The Firearm Blog

Idiot has been reloading 20mm vulcan projectiles in 20×138b brass to fire from his Lahti cannon.

20mm vulcan projectile vs. .308!

Lahti L-39 … Idiot is one brave man

More photos here and here

The POF-USA P-308 is a interesting rifle. It is a gas piston operated rifle, based on the AR-10/AR-15 design and requires no lubrication.

14.5″ version

They achieve this by plating the upper receiver with silicon nickel and chroming and heat treating the bolt and carrier.

Upper receiver

Here is a video of it in action

In spite of its name, it is chambered in 7.62X51mm, not .308 (yes, there is a difference).

More info at POF-USA and Defense Review.

Kel-Tec displayed their new RFB 7.62×51mm (.308) bullpup rifle at SHOT Show. SMGLee took some great photos.

With suppressor, nice!

Wikipedia has this to say about the rifle:

The Kel-Tec RFB High Efficiency Rifle (Rifle, Forward-ejection, Bullpup) is a gas-operated semi-automatic rifle with a tilting breechblock locking mechanism, manufactured by Kel-Tec Industries of Florida. It loads the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge and uses metric FAL magazines. The rifle uses a patented forward-ejection system via a tube placed over the barrel that ejects the spent case forwards, over the handguard of the rifle.

The rifle is a forward ejecting semi-automatic firearm chambered in 7.62 mm NATO (.308 Winchester), utilizing a short-stroke gas piston. To avoid the sloppy trigger pull typical of bullpup style firearms, the RFB utilizes a floating linkage bar between the sear and the hammer, allowing the sear to remain above the trigger. The weapon is fully ambidextrous, much in the style of the French FAMAS bullpup assault rifle. The RFB accepts FN FAL style magazines, and is delivered without iron sights. A mil-spec Picatinny rail is standard.

Here is a video of the rifle, clearly showing the forward ejection.

Kel-Tec plans to offer three different four versions each with a different barrel length:

• Carbine (18″),
• Sporter (24″),
• Target (32″ heavy barrel, or 26″ stainless steel barrel)

The rifle is expected this quarter (1st quarter 2008) in the forth quarter, see the comments by dogon1013.

More images after the jump.

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FN have a new 7.62×51mm (.308) autoloader called the FNAR. It is only available in 7.62×51mm and comes in two models Light barrel and Heavy barrel. It uses AR-10 magazines.

FNAR Light

The FNAR puts autoloading speed and bolt-action accuracy in your hands. Every FNAR rifle must meet a 1 MOA or better accuracy specification, just like the FN SPR precision rifles. The receiver is constructed of aircraft grade alloy for light weight and strength. The fluted barrel is offered in a choice of light or heavy contours and features a hard chrome lining and recessed target crown for accuracy and long life.

The action looks like it is based on the Browning BAR (not to be confused with the Browning Automatic RIfle, which is completely different), a sporting auto-loader. Browning is owned by FN.

Browning BAR Light

These excellent photos were take by TalonArms.com

At SHOT Desert Tactical Arms announced their Stealth Recon Scout (DT SRS) sniper weapon system. It is a bolt action bullpup rifle.

It features

* 1/2 MOA accuracy is standard
* 11 inches shorter than conventional rifles
* Quick Caliber conversion between 243 win, 308 win, 300 win, and 338 LM
* Rugged, it was designed and built to be as tough as any other system out there.
* Adjustable trigger 1-5 lbs and you can also enable or disable the second stage on the trigger, as well you can reduce your trigger pull length to whatever you want.

The 338LM pictured below (with bipod, scope mount, sling, and S&B 5-25x) is 15.75 lbs and has an overall length of 37.5″. The 308 WIN (22″ fluted barrel) is approx 3 lbs lighter with an overall length of 31.5″, making it the shortest sniper rifle in the world to my knowledge, yet you can still mount the bipod the same distance forward on the rifle that you can on a standard McMillan stock.

We actually beefed up the barrel and bolt camming area up by 39% over the original DSR-1. Every operational sniper that has handled the rifles have said they are the most comfortable rifles they have ever handled.

The trigger is excellent, I can assure everyone of that and those going to the shot show will get to try it.

Postal, your hilarious, no black eyes with this gun. The bolt has a 60 degree lift and six lugs. The bolt manipulation is about 2-3 inches rearward of a normal bolt gun, It feels very natural and you don’t loose your cheek weld during operation. Your technique changes slightly but it is very accommodating. If you shoot the SRS left handed then you have to roll your head over slightly to manipulate the bolt.

We won’t be making a lefty, at least not for a while, sorry.

.338 LM with 26″ barrel+muzzlebrake next to an M4

Some more photos (rifle chambered in .338 LM)

Prices:

Shot Show Prices will be (Tentative):
SRS 338LM $3585 (26″ fluted barrel includes DTA muzzlebrake)
SRS 300WIN $3450 (26″ fluted barrel no brake)
SRS 243WIN $3275 (24″ fluted barrel)
SRS 308WIN $3275 (22″ fluted barrel)

Conversion kits (includes bolt, barrel, barrel ext, and magazine)
338LM $1480 (includes DTA Muzzlebrake)
300WIN $1265
243WIN $1205 (if you already have a 308win bolt you can deduct $300)
308WIN $1155

Some more photos

Desert Tactical Arms have not website, this information was gathered from googleing (this thread and this thread).

Hopefully an official website will be put online. If you are from Desert Tactical Arms, please email me with your website address.

An interesting comparison between a suppressed .308 FAL vs. an Unsuppressed FAL.

The unsuppressed shot comes right at the end of the video.

