JY
24 October 2000, 04:13
For the past few weeks I've been getting some serious butt plate time on Knight's SR25, shot it before but not extensively.
It's not a light rifle just shy of 11lbs naked and empty, similar to the M14/M25.The rifle I've been shooting is equipted with the M3A 10X40mm day optic and no iron sights. Accuracy has been averaging between .50 and .65 moa, not bad for a gas gun. You get the normal first round flyer common with all box magazine fed semi autos, this can open up your group by 2X.
Maintainance wise I've been cleaning the receiver and barrel after 20 rounds, gas guns need this for repeated accuracy. With the gases being blown back through the gas tube the bolt carrier/bolt and locking lug/barrel extension get carboned up in short order. This results in the bolt locking up at different positions, while safe to fire accuracy is degraded by what is in effect changing headspace.Bolt and bolt carrier are chromed though the carrier key is not making cleaning easy. The firing pin retaining pin is captive so you can't loose it like the M16 version. The barrel is a 24" tube 5R rifling with a 1 in 11.29 twist. Remington makes the barrel and it's the same as on the M24 SWS(except barrel is chrome moly not stainless). The 5R makes it easy to clean.
Performance wise I've had no malfunctions of any kind. The floating handguard takes all the stress when using a sling for support, plus the barrel is free all the way to the barrel nut. One thing that needs to be used all the time is the removable case deflector, if not used cases will mark up the reciever and case a twitch for a lefty. When engaging multiple targets the rifle comes into it's own, recoil is absorbed by the weight and gas action allowing quick re- acquisition of the target. Current thought is the rifle can provide precision fire on multiple moving targets under 800 yards, I think 600 is a more reasonable range except under ideal conditions and terrain. One problem with it is you can not get low enough for a good hawkins position(one I like)the design forces you into a high shooting position due to it's pistol grip and the 20 round magazine.
I like the weapon, will it take the place of a bolt SWS...no, it's not a surgical weapon. But as a spotters weapon or DM weapon it is tops. Also as a primary SWS where MOUT is involved and shorter ranges with a high target density it will serve well.
With the above in mind I feel a variable power scope such as a 3.5-10X would be ideal. With a faster ranging reticle and "sniper post" similar to the kahles ZF95 would be a better choice. The "sniper post" is a better choice for low light and shadowed area such as a city, plus is very fast on target. The range finding reticle is of the SVD POS-1 variety using a base line and steps for 200,400,600,800, and 1000 yrds/meters matching the BDC increments. I would also recommend that iron sights be fitted. The folding front and 600 meter rear are great. The front folds down into a slot cut into the hand guard, the rear is similar to the M4 but made in two versions a 300 and 600..the 600 would be ideal. The iron sights would allow the weapon to be used as a normal combat rifle when needed and also to continue with the mission in bad weather when a scope would be blinded(heavy rain and snow)
Overall I've found the SR25 to be the best semi auto SWS I've had my hands on(have shot the PSG-1,M21,M25 and others). I wouldn't mind adding one to my personal battery, I think Knights have done a great job with this one.
Hope I didn't bore anyone with this post. Take care...Jim
It's not a light rifle just shy of 11lbs naked and empty, similar to the M14/M25.The rifle I've been shooting is equipted with the M3A 10X40mm day optic and no iron sights. Accuracy has been averaging between .50 and .65 moa, not bad for a gas gun. You get the normal first round flyer common with all box magazine fed semi autos, this can open up your group by 2X.
Maintainance wise I've been cleaning the receiver and barrel after 20 rounds, gas guns need this for repeated accuracy. With the gases being blown back through the gas tube the bolt carrier/bolt and locking lug/barrel extension get carboned up in short order. This results in the bolt locking up at different positions, while safe to fire accuracy is degraded by what is in effect changing headspace.Bolt and bolt carrier are chromed though the carrier key is not making cleaning easy. The firing pin retaining pin is captive so you can't loose it like the M16 version. The barrel is a 24" tube 5R rifling with a 1 in 11.29 twist. Remington makes the barrel and it's the same as on the M24 SWS(except barrel is chrome moly not stainless). The 5R makes it easy to clean.
Performance wise I've had no malfunctions of any kind. The floating handguard takes all the stress when using a sling for support, plus the barrel is free all the way to the barrel nut. One thing that needs to be used all the time is the removable case deflector, if not used cases will mark up the reciever and case a twitch for a lefty. When engaging multiple targets the rifle comes into it's own, recoil is absorbed by the weight and gas action allowing quick re- acquisition of the target. Current thought is the rifle can provide precision fire on multiple moving targets under 800 yards, I think 600 is a more reasonable range except under ideal conditions and terrain. One problem with it is you can not get low enough for a good hawkins position(one I like)the design forces you into a high shooting position due to it's pistol grip and the 20 round magazine.
I like the weapon, will it take the place of a bolt SWS...no, it's not a surgical weapon. But as a spotters weapon or DM weapon it is tops. Also as a primary SWS where MOUT is involved and shorter ranges with a high target density it will serve well.
With the above in mind I feel a variable power scope such as a 3.5-10X would be ideal. With a faster ranging reticle and "sniper post" similar to the kahles ZF95 would be a better choice. The "sniper post" is a better choice for low light and shadowed area such as a city, plus is very fast on target. The range finding reticle is of the SVD POS-1 variety using a base line and steps for 200,400,600,800, and 1000 yrds/meters matching the BDC increments. I would also recommend that iron sights be fitted. The folding front and 600 meter rear are great. The front folds down into a slot cut into the hand guard, the rear is similar to the M4 but made in two versions a 300 and 600..the 600 would be ideal. The iron sights would allow the weapon to be used as a normal combat rifle when needed and also to continue with the mission in bad weather when a scope would be blinded(heavy rain and snow)
Overall I've found the SR25 to be the best semi auto SWS I've had my hands on(have shot the PSG-1,M21,M25 and others). I wouldn't mind adding one to my personal battery, I think Knights have done a great job with this one.
Hope I didn't bore anyone with this post. Take care...Jim