Looks good to me. Portable. Quiet. Accurate. .308 caliber. Just the thing to pack into a couple of motorcycle panniers and take to the range for a fun day out. Too bad McMillan’s CS5 come-on says the suppressed CS5′s for “military and law enforcement applications.” Then again, a quick call to Big Mac reveals that sure, average Joes are good to stow. All you need is pay for an NFA (National Firearms Act) SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) and Suppressor tax stamp, $6500 and three months lead time. Alternatively, you could forgo the 12″ 1-in-8 twist barrel, set aside $5500 and buy a CS5 with a 18.5″ or 24″ barrel, a 1-in-11 twist and go 6.5 Creedmore crazy (s’il vous plait). Eventually. For now, we give Big Mac props for not calling the shorter, louder model the STD.

There’s a guy (yogi89) on Reddit that used his time in shop class more productively than most. Instead of building a coffee table or a chair, he decided to make a SCAR-L out of wood, and he did it remarkably well. There are more pictures here. He says he sought and received permission to build it in school (high school) – and we’re amazed it was granted. Anyway, it took him three months to finish and the magazine is removable. Simply amazing.

Now, if I had any really rich relatives, I’d probably own a sweet Blazer rifles or, in keeping with my namesake, a Barrett. Unfortunately, the madness has to stop somewhere, so my precision rifle had to be done on the cheap. Well sort of. Rather than blowing a wad of cash all at one time, I decided to see what I could do assembling a rifle from various parts, spending a little bit here, and a bit more there.

I decided to try and build something around the 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge. I initially chose the 300 WinMag for a very simple reason: it’s the cartridge around which the U.S. Army is building their XM2010 weapon system. While I don’t know very much about precisions ballistics, I figured the Army does and what’s good for them is probably a good place to start.

I considered the .338 Lapua, but at nearly $4 a bullet (unless you reload, which I don’t at present), it gets a bit costly to shoot a lot. I also considered the .50 BMG, but I was, well,  shot down by the same concerns around bullet cost. Besides, most of the ranges around me ban .50 cal rifles.

As I’ve learned more since getting into this project, the 300 WinMag isn’t prohibitively expensive. It also has a very flat trajectory, meaning that I don’t have to do serious compensation for bullet drop until I start getting a good ways away from my target.

After looking around and considering a number of systems, I decided to base my rifle on the Remington 700 platform. While there are cheaper options, the U.S. Army also uses the 700 action. If it’s good enough for government work, it’s good enough for me. So I got the project started by picking up a used Remington 700 SPS – no frills, just your basic rifle – for $500.

Of course, I wasn’t used to shooting powerful rifles and it had been a while since I’d last fired a 12 gauge. So I was rather unpleasantly surprised by the Remington 700′s kick. You do get used to it, but dump 20-30 rounds down range in a single session and you walk away with a sore shoulder.

At the end of last year, I decided to give myself a little Christmas present and replaced the stock with one made by Accuracy International. AI makes some serious sniper rifles with equally serious prices, but for just $800 you can purchase their AICS “chassis system” stock upgrade for the 700.

The stock couldn’t be easier to install. Simply remove two screws from the bottom of the rifle, pull the old stock off and drop the action and barrel into the AICS. The stock’s designed to self-bed, so none of that work is necessary. Additionally, it’s designed to permit a floating barrel, so you get that advantage over the stock Remington design as well.

Doing this sort of conversion really changes the “mission profile” of this rifle. Equipped with the basic Remington stock, the 700 is very much a multipurpose rifle. You can always attach a bipod for some precision shooting, but it’s also relatively easy to sling one over your shoulder if hunting is your thing. The AICS stock, though, adds length and 5.75 pounds. That’s really not something you’ll want to lug over hill and dale chasing Bambi.

But the extra weight and grip positioning, along with a more substantial recoil pad, make for much lower felt recoil. Now, the only place that hurts after dumping three dozen rounds down range is the wallet. A $1,300 rifle can hardly be considered cheap, but it’s still half the price of many of equivalent alternatives and it has elevated my humble Remington 700 SPS into something else entirely in both the performance and appearance departments.

