Tag Archives: Desert tech

desert tech, WLVRN, bullpup, 6ARC, us optics, txh, yhm

Desert Tech WLVRN 6mm ARC

Product review, Shooting hardware, , , , , ,

Introduction

Many of you are aware of my affinity for Desert Tech rifles, and if you are reading this you’ve likely seen much of my content about the various rifles. Today I am diving down another custom project similar to one I’ve done in the past. I made a custom barrel for my MDRX in 6mm ARC years ago, and today I am bringing you the story on how I went about making another custom, my Desert Tech WLVRN 6mm ARC project.

Because of the extremely satisfying results with my MDRX, I became quite fond of the 6mm ARC cartridge and have since gotten more of them. It was also a natural choice for me when I got my Desert Tech WLVRN, of course this would again require me to make my own. Today I’ll go over how that went.

the 6 ARC WLVRN left of the 6 ARC MDRX

The Desert Tech WLVRN

The Desert Tech WLVRN is the latest generation semi-auto bullpup, a direct descendant of the MDRX. Both of them being multi-caliber piston operated carbines. They share a great deal of parts and features, but they are also very different. The barrel mounting system is different, as are the barrel extensions, bolts, receiver and more. Perhaps the best difference between the two in my opinion, is the larger clamping-surface that holds the barrel. Part of that is because the trunnion is machined into the aluminum receiver, getting rid of the steel barrel block. Additional other steel parts were also removed, greatly reducing the weight of the rifle. The machined-in trunnion also makes the WLVRN return to zero when switching barrels. This was something aspired to by the MDRX but was never consistent.

I bought my WLVRN initially setup as a 20-inch .223, which was awesome. It shot very well, and even with the longer barrel it felt lighter than my shorter MDRX. But I wanted more, I wanted the 6 ARC performance. Which in my opinion felt kind of like a 5.56 that shoots like a 6.5 Creedmoor.

desert tech WLVRN, bullpup, 6 ARC,
if you look closely you can see my advanced gas block placement

The 6mm ARC

Hornady has put out a bunch of new calibers over the past few years, and the 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (ARC) is one of many. The ARC boasts a very efficient design that gives impressive performance from AR15 platforms or micro bolt-actions like my Howa Mini.

The ARC can push 105 grain bullets at near 2800 FPS, which is still doing over 2000 FPS at a quarter-mile away and still carrying over 1000 lbs of energy. For comparison, thats much faster than a good 77 grain 5.56 load, and double the energy. And at 1000 yards, the disparity is just as impressive, not that I’d like to catch either of them. The 6 ARC can be fired from the same sized actions and magazines as the 5.56, so this ballistic advantage is enticing.

My former experiences with the 6 ARC in my MDRX and Howa Mini were very impressive, both from a target shooting aspect as well as hunting big game. We’ve killed several deer and antelope using the same 105 Hornady BTHP. This led me to be even more enthusiastic about an ARC for my WLVRN. Since my MDRX is a little heavier, and I already have bigger caliber conversion kits for it like 308, 6.5CM, and 450BM, I figured I would keep the WLVRN more of a smaller caliber rifle. The added accuracy benefits of the WLVRN also seemed like a better platform for a DMR type rifle.

desert tech WLVRN, duramag magazine, 6arc
all of my testing was done using Duramag 6.5 Grendel magazines

Down the Rabbit Hole

Baseline

I started this project by contacting my long-time friend and gun-plumber at ES-Tactical. Despite his not wanting to get involved into another oddball project, he agreed to cut me a twenty-two-inch barrel from a K&P blank. It was a totally different profile than a typical WLVRN barrel, aside from a heavier profile I also spec’d a different gas block position further down the barrel.

desert Tech, WLVRN, bullpup, 6 ARC

Once I had the barrel in hand, I wanted to try something before it was even finished. I torqued down the barrel extension with some thread-locker, and headed to the range. With no gas block or piston operation, I wanted to see how accurate the barrel shot. So I fired a couple groups, operating the rifle manually like a straight-pull action. I was astonished to see that shooting my 105 grain handloads at 100 yards, the WLVRN put ten shots into just over 1/2 MOA. Something I wouldn’t have believed had I not shot it myself.

6ARC, desert tech WLVRN
The very first shots from the clean barrel, prior to installing gas block

My reasoning was to see how much the rifle’s accuracy was effected by the gas operation once installed. Which was my next step.

Machining

It was time to make some metal chips of my own. I drilled a gas-port in the barrel and pressed the gas block down snugly. I figured I would just use the same gas-valve that my 20″ 223 barrel used and see if I could get it to work on one of the settings. But before I got that far, I would need a custom piston. Having moved the gas block towards the muzzle of the barrel, would require adjusting the length of the gas piston accordingly.

Desert Tech, WLVRN, bullpup, 6mm ARC
my freshly pressed gas block and custom piston

You might be asking yourself why I moved the gas block at all. The reason is to get a better purchase of the gas flow. By moving the gas block down the barrel towards the muzzle, the operation of the action is delayed slightly. This allows the bullet to exit the barrel long before any action movements, as well as allowing the gas-pressure within the barrel to decompress some. This makes ejection and extraction less stressful on both the rifle and cartridge case. There’s also an argument to made for barrel harmonics and accuracy as well. Timing the piston operation can greatly enhance accuracy by changing the way the barrel whips as the rifle reloads itself.

desert tech, WLVRN, bullpup, 6mm ARC

Once I had my custom piston ready, it was time to see how the rifle would function. This would require some trial and error, going through a variety of malfunctions tuning the gas flow until we found a happy medium. Luckily, my gas valve selection was close enough, which meant it was time to go back to the range. An unfortunate consequence in both the MDRX and the WLVRN was significant damage to cartridge cases when the rifle didn’t eject them properly.

6mm ARC
both the WLVRN and MDRX are hard on cases when they don’t run right

First Range Trip

Accuracy

It was time for the first real range trip, with a fully functioning WLVRN. This trip was actually into the mountains and not the range, but I prefer the mountains over the range anyways. It would allow me to see how the rifle performed at distance as well.

My initial accuracy test were okay at best, mainly because I hadn’t anticipated for the weather. It was cold and snowing with some blustery wind thrown in, and to add some pressure it was getting late so I rushed it more than I’d have liked.

6ARC, desert tech wlvrn

Even so, the WLVRN printed some barely sub MOA five shot groups. Later testing would prove even better. Most of my testing was done using a suppressor, my Anechoic Anechox 35 which made the rifle very tame and pleasant to shoot. I also shot it using the Yankee Hill Machine Turbo T3 which was better in some aspects I’ll detail below.

desert tech WLVRN accuracy

You can see from my additional testing, typical groups from the 6 ARC WLVRN average around 3/4 MOA. While the better groups would shrink as small as 1/2MOA. I am fairly confident this had more to do with me than it did with the WLVRN.

Long-Range

Just because I am incapable of not trying, I stretched the 6ARC out a ways to see how it did at some longer distances. We shot at 715 yards, and 430 yards in some pretty gusty wind. At 715 yards I held about 1.2 MIL into the quarter value wind and was very impressed with the impacts. Not only were they very consistent, but they really hit with some authority.

Desert Tech WLVRN, 6 ARC, 6mm ARC
shooting long-range with the Primary arms GLX 3-18 scope

While shooting at the 430 yard-line, I aimed at a small patch of snow in some dirt. I can’t imagine the snow patch was much bigger than a can of tuna, and every shot from the WLVRN would have sent Starkist fish everywhere. I was really getting excited about this rifle’s potential.

Shooting this same load in my MDRX has proven to be very effective at distances as far as 1000 yards away. Taking varmints that far away is a fun and challenging venture, and with the same load my wife took down an antelope at just shy of 500 yards.

desert tech WLVRN, 6mm ARC, accuracy, groups
More testing: the WLVRN seemed to prefer my handloaded 58gr Barnes Varmintor over the factory Hornady 108 ELDM match ammunition

Additional Testing

Long Op-rod (pending)

Because I’m a bit of a tinkerer, I figured I would also try something else. My longer piston worked fine, but I also explored another option. Using a standard length piston, and an extended op-rod (the stainless rod that goes between the bolt-carrier and piston) was another option. By adding additional length to the op-rod, I would get the same effect as the longer custom piston. But in addition it would add more weight to the reciprocating mass of the bolt carrier. This would also help buffer the operation some, which I wanted to proof out. That way I could see which of the two approaches was more effective for reliability and accuracy. Come back for more on this development later…

Desert Tech, WLVRN, bullpup, custom conversion kit, 6mm ARC

Gas Refinement

I have no doubt that moving the gas block further down the barrel definitely helped with the function of the rifle. It likely reduced chamber pressures during extraction, and helped counter some of the barrel movement that has made accuracy a challenge with other similar variants. It also made it impossible to adjust the gas valve without removing the handguard, but I never cared about that feature anyways. I always shoot suppressed, so I set the valve and forget it.

