My 16" REPR should be here on Friday. I will post photos and a range report shortly.
I have been on quite a .308 kick lately, as has the entire gun manufacturing industry. KAC, LWRCI, LMT, Larue, Kel-Tec –– all having released or soon to release .308s for the civilian market. Wow.
Based on my research for barrels 14.5" - 20", I have purchased a thousand rounds of the Hornady 168gr TAP (Amax) as my go-to load.
ETA1: It’s here! Picked up the REPR today at lunchtime.
I’ve only given the REPR a cursory inspection, but so far it’s pretty awesome. The handguard in particular is very compact and easy to grip. The REPR ships with a small stub rail with QD sling socket and two larger rail sections for mounting bipods, lights, etc. You can put these rail sections pretty much anywhere along the 3/6/9 o’clock positions.
The BCG has the integral carrier key and looks to be EXO coated, as does the FCG. The buffer is unmarked.
The side charging handle will take some getting used to, but it operates very smoothly and the big charging knob gives you plenty of leverage. The sliding cover that moves with the charging handle does extend past the front of the stock when the charging handle is pulled back, so it’s not ideal for charging the rifle with you cheek on the stock. It’s not bad, but I would not want to charge the rifle in a hurry with that fairly sharp metal piece sliding past my cheek…
Overall, the REPR seems like a very handy package that balances well with the 16" barrel. Range report to follow as soon as I can get out there…
ETA2: Here are some measurements (weighed using a small animal scale accurate to 0.1oz):
Weight empty, BUIS mounted: 9lb 5oz
- NXS 2.5-10x32 in Larue SPR 1.5 mount: 11lb 1oz
- magazine and 20 rounds 168gr TAP: 12lb 10oz
- Bobro Gen II bipod: 13lb 7oz
OAL, stock collapsed: 34.5"
OAL, stock extended: 38"
ETA3: Quick Range Report
I was able to get out to my gun club today during lunch. I had a very limited amount of time, so I decided to shoot through my chronograph so I could begin to build my drop tables. Target was at 100 yards. I had not zeroed my scope, but when I realized I was grouping OK even without a confirmed zero, I went from trying not to hit the chronograph to shooting for group. The red circle is around the last three shots of my chronograph ten shot string:
Round count is now nineteen, all Hornady 168gr TAP Amax. I shot using the LWRCI-supplied C Products 19 round magazine. Gas was sent to “Normal.”
Calculated MV was 2390fps (45degF, 30.00"Hg, 55% humidity, 900’ ASL).
There were no malfunctions of any kind, and all brass ejected in a neat group to my 4 o’clock, about 8-10’ away. Recoil was stout but manageable - no worse than any other .308 semi I have shot. It was far too sunny for me to notice if the muzzle was spitting fireballs. My chronograph was 10’ from the muzzle and did not seem to be affected in any way. The Emod stock provides a nice sloping surface for a solid cheekweld and the extra length is much appreciated when shooting off a bench or prone. All in all, the REPR was fun to shoot and the side charging handle combined with the ambi bolt catch makes weapons manipulations on a bench really easy.
I can’t wait to stretch the REPR out. My gun club has a 1200 yard range, so as soon as I can clear my schedule it’s off to the races…
