So I just got mine in a bit ago and immediately took it on a hog hunting trip in Texas. Didn't see many hogs, but did toss 125 rds through it.
Came with the heavy (.850ish) 6.5 creed barrel. I originally ordered the 16" 308 barrel with intentions of using it as a suppressor host, but there were apparently problems getting the 308 barrels out the door. They are supposed to be sending it to me when they get them finished.
Initial knee-jerk thoughts:
With the heavy barrel this thing balances like shit. With a can on the end it's ridiculous. No mass in the ass to work with, though I do see several places it would be easy to add some lead weights to, if I were so inclined. I think I'm just going to chop up this barrel into a 20" light palma. Speaking of barrels, a new one is $750 and the extensions are currently only going to be given out to ‘approved’ gunsmiths. I think that’s a whole lotta bullshit.
Ergos are pretty good. Stock is adjustable and fairly comfortable. Folder is probably one of the better ones I've used and handy for flying/travelling. Handguard is legit 'fuck your shit up' sharp. I'm not usually on the fit & finish wagon, but seriously.... this is a $3k rifle, what the fuck.
Dunno how I feel about the DPMS mags. I definitely will be running the ASC mags for extra room. Real innovation IMO would have been a DPMS style mag that went 3.15" in a polymer body and cost < $50. Help us Glen Seekins, you're our only hope!
Dunno about the 45 degree bolt. In practice it’s different enough from a normal action to be awkward to use at first. The bolt lift is pretty damn stiff, probably the heaviest of anything I’ve ever owned (though to be fair, most of my rifles are fairly pedestrian 700 clones or similar). I’m also concerned about primary extraction, or the distinct lack thereof. Had a couple sticky cases that required serious whacking on the bolt handle to remove, and these weren’t at all hot loads. (ZERO pressure signs on the sticky cases, even).
Feeding was fine, shot some Prime ammo, 143 ELD-Xs, and 147 ELD-Match bullets @ Pmag mag length.
Extraction and ejection was ok. Had one instance of the extractor jumping over a case (not one of the sticky cases, either). Had a couple instances where rounds wouldn’t eject very well, usually when someone hadn’t gotten the bolt throw down yet.
Did have one FTF, light strike. Hit looked reasonable, and it fired on another go. This was a reload, but primer seating depth looked sane.
Overall, rifle is neat. Looking forward to yarding it apart over the holidays and seeing what it looks like. I bought it with intentions of using it as a suppressor host to hunt with. It’s pretty Gucci, but I think it will work well for that. As it sits I don’t think it makes sense with a heavy barrel, I think the bolt throw is sorta wonky, and doesn’t seem like it’s going to work as a ‘platform’ for tinkering. Mags are limiting, primary extraction is questionable, and the barrel deal is a complete cock block.
Came with the heavy (.850ish) 6.5 creed barrel. I originally ordered the 16" 308 barrel with intentions of using it as a suppressor host, but there were apparently problems getting the 308 barrels out the door. They are supposed to be sending it to me when they get them finished.
Initial knee-jerk thoughts:
With the heavy barrel this thing balances like shit. With a can on the end it's ridiculous. No mass in the ass to work with, though I do see several places it would be easy to add some lead weights to, if I were so inclined. I think I'm just going to chop up this barrel into a 20" light palma. Speaking of barrels, a new one is $750 and the extensions are currently only going to be given out to ‘approved’ gunsmiths. I think that’s a whole lotta bullshit.
Ergos are pretty good. Stock is adjustable and fairly comfortable. Folder is probably one of the better ones I've used and handy for flying/travelling. Handguard is legit 'fuck your shit up' sharp. I'm not usually on the fit & finish wagon, but seriously.... this is a $3k rifle, what the fuck.
Dunno how I feel about the DPMS mags. I definitely will be running the ASC mags for extra room. Real innovation IMO would have been a DPMS style mag that went 3.15" in a polymer body and cost < $50. Help us Glen Seekins, you're our only hope!
Dunno about the 45 degree bolt. In practice it’s different enough from a normal action to be awkward to use at first. The bolt lift is pretty damn stiff, probably the heaviest of anything I’ve ever owned (though to be fair, most of my rifles are fairly pedestrian 700 clones or similar). I’m also concerned about primary extraction, or the distinct lack thereof. Had a couple sticky cases that required serious whacking on the bolt handle to remove, and these weren’t at all hot loads. (ZERO pressure signs on the sticky cases, even).
Feeding was fine, shot some Prime ammo, 143 ELD-Xs, and 147 ELD-Match bullets @ Pmag mag length.
Extraction and ejection was ok. Had one instance of the extractor jumping over a case (not one of the sticky cases, either). Had a couple instances where rounds wouldn’t eject very well, usually when someone hadn’t gotten the bolt throw down yet.
Did have one FTF, light strike. Hit looked reasonable, and it fired on another go. This was a reload, but primer seating depth looked sane.
Overall, rifle is neat. Looking forward to yarding it apart over the holidays and seeing what it looks like. I bought it with intentions of using it as a suppressor host to hunt with. It’s pretty Gucci, but I think it will work well for that. As it sits I don’t think it makes sense with a heavy barrel, I think the bolt throw is sorta wonky, and doesn’t seem like it’s going to work as a ‘platform’ for tinkering. Mags are limiting, primary extraction is questionable, and the barrel deal is a complete cock block.