To economize a little, I’ve chosen a Simmons Whitetail Classic Rifle Scope with a 6.5 – 20x zoom that I picked up for less than $110 in one of Midway USA’s sales. Normally, this scope sells for about $250, still a relative bargain compared to some of the bigger names. I also added an Atlas Accuracy International Spigot and AAIS Bottom Rail, both from B&T Industries. What this does is to make use of the quick release bipod mount on the bottom of the AICS stock. The bottom rail is attached to the spigot and it enables the use of any bipod with a Picatinny mount. I’m using a cheap bipod right now, but will invest in a better one down the road.

I’ve started working with this rifle at my local range and hope to be able to get it to shoot very accurately out to 300 yards (the limit at my main range). Then I plan to take a class at the Sig Sauer Academy that will let me get out to 1,000 yards. A barrel replacement may be in the cards at that point, but we’ll see what the stock Remington can do first.  I suspect that it will be a while before my marksmanship skills exceed the capabilities of this rifle as it currently stands.

This could be the year that Illinois finally “allows” its citizens to exercise their right to keep and bear (as in carry) arms. So what? As long as the Chicago machine calls the shots in The Land of Lincoln, the state will be about as firearms friendly as a Brady Campaign Christmas party. Illinois-based firearms manufacturers (e.g. Rock River Arms) are well advised to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. Yes, I know: ArmaLite and other gunmakers in the AR “Silicon Valley” have deep roots in the community. But if the state can push bills like the ones described above in a post-McDonald decision world, there’s no hope. And there’s never been a better time to negotiate new digs in gun-friendly states. Sorry Mark. Major hassle. Lots of heartbreak. But it’s time to go.

Youtube is an interesting part of life in the 21^st century because it connects us to the world in an unusual manner. We can see the best of times and the worst of times through there as it makes future stars out of nobodies (see early Justin Bieber video) and dogs (see any goofy mutt video). People will relinquish any loose grip they may have on their dignity in an embarrassing effort to become stars, but sometimes stardom is simply a taped pratfall or misstep away from Youtube viral fame. . .

The Youtube adventure has reconnected me with my own kid TV roots because I can watch ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ and ‘Get Smart’ any time the spirit moves me. I saw a 1956 TV game show sequence that had a 96 year old man who witnessed the Lincoln assassination as a 5-year-old. The old guy misunderstood the events in the theater as a youngster and was concerned with John Wilkes Booth’s health when he hit the stage hard following his leap to escape capture after the shooting.

But somebody recently steered me toward another historical presidential assassination account on Youtube. This one has all-too-familiar photographic evidence – with heavy emphasis on the “graphic” aspect. The famous Zapruder film was digitally enhanced and displays the Kennedy assassination in painfully clear detail.

I am old enough to remember this very dark moment in history as a kid in grade school. The news came to us in the school gym announced by our principal and followed by silence and a prayer for the late president from a bunch of kids in a small Canadian city.

Over the years the Kennedy assassination has ignited much conjecture and debate about the circumstances that surrounded the shooting. Conspiracy theorists can still get tangled up in various hypotheses on the person or persons behind the plot.

Personally I believe that Oswald was a lone gunman. How or why he arrived at his infamous connection to this case is best left to the conspiracy hobbyists. But most experts believe that his rifle shots killed President Kennedy and you will get little argument from me, particularly after I saw the digitally enhanced Zapruder footage.

The experts believe that the Italian Carcano bolt action rifle was used by Oswald for his date with destiny. The rounds were 160 grain round-nosed bullets and they were designed to inflict as much damage as possible upon their intended target. The devastation caused by a bullet built to force its way into a target was graphically evident in the film sequence. The second round that hit Kennedy was a gruesome reminder of the sheer blunt force of the impact. It is ugly to watch and it’s a reminder of the sheer power of a firearm.

Most of the historical footage of the President shows a vibrant living human being whose legacy in American history includes a showdown with the Soviets in Cuba and a call to put a man on the moon before 1970. All of that life and vitality is lost in a heartbeat by a madman with a rifle. It’s a horrific part of history that can be found very easily in the files of Youtube, but I am not sure that I needed to witness this incredibly sad piece of American history.

