The Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter is a 90-percent solution to the problem. The only thing stopping it from being a full-on conversion unit is the fact that it is not designed to allow firing with the stock folded. I carried folding-stock carbines and submachine guns during my Army days, and the circumstances where I needed to be able to fire them without first deploying the stock were limited to a handful of times involving extreme environments or circumstances. Even on my wildest day my civilian life is a bit tamer, so I can handle this limitation to the stock’s utility.

All that is needed to convert your existing AR to the Law Tactical system is the ability and tooling to remove the buttstock and buffer assemblies. Tutorials abound with step-by-step instructions for this procedure, so I won’t go into it here. The process will be smooth if you apply proper tools and attention to detail. Once the stock and recoil assemblies are removed, the included instructions clearly explain the process of installing Law Tactical’s hardware. The removal and installation procedures only used up 20 minutes of my day.

Simple tools and good instructions are all you need to add the folding stock adapter to your direct-gas AR.

After installation of the Law Tactical kit, the stock retains its original fixed or collapsible nature, but also folds to the left side with the press of a conveniently-located and protected spring-loaded button. The stock does not lock in the folded position, but hinge tension is easily adjusted with a hex key to keep it folded. It is easily deployed/extended by simply unfolding until it locks open. The latch is stout, and there is no doubt when it locks to full extension. Time to deploy the stock is faster than to extend a stock that has been collapsed to its shortest length for storage. A collapsible stock’s original endplate and castle nut are retained for use with the Law Tactical system, so any sling attachment points located either on the endplate or the stock remain usable. The kit will work on mil-spec and commercial receiver extensions, A1 or A2 fixed stocks and on both 5.56 NATO- and .308 Win.-sized AR platforms.

If there is a glitch in this system, it is in the way the designers have tackled the problem of filling in the inch-plus space between the rear of the bolt carrier and the front of the recoil buffer once the folding system is installed. The adapter creates a gap between the rear of bolt carrier and the buffer’s front. An included bolt-carrier extension must be attached to the rear of the carrier to fill this space and maintain contact with the buffer. This is easily accomplished with a flathead screwdriver and wrench, effectively making the bolt carrier longer to fill the gap. Without the extension in place, the bolt carrier would damage the gun and cause it to malfunction while reciprocating.

As it currently exists, however, the carrier extension must be removed in order to separate the upper and lower receivers for maintenance or repair. While I never plan to remove my bolt carrier in the heat of a gunfight, there are some serious malfunctions that do require opening the rear takedown pin—with the Law Tactical setup in place, tools are required to make that happen. If I were to change one thing on this kit it would be to make the bolt-carrier extension removable without use of tools.

With the adapter installed to permit folding, the author’s AR had its storage length reduced by 6.5 inches, making stowing his emergency carbine easier than ever. Stock deployment can be accomplished in the blink of an eye.

The included manual clearly states this system should never be fired with the stock folded. The intent of this kit is to provide a more compact means of storing your AR, not firing it from the hip. A spring-loaded finger locks into the bolt-carrier extension when the stock is folded, preventing it from moving rearward should the gun be fired in this configuration. Law Tactical has tested both 5.56 NATO and .308 Win. ARs with this system to verify they could withstand being fired with the stock folded, and in both cases the bolt carriers were effectively retained, but the Law Tactical hardware was damaged and unsuitable for further use.

I added the Gen 2 AR Folding Stick Adapter to my 5.5-pound Hoplite, bringing weight up to 6.25 pounds and stretching overall length by 1.25 inches. The biggest change can be seen in terms of storage space needed for the little gun. My carbine measured 32.5 inches long with the stock collapsed in the original configuration. After installation, overall length with the stock folded was shortened to just 26 inches.

I fired 150 rounds of 55-grain FMJ and surplus 62-grain M855 “green tip” through my gun with the Law Tactical adapter installed. Function was flawless, and though my length of pull was longer, the collapsible stock allowed me to easily remedy that problem out for a normal eye-to-sight distance. I checked the screw affixing the bolt carrier extension after every 10 rounds for the first 60 shots to see if it would loosen, then I fired the rest of the ammunition and checked again to ensure it stayed tight. The carrier extension was properly aligned and the screw was as tight as when first installed each time I inspected it.

We live in an age of utility through modularity. Selling for $199 (web) to $219 (MSRP), the Law Tactical Gen 2 AR Folding Stock Adapter adds yet another page to the practicality chapter in the book of America’s favorite rifle.

My business consumes 150 to 300 rounds of centerfire rifle ammunition in an average week, sometimes much more than that. That means I am constantly on the prowl for available and affordable fodder. Several months ago, I noticed one of the few types of .308 Win. ammunition available was commercial versions of the U.S. military’s M80 “Ball” load. M80 (and NATO equivalents) has been around for a few decades, being issued in belted and boxed variants for semi- and full-automatic military arms. This load is often used in designated-marksman long arms and has even been pressed into service in sniper rifles used in the War on Terror.

Depending on the source, projectile weights range from 145 to 150 grains, all in a fully metal-jacketed, boattail configuration. Machine gun ammunition is often purposefully loaded to create dispersion at the target, creating a “beaten zone” to kill or incapacitate as many enemy personnel as possible with each burst. That fact usually makes it an unlikely choice for point targets. The U.S. military’s accuracy standard for M80 Ball (boxed or on stripper clips) is a mean average radius of 5 inches at 600 yards for all groups tested from a given lot of ammunition. That measurement loosely equates to a 10-inch circle or approximately 1.6 MOA at that distance. The standard for belted M80 is a 7.5-inch mean radius at 600 yards, or approximately a 15-inch/2.4-MOA circle. While in the Army, I fired various lots of M80 through my sniper rifles to gain “dope” just in case our match loads ran out in a combat theater. I was confident of hitting a bad-guy-size target, but I never thought of it as particularly suitable ammunition for accurate fire.

