[rj69]

I've been sitting on my 18" RFB for some time now with virtually no range time under its belt. I had taken it out long range shooting and was really disappointed with the results so put it away for some time. At the time, I was experiencing significant drop when shooting out to 500 yds on 2'x2' steel targets. The drop was past my last mil dot drop mark. I also had a few other rifles that performed well as expected (Sig Sauer 716, FN SCAR 17S & Molot Vepr 7.62x54R) I don't make it out to this range often but range goes out to 1000 yds. and pretty much only take my long range guns here.

Anyway - after packing the RFB away and contacting KelTec several times via their web site with zero response, I figured I must need the 24" Hunter variant for long range so procured one new given the prices have dropped so much. ($1200 vs. $2000 for my original 18" RFB) I now have 2 RFBs and can't wait to make the 3 hour drive out to the 1000 yd range.

At this point I'm not reloading so planned to shoot 7.62NATO through it. (Federal and PPU) What kind of results can I reasonably expect for bulk 7.62NATO? I have added a muzzle brake to my 24" as it shipped only with a thread protector. I also changed the flash hider on the 18" to a Lantac muzzle brake.

I'll report the results post trip but curious if anyone has any suggestions - especially since I won't be using custom hand loads. I think the gas system is adjusted properly and made some adjustment the first outing. I'm wondering if this drop is normal for the 18" RFB or if it's simply a gas setting problem. Anything else that can help me prepare for the trip would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[TNC]

The RFB isn't known for precision accuracy...at least the 18". I've never been exposed to the 24" Hunter model. On your planned attempt at decent precision with NATO bulk ammo, I'd say you won't be pleased, but again, being a 24" barrel I'm speculating.

You really need to get a box or two of Federal Gold Match 168g with Sierra Matchking bullets. They shoot about as well as any off-the-shelf .308 ammo you can get. If I were going to the trouble of hitting a long distance range, I'd get some better ammo than NATO bulk.

 

[Deinodontosaurus]

I've been sitting on my 18" RFB for some time now with virtually no range time under its belt. I had taken it out long range shooting and was really disappointed with the results so put it away for some time. At the time, I was experiencing significant drop when shooting out to 500 yds on 2'x2' steel targets. The drop was past my last mil dot drop mark. I also had a few other rifles that performed well as expected (Sig Sauer 716, FN SCAR 17S & Molot Vepr 7.62x54R) I don't make it out to this range often but range goes out to 1000 yds. and pretty much only take my long range guns here.

Anyway - after packing the RFB away and contacting KelTec several times via their web site with zero response, I figured I must need the 24" Hunter variant for long range so procured one new given the prices have dropped so much. ($1200 vs. $2000 for my original 18" RFB) I now have 2 RFBs and can't wait to make the 3 hour drive out to the 1000 yd range.

At this point I'm not reloading so planned to shoot 7.62NATO through it. (Federal and PPU) What kind of results can I reasonably expect for bulk 7.62NATO? I have added a muzzle brake to my 24" as it shipped only with a thread protector. I also changed the flash hider on the 18" to a Lantac muzzle brake.

I'll report the results post trip but curious if anyone has any suggestions - especially since I won't be using custom hand loads. I think the gas system is adjusted properly and made some adjustment the first outing. I'm wondering if this drop is normal for the 18" RFB or if it's simply a gas setting problem. Anything else that can help me prepare for the trip would be greatly appreciated as well.