Desert Tech, WLVRN, bullpup, custom conversion kit, 6mm ARC
Note the much larger profile of the custom 6 ARC barrel, and the larger WLVRN trunnion

That said, I think the significant increase in accuracy over a factory conversion kit has as much to do with the barrel contour as it does the gas block perch. The thick barrel is much stiffer, it actually barely fits in the chassis, I had to shorten the two handguard screws to prevent them from pressing against the barrel.

hornady, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, dies, handloading
big thanks to Starline Brass for the 6.5 Grendel brass that I resized into 6 ARC using Hornady dies. This was on top of all the Hornady 6 ARC brass I’d gathered up over a few years

I also like the additional two inches of barrel, this surely helps me get as much velocity as possible out of the 6 ARC. And still gives me the compact handling bullpups are famous for. The only downside of course is weight, the added barrel diameter and length adds a fair amount. But this too is something I don’t mind dealing with, I like the accuracy over the light weight.

Suppressor Compatibility

Much of my shooting was done with the Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor, which worked great. But since I didn’t have quite the precise ability to drill gas-holes in the thousandths of an inch, it seemed a little more challenging to get the gas flow just right. I did find that by using a different suppressor with a little more backpressure helped get just the right amount of gas volume.

desert tech, WLVRN, bullpup, 6ARC, us optics, txh, yhm
the US Optics TXH and YHM T3 made perfect companions to the WLVRN

I installed my YHM Turbo T3, which is a 5.56 suppressor. The tighter bore of the T3 added some backpressure, I assume that the traditional baffle construction of the T3 also had something to do with it as well. Disclaimer: I cannot recommend using a 5.56 suppressor on a 6mm cartridge, do so at your own risk.

That said, the addition of the T3 seemed to get me to the perfect operation for the rifle and the 6mm ARC cartridge. It greatly enhanced reliability and consistency of the operation, and it sounds great too! I think its safe to assume that any similar suppressor would have provided a similar outcome. Changing suppressors to get the optimal performance from a rifle is nothing new.

Ejection

Ejection of the 6 ARC case was predictable, the port is plenty big since it can accommodate 308 sized cases. I did switch out the polymer ejection port to the older MDRX style aluminum model, as they are a little tougher.

desert tech , bullpup, WLVRN, MDRX, 6mm ARC
Top: The WLVRN 6 ARC with US Optics TXH 3-18 Bottom: MDRX and YHM Turbo T3
us optics

Lessons Learned

There is always something to learn with these projects. I for sure still like the 6mm ARC, perhaps even more so now because of my WLVRN. It has turned my little green wolverine into something quite a bit more mean. I still have the low recoil and efficiency of small cartridges, but significantly more downrange energy. Though if I did it again, I think I would have gone with a slightly lighter contour on the barrel. And probably fluted it as well, just to keep the WLVRN as light as possible. The accuracy from this combination makes the rifle more than suitable for my hunting purposes, both big game and varmints will soon succumb to the WLVRN and its 100 grain bullets in the next few weeks.

desert tech, WLVRN, 6 ARC, mule deer, hunting
Since finishing the 6 ARC, I used it on a successful cull hunt for mule deer. This doe was taken at 300 yards shooting the Hornady 105 BTHP handloads

I’m sure I’m not the only one imagining the possibilities with this rifle; An accurate (sub-MOA) semi-auto rifle fed by 20-round magazines, with a kill envelope arguably to 1000yds, that weighs in under 11 pounds and 36.5-inches long with a suppressor…

[1000yard stare intensifies…]

desert tech, WLVRN, bullpup, 6ARC, us optics, txh, yhm

That is not to say that these projects are for everyone. You absolutely must be some kind of a tinkerer, with a mechanical inclination. There is plenty of headache and challenge involved in a project like this. And theres always the possibility that your result isn’t as reliable or great as you’d hoped after spending a good amount of money. So temper your enthusiasm and expectations before considering a project like this. As always, I will update this with more information as it develops so make sure to follow me for.

-CBM

desert tech quattro 15, banish speed K suppressor

My Quattro 15: An Abominable Little Lead Pump

Product review, Shooting hardware, , ,

Preface

I have always been a big rifle shooter, but my practice has changed somewhat over the past few decades. As a much younger man, I was a big fan of guns that made lots of noise, and shot lots of bullets. Accuracy through volume was the the way back then, until I learned what accuracy could actually be. I seem to have completed the circle however, and have once again returned to guns that run ammo like peaches through a Labrador. Today I bring something a little different to you all, a little lead pump based off of the Quattro 15.

quattro 15 receiver
Left-side of the ambidextrous Quattro 15, note QD cup at rear

Defensive weapons or PDW’s as they are often called, are mostly small carbine or sub-machine-gun styled weapons. SBR’s are common for this purpose, but unfortunately require negotiating your rights with tyrants at the Federal level. In a situation where you need a firearm for defensive purposes, a compact controllable weapon you can shoulder sure beats your daily carry. That is basically what I had in mind with todays project.

quattro 15
from the front you can notice the robust QM53 magazine

The Quattro 15

The Quattro 15 is a purpose built lower receiver for AR 15 style rifles. The receiver is built around the QM53 magazine, which is a quad-stacked fifty-three round magazine. The whole purpose of the Quattro was to create a reliable quad stack magazine that can drop right into standard equipment. The 53-round mags are the same length as 30rnd P-mags, and drop perfectly into double mag pouches.

plate carrier, quattro 15 magazines
The QM53 magazines fit perfectly in your favorite double mag pouch like these HSG Tacos

Having 53 rounds between reloads in a defensive position sure sounds better than 30, especially if the magazine in the gun is all you’ve got. You can also use standard capacity magazines by snapping in an OE adaptor to the magwell.

quattro 15, qm53 magazine
QM53 magazine detail, note ambidextrous bolt-release

Other than that, the Quattro 15 is just like every other ambidextrous AR lower receiver. Your favorite safety, trigger, grips and such will all fit. And the ambidextrous mag button and bolt release will make it easier to operate for all.

Upper receiver

After loading my favorite parts into the Quattro receiver, it was time to mate it to an upper. For that I chose the CMMG Dissent MK4 upper, which uses a 6.5 inch 5.56 barrel. The Dissent uses a buffer system contained within the upper receiver, which is ideal for a gun you want to keep small. I chose it because it would allow me to forgo the use of a buffer tube and the related parts. The ultra short barrel would seriously cut short the velocity of the rifle, but there is a give and take with this type of firearm.

The Dissent uses a forward charging handle located at the front of the handguard. This is another operational advantage over other styles of receiver, as your support hand rides with the charging handle nearly captured by your fingers. And since it doesn’t reciprocate, your support hand is always in the right spot to operate the rifle action.

banish speed K suppressor
left-side charging handle works as a thumb-rest

Using the Dissent upper required fitting CMMG’s buffer-tube plug to the Quattro receiver. This also allowed me to put a picatinny rail on the back of the receiver, which would allow me to install a buttstock.

The Zhukov

The Magpul Zhukov stock fit perfectly into my idea for this rifle, but it would require using the Haga Defense 1913 rail adaptor. This little feature would allow us to fold the stock to the side and cut the size of the rifle nearly in half. The Zhukov is adjustable in length with the press of a button.

Matching the Zhukov buttstock, I mounted a MOE vertical grip to the handguard, which made for a very nice and comfortable grip of the rifle.

desert tech Quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k
the Trijicon MRO makes a great sight option

Sights and Suppressor

All that was left was a good sighting option and a suppressor. For that I chose a Trijicon MRO, with a cantilever mount that made it a perfect match for the stock height. The MRO is easily zeroed and allows full view of the target and surrounding area with no magnification.

For a suppressor I installed the Silencer Central Banish Speed K. The Speed K is a full inconel suppressor built for heavy use. It uses a controlled flow design, with a ventilated fourth baffle. This results in reduce back pressure on semi-automatic rifles, as well as excellent sound suppression for its size. And at only four-inches long, it doesn’t add much to your PDW.

Shooting the Quattro

Shootability

As you might imagine, a PDW type rifle isn’t really meant for shooting beyond ones immediate area. That’s why I didn’t feel bad using such a short barrel. And for shots inside 100 yards or so, there is plenty of velocity to do what I need.

The compact package was incredibly easy to maneuver with its compact size. It is easily stowed in a backpack, especially with the stock folded. One thing I wish was that the Zhukov folded both ways, as I would prefer it on the left side of the rifle. While the rifle can be fired with the stock folded, it’s possible to have an issue after the first shot due to the stock blocking the ejection port. This is with the stock at its shortest configuration, which I preferred.

quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k suppressor
The Silencer Central Banish Speed K suppressor kept things to a dull roar

With an oversized grip on this little rifle I felt it was much easier to manipulate one-handedly. A smaller less-sticky grip might make it a little tougher to wield. The foregrip is comfortably used as a stop for your hand, sort of half on the handguard and half on the down-grip. This positions your support hand perfectly on the charging handle for easy operation of the rifle.

Recoil of course is miniscule, and its easy to keep the rifle on target. And with the impressive capacity you can bury your targets with one shot after another.