I decided it was time to find out if any of the available M80 equivalents would shoot well, so I gathered up nine brands and headed to the range for a test. My plan was simple: Use a practical rifle of known accuracy to shoot a small amount of each load at 100 yards, checking accuracy, reliability and velocity. I decided to use an 18-inch barreled AR and low-power optic for this exercise, reasoning that at best, this is a battle-rifle cartridge. I did try to factor out shooter error somewhat by using a good trigger (Geissele SSA-E) and shooting from a bag rest on a bench.

Prior to testing the M80 loads, I fired a known factory load (Hornady 168-grain A-Max) to get an accuracy baseline for the day. This .308 AR is capable of .6-inch groups at 100 yards, but the average this day for five, five round groups was .86 inch/.81 MOA. That is about as good as I can manage consistently using a 6.5X optic.

The M80 loads’ accuracy varied by brand in this small snapshot test, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches for five-shot groups. Some of this stuff looked pretty rough out of the box, so I expected malfunctions, but every load operated as designed. I was surprised to see the standard deviation (SD) values for several brands measured less than 20 fps—far better than seen in true machine gun ammo. In terms of accuracy, I found the bulk of these M80 loads to be worthy of general-purpose shooting tasks.

Far from being relegated to belt-fed battle beasts chattering away in far off lands, commercial M80 Ball ammunition is relatively affordable, marginally available and capable of hitting targets with modest accuracy. That is about as good as we can expect in the current ammo market.

Shooting Results

Velocity measured in fps 20 feet from the muzzle with an Oehler Model 35P chronograph. Temperature: 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Accuracy measured in inches for five consecutive, five shot groups at 100 yards from shooting bags. Testing performed with a Citizen Arms 18-inch-barreled AR with a Bushnell Tactical SMRS 1FP 1-6.5×24 mm scope with a BTR-2 reticle.

A common theme when discussing this utilitarian class of guns goes something like this: “I don’t need to drive nails with this thing. It’s my truck gun and I just want it to be handy and to work when I need it.” Technically speaking, a truck gun can be any firearm legally stored in a vehicle and on-hand in case of an emergency. You don’t have to own a truck or even an SUV, and only you can determine which type of firearm will work best for your situation. Said crisis could be anything from the benign task of putting down a road-injured animal to the extreme situation of fighting your way home if the seams of society suddenly come undone. While city folk may laugh at such notions, those living outside suburban America know these are among the many scenarios where a traveling gun may come in handy. I’ll focus specifically on long arms here, because in the worst-case scenarios we want to avoid getting into a protracted fight armed only with our concealed handgun.

A truck gun should be lightweight, portable and able to serve various purposes in a pinch. It must be reliable, use common ammunition and be capable of keeping multiple threats well beyond arm’s length. The right gun will depend on many factors: budget, vehicle type, location, familiarity, etc. I decided on a rifle and used my own “what-if” analysis to determine the best solution. If I were on the road—somewhere more than a couple hours from home—and suddenly had to deal with any threat preventing me from getting back, I would want a fighting rifle in my hands. For my purposes that turned out to be an AR, but a lever-action .30-30 Win., an old surplus Mauser or even a fourth-generation, single-shot rifle will serve well in a variety of circumstances—certainly better than a tire iron and a can of pepper spray.

I drive a 3/4-ton truck, so finding a place to keep a rifle of any size is easy. However, if your prime mover is a two-seater with a matchbox-sized trunk, then compactness will be the order of the day. A carbine with a folding or collapsible stock and little in the way of attachments may make good sense in that case. I decided my truck gun should be configured as trim and light as possible, and since my existing ARs were anything but streamlined, I built one for just this purpose. I used the lightest components I could find, including a carbon-fiber free-float tube, three-prong A1-style flash hider, pencil-thin barrel and the smaller, four-position collapsible CAR stock. The result was a very slick carbine weighing in at just over 5 pounds, unloaded. I added Trijicon’s RX01 reflex sight, an old nylon sling and a SureFire X300 light to round out the package. In doing so, I departed from my normal compulsion—to make every rifle I build shoot as accurately as possible—in favor of portability. It prints 2-inch groups with good surplus 5.56 NATO “green tip” ammo and 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with match loads. This is a get-out-of-trouble gun, not a sniper rifle.

Several considerations need addressing when deciding to carry a long gun in your vehicle. Foremost is safety. Since this is a gun that won’t be on your body or in your immediate control, it should be unloaded. Even if retained in a rack or case, it will likely be oriented sideways at folks driving alongside or passing you in either direction. Having a round chambered in any firearm not directly in your control is simply a recipe for disaster. You must also ensure you don’t violate any federal, state or local laws by having a firearm in certain locations. Places like schools and some government property either prohibit outright or heavily restrict the transportation and possession of firearms. Learn the law and abide by it so you don’t lose the right to possess a gun. Another concern is how to best carry and store a rifle or shotgun. A soft case behind the seat of a pickup or in the trunk usually works well. However SUVs, vans and other vehicles without hidden storage space will require less-conspicuous packaging.

Remember: in extremely hot and cold environments, your truck gun will experience temperature and humidity swings as you cool or heat the passenger area. Keep any parts that are likely to rust—especially blued and Parkerized surfaces—well oiled or use a rust-inhibiting storage container. Check your rifle every so often to ensure it remains functional. Lastly, consider the best means to carry extra ammunition in the event you’re forced to go on foot. A purpose-built ammo satchel, surplus load-bearing vest or small pack will do the trick, and be sure to leave room for other survival essentials. Some soft rifle cases can be configured as a backpack, allowing you to carry the rifle, ammunition and other small items in a somewhat concealed fashion.

Not everyone needs a special firearm in their vehicle, and those who do may not carry one all the time. But, for long road trips or if venturing out when things are looking bleak, a truck gun may be the extra insurance needed to provide you with peace of mind, and more.

