In this Gear Update the 6.5 Guys take a look at the Vudoo Gun Works V-22 rimfire repeater rifle. The action has the same footprint as a Remington 700 so it is compatible with a wide variety of Rem 700 chassis, triggers, and rifle accessories. This allows you to have a rimfire trainer with near-identical ergonomics as your centerfire match rifle. Rimfire training provides valuable trigger time with dramatically lower ammo costs. Additional magazines for this rifle system are available from Vudoo Gun Works for $39.95. Vudoo also sells many other products and accessories through its website: VudooGunworks.com.
Why Train with a .22 LR Rimfire Rig?
Frequent practice, particularly live fire sessions with your match rifle, is the standard prescription for success in the PRS/NRL game. However the cost of shooting thousands of rounds of ammo and the inevitable wear on precision rifle barrels can become cost-prohibitive. Rimfire training allows needed trigger-time while conserving precious centerfire barrel life. Rimfire cost per round might be 12 cents compared to 80 cents (or more) for centerfire.
The Vudoo Gun Works V-22 rimfire repeater action, arguably one of the best tactical rimfire actions available, owes its lineage to the respected Remington 40X action. Many rimfire matches have been won with 40X actions, so we understand why Vudoo chose that design for a starting point. Vudoo then added some important enhancements.
Seen at the WSC: Vudoo Gunworks Tactical .22 LR Rimfire Rifles
The 2017 NRA World Shooting Championship (WSC) included a side-match featuring Vudoo Gunworks .22 LR rimfire tactical rigs. Shooters were impressed with the V-22 rifle, which looks and feels like a centerfire rig, but with a rimfire repeater action running full-size mags.
Vudoo states: “Our V-22 also runs a full-size short action bottom metal (DBM) and our V-2210 magazine has a [full-size] AICS form factor. The V-22 is the only controlled-round-feed .22 LR receiver out there. The bolt has full capture control of the cartridge from the time it leaves the magazine until it ejects the spent round out the ejection port.” That means the round never touches anything during feed travel so the bullets won’t be nicked/dented during rapid cycling.
This very thorough video explains how to clean a .22 LR Vudoo Rifle:
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing(Barrett) has been awarded the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle) contract for with its MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) rifle system. The SOCOM ASR contract is worth nearly fifty million dollars. The ASR contract was announced by the U.S. Dept. of Defense on March 11, 2019.
Guns.com reports: “The $49.9 million five-year, indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract announcement is slim on details other than that is for the ASR program. The program itself was identified in SOCOM’s FY19 budget justification book as part of an effort to continue ‘development of enhanced capabilities to improve performance’ of ‘individual sniper weapons to engage out to 1500 meters’.” A key requirement was the ability to shooter multiple calibers and cartridge types.
USSOCOM announced in 2016 it needed a modular, multi-caliber bolt action sniper rifle capable of converting between 7.62x51mm, .300 Norma Magnum (NM) and .338 Norma Magnum (NM). The gun needed to be able to change barrels easily in the field with minimal tools. The Barrett MRAD is designed with precision and modularity in mind. As produced for SOCOM, the MRAD will be designated the Mk21. The new MK21 MRADs will be built at Barrett’s Christiana, Tennessee factory, with production to be completed by March 2024.
Interestingly, this is the first time in U.S. history that both a father and son have designed an official military-commissioned rifle system. Father Ronnie Barrett developed the successful .50-Caliber M107 and now son Chris Barrett has succeeded with the Mk21 MRAD.
“This feels like the highest honor I could ever achieve professionally — to have a rifle adopted by the U.S. military, and especially USSOCOM,” said Chris Barrett. Father Ronnie Barrett added: “I remember Chris telling me that ‘this is what all precision rifles will look like one day!’ and he was right. However, aesthetics is not all that makes this rifle. As his development persisted, he was able to achieve more than I ever thought possible. I genuinely believe this is the most accurate [multi-caliber sniper] rifle in the world.”
