[HBeretta]

Wanted to do this sooner - see below for results. I went to Walmart and bought pretty much all they offer in 223 Rem which is Federal 55gr Value pack 100 rnds and Federal American Eagle 55gr. I'm running a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x and bore-sighted it for 50yds. So after getting on paper and adjusting, I starting firing 4-5 shot groups. Did shoot a 7 shot group as well. I went about all this casually...didn't want to spend all day trying for the best groups or using a secure rest fine tuning etc... So with some lazy shooting and a quick zero at 100 yds I'm happy to say the gun is pretty damn accurate. Also, the 'X' shots are from just getting on paper at 100yds to zero and another from a shooter just a lane over to my right. Results below equate to 1.7" moa average from 100yds for this session. Now I'm anxious to test match grade ammo.

Ammo Used

Rest Used

Group 1 - American Eagle ∙ 5 shot ∙ 1.875" moa

Group 2 - Amercian Eagle ∙ 7 shot ∙ 2" moa

Group 3 - American Eagle ∙ 4 shot ∙ .75" moa

Group 4 - Federal ∙ 5 shot ∙ 1.5" moa

Group 5 - Federal ∙ 5 shot ∙ 2.375" moa

 

[Liberty4Ever]

Thanks for this real world accuracy data. I love stuff like this.

I hope to post some of my own pseudo bench rest accuracy test results soon. I'll probably take off the 1-4X optic and put on a 10X scope for my accuracy test so I'm not testing my old eyes so much.

Maybe I'll even get a bit crazy and do a ladder test of some hand loads to see how good I can get, even though the RDB really ain't that kinda rifle.

 

[cubanb]

Great work. I need to hit the range soon that new free updated extractor pin from keltec is do in the mail any day now

 

[HBeretta]

Great work. I need to hit the range soon that new free updated extractor pin from keltec is do in the mail any day now

they took care of me the same day regarding the broken firing pin but took about a week to receive via USPS which isn't a surprise considering holiday volume pushing things out about that if not more so. props to kel-tec for their great and fast customer service. likewise, i put in a ticket for the extractor pin that i haven't had issues with but wanted to go ahead and take care of just in case...they took care of that as well as it's on the way. otherwise, i've had not jams or issues at all with the gun at all...sucker shoots real smooth.

 

[cubanb]

Oh yeah any clue on round count before firing pin breakage from the other thread?

 

[HBeretta]

Oh yeah any clue on round count before firing pin breakage from the other thread?

just over 400 rounds...gun is about a month and a half old. low rounds i know but i'd also like to add that i'm the typical idiot that skims through manuals and starts pulling crap apart to see how it functions. not making excuses for kel-tec as it shouldn't of happened. with that said i did carelessly disassemble the gun and reassemble without manual guidance and did disassemble the bolt to check for O-ring, spring buffer and spring quality/tension. likewise, my gunsmith did the same as we installed the SJC compensator explaining the extractor pin has been reported to creep out during firing. i have no clue when it happened. my only concern is that i have dry fired the gun often...function testing it often. not ideal for rimfire but assumed i'd be fine with centerfire.

 

[billy_56081]

Thanks for sharing, it will be mice to see the groups when you use some quality ammo.

 

[HBeretta]

Thanks for sharing, it will be mice to see the groups when you use some quality ammo.

yeah not bad for a 1-6x and cheap ammo and a terrible gun rest which is kind of what i wanted to know for hog hunting. yeah, some might question that caliber for hog hunting but it seems to work just fine...especially with 69 or 77 grain.

 

[HBeretta]

Read an article on American Rifleman posted by a user on another forum (link below) that got me thinking about the accuracy of the RDB. I realize each gun is unique but more or less consistent to a certain level of accuracy. Obviously, accuracy issues are sussed out in no time when a new product hits the market. An example of this is the x95. But, that's not to say all x95s suffer from accuracy problems as many report fairly good accuracy on a consistent basis. Point is, I'm always intrigued by various end user results with regard to accuracy on a given platform or in particular a specific product. Speaking to the bullpup platform, it appears 3 MOA is the expected standard. I'll admit, I became anxious when I got to the accuracy portion of this article - always do with regard to accuracy.

