Gun Digest 2011. Dan Shideler
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Название: Gun Digest 2011
Автор: Dan Shideler
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Спорт, фитнес
isbn: 9781440215612
isbn:
Then, as if by divine guidance, I happened upon the Olympic Arms exhibit. Affable Tom Spithaler thrust out his hand and said, “Hi, what can I help you with?” Tom is Olympic’s Sales Director, and as such is a veritable walking encyclopedia on their ARs. I gave him my by now well-rehearsed spiel: no sights, target-type barrel, 9-inch twist, nice trigger, and a cost that didn’t break the bank. I explained that I was a merely recreational shooter (that’s gun writer code for “clod-busting plinker”).
I figured he’d start off with the same tired litany I’d heard a dozen times, like “Well, we usually go with a XRM-Q laser sight, a water-cooled, belt-fed action with a collapsible flash-and-dash thing-a-ma-bob on the barrel, and a gross of 45-round teflon-coated camo magazines for back-up, just in case.” Instead, Tom just said, “No problem. Would you like that with a 16- or 20-inch barrel?” At last, someone who offered what I wanted!
Tom showed me their K16 and K8 models in 5.56mm – both appeared (to me, at least) exactly the same except for barrel length. When I fondled the K8, it was lust at first glance: a 416 stainless steel “Ultra Match” barrel with a 9-inch twist, flat top everything, no sights, and a very nice trigger. It reeked of quality, and the price was quite reasonable (MSRP $908.70). I ordered one, and it has exceeded my expectations. (I later bought a K16 in 5.56, too. It also sports a 416 stainless match barrel.)
In about 2007, the then-new 6.8mm Remington SPC was introduced at the behest of the U.S. military. (Its military
(left) This ragged hole was made with the K8 and the 50-gr. Hornady V-MAX over 25.8 grains of IMR-8208XBR. Velocity was 3,052 fps. (middle) My favorite Olympic AR is the K16 in 6.8 SPC, as it delivers accuracy and power in a compact package. The 85-gr. Barnes Triple Shock-X and 31.0 grains of AA-2230 produced this great group. Velocity was a peppy 2,711 fps. (right) The .25 WSSM AR doted on a diet of the 110-gr. Hornady InterBond spiced up by 46.3 grains of Reloder 19 at 2,891 fps.
When I learned that the Olympic Model K16 was available in 6.8, I ordered one. It also has a stainless steel barrel and is undoubtedly the pick of the AR litter. The 6.8 cartridge is a terrific performer. It is really just a “short” .270, as the bullet diameter is the uber-popular .277 inch. Let’s face it, the 6.8 is what the .223 would be if it could. It shoots heavier bullets and packs more downrange punch. And it’s accurate.
A recent assignment brought to my door yet another Olympic AR, this one a Model K8-MAG in .25 WSSM. It has a portly 24-inch barrel, and consequently it’s a little heavy, but does it shoot! And the .25 WSSM rivals the lovely old .25-06 ballistically. What’s not to like?
In the past 30 years or so, I have tested and written-up literally dozens of bolt-action rifles and have come to the realization that big game rifles that shoot 1-inch groups are the exception, not the rule. After shooting the Olympic ARs and other makes, and from observing friends’ ARs in action, I have come to the sobering conclusion, shared by multitudes of AR shooters, that almost any box-stock AR will shoot rings around the average factory bolt gun.
Trijicon has sold over one-half million Advanced Combat Gun Sights (ACOG), and this one makes a perfect sight for a K16 in 5.56mm for either law enforcement or home defense. The ACOG’s reticle is specially calibrated for the 5.56mm’s trajectory.
A K16 in 6.8 SPC Remington dressed for success: A Leupold 6x scope, high rings for a proper cheek-weld, and a C Products 17-round magazine stuffed with handloads featuring the new 110-gr. Nosler AccuBond bullet.
I have shot all three of my ARs and the .25 WSSM loaner with a variety of factory and handloads, and have experienced exactly zero problems – nary a malfunction, save the occasional too-light starting handload common to any gas-banger, and accuracy with all of them has been very good to excellent. I have tried most of the new varmint .22 bullets and .223 factory fodder with excellent results. Here are a few of (the many) shooting highlights.
SHOOTING IMPRESSIONS
I got the K8 first, so let’s start with it. With its heavy 20-inch barrel, the K8 sits like a rock on the bags, and just punches out ragged holes. It is a death-ray in prairie dog towns. While a host of loads perform well, I’d probably have to pick either the 55-gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip over 24.0 grains of Ram Shot’s X-Terminator or the 60-gr. Hornady V-MAX ahead of 23.6 grains of Hodgdon’s new super powder IMR-8208XBR. The K8’s nine-inch twist allows it to handle bullets up to the stellar 69-gr. Sierra MatchKing, and the Federal factory load with it averages .74 inch. Sierra’s 63-gr. Semi Spitzer and 65-gr. Spitzer Boat Tail bullets are also terrific. If you need a load with deep penetration for bigger small game, check out the 62-gr. Barnes Triple Shock-X with 23.1 grains of IMR-8208XBR.
The K16, with a barrel four inches shorter than the K8’s, actually gives up little in velocity, and it is fully as accurate. The 40-gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip is super at 3,494 fps with 24.2 grains of Vihtavuori N-130 powder, and is a ground-squirrel vaporizer. But loads with 50- to 55-gr. bullets get the most use, and the Hornady 50-gr.V-MAX really cooks with 26.2 grains of Varget. The Nosler Ballistic Tip of the same weight favors 25.3 grains of X-Terminator. Both clock over 3,000 fps, and accuracy is all you could ask for. These handloads compare nicely with Hornady’s 53-gr. BTHP Match load at 2,925 fps and group under an inch.
As I have noted, the 6.8 SPC is a superbly balanced cartridge. An excellent selection of bullet weights from 90 to 115 grains is available, and while some 130-gr. bullets shoot fine, their velocities are a bit low for reliable expansion. This is no impediment, as the tough Barnes 85-and 110-gr. Triple Shock-Xs and Nosler 110-gr. AccuBond bullets make the little 6.8 perform all out of proportion to its size.
For the lighter TS-X, a load of 31.0 grains of AA-2230 delivers 2,711 fps and consistently groups under an inch. A charge of 30.0 grains of IMR-8008XBR gives the 110-gr. Hornady V-MAX a velocity of 2,497 fps. For pure paper punching, look to the 115-gr. Sierra MatchKIng over the same powder charge. Most handload velocities equal or exceed those of factory loads in my rifles.
The most recent Olympic Arms AR to cross my path is the .25 WSSM K8-MAG noted above. It continues to astound with its pure accuracy and excellent power. Antelope and deer beware.
Big game hunters will favor this accurate and powerful Model K8-MAG chambered in .25 WSSM, shown here with the excellent Vortex Crossfire illuminated reticle 3-9x40 scope, secured in a Weaver Tri-Rail mount. The K8-MAG is also available in .223 and .243 WSSM calibers.
Olympic Arms AR Rifle Range Tests
Model: K8, caliber 5.56mm, 20-inch barrel, 1:9-inch twist
Model: K16, caliber 6.8mm SPC, 16-inch barrel, 1:10-inch twist
Note: Remington cases were used for all 6.8mm handloads.