TFB Review: Barrett MRAD
Designed to compete in the 2009 Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) competition, the Barrett Multi-Role Adaptive Design or MRAD was born. While it wouldn’t be chosen for the PSR of 2009, it would be selected as the Department of Defense (DoD) newest Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) in 2019.
Being overly curious about this platform for years, I was fortunate enough to have an MRAD loaned to me for review. The only thing left to do would be to put this MRAD through its paces.
Features
One of the key features that sets the MRAD apart from the Barrett lineup is the secure folding stock with a tool-less length of pull and comb height adjustments. With the 24″ barrel installed, this makes transporting the assembled rifle much easier. The stock folds to the side and uses the bolt handle to securely lock into place. It’s a simple design that works incredibly well.
The bolt design on the MRAD is where the internal engineering changes start to stand out. Unlike common three-lug designs, the MRAD bolt uses a breech-lock thread form for secure bolt lock-up. This is housed in a polymer bolt guide that acts as a dust cover and aids in smooth bolt operation.
One of my absolute favorite features is the 10 round double stack magazines. It’s just as simple as loading any double-stack pattern AR-15 magazine. With belted cartridges like the 300 Win Mag, this makes loading magazines much easier.
Another inherent design trait the MRAD possess is its monolithic upper receiver. The barrel fastens to the upper receiver using only two Torx head screws. The upper and lower receivers use two takedown points (similar to the AR-15 design) for quick disassembly.
Caliber Conversions
With over eight calibers to choose from, caliber conversions are where the MRAD truly stands out. For this particular rifle, the 300 Win Mag barrel is great for targets out to roughly 1700 yards. Need to go further? Simply swap out the barrel for the above 338 Lapua barrel, and you’re ready to stretch it out to 2500 yards.
Takedown of the MRAD is a simple process that can be done in a couple of minutes. Caliber conversions rely on three simple parts. The bolt head, magazine, and barrel. Additionally, you’ll need an appropriately sized and calibrated torque wrench for removal and re-installation of the two Torx screws.
Full disassembly is as follows; remove the magazine, push the bolt to the rear, depress the lower receiver latch, slide the bolt assembly out, unscrew the barrel retaining screws, and then remove the barrel. With the barrel removed the first thing I noticed was just how heavy the MRAD’s barrel is (just over 6.5 lbs). As this accounts for a large chunk of the weight, I understand why the DoD chose to source Carbon Fiber PROOF Research barrels for the new 300 PRC MRADs.
At The Range
To test the MRAD’s accuracy I used SIG’s new Elite Hunter 300 Win Mag that they kindly sent over. These 180-grain ballistic tipped projectiles have a muzzle velocity of 2960 FPS with 3,502 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Note: The MRAD being reviewed has been thoroughly used has well over 1,000 rounds through the barrel.
With the new SIG ammo, I was able to achieve an average grouping of 0.45 MOA, and with the best group of 0.31 MOA. I’ve witnessed this rifle shoot better groupings, and I can safely say the MRAD at this point is more accurate than I am. With a limited review window and ammo, I settled on this result and decided to head outdoors to stretch the legs on the MRAD.
Using a ballistics calculator, attached bubble level and angle degree indicator, and you quickly realize that any misses with this rifle would be 100% your fault. At 1050 yards, only a strong 10-15mph crosswind would force me to dial +/- 1 MOA of windage to hit the 24in steel diamond.
It’s safe to say the MRAD is the smoothest shooting 300 Win Mag I’ve ever had the chance to shoot. Recoil is incredibly manageable, and you don’t have to force the gun down in order to spot your shot impacts. The action is smooth and makes for quick and easy follow up shots. The MRAD is hands down the most pleasant to shoot magnum rifle I’ve ever fired.
Pro’s and Con’s
As the rifle currently sits, I can safely say there’s nothing about the setup that I would change. There isn’t an aftermarket trigger, modern rail, or any other accessory that I would change on this setup. The MRAD is a rifle that you buy and only need to outfit once. If you’re interested in the latest and greatest caliber, you need only buy a conversion kit.
The biggest roadblock to any would-be MRAD owners is the price tag. With a starting price tag of around $6,000 the MRAD (like all Barrett Firearms) isn’t cheap. The rifle as pictured would cost a little over $10,000 and that’s enough to turn most buyers away. Additionally, the weight of the rifle (over 20lbs as configured) is enough to dissuade buyers looking for a potential backcountry hunting rifle.
The Verdict
While the MRAD’s price tag might seem staggeringly high, I think the cost is justified. With a myriad of caliber conversions available, this could be the last precision rifle you ever need to outfit. Barrett has done a fantastic job of building a truly multi-role rifle completely in house, and it shows in the finished product. While it might not be perfect, it’s pretty close. It’s safe to say that if you can afford an MRAD, you surely won’t be disappointed.
A big thank you to Mike Pappas of Dead Air Silencers for loaning me his personal rifle for this review, and to SIG Sauer for sending over the ammunition used throughout the review.
The author is a military contractor who enjoys conducting independent firearms research and reloading. Article inquiries and suggestions are welcome at austinjrex at gmail.com
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I’d be interested in seeing a test between a Proof Research barrel and a standard premium barrel. What I’d be most interested in is group size and point of impact shift as the barrels heat up. Especially since the carbon fiber wrapped barrels are held in tension inside the carbon fiber tube. Does the tension change as the barrel heats up? How does this affect accuracy? If they are capable of holding a consistent point of impact and group size as they heat up relative to a standard barrel it might be a worthwhile modification.
My "ideal MRAD" would have the following:
1. Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped barrels (to cut weight)
2. barrels in 300 PRC and 6.5 PRC
3. SIG Tango 6 5 - 30 x 56 scope mil/mil W/illuminated DEV-L "Xmas tree" ranging reticle
My friend owns a .338 LM MRAD and has NEVER shot it in the 5 years he has owned it. And then there is his M82 A-1 he bought last year which he has also never shot!!
But yeah, the MRAD is definitely a better rifle than the Remington Defense/Cadex previous advanced sniper rifle chosen by the US Army. The trigger, usually the first thing to go wrong on most rifles, is as easily removable as the British Accuracy International rifles' triggers - something one cannot say of the Remington Defense sniper rifle.