.

Only problem I see in your idea is that 17" 308 barrel is going to really need to get pushed hard to get your velocities to get to 1100.

 

[Delta23]

I have the 22" 308WIN, 24" 6.5CM and 26" 338LM.

I got out of 300WM because there was little point to it with a 338 around.

I primarily shoot the 6.5 because I have semi autos in 308 and 6.5 can still get out to 338 distances where you don't need the energy on target. Plus its quite a bit cheaper per round obviously. I keep the 308 kit around because why not; it has fantastic barrel life, the caliber isn't going away and I have a metric ton of stuff to reload for it.

Only problem I see in your idea is that 17" 308 barrel is going to really need to get pushed hard to get your velocities to get to 1100.

Thanks guys, appreciate your opinions.

Yeah, the idea of a 17" barrel was REALLY uncomfortable to me considering I used to run 308 at 26", currently run 6.5CM at 26", and was planning on running 338LM at 30". I was crunching some data on JBM and I was a bit surprised to see that even if I run the velocity down to 2400 using a 175gr SMK with corrected BC, which is slower than I have ever run, it still seems to go transonic between 1100 and 1200. I hope I didn't fudge the data anywhere.

I have been really happy with 6.5CM also. If I go that route I will likely look at the longest option they have, which I believe would be the 24". Maybe I will end up with all three one day like you did. I might just be appreciating the novelty of such a "light" and compact 308 option. I guess I have run too many 26" MTU barrels and I'm getting soft. Might have to suck that up.

 

[TheGerman]

You may want to re run that 308 data. On JBM with a 100 yard zero, 175g SMK @ 2400fps has you at 1361fps (Mach 1.2) at 700 yards and 1166 fps (Mach 1.04) at 900 yards. At 2600 fps, you start the barrier (Mach 1.2) at 800 and hit it at almost exactly 1k.

 

[Notdylan]

The 17" 308 is really cool. Makes for a great training set up as you don't need as much distance before things get tricky. If you want to shoot it at 1100+, you had better be a wind reading SOB.

 

[bkfarrington]

If anyone is interested I have a 22" .308 Barrel for sale; I have 30 rounds through it thus far. I went with the 300WM recently.

 

[mgrs]

This thread is dead, and I am surprised this has not been posted here yet:

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., Christiana, Tennessee, was awarded an estimated $49,936,300, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (H92403-19-D-0002) for the purchase of advanced sniper rifles in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $387,234 are being obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed in Christiana, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2024. The solicitation was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website under “full and open competition” and six proposals were received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Barrett Awarded $50 Million SOCOM Sniper Rifle Contract

The US Department of Defense has announced that Barrett Firearms Manufacturing has been awarded a near $50 million contract to produce their MRAD sniper rifle to fulfil US Special Operations Command's requirement for an Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR).

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

[Dooby]

I think it's kinda older news, except for the $50M/5years and officially calling it the MK21

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

Great news... maybe we will not be the red headed stepchild of the hide anymore lol.

Hope more aftermarket support will follow with this adoption..

So what cartridges are they actually gonna get it in? There was a something about a month ago about a 300prc adoption. But nothing in this release

 

[mgrs]

I think it's kinda older news, except for the $50M/5years and officially calling it the MK21

I did not see the full announcement until today; back under the rock I go.

It is a heavy gun. Still 15lbs like this but cases well:

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

DoD just bought this formidable new sniper rifle in .300 PRC

The MRAD rifle is chambered in .300 PRC, a different caliber than what is being asked for in the Advanced Sniper Rifle program.

www.militarytimes.com

So it looks like the 300PRC rifles a month or so ago was another contract that was not the ASR

 

[TN Art]

Yep back up to $2300

did anyone try to snag on at $1500?

Yep - placed order, order accepted and cc charged, backordered waiting anticipated fulfillment in April. No blowback from customer service.

 

[cobravenom39]

I guess we can start calling our MRADs MK21S....https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2019/03/13/special-ops-snipers-will-soon-shoot-this-new-rifle-that-can-fire-three-different-calibers/

Lol, didn't see this post up near the top. That's embarrassing. I think that these guns are going to start getting the attention they deserve.