Hello RJ69

I have a RFB 24 Hunter made in 2014 ; purchased in 2015 , so the rifle should be of the same kind and internal parts . I have only " iron sights " mounted on it ( Magpul Pro LR adjustable rear and Magpul Pro Adjustable Front ) . Mine has a Smith Vortex Flash Hider up front . Nothing fancy ; just basic " no frills " get the job done 24 Hunter . I also use standard factory 7.62 mm / 51 NATO 147 gn Ball/FMJ brass ammo ; any make . But it has to be factory produced ; not a reload . Get to a range that has a 25 meter zeroing range on it . Use what ever target you wish , but make sure that it is a target that you can zero the gun in ( I personally use the old type " Canadian Bull " US Army type of targets that the Army used for the M-14 rifle zeroing in at BCT Centers ) . If you are a decent rifleman , you should be able to put 2 or 3 round groups inside a dime with just iron sights on that 25 meter range . Where those rounds are hitting means that they will be hitting the exact same spot at 250 meters out . If you can zero your 24 Hunter and get 2 or 3 shot groups several times in a row , then your rifle is zeroed , and you should do well at long range shooting out to about 600 meters with range ammo . The spec sheet on the 24 Hunter say " accuracy out to 1200 meters " . It probably can do that , but you would probably need a scope , be able to adjust your hits with " Kentucky Windage and Elevation " , and you might need a better performing round of ammunition than just standard range ammo . The 24 Hunter has a 1 in 12 Rate of Twist . It will be more accurate than the 18 inch Carbine RFB . If you practice with it , use decent Factory New Ammunition , and be able to adjust your hits , there is then no reason why you shouldn't be able to hit targets out to the 1200 meter limit .

I hope that this info helps !

 

[BlakeHanson]

If I were going to the trouble of hitting a long distance range, I'd get some better ammo than NATO bulk.

+1
The 7.62 NATO is M60 machine gun ammo.
Guess why you need 500 rounds in one .

Before you throw both RFB's away as being inaccurate junk, give them half a chance with some decent ammo and without muzzle brakes.

Some muzzle brakes greatly affect accuracy.

 

[rj69]

Thanks for the replies thus far and to clarify a couple of things:

1.) I'm not throwing away the RFB as junk - I was just surprised by the drop compensation on the 18" the first outing and haven't messed with it since then. It was completely accurate and rang steel - just a significant amount of drop compensation I've never seen before.

2.) I understand the difference between match grade ammo and bulk and know a lot of guys who load their own for that reason. I'd rather just have acceptable accuracy with 7.62NATO and can assure you I'll hit the target every time shooting it. The 12" spread on the steel targets is pretty broad and I'm sure I can do it with 7.62NATO. The drop compensation on the 18" was my biggest concern so really looking to just address that. I've removed the gas system and lubricated parts to the point where it's actually adjustable at a reasonable level so now and can adjust it with the nose of a bullet whereas before I needed channel locks. I haven't seen anyone else mention the drop compensation being as severe as I experienced so hopefully it won't be an issue but still curious if anyone else had the experience.

 

[henshao]

Well, the 18" RFB chronos pretty good as near as I can tell, so maybe yours in particular just hits low. Then magnify x 500 yards.

 

[flylo]

New member & just buying a RFB 18 & will put a SWFA 20x scope on a 20MOA base. I do long range shooting & if you don't reload try Federal 175Gr BTHP Match or 168Gr. I'm not expecting accuracy like my bolt guns but many times short fat barrels shoot well due to being stiffer than long barrels. I'm going to the 18" because the 24" IMHO kills the bullpup advantage at least for me . If I can hit a 12" plate at 800 yards I'll be happy & that's 1/2 of what several of my bolts will do. I'd like to see them do a 6.5 Creedmoor in the RFB. I have a KSG & love it as well as most of Ket-Tec offerings. Just my opinion, which is worth twice what it costs. Enjoy!:rayof:

 

[BlakeHanson]

I'd like to see them do a 6.5 Creedmoor in the RFB.

A few unnamed KTOG members are secretly working on exactly that!

Here's a snippet of their email conversation stolen from Hillary Clinton's server:

"I would suggest stopping the rough cutting sooner, like .250 back. That will ensure you get the full dimensions of the final precision cutter, and still save your precision cutter life. Standard process, for manually controlling the chamber cutting is advance the by .050 increments, pullback, clean the barrel and tool of chips, oil, cut another .050, rinse and repeat. Within .200 slow the advance to .020 increments. Within .100 slow to .010, then .005, then .002. That gives you one .050 cut on the precision cutter, and then progressively reduce to minimize chips."

