The new MVP Predator (18.5" barrel) showed up late last week, so I finally got it cleaned up.
The initial cleaning led me to think it had been test fired more than just a few rounds at the factory as it required a pretty extensive barrel swabbing with ED's Red and Butch's Bore Shine to get the bore clean.
Once cleaned up, I mounted a Mueller Target scope on it, MU83244TD, securing it to the short rail segments with Leupold QRW quick release rings. The slots on the factory mounted rail are shallower than I would like to see, but the mount was solid and didn't seem to be any problem.
I loaded up 50 rounds of Lake City surplus brass with 55gr FMJ, 26.5gr VARGET and CCI #400 primers. This is a down the middle of the road loading for this round, and were loaded for the sole purpose of breaking in this new barrel. This will also generate a batch of fire formed brass for this rifle for fine tuning high accuracy ammunition for the next range trip.
The range trip, weather a very crisp 38 degrees, wind quartering in from behind us at 5-6 miles per hour. It was light gloves and a furry hat to keep the ears warm. Range is 100 yards. I benched the gun on two sand bags, pulled the bolt out and got the bore lined up on the center of the target. The scope was not too far off the sight alignment, but took 4 turns of elevation and 3 turns of windage to get it lined up with the bore.
The first three shots all fell very closely packed, but 3 inches off the target center. Barrel was cleaned after these first three shots.
The next 18 shots were groups of 3 each, with barrel cleaning in between. Scope adjustments were made after each group to walk the group into the center of the target.
Then I went to groups of five, with cleaning in between, until the breakin ammunition was consumed.
The end results are very encouraging, not quite sub moa, but very close to it. I really did not expect too much from breakin ammunition and a new barrel. The group in the picture is pretty much average. That group measures .973
My observations:
The length of pull is too short. I know this impaired my shooting as I need to hunch up and twist out of good shooting posture to get a good bench presentation. This rifle will be fitted with an extension before the next trip.
The bolt action is pretty decent, with the extraction from the AR magazine being a lot more crude than I liked. That feature of the rifle is one of it's main selling features, so that is pretty much a moot point, you live with it. The bolt locks up very nicely, and feels pretty solid. Extraction after the shot rivals a semi-automatic, it likes to throw brass far enough away that you have to go chase it.
The trigger is very nice. From the factory, it initially broke at 3.7 pounds. Since I use my rifles for hunting, I like a trigger with a little more beef than the average bench gun, so I like the trigger. It's very clean feeling, breaks like a good trigger should, and although I felt no need to adjust it, it is adjustable.
Recoil is practically non-existant. You don't expect a lot from a 223, but the heavy barrel tames even that to just a mild thump.
Accuracy from the initial breakin was very good. I am very confident that with proper load development, this rifle will be capable of sub-moa performances at ranges exceeding 200 yards. I think a bit heavier bullet will help produce a load that is consistently accurate.
The fun factor of this gun is high. With high capacity magazines, this can be a PD or rabbit sniping fun-o-rama.
If you get a chance to grab one of these, do it.