The IWA Outdoor Classics trade show is the biggest gun/hunting/outdoor trade show outside the USA. This year 1622 companies are displaying their products and IWA attendance should approach 50,000. The IWA event, held each spring in Nuremberg, Germany, opened yesterday in the Nürnberg Exhibition Centre. The show runs four days, March 8-11, 2019. Here is our IWA Day 2 report, with more images from the show. Photo Credit for IWA images: NuernbergMesse / Frank Boxler and Thomas Geiger, All Rights Reserved.
High-tech Steiner M7Xi IFS 4-28x56mm optic. That box on the end includes a digital display with level and windage/elevation read-outs.
Spectacular one-of-a-kind Walther Q5 pistol with full engraving and custom grips. Wow.
More Walthers — These are Olympic-grade competition Air Pistols.
What’s an outdoor show without a Land Rover and safari gear?
How do you make a beautiful gunstock? Start with a beautiful wood blank. Some stunning Turkish walnut blanks were on display at the IWA Show.
Beautiful Sauer rifle with engraved receiver and presentation grade wood.
There were plenty of handsome wheelguns on display at the Smith & Wesson booth. Accurate revolvers will never go out of style.
We liked this slide-out, mobile gun-locker for rifles and gear. Now that’s some serious storage!
Leading American shooting supplies vendor Brownells has a HUGE presence at IWA.
IWA New Products Center
Along with the main displays for 1600+ exhibitors, the IWA Show features a dedicated New Products Center. Here you’ll find a wide spectrum of new items — airguns, electronics, optics, hunting clothing, knives, cleaning products and more…
We have no idea what this woman is doing with that gadget, but it has something to do with Swarovski Optik. Maybe some kind of virtual reality? What’s your guess?
We know that quite a few hunters and tactical shooters read the Daily Bulletin. Here’s a product for you guys that need a multi-purpose padded support that can be easily carried and adapted to a variety of positions (such as on platforms, vehicle hoods, as well as flat ground). This versatile bag can be used on the front (supporting the fore-end), or in the rear (supporting the buttstock). Made in the USA, “The Brick” Grippy Bag costs $39.95 from Armageddon Gear. Measuring 6″ x 3″ x 3″, “The Brick” is offered in two colors: Coyote Tan and Black.
Made by Armageddon Gear, and sold through the Armageddon Gear Store, “The Brick” has unique features that make it ultra-handy in the field. First the “grippy” outer material is rubberized and textured so it can provide a firm grip on a support surface as needed. Overlapping Velcro-lined straps allow the bag to be attached to a rifle fore-end, buttstock, tripod head, shooting sticks, or pack. The square cross-section provides secure contact between the rifle stock and support surface. You can easily adjust the firmness of the bag by adding or subtracting filler material. (Some guys will fill their Brick with sand; others may prefer beads or other lighter media to save weight.) The panel under the strap is nylon to allow the shooter’s hand to easily slide underneath the strap when desired.
Our friend Gavin Gear of UlimateReloader.com recently visited a SilencerCo dealer in the state of Washington, The Range LLC in Yakima, WA. Gavin was able to test a number of suppressors (aka “moderators” or “silencers”) for both rifle and pistols. Gavin recently released a lengthy article covering his experiences. If you are in the market for a suppressor, we highly recommend you read Gavin’s SilencerCo Products Overview on UltimateReloader.com.
Gavin was able to test three SilencerCo suppressors: the Omega 300, the Hybrid, and the Osprey 45. In addition Gavin was able to handle the Maxim 9, an integrally suppressed 9mm handgun.
Gavin reports the Omega 300, which is rated up to .300 Winchester Magnum, is a very popular “can”. According to Gavin, the Omega 300 has become the best-selling rifle suppressor in history for important reasons. First, it has an integral muzzle brake. Second, it can work for multiple calibers, from .223 up to .308. Third, “It is very tough — .300 Win Mag rated, and full-auto rated”.