They were using a AAC Cyclone 7.62MM Suppressor:

The CYCLONE is a thread-mounting silencer for 7.62mm bolt action and semi-automatic rifles. Constructed entirely from welded 300 series stainless steel, the 8.38″ Lg x 1.50″ diameter CYCLONE is the most compact and durable 7.62mm rifle silencer on the market. The computer optimized baffle stack of the CYCLONE delivers a substantial frequency shift, and the resulting muzzle report is indistinguishable from the ballistic crack of the projectile in flight. The weapon’s flash signature is completely eliminated, and recoil is reduced to the extent the shooter can actually see bullet impact through the scope. The slight added weight of the CYCLONE will assist in reducing barrel harmonics which can equate to a significant increase in accuracy with many host-weapons.

More on the suppressor here

A new .308 / .223 tactical rifle from Remington. I am looking forward to reading reviews about it.

When it comes to tactical firearms, there’s no more trusted name in the game than Remington. In rugged endurance, our Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical Rifle truly stretches the limits.

Our Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical Rifle, features a 416 stainless steel barreled action with Black TriNyte® PVD coating, providing a diamond-hard layer of defense against the elements. It features a OD Green stock with black webbing, wide tactical-style barrel fluting for rapid cooling, hinged floorplate magazine, and dual front swivel studs and rear stud.

Black TriNyte® PVD coating

OD Green stock

Hinged floorplate magazine, Dual front swivel studs and rear stud

Barrel is free-floating with LTR-style fluting

Tactical-style 1 in 9″ twist (223 caliber)

Tactical-style 1 in 12″ twist (308 caliber)

20″ barrel

Chambered in .223 and .308

This year Kimber is introducing a tactical series of rifles. These rifles will come in three models.

Entering the tactical rifle market is no stretch for Kimber. Accuracy standards are already exceeded by lightweight hunting rifles, with durability proven in game fields around the world

LPT (Light Police Tactical)

• Black laminated stock with panel stippling.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Specs

Caliber: .308 Win.

Approximate Weight: 8lbs. 7oz.
Overall Length (inches): 43.25

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 3
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 0.5 inches
Length of pull: 13.75 inches
Drop at heel: 1.75 inches
Drop at comb: 0.25 inches

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Heavy sporter contour
Finish: Matte blue
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Fluting
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine capacity: 5
Pillar bedding
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $1258.00

Tactical

The Model 8400 Tacticalâ„¢ .308 Win. is based on the heavier Model 8400â„¢ action with an oversized bolt handle and knob. Specialized features include a heavy match grade barrel and McMillan stock with stippled texture. All metal surfaces are finished in matte black, and the stock incorporates a third sling swivel stud.

I like the stock

• McMillan A-5 stock with black/grey/green marble finish.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail with 20-minutes of elevation.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Caliber: .308 Win.

Specs

Approximate Weight: 9lbs. 4oz.
Overall Length (inches): 43.5

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 5
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 1 inch
Length of pull: 13.63 inches
Drop at heel: 0.43 inches
Drop at comb: 0.38 inches

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Bull contour
Finish: Matte blue
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine capacity: 5
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $1836.00

Advanced Tactical

The Model 8400 Advanced Tacticalâ„¢ is also chambered in .308 Win. Primary metal surfaces are coated in the premium KimPro II Dark Earth finish that is both self-lubricating and extremely resistant to wear and the elements. A McMillan fully-adjustable stock with a sling swivel stud and four flush swivel cups plus a premium hard case is standard.

• McMillan A-5 stock in desert camo.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail with 20-minutes of elevation.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Specs

Caliber: .308 Win.
Approximate Weight: 9lbs. 13oz.
Overall Length (inches): Adjustable

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 5
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 1 inch
Length of pull: Adjustable
Drop at heel: Adjustable
Drop at comb: Adjustable

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Bull contour
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Magazine capacity: 5
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $2497.00

More here.

GunBlast.com reviews Kimber’s Advanced Tactical Rifle Kit

As neat as the kit is, though, if the rifle isn’t good it’s just window dressing. Kimber’s Advanced Tactical Rifle is chambered for the .308 round, the standard for law enforcement and many military applications. Probably the first thing most shooters will notice with the Advanced Tactical is the McMillan A-5 stock in desert camo. It is very striking in appearance, but it also incorporates a lot of really useful tactical features.

For example, it incorporates five sling swivel studs, one of which is only for bipod attachment. The others, however, offer the ability to attach a sling in various positions using quick detach swivel connectors. Since the rifle weighs close to 10 lbs without scope and bipod, a good sling is a necessity.

The choice of attachment points allows a tactical marksman to tighten up to use the sling for shooting from the seated or kneeling position or even from off hand but or have the option for switching attachment points for ease of carry. Length of pull is adjustable through removal or addition of spacers beneath the recoil pad. Drop at heel and drop at comb are adjustable as well. I also like the flat on the forearm which allows use of a sand bag or other rest.

More here.

Very cool! But it weights 6.5 Lbs / 2.95 kg when loaded!

Of course if it is not reliable then it is just dead weight!

More here.

I read many shooting magazines from around the world and I came across this advertisement in an Australian magazine. It shows what must to be the current AIA M-10 range being produced.

I scanned it into the computer. Click the image below to enlarge it.

Australian International Arms (AIA) calls the M-10 the the 5th generation Lee-Enfield, read more about it here.

I fired up Skype and actually tried calling one of the Australian companies at the bottom of the advert to see if I could get any more information about the rifles. Unfortunately after trying two numbers I realized my rough timezone calculations were a bit off. Checking a timezone website confirmed this!

It is a pity they do not offer the 7.62×39 version anymore. Not at all practical but a 30 round AK-47 magazine on a bolt action rifle would be … unique! Although the special edition M10-B3 that has a M134 mini-gun barrel is very cool

I have no new information about their availability in the US.

A photo of the M10 No4 MK4 Classic:

A photo of the M10-B2 Match:

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