Bushnell’s SMRS 1-6.5×24 mm (Short/Mid-Range Scope) was recently added to the growing roster of low- to mid-power optics designed specifically for close-range rapid engagements and mid-range precision shooting. The 6.5X may be a step behind the top-end magnification of 1-8X scopes dominating this category, but its compact size, affordable pricing and excellent performance more than balance things out.

The SMRS family includes four models, each using the 1 to 6.5 power range of magnification. Two reticles are offered: the BTR-1 calibrated for 5.56 NATO rounds out to 600 meters, and the BTR-2 with a milliradian-based reticle offering 10 mils below center. Each reticle option is available in both first- (1FP) and second-focal-plane (2FP) variants.

Beneath protective caps, the windage and elevation adjustments offer .1-mil clicks, which interface perfectly with the scope’s mil-dot reticle.

I tested the 1FP version with the BTR-2 reticle, because I am a firm believer in the use of mil-based holdovers and reticle subtensions that work at any power. Each variant has an illuminated-reticle portion that provides 11 brightness settings, with distinct off-position detents between each of them. Positions one through nine are for use during normal, limited-light and bright-day settings. Two settings—N1 and N2—are provided for use with night-vision optics positioned behind the riflescope. Each reticle has a 6-mil (approximately 20 MOA) ghost ring that surrounds the center dot, broken only by the vertical stadia line that extends below the reticle’s center. Both the ring and center .3-mil (approximately 1-MOA) dot illuminate. Capped elevation and windage knobs provide .1-mil clicks that equal 1 centimeter at 100 meters, meshing very well with the BTR-2’s mil-dot reticle (10 clicks=1 mil). A fast-focus eyepiece enables the shooter to adjust reticle focus to his or her individual eyes.

My fresh out-of-the-box impression of the SMRS 1-6.5X was very good. It is lightweight, the zoom ring does not require a strap wrench to rotate and the streamlined design and matte-black finish both urged me to slap it on a fighting rifle and get busy with some live ammo. I happened to have a semi-automatic .308 Win. missing its optic, so I mounted the Bushnell and went to work to see if it could hold its own on top of the big gun. This rifle previously wore a 1-4X scope and printed steady .7- to .9-inch groups with its preferred factory ammo, so I expected the additional magnification of the 6.5X to meet or beat that performance. The best group of the session at 100 yards was .56 inch with several groups of the same Hornady 168-grain A-Max load measuring between .6 inch and .7 inch.

The scope’s fast-focus eyepiece has a hard rubber ring for added purchase and durability.

Overall, I found the size of the center dot, the reticle’s clarity and the scope’s magnification range were all well-suited to shooting accurately. Using the appropriate mil-line holdover for my load at 300 yards facilitated easily repeatable hits on several steel “iron maiden” heads. The vertical stadia line starts at 1 mil below center, so between the center dot and that first mil is clear. If any holds require a holdover for elevation of less than 1 mil, you will have to guess where to hold in that area. My 200-yard hold fell between marks, and while hits were easy on fighting-sized targets, grouping at that distance was touch-and-go due to the holdover guesswork. Shooters who prefer to manage elevation in the reticle (versus dialing up elevation knobs) would be better served by a vertical stadia line that starts at the center of the reticle.

Bushnell advertises an Ultra Wide Band lens coating that helps reduce any loss of light in low-visibility environments as well as its Rainguard HD lens coatings. Both lens treatments worked as designed during my testing, the latter forcing water to bead and disperse off the front lens quickly during my 98-percent humidity range day.

Once I was satisfied with the 6.5X scope’s ability to help place accurate shots, I mounted it on a pair of carbines, one a 16-inch flyweight .308 Win. and the other a bare-bones 5.56 NATO gun. I ripped through a variety of surplus 147-grain and 55-grain fodder at distances between 10 feet and 100 yards using various power settings and in both illuminated and nonilluminated reticle positions. The 1X setting is very fast for target acquisition when illuminated, but with the reticle turned off, the black semi-circle is noticeably slower to pick up. However, the reticle is far better than many competing 1X and 1.1X reticles, and I still found the aiming point easily enough to deliver shots quickly. I would have no problem using this scope for close-in fighting.

Bushnell’s SMRS family consists of relatively affordable scopes that help bridge the gap between nonmagnified red-dot sights and higher-magnification riflescopes used for long-range work. The model I tested performed so well, I purchased it and gave the scope a permanent home on my 18-inch .308 Win. AR. The rifle and I are very happy with the pairing.

At just 10.6 inches long, the Elite Tactical SMRS provides a compact, yet powerful, package for medium-range shooting. Its light weight makes the scope ideal for mounting on an AR-platform rifle.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Bushnell; (800) 423-3537, bushnell.com

Magnification: 1-6.5X

Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm

Adjustability: 23 mils/80 MOA elevation and 31 mils/106 MOA windage in .1-mil clicks (as tested)

Reticles: BTR-1 5.56 ballistic and BTR-2 mil-based (tested)

Illumination: 1-MOA 1FP dot and 20-MOA semi-circle

Field of View: 106 feet (1X)/16.3 feet (6.5X) at 100 yards

Eye Relief: 3.75 inches (6.5X)

Tube Diameter: 30 mm

Length: 10.6 inches

Weight:  18.5 ounces

MSRP: $1,399.99 (1FP), $1,299.99 (2FP)

One of my own revelations revolves around projectile performance—specifically the potential accuracy of rifle bullets that expand well in tissue. I have long been under the false impression that in order to get “match grade” accuracy, one must use match-grade factory loads (or components if handloading). To my way of thinking, this was especially true with larger-caliber loads. Terms like “half MOA” are not traditionally used in conjunction with bullet sizes, weights and designs suitable for large four-legged game and two-legged predators. It turns out I have been missing the mark on some great-shooting, expanding ammunition.

I break-in one to two rifle barrels per week, so my exposure to good- and bad-shooting loads lasts throughout the year. I typically use target fodder for early break-in and match-grade factory loads for later accuracy work. Last summer, I deviated from the practice because several rifles and carbines I broke-in—all .308 Win. ARs—were only to be used for hunting or tactical shooting. Proofing these guns with match loads would do no good if the only thing fired through them would be hunting loads. So, I broke out of my comfort zone, grabbed a few boxes of hunting ammo and headed to the range.

