I'm curious if anyone has trigger time on the Barrett Mrad. I continue to research my next long range platform. I really like what I see in the Mrad. They have a kit now in 300 prc. Wonder how a head to head between the Barrett and another high quality custom like a GA precision would stack up. Anyone with trigger time kn both? Curious....
Barrett Mrad vrs custom bolt gun?
- Thread starter captdan
- Start date
Sandstorm
Gold $$ Contributor
I shot the MRAD in 300 WIN Mag and its extremely capable platform in that caliber. We could shoot clover leafs easy at 100
and my buddy nailed a coke can at a 1000 on maby the 10 shot. Wind will still mess with you regardless of caliber.
Only had a short stint shooting a friends gun, but I liked it well enough.
and my buddy nailed a coke can at a 1000 on maby the 10 shot. Wind will still mess with you regardless of caliber.
Only had a short stint shooting a friends gun, but I liked it well enough.
I've been watching this thread with interest.
I agree that you could spend more or less, but is it worth the 6K. I am interested in a 7mm, 30 or 338 that can go 1 mile. Just not sure what cartridge to go with.
For 6k I can get a 1/2 moa custom rifle. Will the MRAD shoot a consistent 1/2 moa? Is this a reasonable expectation?
I think you may have just answered your own question. Given that the mrad can swap calibers in 5 min that may be the best part of the deal.
I'm searching for reports on an mrad being shot at 1 mike and so far can't find anything definitive. But there are tons of good reports out there and Barrett has a very good reputation.
It would be a rare occasion that I would shoot 1 mile, but I want to build a rifle that is capable. Just seams like a risk to spend 6K on a rifle and be unsure of its potential performance. If my custom rifle won't shoot I can always bring it back to my gunsmith and find the problem.
Good point. But normally when I find an issue with my grouping it's me or my reloads..
I guess my question would be how often do you need to replace a barrel on a gun? I've got guns that shoot fine with origial 20 + year old barrels installed. But, if for some reason you want to replace a barrel Barrett does sell barrel kits. I think that also comes with a bolt due to head spacing issues. While the cost is around $1300, I personally think that cost is offset by the versatility. Ie: for an additional $1300 I can have a gun that becomes another caliber in 5 min. Just my take.
I'll bet that GA could build you a 300PRC for less than the Barrett, and it'll be as good or better in the accuracy department. They stand behind their builds, and the ones I have shoot exceptionally well. If you're worried about the barrel swap, there are switch lug systems that allow for the same fast change on a standard rifle. or an action wrench and a barrel vise and you can swap out pretty quick with shouldered barrels cut to your action, and those barrels will most certainly cost less than $1300
GA is certainly in the running, I like what they build for sure. Are you saying they can custom build a gun that could swap calibers? I was not aware of that option.. If not I'd be hard pressed to send a GA bolt gun to another manf for that mod.
you'd have to talk to them, but there is a good one, the WTO switchlug, which uses prefit barrels to your action and a lug with a locking bolt through it. simply loosen the bolt, unscrew barrel, install new barrel and torque bolt, off you go. I don't see why GA wouldn't make one for you, they're pretty accommodating when you're paying the bill. They may also recommend a better or different system for what you're after.
I did see the smaller stuff was very close to what you said. The big stuff was closer to the $2000 mark. That is way too much. Not even AI is that expensive and many companies make AI barrels. I do know that at close to 2k a pop I can have two rifles made up and just send in the first one to get a new tube while shooting the second.
We all have guns we do not shoot. I have several hunting rifles that almost never get shot and I would think the barrels on them will last 300+ years.
My hunting/ long range rifles get shot all the time. My 300WM barrels do not last a full 2 years. Several only lasted about a year. I am not sure but I think I am on barrel 8 or 9 for this 300WM. So say 8 barrels. That is close to $16,000. Granted I live on farm and shoot every day. So your mileage may vary on how much you shoot. I also "test" ammo and components for my company so the cost to me is really $0.00.
$1300 for a barrel kit....seems high. You can rebarrel your existing built rifle for a lot less. About half the cost.
I’ve never shot a Barrett so I cannot comment personally but feedback I heard during the ASR from some operators was that the gun feels comfortable in the prone position but not as forgiving in other positions. So you have to ask yourself and or do more homework as to what and how you will be using it.
Also I would assume if you buy a Barrett you could reuse your bolt and extension etc...and get a good smith to do the replacement barrel work and again at less costs.
I have an AXMC. It's not an MRAD, but made with the same idea in mind.
My personal opinion is that these sniper rifles are good at exactly what they are for, and are great for military logistics, and making it so that an armorer can work on them instead of a gunsmith...and that's about it.
The base cost of the AXMC is around $7000. The cost of a bolt conversion is around $700. A barrel is another $700-$900. A short action magazine conversion is another $200.