On my 6.5 Creedmoor barrel, I plan to significantly polish the large section of the chamber with very fine grit. More so toward the rear, which should provide for a very smooth chamber and about an additional .001 taper near the breech end. That looser dimension you mentioned toward the breech end is favorable to semi and auto fire."

Sorry, all the rest is classified and redacted.
(Damn government!)

 

[flylo]

Wow, I like this forum already!

 

[henshao]

6.5 creedmoor in the RFB is a little like trying to race a Clydesdale, isn't it?

 

[BlakeHanson]

6.5 creedmoor in the RFB is a little like trying to race a Clydesdale, isn't it?

Not really. It's a very flat shooter and more accurate than the .308 . And very little needs to be changed in a 308 to convert it to a Creedmore since the case OD and overall length are the same as 308; pretty much just a barrel change.

"Long-range shooter Ray "RayDog" Sanchez summarized the bolt-action Tubb 2000 rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor as "boringly accurate" at 1000 yards (914.4 metres). He asserted the rifle and ammunition combination he used was able to maintain sub-MOA groups at 1000 yards (914.4 metres)."

You can't do that with a .308.
Faster, lighter bullet=longer range.

 

[henshao]

When someone questions the act of racing a dump truck, the question is not "why race" but rather "why a dump truck"

I mean the RFB is not an inaccurate rifle but, with the RFB is it really worth pursuing minute-of-runt-hair accuracy?

 

[flylo]

To quote Towsend Whelen – "Only accurate guns are interesting". I can't own a rifle without trying my very best to squeeze every once of accuracy out of it, it's just me.

 

[henshao]

Well, whatever makes you happy, I hope you find it.

Whelen would likely have considered a 2moa rifle interesting, though.

 

[4sfed]

I've been sitting on my 18" RFB for some time now with virtually no range time under its belt. I had taken it out long range shooting and was really disappointed with the results so put it away for some time. At the time, I was experiencing significant drop when shooting out to 500 yds on 2'x2' steel targets. The drop was past my last mil dot drop mark.

Bullet drop at 500 yards is going to be in the neighborhood of 50 inches . . . 2.7 mils. If that's beyond the range adjustment of your scope, you may have a long range scope mount that's installeded backwards.

 

[Tec3]

So how far did your 24 in go? I ask because I'm wondering if this rifle is worth all the hype.

 

[rb288]

The RFB is not an inaccurate rifle, but is not a "precision" rifle at longer ranges.
My 18" RFB is 1 to 1.5 moa out to 350yds or so.
If I want "precision rifle" accuracy, I have 3 bolt action rifles, a Savage Hog Hunter, a Remington 700, and a Savage Stealth, that are all, sub moa out to 500 yds.
Anything past 500 yds is out of my range, anyway, because I can barely see that far, anywhere.

 

[ronmar]

Measured by chrono, I loose about 200 FPS of velocity with the same ammo between my 24” Savage 110 FP and my 18” RFB. With the same amunition in different rifles, Bullet drop is purely a factor of the different muzzle velocities.. What this equates to in my case is about 52” of drop at 500 yards in the Savage and 64” of drop at 500 yards in the RFB... 12” more in the RFB. Probably nothing you can do about it, you just have to deal with it.

 

[Nuttz]

 

[BlakeHanson]

Measured by chrono, I loose about 200 FPS of velocity with the same ammo between my 24” Savage 110 FP and my 18” RFB. With the same amunition in different rifles, ... 12” more [drop] in the RFB. Probably nothing you can do about it, you just have to deal with it.

Wouldn't the 24" barrel Hunter fix this?
Same length barrel, same ammo, same velocity?