TonyW

Update: shot 70 rounds from my OBR today-- 20 of my reloads and a box of 50 of the cheap Magtech 150 gr. FMJBT ($24.68 at Midway). My reloads were PPU brass, RE15 powder, CCI LRP, and Nosler CC 168 and 175 gr HPBT. Of my 4 groups of 5 , using a bi-pod, 100 yds., three were 5/8th" and one was 7/8th", all center to center. Smallest group of 4 in a 5 shot group was 3/8th". Then I shot the Magtech. I was shooting about 15 shots per target and the groups were about 1.5". One round towards the end got creamed as it was trying to be fed - not sure what happened but it apparently didn't get caught under the extractor. It may have been a little dirty, but the brass looked like it might be a little soft. Well this is plinking ammo and I hope it will be good for reloading. Now I haven't done a lot of rifle shooting for years. So far I haven't experimented with different powder loads with my reloads. Just got a tickler so will try to make some really consistent loads for testing. My Hornady LNL powder measure does not always throw the most consistent loads. However, considering all that and that this is a 16" semi-auto, I was pretty happy.

This sounds too good to be true, but Midway has boxes of 50 Magtech 308 ammo, reloadable, 150 gr FMJBT for only $26.32. That is only $10.53 for a normal sized box of 20. Note that they are selling a case of 1000 (20 boxes of 50) at a price which computes to be higher than if you bought individual boxes! This must be for the math challenged folks! http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=244140 I have ordered some of this Magtech, but don't know how well it shoots. From the reviews, it is good plinking ammo - and good for reloading. I have shot a bunch of Magtech in .45 ACP and it is at least as good as the Winchester white box FMJ.

On my other ARs I have used Tipton rods - but my OBR came with a micro-OTIS 300 kit - -- the proper tip and the coiled memory flex "rod". This fits in a small Ziploc type pouch with a tube of their oil and a couple of patches. I haven't even used the brass brush that came with it. As per the literature, each patch can be used many times by the different ways of attaching it. This system is very convenient (portable) and easy to use. And since the "rod" coils to about a 3" circle, it is easy to take along with the shooting kit or in the rifle case.

I had a slight problem with my OBR -- the bolt catch plunger / spring somehow stopped putting any pressure on the bolt catch. Removing the pin I discovered that the plunger was stuck in its recess hole and would not come out - and not enough of the plunger was protruding to grab it and pull it out. Not wishing to take the chance of damaging anything, La Rue advised sending the lower back. I am pleased to report that the same day La Rue received the lower it was on its way back to me fixed. Apparently the spring failed and a fragment of this spring jammed the plunger in its hole. Really good service. However, La Rue did not include in the return package another 'beverage entry tool', Dillo Dust, or ball cap. They must figure I already have a lifetime supply of those! ;D

Original post has the Geisele DMR trigger; they also make a great, non-adjustable 2 stage trigger, their SSA model. Its a lot cheaper.

The price is in the same range as the PRI model used in the LaRue OBR--$109 -- which is the more standard configuration. The PRI model seems very nicely made.

Sorry about that! I wish I had looked into the PRS stock - it looks a lot nicer than the Magpul CTR. On the other hand, my version is probably more compact. The OBR is a nice shooting rifle. I haven't shot my Noveske 6.8 at the same session, but the OBR seems a softer shooter - maybe just my imagination.

A couple of more pics:

Speaking of Briley and AccuRails, here is probably my most accurate M1911- a Briley/Pistol Dynamics limited edition with AccuRails:

That is a green laser below the barrel- a little handier for close-in than the monster scope! Sometimes it has a Bobro bi-pod attached. Front sling attachment is above the laser. I fired another 50 rounds today - however conditions were not optimum - tornado watch and gusting cross winds. I was wondering why I seemed so unsteady until I took a close look at my target stand and it was moving laterally 3" back and forth! Unfortunately the target stand was staked to short loops of line which gave the stand a lot more slack than I thought! Quantico MCB has banned target stands with any metal so I can't use my good stand; I have a light PVC one which needs a better way to hold it down without lugging sandbags out with it!

A couple of quick pics of my OBR safely in its indestructible Starbright case:

At long last my OBR arrived! I ordered it with a 16" barrel, Surefire comp, and the Magpul collapsible stock. It comes with an SSA 2 stage Geissele trigger, which is really nice although not as nice as their DMR trigger that I have on another EBR, not being adjustable. It also came with LaRue rings which currently hold a Nikon scope – waiting on my Nightforce 5.5x22-56 to arrive. So far I have only fired about 50 rounds through it – mostly 168 gr. PPU match – which was a little disappointing. My reloads with 175 gr. Nosler BTHP Custom have been much better, staying under 1 m.o.a. I am only using a front rest, so not too steady. I seem to get 4-6 rounds in 1/4th inch and then a couple which make the group 7/8th inch, at 100 yards – pretty sure that is my fault. It is a sweet rifle – I am really happy with it. Construction and finish are superb. It was worth the wait! Am I the only one here that has one??