The first rifle had an 18-inch, match-grade, stainless steel barrel with a 1:10-inch twist. As with all rifles I test, it was topped with a reliable scope and was fired from a supported prone position. I had seen smatterings of good expanding-bullet accuracy in smaller .223 Rem. varmint loads over the years, but by the time my initial .308 Win. test was complete, my long-held opinions about large-caliber expanding projectiles had been completely shattered.

Barnes’ Triple-Shock X (TSX) bullets are well-known as great performers in tissue and at longer ranges, where many expanders perform more like FMJ bullets due to their slowing velocities. TSX projectiles even do well through heavy hide or man-made intermediate barriers like auto glass. I had written them off as only marginally accurate, so I made it a point in this instance to test two loads using TSX projectiles: a 168-grain option from Black Hills Ammunition and a 150-grain load provided by a custom ammo shop. Both projectiles did very well, grouping from .7 to .75 MOA at 100 yards. Next, I switched to Hornady’s 150-grain SST Superformance load, which turned in a solid .6-MOA performance. Winchester’s 168-grain Silvertip turned in a best group of .64 MOA and overall grouping at .7 MOA.

Would other guns provide the same result? Fortunately, I had a bunch of .308 Win. work scheduled throughout the summer and fall, so data was easy to come by. These guns each used stainless steel match barrels from several manufacturers, ranging in length from 16 to 24 inches and all with 1:10-inch twist rates. I gravitated to Winchester’s 168-grain Silvertip load as my primary test cartridge, because it performed consistently well from one gun to the next. Other expanding projectiles shoot accurately enough for hunting or defensive work, including Federal’s 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip (1-MOA average in one rifle) and Hornady’s 168-grain TAP (.7 to .9 MOA).

My belief that match-grade bullets were the only ones capable of printing noteworthy groups was a carryover from my military days. Back then, most of our match sniper ammunition employed hollow-point boattail projectiles designed for commercial competition applications. While not all hunting bullets will provide heavy penetration and expansion like Barnes’ TSX projectiles, it appears many fly as well or better than “match” loads.

This is a win-win development for hunters and tactical shooters alike. After all, the goal is to hit a target precisely where we aim using a projectile that performs its assigned task with minimal fuss. Assuming my test results are an accurate indication of modern expanding rifle loads, we have much in the way of good ammunition from which to choose these days.

My earliest post-Sept. 11 overseas tours required me to lug long guns in the most severe mountain terrain I have ever seen. I had a healthy amount of previous military mountaineering experience, but working above 10,000 feet in the snow-covered ranges of the Hindu Kush has a way of teaching you the difference between essential and excess. My teammates and I quickly became devotees of the “ounces make pounds” school of thought and set about removing all manner of extras from our equipment. We cut the linings out of Gore-Tex parkas, removed padding from web gear, traded mountaineering boots for light hikers, developed smaller electronics, boiled snow for water, carried dehydrated rations and we eventually got around to removing anything on our rifles not required to send bullets downrange accurately. Toward the end of one grueling tour, I removed all extra metal from my SR-25 rifle. I got rid of excess mounts, unused rail sections and even hacked off a 4-inch length of barrel, eliminating nearly 3 pounds in the process. It may not sound like much, but that kind of weight is noticeable when you wear your rifle around the clock.

Today, I work hard to maintain my laziness, so weight is a major consideration on the guns I carry. Whether working on my own blasters or building a lightweight gun for someone else, I draw on the experience from days past and try to make the guns functional, but portable. Fortunately, today’s sporting-rifle market offers many lightweight components to help with our ounce-reduction efforts. Most receivers are made of forged or billet aluminum, and neither option is overly heavy. The Carbon 15, with receivers and other major parts made of carbon-fiber composites, comes in many configurations from Bushmaster. I have only fired one Carbon 15, so I do not know firsthand how well they shoot. At least two companies offer polymer upper and lower AR receivers, but I am skeptical about their long-term durability, particularly in the area of hammer- and trigger-pin holes.

Barrels are a key area where weight can be shed, but the trade-off comes in the way of potential losses in accuracy and cooling efficiency. Heavy-contour .308 Win. AR barrels alone can weigh anywhere from 3.5 to 5 pounds. That is a lot of steel to lug around all day. I built a .308 Win. AR last spring that used a very light stainless steel 16-inch barrel. It shot sub-.5-MOA three-shot groups at 100 yards with several factory loads, but five-shot groups opened up to the .9- to 1-MOA range every time. It was destined for a mountain hunter, so such performance was well within this customer’s range of needs. A rifle’s intended use will dictate whether or not a trade-off along such lines is OK.

Fluting helps reduce weight without reducing the overall outer diameter of a barrel, and can do so without negatively impacting accuracy when performed correctly. Christensen Arms builds an entire family of lightweight ARs using carbon-fiber-wrapped barrels that are both good looking and advertised to be good shooting as well. I have used carbon-fiber free-float tubes on a handful of my guns without any complaints. The weight reduction over slick aluminum tubes is a scant 2 or 3 ounces, but remember, those little buggers add up quickly.

Backup sights are another place to look for weight savings. Some hunters eliminate them altogether, and depending on your primary sighting system, they may or may not be needed. Magpul’s Gen II Back Up Sights are a good option. The housings are polymer, but the mounting bolts and actual sights are steel. I have used a bunch them and find them to be rugged, accurate and positive in terms of zero retention. Good aluminum sights are also available from companies such as Yankee Hill Machine, Midwest Industries and Troy Industries.