The first time I decided to document my RDB accuracy (posted on this forum) I was quite surprised to average 1.7 MOA from 100 yds. That hasn't been the case on subsequent range trips, but of course there have been variables to go along with that. I've averaged closer to 3 MOA recently and started to wonder if the first time out was a fluke. The variables that I speak of are not cleaning the bore on one occasion and extremely cold on another occasion (indoor range cycling in outside air - felt like 30-40 degrees). Along with this, I made more of an effort to try to be accurate on subsequent efforts versus the initial carefree laxed approach which in retrospect may of been why i shot better groups. Anyway, I do plan on setting up on a secure rest and giving my gun more of proper accuracy test when the weather improves as my indoor range simply doesn't have the bench space.

Likewise, even with various loads, Jeff Johnston from AR averaged 2.88 MOA from 100 yds. Surprisingly there wasn't much of a difference with match and standard AE 55 grain. I've stuck to AE 55 grain on my accuracy tests. I've read other users averaging 2.5-3 MOA with the RDB as well. I still feel compelled to test my gun further to see if that first outing of testing and sub MOA group i hit wasn't the fluke that it likely was. Anyway, anyone else out here pretty much getting the same with their RDB?

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/1/23/tested-kel-tec-rfb-rdb-bullpups/#

 

[bbqncigars]

I'm going to load up some 75gr Hornadys tomorrow and see if the 6-25x Millett scope that I have lying around will fit the RDB. That scope will dwarf the pup, not to mention making it top heavy. It's the only spare that is more than 4x, and I want a little more if I'm shooting test groups at 100yds. Now all that's needed is a wee warm spell to melt the snow off the range.

 

[HBeretta]

I'm going to load up some 75gr Hornadys tomorrow and see if the 6-25x Millett scope that I have lying around will fit the RDB. That scope will dwarf the pup, not to mention making it top heavy. It's the only spare that is more than 4x, and I want a little more if I'm shooting test groups at 100yds. Now all that's needed is a wee warm spell to melt the snow off the range.

nice man...tell us or post your results. i've got 20/20 but 6x can be a challenge. i'm looking into 3-9s or 4-16s right now.

 

[HBeretta]

user Potss from bullpupforum posted these results below...

The results with the RDB are promising.

What we really need is someone who reloads to test the accuracy with high quality components after doing a ladder to find their barrels node. Then locking it down for the test. That would be the best approximation of absolute mechanical accuracy.

The more expensive version of the test is to just try out different types of match ammo till you find one your barre likes best. I ended up doing that for my SPR, and the differences were pretty staggering and unexpected. Black Hills 60gr Vmax and 77gr TMKs would barely do an inch, while HSM 55gr Bergers would do .62moa (all 5x5) for my Lothar Walther barrel. Likewise Nosler Varmageddon's group in the .7s but Sierra Blitzkings (from Gorilla) I cannot get under 1in. I'd recommend trying this for your RDB if you don't reload. At 100y flat base bullets have an advantage over the higher BC boat tails all else being equal. Here is a list of my results and Molon's results so far, might be a place to start:

.223- GECO 55gr Target 1.2" $.35/r.

5.56- Mk. 262 Mod 1 1.1" $1.06/r.

.223- Federal Fusion 62gr 1.004" $.862/r Gold dots almost as good (including 64 & 75gr $.75/r), Fed Tactical bonded better $1.50/r.

5.56- Black Hills New 75gr Match 1" $.92/r.

.223- Fiocchi 77gr Exacta .995" $.78/r

.223- Nosler Custom Competition 77gr OTM .98" $.964/r.

5.56- IMI razercore 77gr otm .95" $.747/r.

.223- Hornady 75gr Steel Match .95" $.44/r (55gr not much worse 1.3" $.34/r) Will not cut barrel life.

.223- Prvi partizan 75gr Match .91" $.525/r.