 

[LANCER]

I have an early-model 338LM small breech and have 1450 rounds through it. No change in precision yet. Actually shot my best .143 5-shot group with it two weeks ago. This thing refuses to die and I shoot long 15-20 round strings so it gets hot. I know this is a no-no, but have not had any POI shift between warm-hot. I have the 26 inch fluted 338 steel.
I knew this was a bad ass rifle when I bought it in 2013, even with all the naysayers, and I'm the only one with one at the range.

 

[LANCER]

Raik,
For ammunition, I've had excellent luck with the 300gr OTM loadings from the following:
Remington Express Rifle 300 OTM - (Lapua Brass and Sierra 300gr SMK) .4 MOA 5 shot groups
Prime Ammo 300 OTM - (Made by RUAG which is Norma Brass and Norma 300gr OTM) .2 MOA 5 shot groups

Others which I have not tried are Lapua brand loaded ammo. I'm listing only the ones which might be available to you in DE.

I recommend hand loads, and when hunting, I would try the Nosler Accubond LR projectiles. All the ones I listed are target loads which are not good for hunting.

Enjoy your MRAD. I know I love mine.

 

[mgrs]

Good info above; I have not shot the .338 nearly as much due primarily to the higher POI shift going to .338 from the other calibers. I'd like to pick up a small breech .338 as I wonder if the greater POI shift can be attributed to going from small breech to large breech. EDIT: This does not seem to be true, as I had minimal POI shift going from this barrel to a .308 small breech.

The .338 barrels seem to be pretty tough; mine is resisting heat cracking.

Today, from the boring world of bore scopes:

MRAD .338 at estimated 350 rounds

Here is what a thrashed .338 looks like (Not from an MRAD, and carbon steel erodes a bit differently):

 

[TheGerman]

Yay MK21 thread

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

we may need to start a new thread for the MK21 ... this one seems a little slow..

 

[LANCER]

Mine Shoots. Love it in 338LM. Upper left group measured .144 center to center 5 shots. I used Prime Ammo 300 OTM for this.

IMG_0348 by Chris Hoesel, on Flickr

 

[Raik]

Lancer,

thank you for info.
The second .338 barrel is orderred. The old barrel for hunting loads, the new barrel for target loads.
I hope it will be shipped soon.

 

[Zachbeard]

Has anyone tried to put on the MPA EVG grip on their MRAD? Shot my buddy’s MPA and fell in love with the grip. It says on MPAs website that it will replace any standard A2 grip. Thanks in advance!

 

[LANCER]

Has anyone tried to put on the MPA EVG grip on their MRAD? Shot my buddy’s MPA and fell in love with the grip. It says on MPAs website that it will replace any standard A2 grip. Thanks in advance!

I believe it should. MRAD uses a standard A2 grip but I've never tried replacing it. Will have to try. I like the MPA also.

 

[Blaster7Romeo]

I believe it should. MRAD uses a standard A2 grip but I've never tried replacing it. Will have to try. I like the MPA also.

yea I put a Magpul Miad on mine for my baby hands lol went right on

 

[Kevlars]

Hi All,
I have one of the very first MRAD's in 338 24inch Heavy Barrel. It is a tack driver, I recently purchased the Proof Carbon Fiber Barrel in 338 and with the Thunder Beast Suppressor it is an awesome rifle. I have been working up a load with 95.6 gn of Retumbo, Lapua brass, and Hornandy 285 HPBT. Glad to be back on the boards... -K

 

[Jmo]

The TBAC 338 Suppressors are phenomenal. I also have one on a very early MRAD with the 24" fluted barrel.

 

[Kevlars]

The TBAC 338 Suppressors are phenomenal. I also have one on a very early MRAD with the 24" fluted barrel.

Do you reload .. if so what components do you use?

I love that big beefy bolt we got with the early ones ... now they use a smaller bolt -- I had to use the conversion kit as I got the Proof Barel

 

[IanHusaberg]

Hey guys,
I posted a thread in the accessories Px looking for a 308 or 260 barrel for the mrad. If anyone that has one and wants to let it go for a reasonable price let me know. Even 300 win mag. Thanks, Ian