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Remington Model R-25: New AR-10 in .243, 7mm-08 and .308

Later this year Remington will be selling the Model R-25, an AR-10 type rifle chambered in .243, 7mm-08 and .308.

Click to expand all images.

Remington R-25

With the hunter in mind, the new R-25 modular repeating rifle boasts the most advanced design aspects of AR 308 Win. style rifles available today. For peak accuracy, the R-25 features a precision-crafted 20 inch barrel with recessed hunting crown that’s free-floated within a machined-aluminum fore-end tube for the ultimate in shot-to-shot consistency. Six longitudinal flutes forward of the gas block provide increased rigidity and weight reduction while promoting rapid barrel cooling.

Koelbl Single-Rail Gas Block
Koelbl Single-Rail Gas Block

Specs:

- Free-floated button-rifled 0.680″ Muzzle OD ChroMoly barrels with recessed hunting crown

- Fluted barrel design (fluted ahead of gas block)

- Koelbl Single-Rail Gas Block

- Single-stage hunting trigger set to 4.5-5lbs

- Receiver-length Picatinny rail

- Ergonomic pistol grip

- Front and rear sling swivel studs

- Full Mossy Oak® Treestand™ coverage

- Includes 4-round magazine

- Compatible with aftermarket AR 308 Win. type magazines (AR-10 I assume)

- Comes with a lockable hard case

All three models have a 20″ barrel, 10″ rate of twist and weight 8.75 lbs and carry a MSRP of $1532.

R-25 780

According to John Snow @ Gun Shots Remington have already sold out this years quota!

More at Remington.com and Gun Shots

Posted by Steve on May 17th 2008 | Filed in hunting, rifles | Comments (0)

History of the MAS-49/56

Tam has written about the history of the French MAS-49/56. It is very interesting, well worth a read.

A handy, compact weapon, the MAS-49 was roughly the same size as the contemporaneous Soviet SKS. Also like the SKS, its prewar heritage was evident in its elaborately machined steel receiver, designed before metal stamping technology had become a tool in the gun maker’s box. Unlike the SKS, it fired a full-power round, with much the same ballistics as the later 7.62×51 NATO, the famed .308 Winchester.

Mas49Rifle5449
Photo by Oleg Volk.

More here.

Posted by Steve on May 13th 2008 | Filed in rifles | Comments (0)

Fascinating new Benchrest rifle

AccurateShooter has written about a couple of very interesting benchrest rifles made by Gene Beggs. A picture says a thousand words …

Beggs1X350

Beggs2X350
The two discs can be rotated to tune the rifle.

Two of these rifles have been made and are chambered for the custom 220 Beggs and 6mm Beggs, both of which are based on the 220 Russian.
More about it here.

Posted by Steve on May 13th 2008 | Filed in photos, rifles | Comments (0)

The Deresonator

I came across this post at RFC by “_Shorty” showing photos of his Limbsaver Barrel De-resonator. It is a rubber thing that slips onto a rifle barrel that, in theory, dampens the muzzle vibration improving accuracy.

When I looked at the photo I though it must be a joke. I mean look at it … remind you of anything?

Picture 2-9
Deresonator on CZ 453 Varmint

It’s not a joke, they sell it. Maybe it is just me, but I could never put something like that on the end of my rifle.

Posted by Steve on May 8th 2008 | Filed in photos, rifles | Comments (2)

MagSock®: The latest AR accessory!

Because magazines also like to keep warm…

Car-15 Mag Sock
CAR-15 featuring the MagSock®

Looks great when used in conjunction with your iPod sock:

Lm Altview Ipodsock

Hat Tip: MP.net

Posted by Steve on May 3rd 2008 | Filed in rifles | Comments (2)

Enfield rifle with water trigger system

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Click to enlarge

This Enfield would fire when enough water dripped (along the wire, I think) from the top can into the bottom can. It was used by the ANZAC forces at Gallipoli (WWI) to make the Turkish forces think they were still in the trenches while they were retreating.

Very clever. I want to make one! (With blanks, of course).

H/T: MP.net

Posted by Steve on Apr 22nd 2008 | Filed in photos, rifles | Comments (2)

Suppressed 7mm/404

I spotted this rifle over at longrangehunting.com. Is it anti-air artillery or a deer rifle? :D
Built by a New Zealander … they sure know how to build a cool rifle.

Click to expand the photos

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 Albums H222 Gregduley South-Island-07 Img 6603
Beautiful scenery

The rifle has a custom suppressor with a muzzle break! Here is a close up:

Picture 26-2

I assume the “404″ refers to the 404 Jeffries.

my suppressed 7mm/404 which weighs 20 pounds all up, and pushes a 180 grain Berger at 3350 fps.

Posted by Steve on Mar 28th 2008 | Filed in Suppressors, hunting, rifles | Comments (0)

M14 with shot line adapter

M-14 Shotline Adapter

I didn’t know they used shot line adapters. When I saw the photo I thought he was using a suppressor.

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 24, 2008) Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Aan J. Doscher, assigned to the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), fires an M-14 with a shot line adapter toward the Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7) during a refueling-at-sea. Harpers Ferry is assigned to the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl (Released)

Full sized photo here.

Hat Tip: Navy.mil via. MP.net

Posted by Steve on Mar 26th 2008 | Filed in military, rifles | Comments (6)

Harrington & Richardson Experimental M14

I cam across this interesting M14 made by Harrington & Richardson on gunbroker. It features a folding stock and a lightened receiver. The rifle was made in 1961 for military trials into a folding stock rifle for use by paratroopers, vehicle drivers, and tank crews.