.223- Cor-bon 69gr Match .88" $1.10/r.

.223- Austrilian Outback 69gr SMK .86" $.65/r.

.223- Hornady American Gunner 55gr HP .85" $.55/r.

.223 Noveske 55gr Nosler Varmagedon .82" $1.10/r

5.56- Barnes Precision Match 85gr OTM .81" $1.24/r

.223- Stillwood Ammo 77gr Sierra TMK .8" $.86/r.

.223- Hornady 53gr Superformane Varmit Vmax .70" $.799/r

.223- Federal Gold Medal Match 69gr .67" $1/r (2590fps avg), 77gr also recommended $1.10/r

.223- HSM 55gr Berger Match Flat Base .64" $1.47/r.

Ammo that hasn't been tested but might be decent:

Lapua 55gr and 69gr.

Prime Ammo 55gr and 77gr Match+

Monolithic Munitions 40gr and 60gr Gold.

Atlanta Arms 77gr TMK.

Gorilla 55gr Blitz Kings.

Copper Creek 77gr loads.

 

[texcl2]

My rdb hates 55gr ammo, shoots 3"-6" groups. Get a solid 1.5"-2" average with 60-65grn ammo.

Just removed my TA-01 acog and installed a 1-6 VT strike eagle. Might improve groups.

 

[HBeretta]

My rdb hates 55gr ammo, shoots 3"-6" groups. Get a solid 1.5"-2" average with 60-65grn ammo.

Just removed my TA-01 acog and installed a 1-6 VT strike eagle. Might improve groups.

that's what i have installed vt 1-6. i'm currenting looking into 3-9 or 4-16 to see if i can dial accuracy in. the tightest group i've shot is a 4-shot .75" with american eagle 55gr. have some green tip 62gr i'd like to try.

 

[BJK]

user Potss from bullpupforum posted these results below...

The results with the RDB are promising.

What we really need is someone who reloads to test the accuracy with high quality components after doing a ladder to find their barrels node. Then locking it down for the test. That would be the best approximation of absolute mechanical accuracy.

The more expensive version of the test is to just try out different types of match ammo till you find one your barre likes best. I ended up doing that for my SPR, and the differences were pretty staggering and unexpected. Black Hills 60gr Vmax and 77gr TMKs would barely do an inch, while HSM 55gr Bergers would do .62moa (all 5x5) for my Lothar Walther barrel. Likewise Nosler Varmageddon's group in the .7s but Sierra Blitzkings (from Gorilla) I cannot get under 1in. I'd recommend trying this for your RDB if you don't reload. At 100y flat base bullets have an advantage over the higher BC boat tails all else being equal. Here is a list of my results and Molon's results so far, might be a place to start:

.223- GECO 55gr Target 1.2" $.35/r.

5.56- Mk. 262 Mod 1 1.1" $1.06/r.

.223- Federal Fusion 62gr 1.004" $.862/r Gold dots almost as good (including 64 & 75gr $.75/r), Fed Tactical bonded better $1.50/r.

5.56- Black Hills New 75gr Match 1" $.92/r.

.223- Fiocchi 77gr Exacta .995" $.78/r

.223- Nosler Custom Competition 77gr OTM .98" $.964/r.

5.56- IMI razercore 77gr otm .95" $.747/r.

.223- Hornady 75gr Steel Match .95" $.44/r (55gr not much worse 1.3" $.34/r) Will not cut barrel life.

.223- Prvi partizan 75gr Match .91" $.525/r.

.223- Cor-bon 69gr Match .88" $1.10/r.

.223- Austrilian Outback 69gr SMK .86" $.65/r.

.223- Hornady American Gunner 55gr HP .85" $.55/r.

.223 Noveske 55gr Nosler Varmagedon .82" $1.10/r

5.56- Barnes Precision Match 85gr OTM .81" $1.24/r

.223- Stillwood Ammo 77gr Sierra TMK .8" $.86/r.