Notice the hose quote marks around the words “nice racks” above. That’s ’cause it’s ironic. OK, it’s more of the sexist celebration of the female form that occasionally mings with TTAG’s mantra. But . . . uh . . . that’s also a direct quote from the linking email sent by a member of our Armed Intelligentsia. Whose name will go unmentioned—discretion being the better part of valor and all. As you were, Airmen. Air people? Whatevs . . .

K-Var may be best known as the premier American purveyor of all things Kalashnikov, but the Las Vegas-based importer is now taking orders for a special run of custom-built Zastava bolt-action rifles. For southpaws…

The right-handed Zastava .22 boltie, called the MP22R, used to be imported as the Remington Model Five. Foghorn is a man who knows his rifles, and the little Zastava is one of his favorite rifles in the whole world. The left-handed version starts at an incredible $349. The centerfire Zastavas are based on Mauser actions, with controlled round feeding and beefy full-length extractor claws. Prices run from $539 for the .223 Remington, up to $839 for a double-trigger .375 H&H or .458 Winchester Magnum.

From K-Var:

For the 11% of the US population that is left-handed, adapting to different firearms can be a tricky thing to juggle. For that 11%, K-Var is excited to introduce our limited line of Left Handed Zastava firearms.

Just like the original right handed variation, these left handed rifles come directly from the Zastava Arms factory in Serbia. Their world renowned reputation for quality has made them one of the premier firearms manufacturers for over 150 years. Each firearm features superior craftsmanship from barrel to buttstock. These left-handed, bolt-action rifles will be built so that the bolt is on the left side making it easy to use for any lefty gun enthusiast.

There will be 30 calibers/trigger/stock types to choose from.

This is a SPECIAL ORDER ITEM. In order to import these in a timely manner, we ask that you call, e-mail, or place your online order not later than 3:00 PST on February 9th and make your $100 deposit.

Please allow up to 90 days for delivery of these unique firearms.

Only 90 days to order an as-yet-unbuilt rifle from Europe? It takes Kimber longer than that to deliver an already-made handgun from New York.

If you’re interested, email sales@k-var.com or call 1-702-364-8880. And soon.

Karin Bugge of Altadena, California isn’t afraid of her neighbors. She’s not afraid of strangers on the street. Writing for altadeena.patch.com, Ms. Bugge pens a piece announcing her fearless support of Assemblyman Tortantino’s bill to ban citizens from openly carrying long guns. (The bill would close the “long gun loophole,” now that the Golden State has banned civilians from openly carrying handguns). Bugge wonders why anyone would be so frightened as to carry a long gun *gasp* in public . . .

Anthony Portantino has introduced a bill to ban the open-carry of rifles in public. This seems like such a reasonable bill, such a no-brainer, I’ve been nonplussed by the sturm and drang emanating from the gun advocate corner.  I wonder about all these folks who are afraid to leave the house unescorted, without a lethal weapon by their side. I wonder what extra baggage, besides that rifle and ammo clip, they might be carrying.

Okay, a couple of nits need picking before we get to the substance.

First, it is traditional to italicize foreign words when writing for publication. Second, it is more usual, when using a foreign phrase to keep the original language throughout. The German phrase is sturm und drang (literally storm and stress) and means turmoil or uproar; by stating it as sturm and drang Ms. Bugge it would be assumed that she means the literal words rather than the idiom.

There. I feel better. On to the meat of the matter . . .

Only it’s really hard to address this sort of question on any sort of substantive basis, as Ms. Bugge’s polemic is based on a false assumption. None of the gun owners I know are afraid of people in general. Some of them are/were/may be afraid of a specific person (e.g., their stalker, an ex, a disgruntled business partner). But even in these cases I don’t think the word “afraid“ is correct. “Concerned”—leading, perhaps, to “alarmed”—would be a better term.

The people I know who carry a firearm in public don’t live as if they’re in the federal Witness Protection program. They are aware that there is someone out there, somewhere, who may mean them harm and they have taken the steps they feel necessary to protect themselves. They do not, as Ms. Bugge implies, spend every day trembling with the anticipation of being attacked.