A virtual sleigh load of smaller items are available to help shave grams, ounces and even pounds from your shoulder-blaster. Low-profile gas blocks, light quick-detach sling mounts, single-ply slings and polymer magazines all help lighten the load. Whether your tactical rifle spends long hours in your arms, strapped to your front side or accompanies you on the next hunt, reducing weight by fractions of a pound can make your knees and back happier, and may even allow you to go the extra distance. If we all ask for a lightweight component or two this Christmas, a certain team of reindeer may also appreciate the reduced load during their next world tour.

Occasionally I see someone on the firing line struggling to get all their “team members” to cooperate. More often than not, the magnified optic is the shirker of the bunch. It seems many folks—a younger version of the author included—prioritize their firearms-related money as follows: gun, ammunition, other somewhat-related stuff, optic. Oftentimes, problem scopes are either part of a package “deal” or are simply an afterthought. The old junk-in/junk-out theory is as true with optics as with anything else, and you really do get what you pay for with most scopes. Fortunately the technology trickledown allows us to have decent optics without plunking down $2,000 to $4,000 in hard-earned cash.

Technology and combat needs have pushed tactical optics far along the path to ultimate practicality. Premium-featured scopes normally come with similarly high price tags, but some manufacturers are now putting the most desirable characteristics in their mid-priced scope lines. The scope has to perform on the range or in the field. I always recommend asking fellow shooters about the optics you see on their rifles. Finding out the likes and dislikes of similarly minded people can often help you whittle down the list of potential sighting devices. You do not have to spend a small fortune to get a reliable riflescope; you just have to do your homework.

These five scopes are just a snapshot of what is available, and though they do not have every feature of high-end models, each has enough attributes to be reliably suited for a tight budget. I have purchased all but one of the scopes detailed here and have used all of them long enough to say each does its assigned job well.

Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12×44 mm

Average Price Online: $893.43

Bushnell has gone feet-first into the tactical pool’s deep end over the past two years. New models are popping up regularly with advanced features like Horus reticles. I spotted the Elite Tactical 3-12X on sale in a flyer last year and grabbed one for my rifle tests. The gamble was a good one: This scope shows the features needed for a good long-range, practical rifle optic need not be super expensive.

Click values of .1 mil complement the mil-dot reticle nicely. Illumination is adequate for dusk and dawn, as well as night use when desired. Since purchasing my Elite Tactical, I have used it to test approximately two dozen rifles at ranges from 50 to 800 yards, and it has performed well.

My single complaint is I cannot focus the scope quite as crisply as higher-priced optics. After adjusting the side-parallax for a particular distance, the fast-focus eyepiece often needs a slight tweaking. I recently heard the same complaint from another ex-military sniper using a different Bushnell tactical scope, so it may be a slight quality problem with the company’s lenses.

Magnification: 3-12X
Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
Reticle: First-focal-plane; mil dot (tested), G2DMR, BTR-Mil
Illumination: Green; mil-dot portion of reticle; 11 settings
Adjustability: 23 mils (80 MOA) windage and elevation in .1-mil increments
Field of View: 34.8 feet (3X), 8.96 feet (12X) at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
Tube Diameter: 30 mm
Length: 13.2 inches
Weight: 24.5 ounces
MSRP: $1,435.95

Bushnell DMR 3.5-21×50 mm

Average Price Online: $1,472.39

Bushnell’s second entry on the list of reasonably priced scopes is actually a hybrid Bushnell/Horus Vision product. The companies combined their respective strengths for several projects last year in an effort to gain a solid foothold in the military and law enforcement markets. The DMR is their first riflescope effort, and it appears to be a strong step into the arena. (Horus offers essentially the same scope, but calls it the HDMR.)

My first impression upon seeing this optic was that it looked very beefy. But hefting and closely inspecting the DMR tells a different tale. Weight is the same or lighter than other 34 mm scopes in the same power range. It is also short enough to preserve forward rail space, which is normally at a premium with military snipers due to growing inline thermal and image-intensified night-vision devices.

Large elevation and windage knobs provide adjustments in .1-mil increments and positively lock down to prevent inadvertent zero loss. Side parallax adjustment helps fine-tune target and reticle focus, which is especially critical at the long ranges allowed by a 21X scope. Both the Horus H59 and TRMR2 reticles available in the DMR are geared toward rapid, near and far target acquisition through the use of holdovers, moving target leads and wind holds. I have tested a DMR on several rifles and found optical quality to be very good, though I have heard from other shooters that some early models have slight aberrations in the lenses.

For some reason, maybe cost or weight, Bushnell/Horus opted for no illumination in the DMR. I agree illuminated reticles are seldom used, but I am always hard-pressed to give up a capability once gained. In several situations during my deployments, an illuminated reticle was the only reason I could engage a target due to lighting conditions—so I prefer to have this feature.

Retail pricing bumps this scope into the upper tier of the “affordable” category, but the DMR’s features make it an exceptional value when compared to other long-range, first-focal-plane scopes with similar prices. The price is not much below suggested retail right now, but I expect that once the initial interest rush is over, DMRs will be very competitively priced.

Magnification: 3.5-21X
Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
Reticle: First-focal-plane; Horus TRMR2 (tested), Horus H59, G2DMR, mil-dot
Illumination: None
Adjustability: 26 mils (90 MOA) windage and elevation in .1-mil increments
Field of View: 26 feet (3.5X), 5 feet (21X) at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
Tube Diameter: 34 mm
Length: 13.2 inches
Weight: 35.2 ounces
MSRP: $1,599

Horus Vision Talon 1-4×24 mm

Average Price Online: $650

The original impetus for Horus Vision’s simplest riflescope was the culling of feral donkeys in rough terrain. Minor changes to the reticle helped adapt the Talon for tactical use on mid-range rifles and carbines. It has since become a good performer in combat and competition. I first encountered the Talon after returning from an overseas tour. It was in the hands of champion competitive shooter and instructor Bennie Cooley, who correctly guessed it may be useful on accurized carbines. I immediately liked the scope’s inherently fast sighting capability. I mounted a Talon atop a 7.62 NATO carbine during my final two overseas deployments in the Army. Although I had access to better-known 1-4X scopes that cost several times as much, I preferred the Talon’s light weight, small package size and advanced reticle system.