.223- Hornady 53gr Superformane Varmit Vmax .70" $.799/r

.223- Federal Gold Medal Match 69gr .67" $1/r (2590fps avg), 77gr also recommended $1.10/r

.223- HSM 55gr Berger Match Flat Base .64" $1.47/r.

Ammo that hasn't been tested but might be decent:

Lapua 55gr and 69gr.

Prime Ammo 55gr and 77gr Match+

Monolithic Munitions 40gr and 60gr Gold.

Atlanta Arms 77gr TMK.

Gorilla 55gr Blitz Kings.

Copper Creek 77gr loads.

Actually that's good data for reloaders. I see the gun as being capable of fine accuracy. A handloader should be able to at least match the best accuracy seen in the data. Yeah, I like seeing that data a whole lot. Thanks!

 

[HBeretta]

those of you with your new RDBs jump on the bandwagon here...post some results.

 

[garyspyder]

those of you with your new RDBs jump on the bandwagon here...post some results.

From a rest I could not put a group together smaller than three inches from 50 yards, but if I hold it without resting the front stock on a bench I can shoot groups under one inch at 50 yards pretty consistently. I read on another blog that someone else experienced the same thing.

Might resting the front stock on an immobile object mess up barrel harmonics?

 

[mikego_34]

@ garyspyder my accuracy was terrible today as well. There was no wind out and at 100 yards I was probably getting over 4 moa. Some of my impacts werent on paper so it could have been worse than that. Ive checked all the usual suspects, pic rail movement, gas adjustments, scope ring tightness, brass having a slight dent on the mouth of the casing as Keltec recommends. The last culprit could be ammo possibly. Im going to get out there soon with some more ammo selection and If I cant get this thing to be within 2-3 moa, its going to be sold off. I did notice if I employed the technique of pulling back and downward on the handguard my accuracy would improve a wee bit at 25yds, couldn’t test this out much because I had no more ammo to see what it would produce at 100yds. I am disappointed with its performance thus far. I never have any issues sighting in my weapons and I was all over the place with this thing. My SCAR17 is probably what Ill end up taking on my hog hunt, because I couldnt get this thing sighted in.

 

[Liberty4Ever]

There's some decent anecdotal evidence that shooting the RDB from a bench rest not only doesn't improve the accuracy but actually decreases the accuracy. To me, this is somewhat reminiscent of the SU-16C with the integral folding bi-pod forend stock. I thought that was a clever idea, but it wasn't free floated and the support was way out near the end of the pencil barrel and gas tube so it adversely effects accuracy due to the somewhat random forces placed on the barrel that changes the barrel harmonics. It sounds like something similar is happening with the RDB forend.

I think I saw this phenomenon in a nutnfancy YouTube video. If so, it's probably one of a few 45 minute nutnfancy RDB videos and I don't feel like watching them again to locate that particular scene. The conclusion was to change the way the RDB is supported off the bench and the way it's held, and decent accuracy returns.

Bullpups in general are not known for accuracy. The Tavor is well regarded, and as Tavor fans are not shy about telling us, the Tavor is "battle tested", and it's accuracy is no better.

 

[Jieon]

I picked up my RDB-C yesterday and took it out today, mostly to function test but also to get a quick idea of accuracy.

I used the first couple of rounds to adjust gas settings while shooting .223 55gr remanufactured ammo. 8 clicks clockwise from full counterclockwise position started to hold bolt locked open on last round so I arbitrarily set gas setting to 10 clicks clockwise from full counter clockwise position.

Shot from bench with a sandbag on a relatively cold and windy day from 100 yards. I was also zeroing a Sig 516 AR15 so I used it for comparison.

Sig 516 (left) was using PA 4-14x scope while the RDB (right) was using a PA 1-6x scope.

I shot both PMC 5.56 X-TAC 62 gr (above) as well as Peak Performance bulk .223 remanufactured 55 gr ammo (below).

I hope to take it back out and try more variety of 5.56/.223 ammo and with more rounds. But overall, I'm pleased so far that it is running flawlessly and showing some potential.