I’ve run into this attitude before, the assumption that I carry a weapon (or two) because I am anticipating a violent encounter at any minute. There’s an old joke about a fancy dinner party and a woman notices that the man next to her is carrying a pistol. She asks him if he is expecting trouble, to which he replies “No ma’am, if I was expecting trouble I would have brought a rifle.”

I don’t walk out the door expecting trouble just as I don’t get in the car expecting an accident or a flat tire, but I still have insurance and carry a spare. Ms. Bugge (okay, I’m going to switch to Karin now, I hope she doesn’t mind) continues:

With all the noise and obfuscation, it might have escaped notice that the proposed bill has absolutely no impact on one’s ability to keep a firearm in the privacy of one’s own home.

No, Karin, it hasn’t escaped our notice. It’s just completely irrelevant.

But some gun advocates feel their rights are in danger if they’re not able to flash their guns and ammo in public.

The California open carry movement wasn’t (isn’t?) about “flashing” a gun. It was about citizens protesting their inability to exercise their Second Amendment right to keep and bear (as in carry) arms. Because unless you’re rich, famous or politically connected, it’s virtually impossible to get a concealed carry permit (still is, for that matter) within California’s urban enclaves.

To drive this political point home (without the risk of becoming a felon) gun rights advocates started carrying the only way they could: openly with unloaded guns.

So, in a sense, you could say that Assemblyman Portantino’s AB 144 and proposed long gun ban are, in fact, all about stifling unpopular political dissent. He and “Bull” Connor probably would have gotten along famously, trading stories about quelling protests and protesters.

As for the danger of open carry, fuhgeddaboutit. Despite the level-headed assurances of some cops[1], it was primarily the police (officers like East Palo Alto Det. Rod Tuason for example) who caused problems and confrontations with open carriers.

Karin’s confusion on these issues is without bounds. She displays a classic misinterpretation of what constitutes a “right”:

Well, this member of the public feels her rights are very much in danger if they’re able to do so. And not just because of the intimidation factor. There is no guarantee that whoever carries a gun has any sense of aim, any sense of how of when to use a lethal weapon, or any sense, period.

If something requires positive action on the part of someone else, then it is not “a right.” The right to worship as I choose does not mean that the government must supply me with a church. I believe it was Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. who said “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.”

To put it in terms Karin might understand, my right to carry a weapon doesn’t end when she sees me with a gun and wets herself. It ends when I shoot at her. Which of course, I would never do—unless she posed an imminent, credible threat to my life or the life of my loved ones, and imminence was imminent.

As for “the intimidation factor” posed by people exercising their 2A rights in public, I’m 6’5″ tall, 300+ pounds, I have a shaved head and a big red . . . okay, formerly red, now graying, beard. People routinely ask me if I ride a Harley. One of my friends used to (affectionately) call me a Viking axe murderer (innocent). Are you saying that I should not be able to walk down the street because my size and demeanor might intimidate you?

Finally, for someone who says she is “not afraid of people; neighbors or strangers with whom I share the streets, parks, shops, gas stations” Karin seem awfully afraid of, well, people with whom she shares the streets, parks, shops and gas stations—if those people are openly carrying an unloaded firearm. Just sayin’.

A few months ago I was skimming through some of TTAG’s older posts. I re-spotted Nick’s 1000-yard rifle for $500 project. Like many of you I’ve been anxiously awaiting the results, to see what could be pulled from a stock rifle with zero gunsmithing work and a scope that costs less than a decent bipod. Unfortunately, Nick is mid-move and having some troubles getting onto a 1000-yard range. Meanwhile, his efforts however have inspired me. A little background . . .

In my review of the Remington XCR TLR I neglected to mention that I’m turning the Remy into a long-range gun: a rifle that’s more faithful to its “tactical” moniker. My goal: to get a “factory gun” to shoot accurately at long-distances.

The XCR will get the normal bolt-on precision accoutrements: an AICS stock, bedding, and trigger tuning. I’m also going to swap out the Trijicon Accupoint scope for something a little more conducive to long-range (600+ yard) work. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Accupoint (and will be putting it to good use). But the thick reticle makes really long shots difficult; it covers up so much of the target.