Reliability

I’ve yet to have any malfunctions while shooting this little rifle. But I have had issues unloading the magazine, which is curious. Perhaps the jarring activity of the rifle going off keeps everything moving properly when it unloads in the gun.

quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k suppressor
you can see why I’d prefer the stock folded to the other side

With such a short barrel, adding a suppressor does create quite a backflow of gas. The Banish Speed K is a “controlled flow” design, which is supposed to help reduce backpressure. And it might, but there is still enough gas to make you cough if you’re not in a ventilated area when sustained shooting.

Quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k suppressor
shooting suppressed certainly has its gassy side effects

I’m not sure how to interpret this, it is likely that a PDW will be used indoors. And excessive gas to the face isn’t ideal in any place but worse indoors. But shooting loud in confined spaces isn’t exactly fun either, and suppressed shooting seems like a better proposition when trying to gain a tactical advantage. So maybe the rifle would do better in certain situations without the suppressor.

Accuracy

Accuracy from this little package is not surprising. I mean shooting IPSC targets inside 100 yds was easy, and it got easier the closer they were. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say accuracy isn’t needed at PDW ranges, its certainly not as important as long-range precision rifles.

That said I think the accuracy of this little rifle is more than adequate for the intended purposes. Shooting soda cans off a fence from 100 yards is good enough for me, and allows a level of proficiency needed for most gun owners.

quattro 15

Value

Since I pieced this unit together, its hard to put an exact price on it. But using quality parts was high on my list of priorities. The result has proven to be a very reliable PDW style rifle, and being such I would consider it a valuable rifle. When considering the value of a tool that could mean the difference between life or death, folks tend to spend their money a little more liberally. And considering all this I feel like this little project is well worth the money spent.

Also, as Americans we love tinkering with our firearms, AR’s in particular. The likelihood that this rifle ever be used on a two-way range is slim, especially if I play it safe. In my opinion if a threat is close enough to need this rifle for defense, I’ve failed already. So at a minimum this has been a great exercise in fun.

banish speed K
Testing ammunition provided by MWLP Trailforger, check em out!

Final Words

You may or may not see a value in a project like this one, that is entirely up to you. For me it is just a fun project with a purpose, and one I thought some folks might enjoy coming along with me for the ride. Hopefully if you’ve made it this far you have found some inspiration for your own projects. Leave us a comment below if you’ve got any ideas or criticisms that might be helpful.

-CBM

Read about my other Quattro 15 project here

us optics TXH 3-18x50, desert tech wlvrn bullpup

Desert Tech WLVRN Bullpup

Product review, Shooting hardware, ,

Background

For those of you who’ve been around here a while, you’ll remember my love affair with bullpups. Not just any bullpups though, I was converted to the dark side by the Desert Tech SRS. Ever since, bullpups have been a part of my gun collection. But today I bring you a new one, also from Desert Tech. Today’s subject is the Desert Tech WLVRN bullpup, a multi-caliber rifle but today chambered in 223 Wylde and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Watch the video at the bottom of this article

desert tech WLVRN 308 winchester
the WLVRN shot very well with a Tangent Theta 3-15 riflescope

In case you didn’t figure it out, WLVRN is pronounced wolverine, but spelled differently because we hate vowels apparently. The WLVRN is the very latest rifle in a line of bullpups made by Utah based Desert Tech, it incorporates technology from previous firearms like the MDRX and SRS M2. This new rifle promises to bring enhanced performance, and increased reliability.

desert tech WLVRN 5.56
Hunting Marmots with the WLVRN

Due to my intimate familiarity with all of Desert Tech’s firearms as well as other bullpups, I simply had to get behind this new one. If for nothing else, I wanted to see if indeed the rifle performed better and lived up to the unrivaled performance depiction.

The WLVRN

Desert Tech wlvrn bullpup 20-inch 223 wilde eotech vudu
The WLVRN kitted out with an Eotech Vudu 1-6 LPVO, BLK LBL 20 bipod handguard, and YHM Turbo suppressor mounted on the 20-inch 223 Wylde barrel

A New Design

I have both heard and seen a great deal of people suggesting that the WLVRN is simply an MDRX with some slight changes. I guess that is a fair jab when you sit the two rifles next to each other for inspection.
But that suggestion is easily dispelled upon further disassembly. I took the WLVRN apart, to show some of the significant differences from its ancestor. The lower receiver looks almost the same, I will grant them that. Other than some very small machining differences on some of the parts it looks very similar.


WLVRN receiver has all it’s featured machined right in

You can find all the real differences in the aluminum extruded receiver. Both versions of the MDRX rifle used an aluminum receiver loaded with steel parts attached by fasteners. Mainly the barrel-block (trunnion), and the rails that guide the bolt carrier. There are a couple other small parts, but those are the main ones.

Desert Tech WLVRN trunnion and barrel extension
WLVRN Trunnion detail, note wider clamping surface, shoulderless barrel extension, and feed-ramps

All of those parts were designed out of the WLVRN, and they are now machined into the solid extruded receiver. This has resulted in a much lighter receiver, with added rigidity and simpler operation. As an unrepentant accuracy aficionado, I was excited to see if the machined-in trunnion would create a more accurate rifle.

Desert Tech WLVRN bolt carrier and barrel extension
Note the larger bolt carrier, and the side-eject only barrel extension

Major changes were incorporated to the bolt-carrier, which has certainly been beefed up. Disassembling the bolt carrier sub-components is now even more like an AR-15, with the firing pin being captured by a cotter pin.

Desert Tech WLVRN suppressed with Eotech VUDU optic
shooting the WLVRN suppressed was soft and pleasant

Operation

WLVRN operation is very similar to the MDRX. It still uses the same short stroke gas piston, which punches the operating rod to cycle the action. The WLVRN does not have the forward ejection feature of its predecessor, which also reduces the weight of the rifle. As well as simplify much of the operation and lower pressure thresholds needed to run the rifle.

desert tech WLVRN bullpup 6.5 creedmoor
Another range shot, I shot DTM, Federal GMM, and Berger Match. It liked the Berger the most that trip

The dual charging-handles are non-reciprocating, and must be pulled down and back to function. Additionally the bolt can be locked to the rear by pulling the charging handles back and up before releasing.

Desert Tech WLVRN
no exposed gas block for the WLVRN, but it is still accessible with tools

Magazine releases are located on both sides of the triggerguard area, as well as in the front of the magwell. Aft of the magwell you will find the bolt-release to send the bolt home. The safety of course is located right where you’d expect on both sides of the rifle.

Switching the rifle from right to left-handed operation is as easy as swapping the ejection port from one side to the other. Followed by rotating the bolt 180 degrees in the bolt carrier.

desert tech wlvrn gas block
the WLVRN retained the six-position gas valve as standard equipment

Gas System

The WLVRN gas system is again very similar to the MDRX system before it, the differences of course are important. Reducing the overall gas impulse needed to operate the rifle was accomplished by several changes. We could all benefit from reduced gas couldn’t we?

Desert Tech WLVRN 6.5 Creedmoor

First of all, by dropping the forward ejecting system, less gas volume is needed to stroke the action (Yes I said stroke). The WLVRN’s gas system also takes a uniform volume of pressure from the barrel, and channels it to the piston. Sealing up gas-block seepage was done with a press-fit gas block, and adding a second spiral gas-ring to the cylindrical gas-valve helps keep the flow going only where it’s needed.

Top: note dual gas sealing-rings, Bottom: note flat piston and op-rod interface

This more efficient use of gas flow has made the WLVRN very soft and smooth shooting. And my aspirations of accuracy also hoped the softer operation would keep the rifle better on target. Additionally, the end of the piston stem was cut flat. As was the front of the operating rod, this reduces the torque induced on the barrel when the piston is actuated.

Shooting the Desert Tech WLVRN

I wanted to get this WLVRN hot, and the best way to do it was shooting a bunch of different kinds of ammo. My first trip into the field with the WLVRN featured three different kinds of ammo, American Eagle 55gr FMJ , PMC Bronze 55gr FMJ, and Hornady Black 62gr FMJ.

Desert Tech WLVRN with ammunition
my ammo selection for the first trip, I used the Athlon Heras 6-24 for accuracy testing

I also wanted to bring along a suppressor, as the WLVRN should make an excellent suppressor host. My Yankee Hill Machine Turbo has never failed me yet, so I threw it in the range bag.

Since the WLVRN accepts all the same handguards as the MDR and MDRX, I also brought along a Blk Lbl ALX handguard. Just to switch it up a bit.

My WLVRN, with a Lucid Optics MLX and YHM Nitro suppressor

The trigger in the WLVRN feels about the same as the MDRX trigger to me, which is not a bad thing. It certainly didn’t prevent me from shooting the rifle well. As you might imagine I am pretty familiar with most of the rifle’s handling characteristics. It feels and functions very much like its predecessor, but lighter and softer shooting.

desert tech wlvrn short barrel rifle
Like the MDRX before it, the WLVRN has Micron conversion kits. This is an 11.5-inch 223 Wylde barrel. It makes for quick and maneuverable shooting. Other Micron calibers would be a very welcome addition.