SilencerCo lineup, from left: Omega 300, Hybrid, Osprey 45
Gavin says the Hybrid Suppressor is an interesting concept: “One suppressor that you can configure for multiple calibers, both rifle and pistol. This includes the ability to change out the threaded mount on the muzzle end, and you can also swap out end caps that will optimize sound suppression for different calibers. The Hybrid… is full-auto rated, and can handle rifle cartridges up to and including .338 Lapua Magnum! But this suppressor can also be used for pistol applications…from 9mm up to 44 ACP.”
Looking for an ergonomic and affordable chassis system for your next tactical or hunting rifle? Consider the new ORYX chassis. It’s available now starting with a $399.00 MSRP. That’s less than half the price of many popular chassis systems. The fully adjustable ORYX modular aluminum chassis system has versions to fit Remington 700, Savage, Howa, Ruger American, and Tikka T3 actions.
Legacy Sports International is now shipping the new ORYX Bolt Action Chassis Rifle Stocks by MDT. The solid aluminum chassis can replace your standard rifle stock, providing a more versatile, modern, and ergonomic shooting experience.
ORYX stocks are offered for Howa’s Mini Action, Short Action, and Long Action. In addition, ORYX Chassis systems are available for Remington 700 Short Action, Ruger American Short Action, Savage 110 Short Action, and Tikka T3 Short Action models. This affordable, aluminum chassis is compatible with AICS mags. LOP adjusts from 13.25 to 15 inches, and there is an adjustable cheek riser. The ORYX chassis features a contoured fore-end grip and overmolded pistol grip designed to fit hands of all sizes. ORYX chassis MSRP is $399.00 from Legacy Sports International.
The ORYZ is “Drop in Ready” — simply remove your action from your original manufacturer stock, drop it into the ORYX chassis system, and you are in business in less than 10 minutes. There are three color panel options available to go with the black aluminum chassis frame; OD Green, Flat Dark Earth, and Gray. The MDT ORYX Chassis is offered for all these action types:
Howa Mini Action
Howa 1500 Short Action and Long Action
Remington 700 Short Action
Ruger American Short Action
Savage Model 10 Short Action
Tikka T3 Short Action
6.5 Guys Review Howa Rifle with ORYX Chassis
At SHOT Show 2019, the 6.5 Guys visited the Legacy Int’l booth. There they checked out Howa’s new tactical rig with MDT ORYX chassis and Howa 1500 barreled action. The 6.5 Guys were able to shoot this rig during media day and were quite impressed.
Complete M1500 Rifle with ORYX Chassis for $1059.00 MSRP
Legacy also offers the Howa M1500 ORYX rifle model, starting at $1059.00 MSRP. The M1500 ORYX comes in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .300 BLK, .223 Rem, 7.62×39, and 6.5 Grendel. Howa also offers a long-action model in .300 Win Mag. Color options are: OD Green, Flat Dark Earth and Gray. You can also purchase a version with Nikko Stirling 30mm 4-16x44mm scope.
Are you a PRS shooter or tactical competitor who may have to leave cartridge brass on the ground during a match? Or are you a varmint hunter who may need 1000+ cases for a big varmint safari? Here’s a deal for you — 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel brass for under forty cents ($0.40) per case. Right now Midsouth is running a big sale on bulk-bag, Hornady-brand 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel brass. The 6.5 Creedmoor is $194.99 for 500 cases, while the 6.5 Grendel is $184.99 for 500 cases. Either way you’ll pay less than $40 per hundred. Compare that to $110+ for some premium brands of brass for these cartridge types.
“Wait a minute”, you might say, “why would I want Hornady brass — shouldn’t I be using Lapua brass instead?” Well yes, in most situations you should use Lapua brass — you get what you pay for. Premium Lapua brass will deliver better ES/SD, better accuracy, and last longer (a LOT longer).
