Remington R-15
The evolution of the big-game AR rifle has taken an interesting step forward with the introduction of the Remington .30 AR. Despite the recent enthusiasm to
create AR-style rifles for deer-size and larger game, the concept isn’t without its problems. At the top of the list is the weight of the rifles chambered in rounds adequate for the task. Compared with similarly configured bolt guns, they are bulky and uncomfortable to carry.
One way to address this is to try to shoehorn more cartridge into the smaller .223-size action (versus the bulkier .308 size), and that’s exactly what the engineers at Remington and sister company DPMS did with the .30 RAR. The upshot is a legitimate 300-yard deer cartridge in an 8 1⁄2-pound rifle.
We had only one of the three factory loads available for our evaluation—the 123-grain FMJ—but it was the right one. The accuracy of the R-15 impressed the entire test team. It shot several sub-inch 5-shot groups and, just for fun, I put one 20-shot string downrange as quickly as I could reload the five-round magazine, which measured only 1.70 inches—all this was despite a noticeably rough trigger.
If the soft-shooting R-15 is able to deliver this kind of performance with the .30 RAR hunting loads as well, then Remington and DPMS have created a winner. ($1,199; remington.com)
Testers’ Comments: This rifle is a shooter!
* Super-accurate and has low recoil.
* Would love to see it with a better trigger.
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Workmanship: B
Performance: A
Price/Value: B
Print
Email
Share
Photo Gallery Comments (15)
There are some impressive looking rifles here but I wouldn’t take any of them over a Remington 700 in something like 7mm Remington Magnum. Also, I like the .30 RAR at first glance (Remington made it so I like it) but I don’t know why big green isn’t pushing its DPMS and Remington AR platform rifles chambered in the fantastic .260 Remington. They have a great combination already but don’t promote it very willingly. Good stuff here OL, keep the gun writers busy with more reviews.
The slug gun is enough for me. High powered rifles illegal in illinois for hunting, but nice guns!
Where have I been? Since when has the .30-06 been un-hip?
Savage has been hitting homeruns with their bolt rifles.
Not sure that those European gun stocks with the big drop in the comb is going to be a hit in North America. The classic American stock swings up to my shoulder and lines up just right for me in so many different rifles that I, like many others, am not anxious to change. Nice to see some of the manufacturers are aiming at value and trying maintain high quality. I have never met a hunter of big game carrying an AR style rifle in the field. Most of the farmers whose land I hunt would send you packing if you showed up carrying an assault rifle.
I would agree that Remington was a great Rifle many years back, but these new Rem's are more than suspect.
ordered an XS7in 243 today, gunsmith said should be in next week. OTD 374.50 (plese two trips to a town 70 miles away to get the firearm. will let you all know how it does on the ranch another time
It would be hard to choose if I were in the market for a new rifle. There are so many great rifles today. Some standard production rifles are as accurate as very expensive custom guns of a few years ago. We don't really need .5 MOA accuracy in a big game rifle, but it is a good indication of rifle quality.
The only thing which bothered me was the oversized scopes on these rifles. Maybe good to bench and wring out accuracy, or varmint hunting, but out-of-place on a serious hunting rifle.
Buck@score-your-hunting.com
I own TC Precision Hunter in .308 and yes it is very accurate, but I’m not sure where .5 MOA guaranty is coming from, TC on PH line guaranty SUB MOA, however TC does manufacture 0.5 MOA guranty and it is done on the TC Warlord, its more tactical rifle then hunting. However TC test MOA by using Federal SP Power Shock ammo, this is not match ammo, shooting match from my riffle I get SUB 0.5 MOA at 100 yards, at 300 yards I also get 1 MOA sometimes 0.8 - 0.9, I’m still working up loads for my riffle, I also test it at 500 yards with 2.2” groups
i have 700 magnum.i like it .it is so good to go deer hunt with. it is good and accurate
700 magnum ... must kick like a mule ... :)
Just purchased a Marlin XS7 in 270. Put an old scope on that had been droped and bent the front of it down. Took my plires and straighten it out. The gun was on sale at Cabelas for $279.00. On shots 15, 16, & 17 it was grooping one inch at 100 yards with the barrel not even broken in good. Just think how many I can own for the $1500 to $2000 that some of the others cost. Great trigger and it is adjustable.
i love the savages they are great guns and really affordable especially the packages. i own a model 111 shoots half moa groups at 100 yards and it is their cheapest gun they make. i also like the 85 finnlight its a beatiful guns and comfortable but the 1800 dollar price tag bites a bit
Rifle Test '09
Sako 85 Finnlight [in .308 Win.]