The price: $29,995.00 (it is a class III)

Click to expand the photos.

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Posted by Steve on Mar 10th 2008 | Filed in military, rifles | Comments (2)

Lots of custom M14 rifles

H2O MAN, a reader of this blog, has lots of photos of his M14 collection at his website.

H2O-M14-Railed-1.C-1

Posted by Steve on Mar 7th 2008 | Filed in photos, rifles | Comments (3)

Ruger 77/22 rifle review

Shooting Times (UK) has reviewed the .22 Ruger 77/22 rifle

Priced towards the upper end of the rimfire scale, the M77/22 still gives excellent value for money. Build quality is good, as is the accuracy and reliability in the test.

With the options of stainless and synthetic designs, this rifle gives a genuinely good choice for any rimfire shooter - it has the feel of a centrefire rifle but the weight of a light sporter. Supplied with 1in dedicated scope mounts, it is a definite winner as is the pre-threaded barrel, essential on a sporting rimfire these days.

I briefly looked at getting the synthetic model. I decided it was not worth the price. In my opinion for the price it should include an adjustable trigger and free floating barrel.

Ruger 77.22-1

Ruger 77/22-R

Posted by Steve on Mar 6th 2008 | Filed in rifles, rimfire | Comments (0)

New M2008 Tactical Bolt Action from Badger Ordnance

At SHOT Show, Martin (Marty) Bordson of Badger Ordnance, previewed the new Badger M2008 Tactical action. A slab-sided, flat-bottomed, “fat bolt” action, the new Badger action resembles an Accuracy International receiver externally, but it shares some Remington features internally. The M2008 will initially be available for .308 bolt face calibers, and it is designed to work with any Remington detachable-style magazine.

More info at AccurateShooter

Posted by Steve on Mar 4th 2008 | Filed in rifles, video | Comments (0)

To Ride, Shoot Straight … with an AR-15

I came across these stunning photos of the Czech 601st Special Forces Group in Afghanistan at MP.net (Click through for these photos in high resolution).

Specsily 4-5

Sss01-2

Inc173D47 601Sss 010-2

I did not realize the Czech special forces use an AR/M16 variant.

Posted by Steve on Mar 2nd 2008 | Filed in military, photos, rifles | Comments (1)

Iraq M16 biometric tracing

Military.com reported a few days ago that the entire Iraqi army is moving to the M16A2 and M4. Some Iraqi units have been using M16s since May last year. The move was originally announced last April.

So far, the U.S. military has helped the Iraqi army purchase 43,000 rifles - a mix of full-stock M-16A2s and compact M-4 carbines. Another 50,000 rifles are currently on order, and the objective is to outfit the entire Iraqi army with 165,000 American rifles in a one-for-one replacement of the AK-47.

“Our goal is to give every Iraqi soldier an M-16A2 or an M-4,” Scott said. “And as the Iraqi army grows, we will adjust.” - Military.com

Reasons given are logistical and that the M16 is a superior and more reliable weapon. Many think it is superior but few would say more reliable. It is easier to see the logistical benefits. I imagine training will also be easier.

The big advantage is that the rifles can be easily traced. Mexico has gone down this route by using a weapon they themselves designed. If a FX-05 “Xiuhcoatl” ends up in the hands of a drug runner, the Mexican army will know where to find the culprit who supplied it.

Last year it was reported that then an Iraqi soldier gets issued an M16 he is finger printed, undergoes a digital retina scan, and is photographed with the rifle serial number. The information is then transfered into a central database.

The weapon exchange is just the first step in a five-day program of instruction for the Iraqis. However, new rifles are not handed out in a one-for-one swap. Coalition Forces assign each IA recruit a weapon using a high-tech, biometric issue system.

Verified against a master list and having tuned in his old rifle, the IA soldier and his new M-16 continue on to one of ten biometric stations, where he is finger printed, undergoes a digital retinal scan and is photographed with the M16’s serial number. Officials then transfer the information to a database in Baghdad, to ensure accountability and to prevent the weapon from ending up in the wrong hands. - Blackanthem Military News

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The BAT (Biometrics Automated Toolset) in Iraq


The DOD Biometric Task Force

My thoughts on the move to the M16

The move of course also sends money to American factories. It makes sense as hundreds of millions have been spent on arms for the Iraqi army. At the end of last year Iraq’s defence Minister Abdul-Qadir al-Obaidi announced a US$230 million deal with Serbia for what is likely to be rifles, machine guns, explosives and ammo.

Serbia has signed a US$230m (£116m) deal with Iraq to sell weapons and military equipment, the defence ministry said yesterday.

It did not specify the weapons but Serbian military experts believe they include Serbian-made assault rifles, machine guns, anti-tank weapons, ammunition and explosives. - IRAQ UPDATES

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Training with M16s in Iraq. May 2007. US Army photo.

Unfortunately for the rest of us who do not own shares in ammunition manufacturers the supply of 5.56mm to yet another army at war, and who will be at war for a long time, means the price is only going to go up and up.

What does not make sense is why they do not supply them with the gas piston AR variants. Politics would be my guess. I think they had enough media attention over the body armor, they don’t want to be accused of issuing the Iraqi superior rifles.

 Artman2 Uploads 2 Militarynews2007051110E
Iraqi Army soldier loading
5.56mm ammo.

Posted by Steve on Mar 1st 2008 | Filed in military, news, rifles | Comments (2)

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