During testing, I used twenty, thirty, and forty-round 5.56 Pmags. And both ten and twenty-round 7.62 Pmags. All of them worked without a problem, except for an occasional failure to lock back. Every occurence of failing to lock back was from a bench using a rear bag, and I might of been holding the bolt-release down. So take that with 55-grains of salt.

desert tech WLVRN 223 wylde suppressed
Shooting for accuracy with an Athlon Heras riflescope

Accuracy

Accuracy from the 223 Wylde chambered rifle was pretty good. The best groups from my first trip came from the Hornady 62 grain ammunition. At one-hundred yards my best result was a 7-shot group that came out to 1.1 MOA. I’ll admit that one was a bit rushed. As you can see from the pictures I was getting rained on and I was damp as a blind lesbian walking through an open-air fish market. I will update you guys with more results as I get them.

preliminary accuracy results from the 223 Wylde

With more than one unit available to me, I decided to swap to a different caliber. Next up would be a 6.5 Creedmoor, with the standard 20-inch barrel and 1:8 twist. I also attached a Guardian Defense Manufacturing 30 caliber suppressor to see how the rifle shot suppressed.

After running a few boxes of some inexpensive S&B 140 grain FMJ ammo, I zeroed the rifle. To see how well the rifle shot for accuracy, I’d brought a couple boxes of DTM Match 140 gr ammo. Loading five rounds at a time in a 10-round magazine, I shot my first group. Just to confirm, I shot another couple groups. And for good measure I fired another 5-shot group. I was very happy to see that the five-shot groups were averaging around .75 MOA.

These groups were shot while suppressed, in my experienced these rifles always shoot better that way. Your results might vary, but I don’t plan on shooting unsuppressed at any point.

desert tech WLVRN accuracy 6.5 Creedmoor
an average group from the 6.5 Creedmoor WLVRN

I had my friend shoot the rifle, and he too fired a 5-shot group with all shots touching and around the same size. While the 5-shot average was closer to the 3/4 MOA mark I was quite happy with the results. Mainly because I’ve typically seen accuracy like that only from the best MDRX rifles.

223 remington targets hornady ammunition
two 10-shot groups from WLVRN Micron barrels (100 Yards)

Caliber Changes

Converting the rifle from one caliber to another is a pretty simple process. It can vary depending on calibers, for example going from 308 to 223 will require a bolt and magwell change. While swapping from 308 to 6.5 requires only swapping the barrel.

I made a WLVRN video, its at the bottom of this article

The WLVRN uses three screws to clamp the barrel shank, all three must be torqued evenly to 80-inch-pounds when assembling the rifle. There is a fourth screw, which is in fact a barrel lock. The lock uses a cam to secure the barrel in the right location prior to torquing the barrel tension screws. The lock should only be rotated when the tension screws are loose.

desert tech wlvrn barrel clamp
both the tension screws and barrel lock use the same 5mm hex bit tool

With all three tension screws loose, and the lock rotated into the unlocked position, the barrel can be pulled out the front of the receiver. Obviously this would require removing the handguard, and either locking the bolt to the rear or removing the bolt-carrier all together.

Installing the next barrel is just the reverse process. Removing the bolt-carrier requires opening the receiver by pulling two of the three take-down pins. You can pull all three if you like, I do two because I’m always in a hurry. With the receiver separated, you can pull the bolt carrier out the back. This is where you’d clean parts and change bolts if that’s what you are doing.

desert tech WLVRN
Top: pulling barrel assembly from receiver. Bottom: pulling bolt carrier out the back of the receiver

For using 5.56 sized magazines, the rifle needs a magwell spacer installed. It’s easily snapped into the magwell from underneath, AFTER you push the magazine catch out with a tool. You will also need to swap the mag catch for the appropriate sized magazine.

Return to Zero?

Borrowing some of the design of the SRS family of rifles has incorporated some of those same benefits in the WLVRN. After pulling the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel out of the WLVRN, and using it in another rifle, I reinstalled it in my original chassis. To my surprise it was almost exactly where I had zeroed it, I mean close enough you’d have never known the barrel had been pulled. That is one of my favorite features of the SRS rifles, and I’m tickled pink that the WLVRN appears to do the same.

desert tech WLVRN 6.5 creedmoor
the lightweight of the WLVRN is immediately noticeable, making the rifle excellent for maneuvering

Comparisons

Having shot the MDRX and many other popular bullpups like the RDB, AUG, and X95, I’ll share my opinion on how I think it compares.

The WLVRN has all the same controllability and balance of the MDRX, with the added benefits of less weight. This helps the WLVRN be even more maneuverable and fun to shoot. Additionally, the reduced gas needed seems to make the rifle a bit softer shooting.

My first impressions of accuracy appear to be very positive, certainly better than the MDRX. I’d like to stay a bit conservative for now and see how it continues to perform in the future. Both in these two calibers and the other options.

desert tech wlvrn, Hornady 73 grain match ammo
Hornady 73 gr Match shot well in the WLVRN
I will continue to update this review of the rifle with additional information as I can, be sure to check back and see the updates

As a long-time owner of the MDRX, it should come as no surprise that I find it far more appealing than others. While the Steyr AUG and IWI X95 both have a long service record with law enforcement and military, I am just a simple civilian.

So while they may have a more impressive combat history, I prefer a rifle with more options. If the WLVRN continues to live up to its claims, I could see it becoming the choice of not just recreational shooters but also professionals.

desert tech WLVRN, us optics TXH 3-18x50
the predatory WLVRN in its natural habitat, hunting marmots, see more about that here

Pros & Cons

There are many things to like about the WLVRN, the most obvious features stand out from the competition. Multi-caliber capabilities is a big one for some, completely ambidextrous is great for others. One of my personal favorites is suppressor hosting, the threaded barrel and six-position gas-block make it ideal. More common features like M-Lok compatible handguards, and picatinny optics rail are also not to be discounted.

desert tech WLVRN 223 wylde suppressed
the WLVRN made an excellent suppressor host for this YHM Turbo

Performance wise, the WLVRN brings streamlined performance over its predecessor. The simplified design promises to be more reliable, and we all love the idea of fewer things to go wrong. The WLVRN barrel trunnion design appears to increase accuracy, and if returning to zero after barrel swapping is this repeatable, it will save us all more time zeroing.

desert tech wlvrn, us optics TXH 3-18x50
The WLVRN with the new US Optics TXH riflescope

If I had to pick something I would change about the WLVRN, it would probably be pretty simple. I’ve never shot a huge amount of 308 through my MDRX, and probably won’t through the WLVRN either. I have noticed that the lighter weight of the WLVRN is noticeable when shooting heavy 308 loads. Not unpleasant or anything, just a noticeable increase in felt recoil.

varmint hunting desert tech WLVRN

Making the grip compatible with industry standards would be awesome, and allow users to customize their rifle even more. I absolutely love the Blk Lbl handguards, they are outstanding improvements over the stock handguard. Making them standard equipment options would make the WLVRN top-tier, an absolute giga-chad rifle

Chad approved

Final Thoughts

If you are even slightly curious about bullpups you need to try this rifle. After shooting quite a few other bullpup rifles I’m not sure they are even in the same class. The only thing left for me to determine with this rifle is long-term durability, and that will take some time. But if the initial performance is any indicator, I remain quite optimistic.

desert tech WLVRN 5.56

For those of you out there who are already members of the bullpup-cult, I suppose you were already considering a WLVRN before you got here. Buying a Desert Tech WLVRN isn’t inexpensive, but that should come as no surprise. You will have to decide for yourself if upgrading is worth it to you, as for me, I already ordered mine.

-CBM

As I mentioned, I will update this story as I get new information

desert tech WLVRN 5.56 nato suppressed
the Eotech Vudu 1-6 made a great optic for fast shooting

Suppressed Weapon Systems MISB 308 Win for the Desert Tech SRS

Product review, Shooting hardware, suppressors, , , , , , ,

Introduction

I swore off shooting unsuppressed long ago, and I only do it occasionally by choice. The suppressor bug bit me hard many years ago, and I have never vanquished its effects. With that in mind, I am always thinking about better ways to hush the noise of my favorite pastime. Who would have thought that an idea I had depreciated would turn my jaded eye.

One of my most favorite rifles of all time, is my old Desert Tech SRS A1. I have run countless barrels through it, I currently have somewhere between ten and fifteen barrels of assorted different calibers. Factory, custom, and even a few specialty barrels. Even with all those options, I still love my old 16” 308 Winchester Covert barrel. The calm and consistent performance of the 308 is like an old friend, so when I got the opportunity to try yet another great 308 Winchester option for my favorite rifle, I jumped at it.

Suppressed Weapon Systems

Suppressed Weapon Systems has been in the suppression business for some time. They specialize in the integration of suppression technology directly into the firearm, instead of making the suppressor just a muzzle device. Their MISB (Monolithic Integrally Suppressed Barrel) is available for many different firearms, including my dearest SRS. The modularity of the SRS family of rifles makes it ideal to pair with technology like the MISB, and with a durable cartridge like the 308, it would last for some time.