After that, I’m going to see what gunsmithing procedures (if necessary) have the biggest “payoff.” I’ve found a local gunsmith with a national (and even international) reputation. I’ve seen the work they do first hand; it’s nothing short of amazing. Marty’s mob will square the action, true the bolt face and lugs, and cut a new crown. But I’ll consider anything that Marty recommends.

Since I’ve been patiently waiting for my AICS 1.5 stock to come back into inventory at Brownell’s, I was trying to figure out what I should do with the XCR’s OEM-installed Bell & Carlson A2 Light Tactical stock. I could save it for a future reinstall, should I decide to sell the rifle. But that’s unlikely; the XCR is posting sub-MOA groups with factory ammo and the action is as smooth as butter. I could put the stock up for sale on eBay; they’re going for a pretty penny even on the used market.

After Nick’s re-inspiration, I decided the stock is going to be the basis for my own “budget” precision project rifle, something that I could compare to my XCR project rifle.

Notice I didn’t set a price ceiling like Nick did. I just said “budget.” As we’ve learned with firearms, cars, appliances, lawn equipment and everything else in the home, building to a price point can hinder a potentially great item with a very fragile “weak link.” I’ll keep this within a reasonable price as much as possible and I will also share my tips on how to save – and actually recuperate – some money.

So I started my search for that perfect test specimen. The nice thing about not needing something is the ability to search and shop without any internal pressures to buy. I ended up with a lightly used Remington 700 AAC-SD. And when I say lightly used, I mean lightly used.

A middle-aged gentlemen posted an ad on backpage.com and we met in the parking lot of a grocery store. He had the original box, receipt, owner’s manual, scope box, and even that little rubber-band tag thingy that Remington puts on the barrel. He swore that it only had a single box of ammo through the barrel… and I believe him. More on that later. After some wheeling and dealing, I purchased the rifle for only $550.

Many members of TTAG’s Armed Intelligentsia will be familiar with the AAC-SD. I’ve handled one and ogled its 20” threaded-barrel coolness in the past. What I didn’t know: Remington offered a “limited edition” part number. Most of the AAC-SD rifles come with a Ghillie-green Hogue Overmolded stock and a thread-protector over the barrel threads. Mine, which is Remington Product# 85542, came with a black Hogue stock and a factory-installed AAC 51T muzzle brake (it also comes with the thread protector in the box).

Of course, I’m taking all of this on the word of internet chatter. There isn’t a lick of proof that this gun was even manufactured by Remington – not on their website or in their “archived” firearms list.

Out of the box or, uh… trunk

For the most part, the gun looks, feels, and handles just like any other Remington 700. In fact, it’s nearly identical to the Remington 700 SPS Tactical (RF’s gun). The main difference between that gun and the Remington 700 AAC-SD: Hogue stock and threaded barrel with a 1-10” twist (as opposed to a 1-12” twist with no threads).

I declared my fondness for the Hogue Overmolded stock in Project Elk Slayer Part II. The stock isn’t too bulky or heavy, free-floats the barrel and makes for a great all-weather hunting rifle. However, that gun’s stock sat a standard magnum contoured barrel. When the AAC-SD is supported by a bipod or sandbags, the Hogue stock touches and “presses” on the barrel While these rifles are still capable of acceptable accuracy, it’s not an ideal setup by precision-shooting standards.

The AAC-SD’s finish is a durable not-quite-matte, not-quite-satin black oxide. It looks good but it’s too reflective for me. That said, the finish seem to “suck up” oil pretty well and it’s stayed clean after a few trips to the range.

As I mentioned, the AAC-SD’s barrel has a 1-10” twist, which is better suited for 168-grain and heavier bullets. Internet chatter says the gun was designed for 175-grain Sierra MatchKings. After doing some heavy research, I found that it was actually designed for heavier (200-grain plus) sub-sonic rounds. I haven’t gotten into shooting sub-sonic rounds yet, so I will take the manufacturer’s word on the twist rate’s effectiveness. I do know that 168-grain and heavier rounds shoot well out of tighter twist barrels.

