armaborealis
Well-Known Fanatic
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2011
- Messages
- 575
I want to give folks a range review on a "special purpose rifle" (SPR) clone I made using parts from PSA and Primary Arms. I recently had the chance to put the rifle through its paces at a two-day Appleseed Full-Distance event.
The concept was to clone the "SPR" MK12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk_12_Spec ... pose_Rifle) which is basically configured as a sort of DMR-type arrangement. BCM sells them for $1200+ (and that's just the upper alone! Building out a complete BCM with high end optic would likely run around $3K...). My build consists of:
- PSA 18" CHF 223 Wylde 1:8 Rifle Gas SSK 15" ($469.99)
- BCG & CH (<$100 on sale)
- Magpul BUIS (had laying around)
- Primary Arms 6x fixed scope with ACSS reticle ($120)
- LPK, and B5 stock (~$100ish? Probably less... Had the parts and a lower laying around...)
- Geisselle SSA-E (~$200 on sale)
- Harris Bipod ($80 on sale)
- GI web sling (had laying around)
TOTAL WITH OPTIC: Just under $1100
I have now shot a few hundred rounds through this rifle and have a good idea of its capabilities. With a mix of five and ten-shot groups from the bench or bipod using IMI's MK262 clone, I grouped from 1.25-2 MOA. From a slung prone unsupported position I was keeping <2 MOA no problem. Using PPI M193 clone ammo, groups opened up to 3-4 MOA. I suspect that if I had opted for the stainless bbl rather than chrome-lined, the groups would tighten up 0.25-0.5 MOA or so.
In addition to shooting the service-rifle derived Appleseed COF and sighters, I took the rifle out on a field shooting excercise to engage targets at unknown distances from 120-650 yards. I utilized the PA ACSS reticle to range and then applied the BDC function (more below).
The Primary Arms optic offers a lot for its price point. The turrets are zero-resettable. The glass is clear for its price point, much better than many other cheap scopes. The illuminated reticle works well enough at dawn/dusk. The scope has held its zero. 6x power was enough for me to still shoot both eyes open up close (barely) but still ID and engage targets out at 400+ yards. The ACSS reticle offers some nice features, some of which I tested:
- Auto-ranging (has horizontal and vertical lines calibrated for 68" tall and ~28" wide) -- This gave me very quick and pretty accurate (+/-50 yards) reads on the FTX targets. I was then able to take more precise measurements using known-MOA marks on the reticle to derive better ranges. But for quick and dirty ranging the ACSS design works well; it is fast and gets you close enough to ring steel. The only problem is that down at the 700-800 yard ranges, the lines are so small as to make it tough to use these features.
- Wind lead: We had a light breeze (3-5 MPH) crosswind. Rather than holding or dialing in a few clicks, I used the ACSS hold-over dot. Worked like a champ.
- BDC: The BDC is calibrated for M193. I was shooting MK262 most of the weekend. Primary Arms suggested I dial in 0.5-1" high at 100 yards. I did so and found that my groups were within about 1 MOA of the BDC when taking sighters. Not bad. We were not able to shoot beyond 600 yards so I don't know how well it works at 700-800 yards.
My main complaint with the PA scope is that while the windage is advertised as 1/4 MOA clicks, I was really getting about 3/5 of a MOA from each click. Not a deal breaker now that I'm aware of it. My other issue is that the screws on the scope mount provided by PA have some gap in them. The scope is snug and firmly mounted with no wandering zero issues now, but we'll see how it stands the test of time. I may eventually upgrade the optic but thus far the PA is a winner.
So, all that said -- how did it shoot, other than sighters/groups?
I was able to handily qualify at known distance on the Appleseed Qual Test with this rifle. This entails shooting an E-type silhoutte at 100 yards (standing slow fire), 200 yards (sitting/kneeling rapid fire), 300 yards (prone rapid fire), and 400 yards (prone slow fire). I also did very well in the "top shot" field shoot which required ranging/engaging steel targets at unknown ranges. While I also have a trusty Service Rifle (basic A2 config), the "SPR" clone concept works great for engaging targets at intermediate ranges (200-600). For a chrome lined bbl I am happy with the accuracy provided and think it was a good tradeoff for longer barrel life and lower mx requirements, but others may disagree (and PSA makes a stainless version as well).
I do want to emphasize that it is possible to shoot on an Appleseed KD with a rack-grade rifle (like an AR-15 in a "M16A2" config) with ball ammo (like M193). I brought out my A2 at the event myself, and shooters at High Power matches prove as much every weekend. That said, I am very happy with how this rifle has turned out. It is nice living in an age when you can put together such a rifle and optic system at a reasonable price point. I don't know that a $3K BCM would do much more than my $1K PSA rifle does in a practical field-shoot type competition.