In order to get the AXMC to fill the place of two separate custom rifles, the minimum cost is $8350, and that assumes that the AXMC does everything as well as two different custom rifles... because that's what it costs.
Except that it doesn't. It's a compromise design for warfare. If you have any interest in any form of long range competition or niche hunting you are better served by a custom rifle because it can be tuned to the task.
Even in a sport like PRS that was ostensibly set up for "sniper rifles"...nobody is shooting these systems and doing well with them. The Accuracy International team is using the short action only version from what I have seen...not the super magnum one. It's not that they can't be competitive...but you are going to work harder at it. They're great sniper systems...but not great do everything systems...and unless you get a bucket full of barrels, you are not saving any money.
For hunting, they would be great if you are hunting from the back of a truck, or a blind. They are terrible for stalking because they are heavy. Mine weighs 16 pounds with the a scope and bipod, and a tiny 20 inch barrel.
Of course there may be ways to modify it to make it more functional. I can order a carbon fiber barrel for mine which will save about a pound. I can also order a new handguard for $400 and a $400 competition trigger to make it more viable in PRS...in addition to the short action kit with bolt, and magazines. In theory I could also have some form of bag rider so that it could be competitive in F-Open, or graft an Anschutz Rail and iron sights to it for Palma. But at the end of the day... I'm spending more money than just getting something designed for the task.
An RPA Quadlock is going to be much better for Palma. A Kelbly Panda in a McMillan XIT is going to be better for F-Class. An Impact 737R in an MPA chassis is going to be better for PRS. And a Defiance CRF action in a carbon fiber stock is going to be better for sheep hunting. The AI is going to be better if you're deployed to Syria and operating out of the back of a helicopter, ATV, or Stryker.
My personal opinion is that these sniper rifles are good at exactly what they are for, and are great for military logistics, and making it so that an armorer can work on them instead of a gunsmith...and that's about it.
The base cost of the AXMC is around $7000. The cost of a bolt conversion is around $700. A barrel is another $700-$900. A short action magazine conversion is another $200.
In order to get the AXMC to fill the place of two separate custom rifles, the minimum cost is $8350, and that assumes that the AXMC does everything as well as two different custom rifles... because that's what it costs.
Except that it doesn't. It's a compromise design for warfare. If you have any interest in any form of long range competition or niche hunting you are better served by a custom rifle because it can be tuned to the task.
Even in a sport like PRS that was ostensibly set up for "sniper rifles"...nobody is shooting these systems and doing well with them. The Accuracy International team is using the short action only version from what I have seen...not the super magnum one. It's not that they can't be competitive...but you are going to work harder at it. They're great sniper systems...but not great do everything systems...and unless you get a bucket full of barrels, you are not saving any money.
For hunting, they would be great if you are hunting from the back of a truck, or a blind. They are terrible for stalking because they are heavy. Mine weighs 16 pounds with the a scope and bipod, and a tiny 20 inch barrel.
Of course there may be ways to modify it to make it more functional. I can order a carbon fiber barrel for mine which will save about a pound. I can also order a new handguard for $400 and a $400 competition trigger to make it more viable in PRS...in addition to the short action kit with bolt, and magazines. In theory I could also have some form of bag rider so that it could be competitive in F-Open, or graft an Anschutz Rail and iron sights to it for Palma. But at the end of the day... I'm spending more money than just getting something designed for the task.
An RPA Quadlock is going to be much better for Palma. A Kelbly Panda in a McMillan XIT is going to be better for F-Class. An Impact 737R in an MPA chassis is going to be better for PRS. And a Defiance CRF action in a carbon fiber stock is going to be better for sheep hunting. The AI is going to be better if you're deployed to Syria and operating out of the back of a helicopter, ATV, or Stryker.
coldboreshot
Silver $$ Contributor
For approximately 6K, the cost of a (rifle only) MRAD, you could have a custom bolt action platform build (basically an action of choice) and still have enough to glass it and a little extra kit as well. If you are someone of unlimited financial means, then have at it. Me personally, I prefer a custom project where I can decide the components and not be subjected to cookie cutter rifles. As for the 300PRC, I'm sure there are reamers now available. Advice; buy the reamer and hold on to it for any future chamberings. YOU know exactly how many cuts will be on that reamer. Factory guns are allowed a certain number of cuts (tolerance) on a reamer before being discarded. You may not wish to get caught at the tail end of that particular reamer. I believe you will more satisfied owning a fine shooting weapon that you were able to decide it's structure. I'm not suggesting Barretts are not worthy rifles (I owned a great shooting M82 for quite some time) but back in the day, custom components for 50bmg projects were pretty no existent. Keep in mind, if you have an action wrench, a barrel vise and a little expertise, you can switch barrels yourself. The 5 minute barrel change is great in the deployment field but unnecessary for day-to-day grind. Just my opinion.
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