"rifle’s unscoped weight of 5 pounds 6 ounces"
Sako tech. data states "6 3/16 lbs."
my deer rifle cost me $49.99 4 years ago its a Mosin Nagant M 44..there is only 2 drawbacks ive found in this rifle..the safety is very hard to put on/off safe,,and you cant mount a scope unless you buy a sniper bolt assembly which will cost 3 times as much as the gun..around $150 to $200..but with a little practice hittin center at 100 yards with iron sights isnt really all that hard and at around 150 to 175 for 500 rounds you can practice til your shoulders purple
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
There are some impressive looking rifles here but I wouldn’t take any of them over a Remington 700 in something like 7mm Remington Magnum. Also, I like the .30 RAR at first glance (Remington made it so I like it) but I don’t know why big green isn’t pushing its DPMS and Remington AR platform rifles chambered in the fantastic .260 Remington. They have a great combination already but don’t promote it very willingly. Good stuff here OL, keep the gun writers busy with more reviews.
Where have I been? Since when has the .30-06 been un-hip?
Savage has been hitting homeruns with their bolt rifles.
Not sure that those European gun stocks with the big drop in the comb is going to be a hit in North America. The classic American stock swings up to my shoulder and lines up just right for me in so many different rifles that I, like many others, am not anxious to change. Nice to see some of the manufacturers are aiming at value and trying maintain high quality. I have never met a hunter of big game carrying an AR style rifle in the field. Most of the farmers whose land I hunt would send you packing if you showed up carrying an assault rifle.
I own TC Precision Hunter in .308 and yes it is very accurate, but I’m not sure where .5 MOA guaranty is coming from, TC on PH line guaranty SUB MOA, however TC does manufacture 0.5 MOA guranty and it is done on the TC Warlord, its more tactical rifle then hunting. However TC test MOA by using Federal SP Power Shock ammo, this is not match ammo, shooting match from my riffle I get SUB 0.5 MOA at 100 yards, at 300 yards I also get 1 MOA sometimes 0.8 - 0.9, I’m still working up loads for my riffle, I also test it at 500 yards with 2.2” groups
I would agree that Remington was a great Rifle many years back, but these new Rem's are more than suspect.
It would be hard to choose if I were in the market for a new rifle. There are so many great rifles today. Some standard production rifles are as accurate as very expensive custom guns of a few years ago. We don't really need .5 MOA accuracy in a big game rifle, but it is a good indication of rifle quality.
The only thing which bothered me was the oversized scopes on these rifles. Maybe good to bench and wring out accuracy, or varmint hunting, but out-of-place on a serious hunting rifle.
Buck@score-your-hunting.com
i have 700 magnum.i like it .it is so good to go deer hunt with. it is good and accurate
700 magnum ... must kick like a mule ... :)
Just purchased a Marlin XS7 in 270. Put an old scope on that had been droped and bent the front of it down. Took my plires and straighten it out. The gun was on sale at Cabelas for $279.00. On shots 15, 16, & 17 it was grooping one inch at 100 yards with the barrel not even broken in good. Just think how many I can own for the $1500 to $2000 that some of the others cost. Great trigger and it is adjustable.
i love the savages they are great guns and really affordable especially the packages. i own a model 111 shoots half moa groups at 100 yards and it is their cheapest gun they make. i also like the 85 finnlight its a beatiful guns and comfortable but the 1800 dollar price tag bites a bit
Rifle Test '09
Sako 85 Finnlight [in .308 Win.]
"rifle’s unscoped weight of 5 pounds 6 ounces"
Sako tech. data states "6 3/16 lbs."
my deer rifle cost me $49.99 4 years ago its a Mosin Nagant M 44..there is only 2 drawbacks ive found in this rifle..the safety is very hard to put on/off safe,,and you cant mount a scope unless you buy a sniper bolt assembly which will cost 3 times as much as the gun..around $150 to $200..but with a little practice hittin center at 100 yards with iron sights isnt really all that hard and at around 150 to 175 for 500 rounds you can practice til your shoulders purple
The slug gun is enough for me. High powered rifles illegal in illinois for hunting, but nice guns!
ordered an XS7in 243 today, gunsmith said should be in next week. OTD 374.50 (plese two trips to a town 70 miles away to get the firearm. will let you all know how it does on the ranch another time
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)