The concept was to clone the "SPR" MK12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk_12_Spec ... pose_Rifle) which is basically configured as a sort of DMR-type arrangement. BCM sells them for $1200+ (and that's just the upper alone! Building out a complete BCM with high end optic would likely run around $3K...). My build consists of:
- PSA 18" CHF 223 Wylde 1:8 Rifle Gas SSK 15" ($469.99)
- BCG & CH (<$100 on sale)
- Magpul BUIS (had laying around)
- Primary Arms 6x fixed scope with ACSS reticle ($120)
- LPK, and B5 stock (~$100ish? Probably less... Had the parts and a lower laying around...)
- Geisselle SSA-E (~$200 on sale)
- Harris Bipod ($80 on sale)
- GI web sling (had laying around)
TOTAL WITH OPTIC: Just under $1100
I have now shot a few hundred rounds through this rifle and have a good idea of its capabilities. With a mix of five and ten-shot groups from the bench or bipod using IMI's MK262 clone, I grouped from 1.25-2 MOA. From a slung prone unsupported position I was keeping <2 MOA no problem. Using PPI M193 clone ammo, groups opened up to 3-4 MOA. I suspect that if I had opted for the stainless bbl rather than chrome-lined, the groups would tighten up 0.25-0.5 MOA or so.
In addition to shooting the service-rifle derived Appleseed COF and sighters, I took the rifle out on a field shooting excercise to engage targets at unknown distances from 120-650 yards. I utilized the PA ACSS reticle to range and then applied the BDC function (more below).
The Primary Arms optic offers a lot for its price point. The turrets are zero-resettable. The glass is clear for its price point, much better than many other cheap scopes. The illuminated reticle works well enough at dawn/dusk. The scope has held its zero. 6x power was enough for me to still shoot both eyes open up close (barely) but still ID and engage targets out at 400+ yards. The ACSS reticle offers some nice features, some of which I tested:
- Auto-ranging (has horizontal and vertical lines calibrated for 68" tall and ~28" wide) -- This gave me very quick and pretty accurate (+/-50 yards) reads on the FTX targets. I was then able to take more precise measurements using known-MOA marks on the reticle to derive better ranges. But for quick and dirty ranging the ACSS design works well; it is fast and gets you close enough to ring steel. The only problem is that down at the 700-800 yard ranges, the lines are so small as to make it tough to use these features.
- Wind lead: We had a light breeze (3-5 MPH) crosswind. Rather than holding or dialing in a few clicks, I used the ACSS hold-over dot. Worked like a champ.
- BDC: The BDC is calibrated for M193. I was shooting MK262 most of the weekend. Primary Arms suggested I dial in 0.5-1" high at 100 yards. I did so and found that my groups were within about 1 MOA of the BDC when taking sighters. Not bad. We were not able to shoot beyond 600 yards so I don't know how well it works at 700-800 yards.
My main complaint with the PA scope is that while the windage is advertised as 1/4 MOA clicks, I was really getting about 3/5 of a MOA from each click. Not a deal breaker now that I'm aware of it. My other issue is that the screws on the scope mount provided by PA have some gap in them. The scope is snug and firmly mounted with no wandering zero issues now, but we'll see how it stands the test of time. I may eventually upgrade the optic but thus far the PA is a winner.
So, all that said -- how did it shoot, other than sighters/groups?
I was able to handily qualify at known distance on the Appleseed Qual Test with this rifle. This entails shooting an E-type silhoutte at 100 yards (standing slow fire), 200 yards (sitting/kneeling rapid fire), 300 yards (prone rapid fire), and 400 yards (prone slow fire). I also did very well in the "top shot" field shoot which required ranging/engaging steel targets at unknown ranges. While I also have a trusty Service Rifle (basic A2 config), the "SPR" clone concept works great for engaging targets at intermediate ranges (200-600). For a chrome lined bbl I am happy with the accuracy provided and think it was a good tradeoff for longer barrel life and lower mx requirements, but others may disagree (and PSA makes a stainless version as well).
I do want to emphasize that it is possible to shoot on an Appleseed KD with a rack-grade rifle (like an AR-15 in a "M16A2" config) with ball ammo (like M193). I brought out my A2 at the event myself, and shooters at High Power matches prove as much every weekend. That said, I am very happy with how this rifle has turned out. It is nice living in an age when you can put together such a rifle and optic system at a reasonable price point. I don't know that a $3K BCM would do much more than my $1K PSA rifle does in a practical field-shoot type competition.