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Torture testing the LaRue Tactical OBR in 7.62 NATO Gallery

by SI Staff - Sunday, October 31, 2010

Gallery

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Someone forgot the slings, which made hauling the 14-pound rig up the mountain a little cumbersome.

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Keeping the OBR (Optimized Battle Rifle) out of the snow proved a real challenge, even when the blizzard finally subsided.

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The upper and lower receivers are machined from billet 7075-T6 and the rifle performed flawlessly, even after this obvious abuse.

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There are three different barrel lengths available in the 7.62 NATO version—16.1, 18 and 20 inches.

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About the only real problem was the A2-style flash hider collecting snow during the 40 mph gusts.

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The tripod neatly mounted to the rifle’s lower Picatinny rail, providing a solid platform for long shots and a means of keeping the OBR out of the snow.

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The scope’s objective lens displayed the same propensity as the A2-style flash hider for collecting snow and ice. LaRue uses and unusual gas system on the 7.62 OBR, and it didn’t sputter even in 19-degree weather.

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Barrels are constructed of LW-50 stainless steel (a good thing during this test) and the Picatinny rail has plenty of room for high-performance optics and a built-in cant for use with in-line night vision.

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The gun’s overall length is 37.5 inches and it accepts standard M110 magazines, although once you give the pair of LaRue Tactical .308 Win. magazines a try we doubt you’ll be running an aftermarket version very much.

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Prior to shipping, every OBR is tested at LaRue Tactical and nothing goes out the door without producing 1 MOA or less groups. I guess we could have wrung the gun out at the range, but then we would have never witnessed the firearm’s reliability.