I’ve often tinkered with the idea of an integrally suppressed barrel for my SRS, but I was always worried about spending the money on an NFA item that would get burnt out and need to be replaced. A valid concern I had always thought, but the MISB is constructed in such a way that the tube can easily be removed and installed on a new barrel/baffle stack. So with my main concern assuaged, I dove in with both feet.

The Suppressed Weapon Systems MISB for the SRS is manufactured from a Bartlein Barrel blank, well known for great quality and precise shooting. The muzzle is cut at a determined length, in my barrel’s case, around sixteen inches. But the remainder of the barrel blank is then cut into the suppressor baffles. The length of the barrel to the breach of the muzzle is fluted, and drilled, I assume to decrease weight but also to add an expansion chamber for venting high pressure gas.

The outer tube of the Suppressed Weapon Systems MISB is a good fit, but not entirely tight, this was a bit of a concern for me at first but I later learned it was necessary to free-float the barrel. Having the outer tube captured and tightened with the barrel would add stress and torque to the overall structure. The tube is sealed at both ends with what appears to be Viton high temp fluoroelastomer O-rings. The muzzle end of the MISB has a threaded cap also sealed with the O-ring, it is knurled and has cuts for torquing it into place with a tool. Its an impressive example of machining design and ingenuity.

Shooting with the SWS barrel

I couldn’t wait to get the barrel mounted in my rifle chassis, and test its performance. As soon as I got home with it, I hurried to my basement man-cave and installed it into my SRS. I found the fit to be a bit snug, perhaps more-so than any other barrel I’ve tried. Its easy to get a burr on the shank of SRS barrels, one must be careful. But that was not the case with the MISB, it was simply just a bit tight. Perhaps a slightly smaller diameter would help, but I found it to be consistent, so it was a minor inconvenience. It was the same when I mounted it in my SRS A2.

desert tech srs
two rifles, top sporting a US Optics B25 and the bottom one with a Sig Sauer Tango 6


Once mounted, I headed for the hills to get the rifle zeroed with this new barrel. As usual, it was an easy process. Most SRS chassis will change POI with a different barrel, but it is rarely off by more than a few inches. So a quick re-zero on my scope was easy, and in no time I was using the rifle to shoot steel at 710 yards.

Looking for a regular suppressor?


SWS guarantees sub MOA accuracy for three shots with their MISB system, but suggests that 1/2 to 3/4 MOA is expected more often than not. I found my barrel to be consistent with that.

The suppression quality of the barrel was on par with what I expected. The first round pop was significant, but quickly forgotten with successive shots. The slender barrel looks very handsome in my A1 with the longer handguard. A few inches longer than a standard twenty-two inch barrel which pokes just out of the handguard. When mounted in my SRS Covert A2, it was a few inches longer than the standard Covert sixteen-inch barrel when fitted with the DTSS Suppressor.

Conclusion

I think the Suppressed Weapon Systems MISB barrel offers a great option for those looking for a slender and inconspicuous barrel to keep things quiet. At $2200 for a barrel, it is no small investment. But it’s also not much different than a good barrel fitted with a suppressor would cost you, and SRS owners are gluttons for dropping coin on good barrels. And the fact that you can reuse the tube on a new barrel blank having no interaction with the Federal agency everyone loves to hate makes it even more appealing. I look forward to using it even more in the future.
-CBM

Want to read about more suppressors? Click Here

The Desert Tech MDRX

Product review, Shooting hardware, , , , , , , , ,

Modern Bullpups

Advancing technologies have made every part of the firearm and shooting industry better, with new materials, better production equipment, and a growing competitive market all driving forward it is no wonder that so many new and exciting products are available today. Desert Tech has been pushing those limits since its inception in 2007, and this year they have released another great product that follows the Desert Tech adage Tomorrow’s Weapons.

The MDRX is the next generation rifle from Desert Tech, it builds on the already popular MDR rifle they released in 2016. The MDRX is a short-stroke piston operated semi-automatic bullpup, for those who don’t know already, a bullpup is a rifle configured such that the action, magazine, and firing mechanics are all located behind the trigger. The purpose of this design gives the MDRX a shorter overall length than conventional rifles of the same barrel length. When you add in the other additional features of the MDRX the difference becomes even more apparent.

Features

All Desert Tech rifles are designed with modularity in mind, and as such, they are all available as multi-caliber chassis and barrel combinations. The MDRX shares that same heritage, as it stands at the moment it is available in four different calibers from the factory; 223 Wylde, 308 Win, 300 BLK, and 6.5CM. All four of these barrel conversion kits can be interchanged in the same chassis, making the MDRX one of the few modern sporting rifles to accept both large and small frame calibers. All this from an SBR sized weapon without the stamp.
But if you are a stamp collector like many of us are, you can also get the SBR conversion kit for the MDRX. The 11.5 inch barreled Micron conversion kit makes any MDRX into one of the shortest and compact rifles available. All these conversion kits make the MDRX an extremely adaptable rifle, to whatever mission specific purpose you need.

Being a semi-auto bullpup adds some challenges when it comes to universality, these challenges were overcome with ingenuity. The MDRX is completely ambidextrous, all of its controls are mirrored on both sides of the rifle for both right and left-handed shooters. In addition to the ambi controls, the rifle has a forward ejecting system that sends spent brass casing forward away from the shooter. Previous bullpup designs eject brass to the right side, which in a bullpup is a bad thing if you are left-handed. The MDRX can be fired from the right or left side with no concern of catching hot brass to your face. And if you are a dedicated left-hand shooter, you can swap ejection from forward right to forward left in just a few seconds.
The MDRX comes standard with a compensator made by Desert Tech called The Ratchet, the compensators are caliber specific to provide the best performance in recoil reduction and to stop muzzle rise.

Various MDRX accessories make it an extremely versatile platform

One of the major challenges with bullpups is creating a good clean trigger pull, this is due to the linkage required to connect trigger shoe to the sear pack. This is another challenge that was overcome with design ingenuity, and the resulting trigger feel of the MDRX is widely accepted as great. Of the many people who have pulled the trigger on an MDRX, the common consensus is that it is a good trigger, not just for a bullpup, but a good trigger period.
The MDRX has a six-position adjustable gas valve allowing the operator to tune the rifle to whatever ammunition they might use, as well as use the rifle with a suppressor and a lower gas setting.
The MDRX’s aluminum/polymer chassis construction features full-length upper Picatinny rail, M-LOK slots for accessories and flush-mounted QD sling cups on the rear of the receiver. It is also designed to accept most AR-15 style magazines, and for large frame calibers, it uses SR-25 pattern mags. The rifle ships with caliber appropriate P-mags from Magpul.
The various caliber conversions for the MDRX feature popular twist rates, and standard barrel thread for adding muzzle accouterments. There are also both sixteen-inch, and twenty-inch barrels available in several of the assorted calibers, giving shooters different performance options. And with different barrel lengths, there are two different handguard lengths to go along.
The ambidextrous charging handles of the MDRX are non-reciprocating, they are normally locked to the front in a spring-loaded detent. They can also be locked to the rear by pulling them back and up, the release is as simple as slapping either of the handles down, and the bolt carrier closes into battery. The gun locks open upon firing the last shot from the magazine, the bolt release is centrally located right behind the magwell. This allows for very quick reloads by simply extending the thumb when seating a fresh magazine, thus closing the bolt on a fresh round. This actually can make reloading faster than most AR-style rifles due to fewer steps in the reload process.
The forward ejection system is perhaps the most curious of all the MDRX’s features. The open-faced bolt extracts the spent case and carries it to the rear, as the carrier travels it engages the ejector with a dovetail lug on either side. The momentum of the carrier then pulls the scissor-like ejector out, and it swipes across the open bolt face pushing the spent case off and into the ejection chute opposite. There it is retained by a spring-loaded pawl until the bolt carrier again travels forward where a protruding lug pushes the spent case forward and out the ejection chute. It’s a very interesting system, the only flaw I found with it is that when unloading an unspent cartridge from the rifle, it does require a firm stroke of the charging handles to get the cartridge seated firmly in the ejection chute. This is not so much a flaw as much as it is a training practice needed to be followed. The ejection system is designed to be used on either side of the rifle, both the ejector and chute can be swapped from one side to the other in seconds.

The MDRX SE utilizes a standard side ejection system

Also new for 2020 is a new side ejecting MDRX, for those who prefer a simpler, more traditional ejection pattern. The side eject is available in. 223 Wylde only, and can also be swapped from right to left side ejection. There is also the added benefit of a lighter overall weight, and a less expensive price tag.