The H50 reticle in the Talon is an abbreviated version of the Horus system, divided in .5-mil increments for holdover and ranging. Admittedly, the scope’s 4X top end is not ideal for using the reticle graduations. How-ever, those marks extend 12 mils below center and are more than adequate for engaging targets as far as your eyes are able to discern. Aiming references for moving targets are placed along the horizontal stadia in 4 mph increments.

Initially I found the glowing red center stadia lines and outer ring distracted my eye from quickly acquiring close targets. To counter the problem, I simply retrained my eye to look through the reticle, and my split times came back up. Nowadays, I own two Talons. This riflescope is well suited for a variety of purposes.

Magnification: 1-4X
Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
Reticle: First-focal-plane; Horus H50
Illumination: Red; outer ring and center stadia lines; 11 settings
Adjustability: 35 mils (120 MOA) windage and elevation in .1-mil increments
Field of View: 68.9 feet (1X), 29.5 feet (4X) at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 3.3-5.5 inches
Tube Diameter: 30 mm
Length: 9.75 inches
Weight: 18.3 ounces
MSRP: $650

Millett Designated Marksman Scope 1-4×24 mm

Average Price Online: $231.49

This scope is really the odd man out in this collection. Employing a second-focal-plane, non-mil reticle, the Designated Marksmen Scope is nonetheless a good bargain. I stumbled upon it while looking for an optic to test carbines at close range. Normally I do not trust scopes in the $200 ballpark, but my gamble paid off in this case. I have since bought five more of these handy riflescopes for personal and family use, and have recommended them to several other satisfied shooters.

At 4X, the circle/dot-style reticle provides decent holdover references throughout the field of view for shots out to 300 yards with both 5.56 NATO and 7.62×39 mm carbines. With the scope set on its highest power, the “donut” portion of the reticle forms a 12.6-MOA circle around a 1-MOA dot, all of which are centered between three stadia. The bright illumination of the donut and dot aids in rapid target acquisition at 1X. Since the reticle is fully etched, the thick black lines are still very apparent even when the rheostat is off.

Windage and elevation knobs provide adjustments equal to .5 inch at 100 yards. A spare CR2032 battery can be conveniently stored under the windage cap. The Designated Marksman Scope is simple, packed with practical features and is a steal with street pricing in the $200 to $240 range.

Magnification: 1-4X
Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
Reticle: Second-focal-plane; Donut-Dot
Illumination: Red; donut and dot; 12 settings
Adjustability: 65 MOA windage and elevation in .5-inch increments at 100 yards
Field of View: 90 feet (1X), 23 feet (4X) at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
Tube Diameter: 30 mm
Length: 11.8 inches
Weight: 18 ounces
MSRP: $404

Weaver Tactical 1-5×24 mm

Average Price Online: $668.98

The past year revealed a huge uptick in first-focal-plane scopes. I wasted no time in arranging test samples, and Weaver was first on my list. This scope is tailor-made for quick-handling carbines, so naturally I mounted it on a 5.56 NATO AR. I found the Close-Intermediate Range Tactical (CIRT) reticle very fast to acquire at 1X, while the .5-mil center dot still allows aiming at far targets with the scope on 5X. The CIRT reticle is chock-full of mil-based measurements, as well as quick-ranging and holdover graduations. Dual-color illumination, which is particularly useful for different lighting conditions, brightens the mil-based stadia, center partial circle and dot. Weaver graciously provides two spare CR2032 batteries with each scope, one under each .25-MOA turret cap. Elevation and windage adjustments track perfectly, and optical clarity is very good for a mid-priced optic.

I have no serious complaints about Weaver’s approach to a tactical carbine scope. If the company’s other tactical optics are on par with the 1-5X model, Weaver’s entry into the first-focal-plane world is certainly good for shooters. Street pricing is in the $650 to $700 range.

Magnification: 1-5X
Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
Reticle: First-focal-plane; Close-Intermediate Range Tactical (CIRT)
Illumination: Red and green; center dot, circle and stadia; 11 settings
Adjustability: 95 MOA windage and elevation in .25-MOA increments
Field of View: 100 feet (1X), 19.9 feet (4X) at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 4.25 inches
Tube Diameter: 30 mm
Length: 10.3 inches
Weight: 14.5 ounces
MSRP: $1,029.95

All freefloat tubes in the SMR family are smooth on the sides and bottom, having continuous top rails that correctly continue the slot spacing of flat top upper receivers (not the case with all freefloat tube designs). Add-on rail kits allow the user to attach short- and medium-length rail sections wherever desired for ancillary equipment like lights, lasers, bipods and grips. Sans rails, the SMRs feel very good in hand, and thanks to their smooth, quadrant-shaped cross sections, they provide contours enabling excellent gripping with the support hand. The MKI rail (MSRP $345 to $400) uses threaded steel inserts for rail section attachment. This is by far the easiest form of rail modularity, and unlike freefloat tubes with threads tapped directly into their extruded aluminum bodies, the MKI’s inserts will not strip out. The MKI’s side and bottom quadrants are rounded, which is both comfortable in hand and conducive to solid rail interface. The latter is enhanced by the undersides of the add-on rails, which are machined to match those rounded quadrants.

The cross-shaped configuration of the SMR family provides excellent gripping surfaces for gloved, cold or wet hands.

The MKII family (MSRP $270 to $295) uses threaded slide nuts to anchor the flat-bottomed add-on rail sections through pre-drilled holes in the freefloat tubes’ sides. Geissele eliminated the familiar problem of having to fish screws and loose backer nuts into position by machining channels into the MKIIs that accept the slide nuts. The result is a captive track that the makes positioning of the nuts fast and easy.

The MKI and MKII are currently available in 13- and 15-inch lengths, though shorter models may be available in the future. The HK416/MR556 models (MSRP $350 to $400) are available in 10.5- and 14.5-inch variants.