The rifle came with a Bushnell Tactical Elite 3200 scope with a fixed 10x zoom, 40mm objective, 1/10 Mil adjustments and a Mil-Dot reticle. It was mounted using a Leupold 1-piece base and Redfield rings. The Bushnell is cheap—around $225 if you catch it on sale—but it’s surprisingly clear. The turrets aren’t as smooth as a high-end piece of German glass but they are positive and can easily be manipulated with gloved hands.

Benchmark testing…

I headed to the range with some factory match-grade ammo and some handloads. Much to my delight, the AAC-SD shot better than I expected. Considering that the stock puts quite a bit of upward pressure on the barrel, I was happy with the results.

The best factory-ammo 5-shot grouping came from the Federal Gold Metal Match (FGMM) 168-grain cartridges, shooting a 1.32” group. The FGMM 175-grain, Hornady Match 168-grain, and Remington Premier 168-grain MatchKings all grouped between 2”-2.5”. I was able to squeeze a 1” group from a 175-grain Sierra MatchKing (SMK) handload using IMR 8208 XBR powder (3-shot group). Nothing exemplary, but considering the 10X scope and stock and it is obvious that we have room for improvement.

I don’t have a 1000-yard range close by, unless you consider open desert shooting. But I prefer something a bit more formal. Desert plinking is one thing, but trying to get an open 1000-yard lane in between Jumping Cholla’s, Golden Barrel’s, and 50-ft. tall Saguaro’s isn’t easy. However, we do have a few 600-yard ranges locally and I located a 1000-yard range just two hours away.

So there’s a hurdle cleared. There are many more to go. Keep an eye out for Part II…

TTAG gun guru Nick Leghorn predicted that the rifles at the 2012 SHOT show would have a Golbergian feel to them (variations on a theme). Less charitably, manufacturers would offer consumers options packages under a new model name. Enter the ATI AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Ultimate Professional Stock Package with Scorpion Recoil System. [Press release after the jump.] No doubt ATI’s bits and pieces help create a wonderful gun, addressing some of the “modern” AK’s inherent flaws. Wait, are they flaws? I consider the AK’s simple not to say simplistic unburstability the gun’s biggest selling point. This looks a bit . . . delicate. OK, ugly. Does that matter? For those who eschew tacticool tchotchkes, yes. For [unofficial] members of ATI’s elite ultra-mega-professional strike force, well, the free market has spoken.

Advanced Technology International (ATI), the leading manufacturer in gun stocks and firearm accessories announces the AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Package with Scorpion Recoil System.

The AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Package is a six position collapsible stock with aluminum upgraded, ventilated handguards and adjustable cheekrest.

The AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Package has a redesigned slim line rear aluminum receiver mount and a six position collapsible stock. With the Scorpion Recoil System, users can shoot any load without pain being transferred to the shooter from the firearm.

The Scorpion Recoil System features a Scorpion Razorback buttpad that is non-slip and removable with an ergonomic Sure-Grip texture Scorpion Recoil Pistol Grip. The Scorpion Recoil System reduces the challenge of reacquiring the target by minimizing the muzzle lift. The AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Package is not affected by chemicals and remains flexible in extreme temperatures. It also removes limitations from spring and piston type recoil suppression systems.

The AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Package is constructed with Military Type III Anodized, 6061 T6 aluminum and has one-four inch Picatinny rail, two-two inch Picatinny rails, one-two inch Picatinny rail with swivel stud, a six position commercial buffer tube and an aluminum receiver mount. Each AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Ultimate Professional Stock Package features an ergonomic texture with ventilated upper and lower handguards, blank inserts for when rails are not in use, a 3M industrial grade self-adhesive soft touch cheekrest pad, removable/adjustable cheekrest (3/8”), slot for tactical sling attachment, three sling swivel studs and DuPont extreme temperature glass reinforced polymer.

This Strikeforce Package includes a steel castle nut, steel locking ring, steel T-Nut and steel pistol grip bolts. Each AK-47 Strikeforce Elite Ultimate Professional Stock Package is manufactured in the USA and fits most stamped AK receivers. Please note this stock will not fit milled receivers. The stock, handguards and pistol grip count towards compliance parts. Contact your local gun shops or shooting ranges for this and other compliance issues.