On the Range

With several barrels in hand, I took the MDRX into my mountain hide to test its function. I started out shooting with the sixteen-inch 308 Win barrel, and loaded with Fiocchi 150 Grain FMJ ammunition at one hundred yards. After zeroing the sights, I fired a few five-shot groups, which ended up being around two MOA in size.
I continued firing the rifle at several additional targets to see how it ran. I found the recoil to be much softer than the previous similar rifles I had shot, this surely had much to do with the Ratchet compensator. The trigger was very clean and crisp, the reset is quite audible, I attribute that to the highly conductive poly receiver who’s hollow construction makes a very resonant chamber. I fired several additional groups using additional ammunition types as well, American Eagle XM80 as well as some 168 Grain match ammo from both Hornady and Federal. The match grade ammo certainly provided better groups, they averaged right around one MOA.

The MDRX seen with 20 inch 6.5CM barrel and longer handguard

So with several hundred rounds through the rifle, and a respectable shooting and zeroed rifle, I figured it was time to test the metamorphosis of this multi-caliber gifted rifle. The barrel is removed from the MDRX using a five-millimeter hex wrench, the rifle comes with one, but I prefer to use the suggested eighty-inch-pound torque limiter. After removing the handguard via two loosened screws and one take-down pin, the barrel is released by loosening the two barrel clamp screws by about one turn, and then disengaging the barrel lock 180 degrees to allow the barrel to slide out the front of the chassis. The bolt must be locked open to the rear to complete this operation. I then installed the twenty-inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel, seating it firmly towards the breach. The process is then reversed, turning the barrel lock 180 degrees, and then torquing the two barrel clamp screws to 80 inch-pounds with a torque limiter. Followed by re-installing the handguard, which I had swapped out for the longer one. The rifle had just transformed from a sixteen-inch 308 Winchester into a twenty-inch 6.5 Creedmoor, and I was excited to see the increased performance. The point of impact would not be the same from one barrel to the next, but it was on paper at one-hundred yards, so it only took some minor corrections.
The 6.5 Creedmoor shot very well, with 140 Grain ammunition from both Hornady and Desert Tech, the groups averaged much better, in the sub to half MOA realm. With this kind of accuracy, I couldn’t wait to take the MDRX out to more significant distances.

For several hours the rifle neatly piled up brass right in front of my shooting mat, the rifle never malfunctioned, and just kept eating magazine after magazine of ammunition. I also fired some S&B 140 grain ammo through the rifle without any problems, I would have liked to try some lighter loads like a 120 grain, but I didn’t get the chance.

A typical 5 shot group from the MDRX 223 Wylde 40 Grain Fiocchi (100 Yards)

The rifle is easily swapped to smaller caliber barrels as well, the 223 Wylde and 300 Blackout do require a little more though.
A change of the bolt, a magwell spacer, and a swap of the ejection chute are required in addition to the barrel change.
The 223 Wylde shot just as good as the 6.5 Creedmoor, sub MOA groups were easy when shooting good ammo.

The great performance of the MDRX was hard to deny, it is a very compact rifle, with incredible reach, and good accuracy. Desert Tech has upped the game with this rifle, and they stand behind all their rifles with a lifetime warranty. It would be a great rifle whether you are hiding in a tree stand, need a behind the seat truck gun, or anywhere you’d need heavy firepower in a compact package. Its larger calibers are certainly useful for big game hunting and some distant shooting, while the smaller calibers are great for quick target shooting in a 3-gun style competition or varmint hunting. The MDRX carries a higher than average price tag, but that is because it brings so much more to the table. The multicaliber option alone actually saves money by consolidating your training, and less money spent on optics and accessories. You literally could do almost every American shooting activity with this one rifle. Whether it is a home defense rifle or a suppressed ranch rifle, the MDRX is a do-all rifle if ever there was one.

-CBM

The Desert Tech SRS A2

Product review, Shooting hardware, , , ,

desert tech srs a2 covert
my SRS A2 Covert with the US Optics 25X scope

I have long enjoyed an affair with precision rifles, and one of them in particular. I fell in love with the Desert Tech SRS many years ago now, it has been through several generations since, and the latest generation is the SRS A2.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the SRS family, it is a detachable box magazine-fed, bolt action bullpup, with the added advantage of being a multi-caliber rifle. A bullpup means that the rifle’s action is behind the trigger, and against the shoulder. This design has been tried many times over the years, in order to shorten the overall length and portability of the rifle. The SRS has all of the advantages a bullpup was designed to bring to the table, as well as the quality and a stellar record of performance sought by both law enforcement, military, and devoted precision shooters. And the icing on the cake is the multi-caliber capability.

The SRS A2 follows the long celebrated A1 model, from which it evolved. The SRS features an all-aluminum receiver, that is sandwiched between two polymer skins that comprise the pistol-grip, and magazine well. The receiver is split down the middle, and has four clamping screws down the side, together these features allow one of the SRS’s strongest assets. All SRS barrels have a shank at the breach that fits very snuggly into the receiver and is then clamped in via those four screws. Barrels are slid into the chassis from the front and seated against a steel feed ramp that doubles as an index point. The unique barrel clamping system also allows the SRS to return to zero, guaranteed every time you install each barrel, it will return to shoot the same point of impact every time. Bolts are slid into the breach by easily removing the recoil pad from the back, I say bolts because with differing cartridges you may require at least a couple of them. Anything from 223 Remington all the way up to 375XC, most options from the factory are your well-known bestsellers such as 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win, and 338 Lapua Magnum. The SRS has a large following with a multitude of aftermarket barrel manufacturers, allowing users to customize these factory-built rifles in whatever caliber they desire.

What’s New

The evolution of this precision bullpup has brought several advantages to the system. One of the first notable differences of the new rifle is the M-Lok handguard, the more popular mounting system replaced the pic rail design from prior generations. The next most obvious change is the rifle’s weight, the A2 was put on a healthy diet. This new revision has the rifle weighing 2.1 pounds less than its predecessor, through various cuts and shaving material where possible.
The trigger also received an upgrade, a new design they call a “field match” trigger. This new trigger is adjustable from 1.5 to 7 pounds.

The SRS A1 featured a built-in retractable monopod in the bottom of the butt-pad, many users found this monopod to be a very valuable tool because of its quick deployment, and both coarse and fine adjustments. The A2 model was designed to be lighter, and the monopod was then made optional equipment instead of standard. That also helped lower the overall weight of the rifle.

Shop all Desert Tech products HERE

The new M-Lok handguard is also interchangeable. The A1 handguard was difficult to swap between different length handguards, and it required a proprietary tool from Desert Tech. The new SRS A2 handguard is user-replaceable using only a Hex Key wrench, this allows users to easily swap between the standard length (longer) handguard, and the shorter length (Covert) handguard. Desert Tech sells the separate handguards as a kit for end-users to install, so they can enjoy the benefits of either configuration.

In addition to the new rifle chassis, Desert Tech will be releasing a few new calibers specifically marketed towards big game hunters. These newer barrels are chambered in popular cartridges such as 300 RUM, 300WM, and 7MM Rem Mag with more to come. A lighter contour barrel also helps lower the overall weight of the rifle. With a lighter rifle, the SRS is now even more appealing to those of us that would like to hunt with it, so these new offerings are a welcome development.

What’s the same

The SRS A2 being a direct descendant of the A1 means that it inherited some of its best traits. The barrel mounting system is the same, which means that the barrel collection most SRS owners enjoy, can be used in the new A2 chassis as well. Bolts, barrels and magazines are also interchangeable between the two rifle chassis. This is a very welcome feature to SRS aficionados, as barrel kits can cost anywhere from 800 up to 2000 dollars.

The barrel clamping procedure remains the same, there is a barrel lock on one side of the receiver and four clamping screws on the other. The barrel lock rotates 360 degrees, but has a detent on the lock and unlocked positions. After installing the barrel in the chassis, the barrel lock is rotated to the lock position which rotates a cam to hold the barrel in place. The four clamping screws are then torqued down to 80-inch pounds.

The SRS A2 Covert with my 18” 6.5 Creedmoor

The A2 maintains both standard length and Covert models as was the A1, the Covert model allows for using shorter barrels like the very popular sixteen-inch 308 Winchester. The longer standard handguard, allows for further forward bipod mounting, as well as clip on night/thermal optics.

The adjustable comb height adjustment stays the same, as does the spacer system to adjust the length of pull. These features are easy to adjust and allow you to fit the rifle to you.

On the Range

Being quite familiar with the SRS platform, I found almost everything about it to be very recognizable. All the same functions I was used to, I tried several of my older conversion kits in it with great success. One thing I didn’t miss at all was the weight, the couple pounds lost make the rifle noticeably lighter. And the new hunting profile barrels are lighter than I was used to, making the whole kit seem more friendly to hiking hunters.

Clockwise: The new Field Match Trigger, fluted bolt body, M-Lok handguard with QD sling receivers, handguard mounting screws.

Desert Tech claims the A2 to be even more accurate than its precedent platform, this was a claim I wanted to see for myself. The SRS has always been a very accurate rifle in my experience, half MOA groups are expected and even guaranteed by Desert Tech when using match grade ammunition.  The accuracy guarantee for the A1 SRS was half MOA, I was surprised to find that the A2 did not come with a better guarantee according to Desert Tech’s 36% better accuracy claim for the A2.