The MK2 SMR features keyed slots inside that allow the add-on rail slide nuts to glide into position quickly and easily.

Geissele’s SMR family uses a low-profile barrel nut design that does not require timing around the AR’s gas tube or operating rod. Instead, you simply torque the nut properly and move on. The top/rear of each SMR features anti-rotation tabs that slip snugly around a forged upper receiver’s flat top surface. The main attachment to the barrel nut comes via two through-bolts that lock the tube into position using the barrel nut’s corresponding grooves. Bolts on the MK1 can be tightened with a 12-point socket driver, but the internal cross slots also allow a bolt’s locking lug to be used in a pinch. The bolt carrier, acting as a handle, will provide adequate leverage to get these small bolts tight. Though my MK1’s bolts have never come loose, this is a great way to take care of them in the field. The MK2’s bolts have standard socket-head, cap screws that are tightened with the included hex driver.

Speaking of installation, Geissele Automatics includes a very smartly engineered barrel nut wrench with each tube. Not only does it help solidly install their nut, it also has a separate toothed section to remove stock and many other common barrel-nut designs. The tool mounts to a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench, and it will not destroy the barrel nut as do so many cheap ones models.

Both the MKI (top) and MKII Super Modular Rails are shipped with three well-designed add-on rails, all associated mounting hardware and needed tools. Available colors are sand and black.

A key feature of the SMR family is they are easy to remove, unlike so many other available models. I cringe when I contemplate having to remove some of the tubes I have used in the past because of the copious amounts of thread-locking compound used to keep them tight and/or their complex mounting hardware, which required much trial and error to install correctly. Geissele’s SMRs can be installed and removed quickly and repeatedly without wearing out or being damaged in the process. Oh, how I long for the day when all aftermarket components are this easy to work with…

I am admittedly very picky about freefloat tubes. I have a hard time spending a large chunk of money on something that once installed, becomes more of a comfort and convenience feature than anything else—on the surface anyway. But, I have to admit Geissele Automatics has hit a home run with its Super Modular Rail family. The engineering genius owner Bill Geissele put into these tubes is superseded only by their quality. These freefloat tubes are made to outlast the user by a long shot, and I have no doubt that many years after I am gone, whoever has inherited my ARs will be enjoying their SMRs’ solid performance.

Ammo

Loading your own ammunition is a good money-saver, but the equipment required to get started is still a significant investment. Companies like Dillon Precision, Hornady and RCBS offer great starter kits that help shave up-front costs. Remember to factor in reusable brass, primers, powder, projectiles and loading dies for each cartridge you intend to handload. Supporting equipment such as brass tumblers, cleaning media and case-prep tools can be added as you go along. If you shoot often or in high volumes, this equipment is definitely a worthwhile investment.

A variation of the ammo-matching concept I described in the “Matchmaking” article is to find good multipurpose projectiles for your rifles. My most accurate 7.62×39 mm factory load (.6 to .75 MOA) uses FMJ bullets, so I relegate it to range use only. In the woods, I rely instead upon Federal’s 123-grain soft-point load, which prints .7- to 1-MOA groups out to 300 yards and performs very well inside critters. Such performance is adequate for target shooting, training, hunting and home defense.

Accessories

A good set of binoculars is more versatile than a spotting scope if your rifle shooting goes beyond static belly or bench work. Canon makes 8X and 10X stabilized binos with street prices between $350 and $425. While not exactly cheap, these optics work well for static spotting and wide-area observation. Their power is less than a typical spotting scope, but the trade-offs are increased fields of view, small package sizes, excellent image clarity and phenomenal stability without a tripod. I relied heavily on stabilized binoculars for reconnaissance and sniper/observer duties while in the military and currently use the 10X Canon model for hunting, viewing hits on static targets and spotting for other shooters.

Some higher-end aftermarket products are worth every penny you pay for them. Shilen barrels, Geissele triggers, Black Hills Ammunition, Magpul PRS stocks and Harris bipods are all good examples. But, lesser-known brands like Yankee Hill Machine, Evolution Gun Works, Midwest Industries and C-Products also bring tremendous bang for the buck. Every month, I repair or replace expensive parts on rifles brought into my shop. Most often, the problems lie in crummy designs and are remedied with items that cost half as much and perform twice as well.

Range Time

Once a week, I drive 130 miles (round trip) to spend 10 hours on the test range. I typically bring more firearms than I can shoot in a day. If one gun has problems, or on the rare occasion where everything goes according to plan and I finish early, the additional rifles help me get the most out of my time and fuel.

Practical targets need not be expensive or fancy. Six-inch-diameter paper plates cost approximately $20 for a 1,000-count package. Add 50 cents for a black marker to draw aiming circles, animal outlines or scary clown faces, and these 2-cent targets become a great bargain. Long-range shooters can save money, too. Several years ago, I bought four “end-rolls” of unused newsprint from a local newspaper. These rolls contain hundreds of feet of clean paper and are perfect for making larger targets. A can of black spray paint and a cardboard template make for endless aiming-point possibilities. The rolls cost me all of 50 cents each, and I have exhausted only one in the last four years.

Maintenance

Heavy shooting requires frequent cleaning, so I look for products that perform and function well. Solvents that do double duty as cleaners and protectors are good options, and I find Kano Kroil is superb in both categories. Old cotton T-shirts are a good source for bore patches, though tight rifle bores require smaller-than-normal sizes to avoid getting stuck.

Learning how to do basic repairs and modifications to your own guns can also save you money. Beware of blogger tutorials though; some are pretty good and others are dreamt up by pajama-wearing basement dwellers. Fortunately, self-help gunsmithing products from Brownells, MidwayUSA and the American Gunsmithing Institute are inexpensive and helpful for everything from detailed disassembly to advanced repair work.

My last money-saving tip is to make do with on-hand items as long as they remain functional. I recently rediscovered a “seasoned,” 10-year-old EOTech sight in my junk bin. It had stopped working years ago, so I sent it off to the company and one month later, I received a repaired sight. Total cost: $7 in first-class postage.