However, there are situations when you cannot recover your brass during a match or the range does not allow you to retrieve brass. Rather than leave precious Lapua brass on the ground, this cheap Hornady brass is a cost-effective alternative.
Likewise, if you need hundreds (or even thousands) of cases for a varmint hunt, where sub-MOA accuracy will suffice, you may want to buy this Hornady brass to get more quantity for your money. With this deal you can get FIVE HUNDRED cartridge cases for less than you’d pay for 200 premium 6.5 CM or 6.5 Grendel cases. That makes a difference when you may prepare 1000+ rounds for a multi-day varmint safari.
Our friend Dennis Santiago was recently conducting training for a Southern California Police Department. During a training session one of the unit’s AR15s stopped functioning. The problem — the bolt in the AR rifle broke in half. Dennis states: “They ran the gun dry, broke for lunch, shot it again. They don’t like that. I personally like to flood the bolt wet with lube on training days. It prevents stuff like this. Given that, it’s a simple remove-and-replace fix.”
Here are some of the more interesting comments about this parts failure — an AR bolt that literally sheared in half:
“If I was a betting man [the steel] wasn’t made by Carpenter Steel. They are one of the few companies that use the correct [milspec-steel, C-158] called out on the drawing which they coincidentally developed. Most of the other companies that make [AR Bolts] use different steel with the same heat treat specification as what is called out which gives them the potential of being a little on the brittle side at the upper end of the tolerance. When it comes to the AR platform, bolts are probably the only part of the entire gun where I must admit to being a little bit of a brand snob.” David O’N.
[Editor’s Note: Actually Carpenter Steel does not make AR bolts. They are a steel supplier, and yes Carpenter did develop the original C-158 steel for AR bolts. Here is a contrary view, claiming that AISI 9310 Steel is actually stronger than milspec Carpenter C-158: 9310 Steel for AR Bolts.]
“Dry bolt and carrier shouldn’t cause that. Looks like a big pressure spike. What kind of ammo…?” Guy G.
Reply from Dennis: “55gr factory ammo.Piles of it.”
“Is that the new two-piece bolt everyone’s been talking about LOL?” — Darren R.
“Let me guess…the PD called you in cause they didn’t know why it stopped going ‘pew pew’?” — Jim O.
Reply from Dennis: “I was there today for qualifications. It broke during the rifle phase. Simple enough to fish the bolt parts out of the action. The training didn’t miss a beat. I have an armory full of the things.”
PRS and NRL fans — and really anyone interested in “move and shoot” type competitions — should definitely watch this video. It’s excellent. No hype folks — this Editor has watched dozens of PRS/tactical videos and this is one of the best filmed and edited. You get a real feel for the competition — the challenges, the gun-handling, the hardware, and, of course, the camaraderie.
GREAT VIDEO — WATCH PRS Finale Down Under in Australia:
NOTE: Click Speaker Icon to play audio.
This video covers the 2018 Vortex Season Finale in Buchan, Victoria, Australia. This was the culmination of the Australia Precision Rifle Series (AUS PRS). To say it looks like fun is an understatement. We wish we could have participated.
More Aussie PRS Matches in 2019 Starting This Month
There are more Aussie Matches in 2019, starting with a Victoria match at the end of this month, on March 29-31, 2019. So far, FIVE matches are locked in for the 2019 season, with another TWO being planned:
March 29th – 31st | SSAA Mildura, VIC
May 10th – 12th | Pracitcal Shooting SA (Monarto, SA)
CLICK HERE for Full Review of Ruger Precision Rimfire by True Pearce of GunsAmerica.com. This particular rifle shot dime-sized groups at 50 yards with CCI Mini Mags and Federal AutoMatch.
Affordable, Versatile, Chassis-Style Rimfire Rifle
There has been a lot of interest in the Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifle, particularly among PRS shooters looking for an affordable, chassis-style cross-training rig. Ruger Precision Rifle owners also favor the .22 LR rimfire “baby brother” because it shares similar ergonomics with the bigger, centerfire RPRs.