Shooting the SRS A2

I shot several different barrels in the A2 while at the range, among them were 6.5Creedmoor, 308 Winchester, 300 Remington Ultra Magnum, and 300 Winchester magnum.  The new hunting calibers were all the lighter contour, this made the felt recoil a little more aggressive than I was used to, but with muzzle brakes installed the recoil was very manageable. Accuracy was everything I expected it to be from the SRS platform,  typical groups were half MOA. Ammunition types gave wildly varying results, some of them did not even shoot MOA, while others easily shot sub half MOA.  I can’t say for sure if the lighter barrel contour had anything to do with it because when they had the right ammo they just shot great.

A typical five shot group from the SRS A2

My fourteen-year-old son also shot the rifle a bit and carried it around, he too seemed pleasantly surprised by the rifle’s easy handling and modest recoil.  As usual, the rifle shot better when the sound suppressor was installed. The Desert Tech suppressor mounts directly to the muzzle brake and provides hearing safe shooting with enhanced accuracy. Another moment the bullpup platform shines is when a suppressor is installed, the SRS A2 with a suppressor mounted is still shorter than comparable rifles without one.

Whether shooting inside a 100-yard underground tunnel or shooting 1200 yards across a breezy mountain ridge, the SRS A2 tackled targets with great ease.

Detractors

The only problems I found with the SRS A2 were not so much problems as they were questions. Previous generations of SRS rifles had fully adjustable triggers that were serviceable in the field with a simple Allen wrench. The new trigger requires disassembly of the chassis to complete the adjustment. While an infrequent necessity, it is still an unwelcome one.

Final Thoughts

The Desert Tech SRS A2 is a pleasant breath of fresh air that I didn’t even know I needed. It appears Desert Tech has listened to consumers and delivered a better bullpup, my A1 wont be going anywhere soon, but it definitely needs an A2 to go with it.

-CBM

The Black and Blue of My First Black Bear Hunt

hunting, , , , ,

Introduction

 

It has taken me some time to prepare this story, not only because of the exciting adventure and memories in it, but because there is only so much one can tell with written and spoken words. There is a place in every adventurer’s heart, a place that seems almost magical like it spawned from your very own dreams. I’ll tell you about the particular place I speak of; it is wild, unpredictable, cold, desolate, and even a little bit scary. But despite its savage nature, it is some of the most beautiful country mine eyes have ever scoured. It is scattered with the most beautiful clear blue lakes you have ever seen, the sound of rivers roar through the towering forest mile after mile. It goes on and on, filled at times with herds of life, while at others completely void. This continental crown lies in the western mountains of Montana, the exact location is almost too sacred to speak lest it lose its magic. I bring you today my first black bear hunt.

For many years a dear friend of mine had spoken to me of Black Bear hunting in Montana, and I finally gave in to his invitation earlier this year. It certainly wasn’t a lack of desire that had kept me from going, but more of the right situation here at home.
Being my first bear hunt, and surely to be a hunt of a lifetime, I couldn’t go with out bringing my Father along. He too had never ventured after bear, but had enough interest in doing it that he decided to come along, rifle and all.

The MDRX and the Silencerco Hybrid 46

When the time came, we had everything loaded into Dad’s camper, and made the long and beautiful drive north along the spine of the Rocky Mountains. We truly were loaded for bear, we had enough food to last a fortnight, fuel, ammo, and enough anticipation to stay awake late into the night drive.
I am no stranger to western Montana, but as the sun came up that first morning I was once again smitten with its beauty. Clouds hung low as we made the last leg of our trip into coniferous forest’s covered with wolf moss. The mountains were all dissected by thousands of logging roads, most of which were closed off and gated. But the still many of them gave us untold space to cover, glass, and pursue.
We set camp next to a good sized river, rolling over rocks that hid big Brown and Bull Trout. I could hardly wait to get our gear out and explore, the river pulled at me, and even though I could almost think of nothing better than the beautiful fish beneath, we were here to hunt bears.

I pulled my hunting kit from the truck, it was all my best equipment carefully selected and tuned days before leaving. The basic stuff, survival gear, a days worth of snacks, knives, flashlights, and my choice of rifle. I had decided to bring along my Desert Tech MDRX, perhaps a little unorthodox for bear hunting but I found it to be a perfect fit. The MDRX is a multicaliber bullpup rifle, this makes it much shorter and compact than a conventional rifle. A piston operated semi-auto would allow for quick follow-up shots should they be necessary, and my MDRX shot accurately enough to put first round hits on a paper plate at six-hundred yards. I have several different caliber barrels for the rifle, but for this hunt I chose to go with the good ol’ 308 Winchester suppressed by the Silencerco Hybrid 46. The 308 is a familiar and potent cartridge, and with plenty of energy for black bear sized game. I had recently re configured my rifle with a Minox Optics 1-6 scope, and I had become quite comfortable shooting minute of bear lung targets at distances inside half a mile. So with that formidable firepower under my arm, we set off into the mountains in search of a bear, or two.

After only an hour or so of scouting the huge area we had to hunt, mother nature decided to remind us of her temper. The gray clouds brought us rain, and a stiff breeze that would make sure that the rain gotcha everywhere. It was not what I had hoped for, but we dealt with it as best we could. And that first night we spent much time drying out our socks and other clothes, but we were still ripe with excitement for this adventure. Especially after seeing so much beautiful country in such a short time.

The next morning brought sausage and eggs, and more wind and rain. To my discouragement, it continued like that for four days, it only ever stopped raining long enough to get your hopes up, then it would start again. We had many close encounters though, fresh bear scat was everywhere. We could almost trace their movements by observing the neatly trimmed grass, followed by more piles of bear breakfast. We would hike for hours through dripping forest, and cloudy ridges that were so wild that you whispered. Much like the deer and elk I frequently hunt, I gained a quick understanding that in this wild place I am just one of thousands of animals and we are all made of meat. That understanding and the majesty of the surrounding mountains just demanded a softer tone when you spoke. The huge expanse of country just kept opening up over and over, just when you’d thought you’d covered everything, another draw would open up. And every hill was covered with bear shaped stumps that had been blackened like soot by fires in the past.

After several days of hunting, we had only put eyes on one bear, from a good mile or two away. And unfortunately my friend and his Father had to go back home, leaving me and Dad alone in this untamed country that we had just barely become familiar with. It was a little daunting, we hadn’t seen the sun in days, so much of the time you didn’t even know what direction you were headed. But Dad and I felt up to the challenge, at least we were going to keep after it anyways, despite being complete rookie’s.

The next day we returned to the area we had seen the one bear, roughly sixteen miles away from our camp. We had a plan for Dad to sit and watch a meadow and a small lake that was frequented by bears, many of whom had left many wild berry deposits scattered about. Meanwhile I would make a slow and quiet stalk around a nearby area in hopes of spotting one.

After leaving Dad at the spot we had decided upon, I worked back around the valley anticipating a large circular stalk that would put me opposite him after a mile or so. My hike would take me through damp mossy swamp, and grassy thickets and all the while buried in deep timber. Nothing but the song of birds, and the occasional stream of runoff could be heard. During the entire trip we had only seen a dozen or so other vehicles, and at no time did we ever run into any people. Earlier I said the place was a little bit scary, what made this place scary was the isolation. I knew that there was nobody around, I knew that should something happen to us, it could be days before someone passed by close enough to hear. There was no phone service but for the highest peaks, and even that was sketchy.

My MDRX in 308 Winchester and the Minox 1-6

I continued my quiet stalk through the woods, and came into a clearing that sort of looked like where I wanted to be. A pair of ducks jumped from a puddle, startling me in the near silence. I was beginning to feel a bit worried, because I didn’t appear to be where I thought I was. Come to think of it, I’m not even sure where I am. As I trod on, it became flat and muddy, so I figured I was getting close to the lake. But things just kept getting different, and after another half hour or so I was seriously worried, considering that I was indeed lost. Not just lost, but lost in unfamiliar bear country, and even worse, I didn’t know if my Dad had any idea where I was, or which way to get back to camp since I had done all the driving. All these worries intensified as the sun got closer and closer to going down, but sheer panic was about to set in on me.
Just as I had about gotten to where I was sure the road was, I found myself again in a grassy clearing. The panic set in when I realized that it was the exact same clearing I had been startled by the ducks in nearly an hour before, it was like a bad dream.

I am not one to get lost, I am usually pretty good at keeping track of my direction and location. But the low hanging clouds and huge towering trees made it very difficult to keep track of where you were.
So I found myself nearing hysteria, not sure where I was, only that I was alone, far far away from anything like civilization, and my Father who relied on me to get back to camp. No amount of yelling could be heard, even shots from my rifle couldn’t reach with any discernible direction.
The fear that gripped me took me right to my knees, where I sought calm, and direction. Lucky for me, there was someone looking out for both of us. And humble as I have ever been, I emerged on a road. It turned out to be the same road I went in on, I had somehow completely turned around, and but for the quiet guidance I felt kneeling in that grassy duck meadow, I might still be up there walking in circles, or worse yet, stacked up with a bunch of grass and berry seeds. I had never felt so grateful to feel my butt in the seat of that Can-Am.