I repainted the old clunker and it now has a new life atop a rifle that was in need of an optic. A quick excavation through your old gear bags just might help you delay having to spring for new equipment.

The current AR market is slowly creeping away from the standard configurations that use two-piece handguards and mil-spec front-sight assemblies. The trend toward more flexible models with folding sights and modular, free-floated barrels has not escaped Del-Ton’s attention. Its new TRX is a clear step away from the traditional AR flagpole. A quick look at the TRX on the floor of the 2012 SHOT Show confirmed I should test one. Fortunately, Del-Ton was happy to help and quickly loaned me a new TRX with Flat Dark Earth (FDE) furniture.

For more photos of the Del-Ton TRX, click here.

With a free-floated handguard surrounding its barrel, the TRX provides acceptable accuracy, even during extended range sessions.

The TRX appears to be set up for tactical shooting, but as with most other modern semi-automatics, it can certainly be pressed into service for other needs, too. Del-Ton incorporated Troy Industries’ products throughout the TRX. Most noticeable at first glance are the 13.8-inch BattleRail free-float tube and Battle Ax CQB stock. The fore-end has one each of Troy’s solid 2- and 4-inch moveable rail sections.

The TRX exposed me to Troy’s Battle Ax CQB stock for the first time. It is clearly designed with three things in mind: shorter overall length for use with body armor, a counterweight to the barrel and in the odd chance you need to butt-stroke your enemy, it provides a big chunk of steel on the rifle’s aft end. The shorter overall length is certainly noticeable, as I had difficulty obtaining proper eye relief with an 8X riflescope for accuracy testing, even though my one-piece mount and scope were fully forward.

Given that most modern AR carbine stocks are adjustable to any of six positions, I am not so sure the shorter-than-normal stock makes sense. Most of my 21 years in uniform were spent wearing body armor (with a chest plate), and I never had trouble shortening my collapsible-stocked guns for CQB. Although, the heavy stock does change the balance of the shouldered rifle in a very positive way. As for the inclusion of the metal buttplate for hand-to-hand combat, I will simply say this particular attribute is more whimsical than it is useful

The author found the TRX’s large rear Di-Optic Aperture easy to acquire at short to intermediate ranges. However, the sight’s V-notch blade may prove a challenge for older shooters.

Forward of the TRX’s mil-spec-diameter receiver extension are Del-Ton’s DTI-15 lower receiver and a flat-top upper with forward assist, ejection-port cover and M4 barrel-extension cuts. The standard A2 pistol grip, stock, free-float tube, sights and Troy’s 30-round, polymer BattleMag were all FDE colored. The folding Troy sights feature a “Di-Optic Aperture” rear, graduated for two sets of ranges. Its rear-most diamond-shaped aperture is marked for 0- to 300-meter targets and was easy to acquire. Rotating the aperture rearward brings up a fairly small, V-notch blade marked for 300- to 550-meter shooting. Here again, I had a problem with the shorter stock. My 43-year-old eyes simply could not resolve the finer aiming points of the long-range notch, so I was unable to use it with any degree of precision. Although your eyes should focus on the front sight for accurate shooting, you have to be able to see the rear well enough to align the two and I could not do that. Either the stock needs to be longer or both rear sight positions should feature enclosed apertures. I suppose eye surgery is another option.

Going with a heavy tungsten buffer proved wise, as evidenced by the TRX suffering no malfunctions or stoppages during testing.

The TRX’s guts contained a single tungsten “H” (heavy) buffer, stock-AR trigger group, enhanced extractor spring and a mil-spec, chrome-lined bolt-carrier group. The trigger had lots o’ creep, but eventually broke cleanly at 5.75 pounds, which is decent for a stock model. A medium-contour, 16-inch barrel sported a mid-length direct-gas-impingement system, Troy low-profile gas block and an A2 flash hider. Del-Ton provides a pushbutton QD sling attachment for use with any of the TRX’s four on-board QD sockets: one on each side of the stock, one on the stock’s toe and another on the moveable 4-inch rail section bolted to the Troy fore-end.

I do not believe a batch of good features necessarily makes a good rifle, so I was anxious to get the TRX out on a flat range to complete my shake out. The 1:9-inch twist barrel pushed me to select projectile weights on the lighter side, so I went with good 55-grain performers. I fired 90 rounds for accuracy and drop testing at 100 and 300 yards, respectively, and another 40 rounds of 55-grain FMJ target fodder inside 25 yards to get a feel for the ergonomics of the rifle when shooting on my feet.

No malfunctions were noted and overall shootability of the TRX was very good. The stock had a natural feel when placed against the cheek for firing, and its increased weight definitely helped balance the rifle nicely. I found transitioning laterally from one target to another was much smoother than with a barrel-heavy carbine. Using a 1.5X optic at close range, the increased eye relief provided by the sight eliminated the short stock problem I had while shooting prone at 8X. The best load tested managed a pair of 1-MOA groups and averaged 1.1 MOA overall at 100 yards. Such accuracy tells me a good trigger and a more user-friendly stock would likely make the TRX a prime candidate for pursuits requiring superior accuracy. As tested, Del-Ton’s TRX would make a fine battle rifle with above-average accuracy for a gun in that class.

Specifications
Manufacturer: Del-Ton: (910) 645-2172, del-ton.com
Action Type: Direct-gas-impingement, semi-automatic
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel: Free-floated, 16-inch chrome-lined, medium-contour
Rifling: 6 grooves: 1:9-inch RH twist
Sights: Troy flip-up BattleSights, dual-aperture rear; protected front
Stock: Six-position collapsible Troy Industries Battle Ax CQB stock, A2 pistol grip
Trigger: 5.75-pound pull weight, single-stage
Length: 32.25 inches (collapsed), 35.5 inches (extended)
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Accessories: One Troy 30-round BattleMag, one pushbutton QD sling attachment, operator’s manual, lock, hard case

MSRP: $1,250