The very next day we were back at it, I was a bit more humble, and quite a bit more aware of my directions. So we continued scouting around the canyons and hills, looking for a black stump that would move. As it turns out, it wasn’t black at all. Dad spotted the first real chance at a bear, standing off in the trees. It was a big cinnamon colored bear, and it was eating away at the lush grass. Dad and I both hunkered over and made our way to a clear spot where we could get a shot. I saw the bear for just a second, and as I raised my rifle to engage him, he must have seen or smelled us. Before I could get a shot off, he bolted through the thick trees. Bear:1 Us:0.

The next day, in another area several miles away, we continued our search. This time we were a bit more successful.
The late afternoon had brought some slightly better weather, the rain had mostly stopped, and the breeze had slowed to where the mosquitoes could dig into you and carry you off. We were coming down a trail for the first time that day, and as always my eyes were in scan mode. Looking right through the trees, at all the shapes behind them.
It happened so fast I didn’t have time to think. My eyes were scanning the millionth patch of trees when I locked eyes with a small black bear, she stood there on all fours and simply watched as we passed her bye. I know better than to slam on the brakes in front of an animal I intend on taking, so I rolled right on, around the bend. As I lost sight of her, she slowly turned and walked off into the forest.
Wasting no time at all, I quickly halted the Can-Am, and grabbed my MDR off the back seat. I charged the rifle, and hoofed into the trees as fast and as quiet as I could. I was so hyped up on adrenaline, I’m not sure I was actually breathing, so much as maybe my heart pounding was enough to draw air in and out. I snuck through the trees, avoiding anything but the soft green grass, with my eyes going a hundred miles an hour as I searched the trees ahead of me. Despite all my effort to keep quiet, she must have either heard me, or smelled me. Because when I did catch up to her, she was looking right at me.
We locked eyes, time slowed as I recalled everything I had told myself beforehand. No cubs, nothing behind her, no hesitation. I drew my rifle up, knowing that any movement either to the ground or otherwise would likely spook her into running, so the only movement I made was to direct fire. As the reticle came to rest on the dark black fur of the bear, I was glad I had the forethought to turn on the reticle in my little scope. I centered it on the middle of the bear, and pulled the trigger.
The first shot hit her, and she immediately rolled over backwards, but almost in fluid motion she rolled back to her feet as she crossed behind a tree. As soon as she came out the other side of the tree, I was very glad to have brought my MDR, because those quick followup shots were exactly what I needed. Three shots (two of them critical) and she went silently to the ground.
I stood there in the silence, all I could hear was the steps of my Dad who came hurriedly towards the sound of the shots. I shouted out to him that she was down, and the excitement caught up to me. I began to shake, and my heart continued to pound as I walked up to the downed bear. My first shot was not a good one, it hit her in the shoulder which from the front is not a good angle of attack. The second and third hits went through the shoulder (broadside) and neck, which obviously put her straight down.

Dad caught up to me, and the two of us marveled at the first bear either of us had ever laid hands on. Soft black fur, that was much longer than I had expected. And she was such a beautiful animal, with brown patches on the side of her nose. Her feet and claws were fascinating to me, her soft ears, and stubby tail.

We took a bunch of pictures, and then cleaned her up. We happily made our way back to camp, where we hung her up and I skinned my first bear, which I thought I did a pretty good job of. The feelings had gone from a desperate panic, to complete triumph in the course of one day, I had never felt so grateful.
We built a huge victory fire that night, and the sky cleared for a spectacular show of stars.

Dad didn’t get a shot, and we never got another chance after that. But we were still satisfied with our first bear hunt. Not only did we get to see some of the most beautiful country there is, but we got beat down and humbled by it, only to make a great comeback and finish our very first bear hunt with bloody hands, and cut tag.

It will be hard to out-do this hunt, as I said in the beginning, it was hard to decide what parts of this story to tell. Almost like a birthday wish as you blow out the candle, I didn’t want to spill it all, for fear of it loosing it’s magic. I believe I will go back someday, with new dreams, and remembering my humility, to that special place where beauty abounds and calamity could be right around the next duck meadow, and bears of all colors wander through the most hallowed and cloudy timber that is.

-CBM

For more hunting stories, go to our hunting section

ES Tactical 6.5Creedmoor Barrel for the MDR

Product review, Shooting hardware, , , , , , , ,

Just when I thought I was up to my ear’s in MDR, Eric Smith from ES Tactical found it expedient to dump another huge helping of MDR in my lap. It wouldn’t take long to figure out which way this would go.

As a guy with too many irons in the fire already, I took the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel with a grain of salt (I know you all feel my pain). Had it not been for my stellar experience with Eric’s work, I might have even backburnered this project. But instead, I took the first opportunity to stab my MDR with this latest addition to the pile.

Ive shot the MDR quite a bit, some might even say more than anyone else. The MDR is a multi caliber bullpup rifle. The rifle was first available in 308, it will soon be available to the public in 223. But for those of you that already have the gun, you can wet your multi caliber whistle without waiting by ordering a 6.5 Creedmoor from ES Tactical. I shot quite a bit of 308 in the beginning, and I loved having so much power in such a little package. With the 308 barrel installed, the MDR can put down a serious amount of hate and anger. But it is still quite capable of MOA accuracy, and at distance as well. Just a short while ago, the 223/556 conversion was made available to me. In the short time I spent with it, I became very enamored. The minimal recoil, and outstanding accuracy made the compact MDR even more desirable, you can read more about that here.

So you can imagine my excitement when the option came to try out the Creedmoor in my beloved little rifle. The Creedmoor offers the same accuracy as the other cartridge options, but less recoil than the 308, and a better envelope for distance as well.

I couldn’t resist the appeal, so I hurried up to my local shooting hole, and warmed up my trigger finger. Upon arrival I ran a few magazines of 223 through the rifle, just to get my trigger finger into shape, then set to swap the rifle over to the Creedmoor.


The MDR as seen with 223rem barrel (installed with YHM Turbo) Sixteen inch 308win, and the ES Tactical eighteen inch 6.5CM barrel

Since the 6.5 and the 308 share the same boltface, magazine, and a few other parts, there is only a need for a barrel assembly should your rifle be a 308. Since my rifle was currently a 223, I had to swap bolts, remove the magwell block and switch the magazine catch.
To see how the MDR is converted from one caliber to another click here

It took a few minutes, and I was ready to make some noise. Except I wouldn’t. I hate shooting without the proper muzzle accoutrements, so I attached one of my favorite suppressors, the Silencerco Hybrid. The barrel assembly from ES Tactical came with a six position gas key, allowing for refined tuning of the rifle. I found it quite unnecessary to figet with, as the rifle functioned flawlessly, it consumed and expelled everything I fed it.

Speaking of diet, I tried a few different things. I started out with Desert Tech munitions 140 grain match, I have always had good luck with it, and today was no exception. I also tried some of the more popular brands, such as Hornady 120 Grain Match As well as the gold standard Federal Gold Medal Match 130 grain And the very popular Prime 130 Grain Match

The accuracy results from this fine selection varied slightly, the DTM, and Hornady gave the best results. Both of them printed groups that were mostly hole, and little paper. The Prime and Gold Medal were not too far behind, it is my guess that the Berger and Norma 130 grain bullets used may perhaps be a bit more finicky with seating depth. Which may explain the larger patterns. DTM shown in blue, Hornady in red, Federal in yellow, and Prime in green

As you can see in the groups the stringing is horizontal on the better ones, it seemed to follow the heating of the barrel. The first three or four shots in each group were either touching or stacked. It was usually the fourth, fifth or sixth shot that were the outliers (I may have lost count a few times, I was enjoying myself😌). The lesser groups didnt seem to have any particular pattern. I only ran a chronograph on the DTM 140 grain ammunition, the average over a couple magzines worth of ammo showed 2610fps. I was quite pleased with the velocity from this 18 inch barrel, with a MV like that, coupled with MOA or better accuracy, this thing would be very useful for anything inside 1000 yards.

Being as familiar as I am with the platform, I have gotten used to it’s quirks and folleys. This familiarity has helped me avoid some of the little things that cause malfunctions, so it didn’t surprise me at all that I experienced no failures. I did note that the brass was coming out pretty dirty but otherwise fine, I suppose I could have dialed down the gas pressure a little after all.

The thread protector, threads, and crown of the ES Tactical 6.5Creedmoor barrel

In total, I shot probably 80 or so rounds (not counting the 223 appetizer). It was smooth shooting, the recoil was very mild, and with the suppressor mounted up, I could shoot all day. This setup would be awesome for a threegun carbine, it’d also make the perfect truck gun, or patrol rifle. So many possibilities, I doubt it will be long before the next flavor MDR comes along.

Should you find youself in need of a Creed for your MDR, give Eric a call over at ES Tactical, and dont forget he cuts awesozme barrels for your SRS, or just about anything else you might want too.

-CBM

Here is the video: